CADCraft Wiki
CADCraft is an open-source CAD and BIM toolset for drafting, modeling, documentation, takeoff, civil design, detailing, markup, and parts workflows.
CADCraft Resources
Navigate every CADCraft workflow: commands, features, file formats, and getting-started paths
Latest Updates
Discover the newest guides, tips, and content
CADCraft 3D Tools: App Family Overview & Setup Guide
Explore CADCraft 3D tools across the open-source CAD/BIM app family: modeling, civil, detailing, and parts workflows with DWG and DXF support.
CADCraft Tutorial: Beginner Steps for 2D Drafting
Learn CADCraft step by step: open the browser app, master the command line, draw and edit geometry, manage layers, and export DWG or DXF files.
CADCraft Design: 2D Drafting Tools, Commands & Workflow Tips
Learn CADCraft design fundamentals: 2D drafting tools, core commands, layers, DWG/DXF workflows, and tips to master this open-source browser CAD.
CADCraft 2D Drawing: Step-by-Step Drafting Workflow Guide
Learn CADCraft 2D drawing workflows: commands, layers, dimensions, DWG/DXF files, and browser drafting tips for accurate technical drawings.
CADCraft 2D to 3D: Workflow Guide for Drafters
Learn how CADCraft supports 2D-to-3D workflows: drafting, layers, DWG/DXF files, and the wider CADCraft app family for modeling.
CADCraft Punktfang Mitte: Midpoint Object Snap Guide
Learn how to use CADCraft Punktfang Mitte (midpoint object snap) for precise drafting, including setup steps, snap modes, and troubleshooting tips.
CADCraft Download: Access Guide for Browser and Desktop
Learn how to access CADCraft today: use the browser version now, follow desktop development for macOS, Windows, and Linux, and join early access.
CADCraft DWG Download: Setup and File Workflow Guide
Learn how to access CADCraft, open and edit DWG files in the browser, manage layers and layouts, and export drawings in the format you need.
CADCraft Software: Beginner Setup & Drafting Guide 2026
Learn how CADCraft software works: browser access, DWG/DXF support, core commands, layer workflows, and file export for 2D drafting and BIM.
CADCraft Kitchen: Step-by-Step Floor Plan Drafting Guide
Draft a kitchen floor plan in CADCraft: layers, commands, dimensions, DWG/DXF export, and a printable scaled layout workflow.
CADCraft Solutions: Setup, Commands, and Workflow Guide
Learn how CADCraft solutions support browser-based 2D drafting, DWG and DXF workflows, commands, shortcuts, and file export in one practical guide.
CADCraft Solutions: Open-Source CAD & BIM Workflow Guide
CADCraft solutions cover 8 open-source CAD/BIM apps for drafting, DWG/DXF work, scripting, and browser-based 2D design workflows.
CADCraft Beginner Guide
This beginner workflow introduces the essential CADCraft interface and guides new users from opening the application to creating and editing a basic 2D drawing. The process is organized around the browser-based workspace, command entry, drawing tools, and common editing actions.
Open CADCraft in the Browser
Launch the CADCraft browser application from the official website and enter the drawing workspace without installing a traditional desktop CAD program. Choose an existing drawing or begin a new session.
Understand the Drawing Workspace
Identify the main areas used during drafting: the drawing canvas, tool controls, the command line, and drawing-management areas. Review the active drawing state before starting a new operation.
Use the Command Line
CADCraft supports a command-driven workflow. Enter a command or alias such as L for Line, follow the prompts, and provide points, distances, selections, or options as requested. Press Enter to complete or repeat a command.
Create a Simple Drawing
Start the Line command, pick a first point and one or more additional points, then finish the sequence. Use Circle or another basic drawing command to add a second element to the drawing.
Edit and Organize the Drawing
Use Move or Copy to reposition or duplicate geometry, and Trim or Extend to clean up intersections and endpoints. Place geometry on appropriate layers when layer organization is needed.
Review and Save the Result
Inspect the drawing at a useful zoom level, confirm that edits and layer assignments are complete, then save the drawing or export it in the required supported format.
