SolveSpace

solvespace.com ↗

Constrain sketches, build solid parts and choose a suitable geometry export

SI Score
80/100
Pricing
Open Source AI reading, not confirmed
Free plan
Yes AI reading, not confirmed
Sign-up required
Not confirmed

Ask SI about SolveSpace

Answers use saved listing facts and recorded sources.
Homepage screenshot
Screenshot of the SolveSpace homepage

What it does

SolveSpace is free parametric CAD software for 2D sketches, solid parts, assemblies and linkage studies. Geometric relationships and dimensions drive the model on Windows, Mac and Linux.

The angle-bracket tutorial shows how a constrained sketch becomes a solid. Draw a closed profile with Line Segment, anchor a corner to the origin, and add horizontal, parallel, perpendicular and equal-length constraints. Tangent Arc at Point rounds the inner corner. New Group > Extrude creates the solid; the Property Browser switches it from one-sided to two-sided.

A second constrained sketch forms the gusset. Equal Length ties its thickness to the bracket. For mounting holes, draw two circles on a new workplane, give them equal radii and symmetric centres, extrude them to the opposite face, then set the extrusion's combination to difference. Revising an earlier group propagates through the later features. Dragging a partially constrained sketch can produce an unexpected solution; Undo restores the earlier state.

Export depends on the geometry. STL and OBJ use the active group's triangle mesh. STEP requires NURBS surfaces and declares millimetre units. The export chord tolerance controls how closely a mesh approximates curves, but the maximum-segment setting can still cap its detail. A 3D wireframe contains lines and curves without solid surfaces.

SolveSpace is distributed under GPL version 3 or later. Keep its native model when dimensions or constraints need further editing; exported geometry serves the downstream handoff.

Strengths

  • Constraints keep related dimensions linked as earlier features change.
  • Both CAD surface and mesh outputs are available for supported geometry.

Watch out for

  • STEP export is unavailable when the model has only a triangle-mesh representation.
  • A partially constrained sketch can solve to an unexpected configuration when dragged.

Best for

  • Dimensioned brackets and small mechanical parts
  • Constraint-based assembly and linkage studies

Sources