OpenVSP
by OpenVSP
What OpenVSP is
OpenVSP is free, open-source software for parametric aircraft geometry. It creates three-dimensional aircraft models from common engineering parameters and processes them into formats used for engineering analysis. The software runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, and Ubuntu, with C++, Python, MATLAB, and scripting APIs. It imports and exports STL, IGES, SVG, NASCART, V2, BEM, and VSP3 files. Its C++ API supports headless modeling and analysis, external software integration, trade studies, and optimization automation; documentation also covers AngelScript and Python, with MATLAB examples included in the distribution. Release 3.54.0 adds geometry cloning, multithreaded CFDMesh improvements, and split or stitched STEP and IGES export. The Python API must match the Python version used to compile OpenVSP unless you compile it yourself. Tutorials, technical documentation, a Google Group, and a GitHub issue tracker provide learning and community resources. The license supplies the software without warranty.
Who it suits
OpenVSP suits aircraft designers and engineers who need parametric geometry, analysis workflows, or scripted automation. It also fits users comfortable with open-source software and the listed APIs and file formats.
What it does well
- Free open-source aircraft geometry software
- Supports Windows, macOS, Linux, and Ubuntu
- Offers C++, Python, MATLAB, and scripting APIs
- Includes headless analysis and optimization automation
- Imports and exports several engineering formats
What to know first
- Python API version must match the compiled version
- License provides no warranty
- No free trial is listed
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| OpenVSP | Open source software released under the NASA Open Source Agreement | Free |
As openvsp.org lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
OpenVSP provides parametric aircraft modeling with broad scripting, automation, and file-format support at no cost. Check the Python version requirement and platform compatibility before building it into a workflow.
Facts from OpenVSP's own pages
- Analysis and automation
- The C++ API exposes GUI functionality to programs and supports headless modeling and analysis, external software integration, trade studies, and optimization automation. · openvsp.org, 11 Oct 2026
- API languages
- Official API documentation provides C++, AngelScript, and Python resources, and lists MATLAB API examples in the distribution. · openvsp.org, 11 Oct 2026
- API limitation
- The Python API version must match the Python version OpenVSP was compiled with; using another version requires compiling OpenVSP yourself. · openvsp.org, 11 Oct 2026
- CAD export
- The 3.54.0 release adds split and stitched STEP and IGES export and says every CAD export path is tested by reading the file back with OpenCASCADE. · openvsp.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Community support
- The project directs users to the VSP Google Group for discussion and offers a GitHub issue tracker for bug reports and feature requests. · openvsp.org, 11 Oct 2026
- File import and export
- STL, IGES, SVG, NASCART, V2, BEM, VSP3 · openvsp.org, 19 Sept 2026
- Founded
- 2012 · openvsp.org, 28 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · openvsp.org, 19 Sept 2026
- Geometry cloning
- The 3.54.0 release adds Clone geometry for duplicating components when symmetry is insufficient. · openvsp.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The project describes its users as aircraft designers and invites users to contribute models, test releases, improve documentation, answer mailing-list questions, and develop software. · openvsp.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Learning resources
- The project provides tutorial videos through OpenVSP Ground School and technical documentation through its Wiki and API documentation. · openvsp.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Meshing
- The 3.54.0 release describes CFDMesh as faster, multithreaded, more robust, and producing higher quality output. · openvsp.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Modeling method
- parametric · openvsp.org, 19 Sept 2026
- Open source
- OpenVSP was released as an open source project on January 10, 2012, under NASA Open Source Agreement version 1.3. · openvsp.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Platforms
- The download page lists builds for Windows, Mac OS, and Ubuntu, including x64 and ARM64 Mac builds. · openvsp.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- OpenVSP is a parametric aircraft geometry tool for creating 3D aircraft models defined by common engineering parameters and processing them into formats suitable for engineering analysis. · openvsp.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Security and warranty
- The license provides the software as is without warranty, including warranties of error-free operation or documentation conformance. · openvsp.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- Windows, macOS, Ubuntu; C++, Python, MATLAB and scripting APIs · openvsp.org, 19 Sept 2026
Where OpenVSP stands on Freedom251
- 3D CAD Software#19 of 79