Dune 3D
What Dune 3D is
Dune 3D is a free, open-source parametric 3D CAD application for Linux and Windows. It supports sketching and constraining in both two and three dimensions, with more than 20 constraints for 2D designs. Sketches can become 3D objects through extrusion, lathe, revolution, loft, and pipe groups; distance and angular constraints can also serve as measurements. STEP files can be imported as references, with their shapes included in sketch-group solid models for modification. DXF files import into workplanes that have an active workplane. Dune 3D exports 3D models as STEP or STL, 2D paths as SVG or DXF, and projections. Exporting DXF paths from multiple groups is not yet supported. Input options include touchpad and trackpoint navigation, touchscreen pinch-to-zoom, and 3D devices through libspnav. The project’s primary use case was designing 3D-printed electronics enclosures. It is licensed under GPL-3.0. Development builds may occasionally break, and Windows support covers only actively supported versions.
Who it suits
Dune 3D suits Linux or Windows users designing parametric parts, including 3D-printed electronics enclosures. It fits projects needing constrained sketches and STEP, STL, SVG, or DXF exchange.
What it does well
- Free and open source
- Supports constrained 2D and 3D sketching
- Creates solids with multiple modeling operations
- Imports STEP and DXF
- Exports STEP, STL, SVG, and DXF
What to know first
- DXF export from multiple groups is unsupported
- Development builds may occasionally break
- Older Windows versions are not supported
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free and open source | Free and open source CAD application | Free |
As dune3d.org lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Dune 3D provides a broad parametric modeling workflow without a listed charge, with useful CAD imports and exports. Users should note the unfinished multi-group DXF export and the limits on Windows versions and development builds.
Facts from Dune 3D's own pages
- 3D modeling
- Sketches can be used to create 3D objects with extrusion, lathe, revolution, loft, and pipe groups. · docs.dune3d.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Development builds
- The development version may occasionally break, and the documentation recommends it for access to the latest features and bug fixes. · docs.dune3d.org, 11 Oct 2026
- DXF import
- Dune 3D imports DXF files into workplanes that have an active workplane. · docs.dune3d.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Exports
- It exports 3D models as STL or STEP, 2D paths as SVG or DXF, and projections; exporting DXF paths from multiple groups is not supported yet. · docs.dune3d.org, 11 Oct 2026
- File import and export
- Import: STEP, DXF; export: STEP, STL, SVG, DXF · dune3d.org, 19 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · dune3d.org, 19 Sept 2026
- Input devices
- It supports touchpad and trackpoint zooming and panning, touchscreen pinch-to-zoom, and 3D input devices via libspnav. · docs.dune3d.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Intended use
- The maker says the primary use case was designing 3D-printed enclosures for electronics projects. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- License
- The GitHub repository lists Dune 3D under the GPL-3.0 license. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Measurements
- Distance and angular constraints can also be used as measurements. · docs.dune3d.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Modeling method
- parametric · dune3d.org, 19 Sept 2026
- Platforms
- The official site says Dune 3D runs on Linux and Windows; the installation guide describes Windows and Linux stable-release options. · dune3d.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Dune 3D is a parametric 3D CAD application. · dune3d.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Sketching
- It supports sketching and constraining in both 2D and 3D, with over 20 constraints for 2D designs. · docs.dune3d.org, 11 Oct 2026
- STEP import
- Imported STEP models can serve as references, and their shapes can be included in sketch groups’ solid models for modification. · docs.dune3d.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project directs users with questions to its Matrix room or GitHub Discussions. · docs.dune3d.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- Linux, Windows · dune3d.org, 19 Sept 2026
- Windows support limit
- Only Windows versions in active support are supported, and bugs specific to older versions will not be fixed. · docs.dune3d.org, 11 Oct 2026
Where Dune 3D stands on Freedom251
- 3D CAD Software#31 of 79
- 3D modeling software#76 of 147