SolveSpace - a parametric 2D/3D CAD program

[Joe A.TT]

From the SolveSpace homepage...

SOLVESPACE is a parametric 3d CAD program. Applications include:

• modeling 3d parts — draw with extrudes, revolves, and Boolean (union / difference) operations
• modeling 2d parts — draw the part as a single section, and export DXF, PDF, SVG; use 3d assembly to verify fit
• 3d-printed parts — export the STL or other triangle mesh expected by most 3d printers
• preparing CAM data — export 2d vector art for a waterjet machine or laser cutter; or generate STEP or STL, for import into third-party CAM software for machining
• mechanism design — use the constraint solver to simulate planar or spatial linkages, with pin, ball, or slide joints
• plane and solid geometry — replace hand-solved trigonometry and spreadsheets with a live dimensioned drawing

SolveSpace was previously a commercial program until the developer, Jonathan Westhues, released the code in August 2013. Interested persons may want to read this write-up. There are several videos on YouTube as well.

Compared to other bloated CAD programs, SolveSpace weighs in at a measly 1.4 MB. SolveSpace is portable too. Once you download the single executable, you can drop it anywhere or carry it around on a flash drive.

SolveSpace works on Windows XP to 10 but Linux users can also run the program under WINE. RC versions are also available for Windows, Linux and Mac.

[Joe A.TT]

Hi guys, I recently tried SolveSpace on a basic project and I thought I'd post a little demo here.



This is my first try with a CAD program so I am far from expert, but for a 6MB program, I think I am impressed! This is a keeper.