SolveSpace

SolveSpace is a free, open‑source CAD program that lets users create parametric 2‑D and 3‑D models. It supports sketching with extrusions, revolutions, helical sweeps, and Boolean operations such as union, difference, and intersection. The software can generate 2‑D drawings that export to DXF, PDF, and SVG, and it can produce 3‑D mesh files like STL for 3‑D printing or STEP for downstream CAM workflows.

The tool includes an assembly environment for checking the fit of printed parts, as well as a constraint solver that simulates planar or spatial linkages with pin, ball, and slide joints. This enables designers to replace manual calculations with live, dimensioned drawings that update automatically as constraints change.

Typical users are hobbyists, engineers, and educators who need a lightweight, cross‑platform CAD solution on macOS. The program’s stable release, GPL‑3 licensing, and support for exporting to common manufacturing formats make it suitable for rapid prototyping, mechanism design, and preparation of CNC or laser‑cutting files.