CadQuery

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

What CadQuery is

CadQuery is a free, open-source Python library for creating parametric 3D CAD models through code. It targets people who want customizable designs represented as versionable, shareable programs. The fluent Workplane API supports modeling operations and geometry selectors, while assemblies can be nested and constrained. For lower-level geometry work, CadQuery exposes Python bindings to Open CASCADE Technology libraries through OCP. A built-in render engine displays models, and Jupyter integration lets users render and inspect them interactively in a browser-based notebook. CQ-editor provides a graphical script editor with a debugger that visualizes operations step by step. Documented output formats include STEP, AMF, 3MF, and STL, including formats used for 3D printing. CadQuery runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows desktop systems. Installation is available through conda or pip; the documentation describes conda as the better-tested, more mature option. Pip supports Python 3.9 and newer, although newer Python releases may encounter dependency delays.

Who it suits

CadQuery suits developers, designers, and makers who prefer script-based parametric modeling in Python. It is useful for people who want customizable CAD code that can be versioned and shared.

What it does well

Free open-source Python library
Parametric modeling through code
Built-in rendering and Jupyter viewing
Exports STEP, AMF, 3MF, and STL
Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows

What to know first

No parametric-data format import or export
Pip dependency support may lag newer Python
No free trial because it is free software

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
CadQuery	Open-source Python library; no commercial plans or prices stated	Free

As cadquery.github.io lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Verdict

CadQuery combines Python-based parametric modeling with rendering, notebook use, and a graphical script editor. Its documented format limitation matters when workflows require exchanging parametric data.

Facts from CadQuery's own pages

Compatibility limit: The pip installation supports Python 3.9 and newer, while bleeding-edge Python versions may be affected by dependency support lag. · cadquery.readthedocs.io, 11 Oct 2026
Free plan: Yes · cadquery.github.io, 22 Sept 2026
Geometry engine: CadQuery’s lower-level API exposes Python bindings to the Open CASCADE Technology libraries through OCP. · cadquery.readthedocs.io, 11 Oct 2026
Graphical editor: CQ-editor is a graphical editor for CadQuery scripts, and its debugger can visualize operations step by step. · cadquery.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
Import and export limits: CadQuery does not support importing or exporting formats that carry parametric data; its own Python format is the only fully parametric format described. · cadquery.readthedocs.io, 11 Oct 2026
Installation: CadQuery can be installed with conda or pip; its documentation calls conda the better tested and more mature option. · cadquery.readthedocs.io, 11 Oct 2026
Intended users: The project presents script-based modeling in a standard programming language as an approach for people who want customizable models and versionable, shareable code. · cadquery.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
Jupyter integration: CadQuery works with Jupyter, where models can be rendered in the browser and viewed interactively in a notebook. · cadquery.readthedocs.io, 11 Oct 2026
Modeling features: The documentation describes a fluent Workplane API, selectors for choosing geometry, and assemblies that can be nested and constrained. · cadquery.readthedocs.io, 11 Oct 2026
Model outputs: The documentation lists STEP, AMF, 3MF and STL among supported output formats. · cadquery.readthedocs.io, 11 Oct 2026
Parametric modeling: Its goals include creating parametric models that end users can customize. · cadquery.readthedocs.io, 11 Oct 2026
Platform access: desktop · cadquery.github.io, 22 Sept 2026
Platforms: CQ-editor downloads are listed for Linux x86_64, macOS ARM64, and Windows x86_64. · cadquery.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
3D print export: Yes · cadquery.github.io, 22 Sept 2026
Project maintainer: The project site says CadQuery is maintained by the CadQuery organization. · cadquery.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
Purpose: CadQuery is an open-source Python library for building parametric 3D CAD models as code. · cadquery.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
Render engine: built-in · cadquery.github.io, 22 Sept 2026

Where CadQuery stands on Freedom251

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