Quick Tips
- Command aliases keep common drafting actions fast: L for Line, C for Circle, TR for Trim, and EX for Extend.
- The command line prompts you for exactly what it needs next, so you rarely need to memorize long input sequences.
- Organizing geometry onto layers from the start makes documentation and later edits much easier.
- Pressing Enter repeats the previous command, which speeds up repetitive drawing work.
This command reference groups common CADCraft operations by their typical drafting purpose. Commands are entered through the command line, while aliases provide shorter ways to start frequently used tools.
Line
LCreates straight line segments between selected points.
Start L, specify the first point, specify one or more next points, then finish the command.
Circle
CCreates circular geometry using a center point and a size-defining input.
Start C, select the center, then define the radius or other available size input.
Trim
TRRemoves unwanted portions of geometry at selected boundaries.
Start TR, identify boundary geometry, then select the portions to remove.
Extend
EXExtends selected geometry until it reaches a suitable boundary.
Start EX, identify the boundary, then select the object to extend.
Offset
OCreates a parallel or concentric copy at a specified distance.
Start O, specify the offset distance, select the source object, and choose the offset side.
Move
MRepositions selected drawing objects from a base point to a destination point.
Start M, select objects, choose a base point, and specify the destination.
Copy
COCreates one or more duplicates of selected drawing objects.
Start CO, select objects, choose a base point, and specify one or more destination points.
Layer
Layer toolsOrganizes geometry by separating drawing content into named, controlled layers.
Open the layer controls, select or create the required layer, and assign drawing objects to it.
Dimension
Dimension toolsAdds measurements and documentation information to a drawing.
Choose the relevant dimension type, select the required geometry or points, and place the dimension.
Open or Save
File toolsLoads an existing drawing or preserves the current drawing in a supported file workflow.
Use the file controls to open, save, or export the drawing in the required format.
CADCraft Features
CADCraft is organized around practical 2D drafting and documentation workflows. Its feature set covers geometry creation, drawing organization, reusable content, layout preparation, and scaled output.
2D Drafting
Create and edit two-dimensional geometry using familiar CAD commands and a command-line-driven workflow.
- Line-based geometry
- Basic geometric construction
- Interactive point selection
- Command and alias entry
Documentation
Prepare drawings for communication and review by combining geometry with documentation elements and organized presentation.
- Drawing annotations
- Dimension workflows
- Documentation-oriented editing
- Readable drawing presentation
Layers
Separate drawing content into layers to make complex 2D files easier to manage, edit, and review.
- Layer-based organization
- Object assignment by layer
- Controlled drawing visibility
- Structured drafting workflows
Linetypes and Lineweights
Use linetype and lineweight settings to distinguish different kinds of drawing information and improve visual hierarchy.
- Linetype control
- Lineweight control
- Visual differentiation
- Documentation-ready styling
Blocks
Work with reusable blocks to keep repeated drawing content consistent and reduce repetitive drafting work.
- Reusable drawing content
- Consistent repeated elements
- Efficient symbol placement
- Organized documentation
Layouts
Prepare drawing presentations through layouts that separate model content from plotted or documented sheet arrangements.
- Layout-based presentation
- Sheet organization
- Drawing composition
- Output preparation
Scaled Printing
Set up drawings for output with scale-aware layout and printing workflows suitable for documented 2D plans.
- Print-scale preparation
- Layout output
- Documentation-focused printing
- Consistent sheet presentation
CADCraft DWG and DXF Support
CADCraft supports a file-oriented workflow for working with existing drawings and preparing output. The most relevant formats are DWG and DXF for CAD drawing exchange, along with PDF and SVG for document and graphic output workflows.
DWG
CAD drawing formatWorking with existing CAD drawings and preserving structured 2D drafting content.
Use DWG when the existing drawing workflow requires a standard CAD drawing format.
DXF
CAD data exchange formatExchanging drawing geometry and CAD data between compatible applications.
Use DXF when interoperability and drawing-data exchange are the primary requirements.
Distributing a readable, fixed-layout representation of a drawing.
Use PDF for review, documentation delivery, and printed drawing output.
SVG
Scalable vector graphic formatUsing drawing output in scalable vector workflows and compatible design tools.
