Blender →
Free, open-source creation suite for polygon modeling, sculpting, animation and rendering.
3D modeling
FreeCAD
Open-source parametric CAD for dimension-driven parts, mechanical design and printable prototypes.
Overview
FreeCAD records design relationships parametrically for solids that depend on dimensions, sketch constraints and editable history. Its workbenches cover drawings, manufacturing and other technical tasks.
Dimensioned features differ from artistic triangle-mesh modeling. Converting a scan into editable CAD requires more than changing a file extension.
Key features
- Constrained sketches and parametric features
- Solid and surface tools
- Drawings and specialist workbenches
- STEP, IGES, STL and other exchange formats
Who it is for
Mechanical parts, printable prototypes and dimension-driven product design.
Typical workflow
Constrain a sketch → build features → adjust parameters → check dimensions and export.