Use SVG when scalable vector output is more useful than a CAD-native drawing file.
Browser-Based File Workflow
Application workflowAccessing and editing drawings without relying on a traditional desktop-only workflow.
Review the active file operation before closing the browser session so required changes are saved or exported.
Existing Drawing Migration
DWG or DXF source drawingMoving an existing 2D drawing into a browser-based CADCraft workflow.
Check layers, linetypes, lineweights, blocks, layouts, and scale-related output settings after opening an existing file.
CADCraft Download and Early Access
CADCraft separates what is available now from what is being developed and what is planned for later releases. The browser version provides the immediate starting point, while desktop applications are being developed with planned support for macOS, Windows, and Linux.
Use CADCraft in the Browser
Open the browser-based CADCraft experience to begin working without waiting for a desktop release or installing a native application.
Immediate access
Follow Desktop Application Development
The desktop edition is being developed as a complementary way to use CADCraft, with a focus on bringing the CADCraft workflow beyond the browser.
Development phase
Join Eligible Early-Access Opportunities
Early-access participation is intended for users who want to follow desktop progress and experience selected capabilities before the broader desktop release.
Qualification or invitation may apply
Watch for Planned Platform Releases
CADCraft desktop plans include support across macOS, Windows, and Linux as the application family continues to develop.
Future releases
CADCraft AutoCAD Workflow
Users coming from AutoCAD can recognize familiar patterns in CADCraft, including command-line interaction, command aliases, layer organization, and layout-based drawing workflows. These similarities reduce the learning curve while CADCraft remains an independent application.
Command-Line Workflow
Use command-oriented interactions to access drawing and editing operations in a way that feels familiar to users accustomed to keyboard-driven CAD workflows.
Supports efficient, repeatable operation without requiring every action to begin from a toolbar.
Command Aliases
Command aliases help experienced CAD users apply short, memorable inputs while building a workflow that relies on the keyboard as well as the interface.
Reduces repetitive navigation for users who already have established CAD command habits.
Layers and Layouts
Organize drawing content through layers and manage presentation or sheet-oriented work through layouts, matching common concepts used in established CAD workflows.
Makes existing organizational habits easier to carry into a new CAD environment.
Independent Relationship
CADCraft is an independent application. Familiarity with AutoCAD can help users get started, but CADCraft is designed to be evaluated and learned as its own product.
Sets clear expectations for migration without presenting CADCraft as an AutoCAD replacement made by Autodesk.
CADCraft File Workflow
CADCraft supports a straightforward file workflow: start with an existing drawing or a new project, make edits in the working environment, keep layers and layouts organized, and export a copy for the next stage of your process.
Import an Existing Drawing
Begin by bringing an existing drawing into CADCraft when you need to review, revise, or continue work that started elsewhere.
Browser workflow
Select or provide the drawing through the browser-based CADCraft experience.
Desktop workflow
The desktop direction is intended to support a more direct local-file workflow.
Review and Modify the Drawing
Use CADCraft drawing tools and familiar CAD interaction patterns to inspect geometry and apply the changes required for the next version.
Browser workflow
Work in the active browser session while keeping the original file separate from the edited result.
Desktop workflow
Use the desktop environment as it becomes available for a more native application workflow.
Manage Layers and Layouts
Keep the drawing understandable by organizing content into layers and maintaining layouts for presentation, sheets, or other structured output needs.
Browser workflow
Make organizational changes within the active browser-based project before preparing an export.
Desktop workflow
Apply the same organizational concepts while working with local files in the desktop application.
Export a Separate Copy
Export the revised work as a copy for sharing, review, archiving, or continued use in another part of the CAD process.
Browser workflow
Download or otherwise export the result from the browser workflow rather than treating the original upload as the final deliverable.
Desktop workflow
Use the local-file model to save or export the revised drawing according to the needs of the surrounding toolchain.
CADCraft Roadmap and Community
CADCraft is presented as an evolving product and application family. This section is designed to remain useful as the roadmap changes, giving users a clear place to follow development, suggest improvements, learn about future open-source plans, and find help when they need it.