- CADCraft design studio is an open-source CAD/BIM toolset running today in the browser.
- 8 apps cover drafting, modeling, documentation, takeoff, detailing, markup, civil, and parts.
- DWG and DXF are the key formats for opening, editing, and exchanging drawings.
- Command-line workflow with aliases (L, C, TR, EX, O, M, CO) feels familiar to AutoCAD users.
- Desktop versions for macOS, Windows, and Linux are planned; the browser version is available now.
What Is the CADCraft Design Studio?
The CADCraft design studio is an open-source collection of CAD and BIM tools built for architects, engineers, drafters, estimators, and detail designers. The project is hosted on GitHub and documented at the official website, with a browser-based early version available right now and desktop releases for macOS, Windows, and Linux planned.
The studio is not a single monolithic app. It is a family of 8 applications covering different professional directions:
| App Direction | Primary Audience | Typical Work |
|---|---|---|
| 2D Drafting | Drafters, architects | Plans, geometry, documentation |
| Modeling | Designers | 2D-oriented model construction |
| Documentation | Engineers | Annotations, dims, sheets |
| Takeoff | Estimators | Quantity and measurement work |
| Civil | Civil designers | Site and civil layouts |
| Detailing | Detail designers | Component-level drawings |
| Markup | Reviewers | Redlines and drawing review |
| Parts | Fabricators | Parts and component workflows |
Because the current version runs in the browser, you can open the CADCraft 2D drafting app directly from getcadcraft.com/apps/cadcraft without a traditional desktop installation.
Core Studio Capabilities
The CADCraft design studio 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
- Command-driven geometry
- Line, circle, and construction tools
- Interactive point selection
- Command and alias entry
Layers & Organization
- Layer-based structure
- Object assignment by layer
- Controlled visibility
- Cleaner complex drawings
Documentation
- Dimension workflows
- Annotations and readable presentation
- Linetype and lineweight control
Blocks
- Reusable content
- Consistent repeated elements
- Efficient symbol placement
Layouts
- Sheet organization
- Separates model from plotted output
- Drawing composition tools
Scaled Printing
- Print-scale preparation
- Layout output
- Consistent sheet presentation
The official site highlights that CADCraft apps can be driven through scripts or AI agents, making automation a genuine differentiator for batch drawing tasks and repetitive workflows.
Studio Command Reference
The CADCraft design studio follows a command-driven workflow: type a command or alias, follow the prompts, and supply points, distances, or selections. This is the working command set every new user should memorize first.
| Command | Alias | Category | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Line | L | Drawing | Straight segments between picked points |
| Circle | C | Drawing | Circular geometry from center and size |
| Trim | TR | Modify | Removes geometry at selected boundaries |
| Extend | EX | Modify | Extends geometry to a boundary |
| Offset | O | Modify | Parallel or concentric copy at a distance |
| Move | M | Modify | Repositions objects by base point |
| Copy | CO | Modify | Duplicates selected objects |
| Layer | Layer tools | Layers | Organize content into named layers |
| Dimension | Dim tools | Annotation | Adds measurements to drawings |
| Open/Save | File tools | File | Load or preserve drawings |
CADCraft is not AutoCAD and is not affiliated with Autodesk. Familiar habits transfer well, but learn and evaluate CADCraft as its own product, per the official FAQ.
Step-by-Step: Your First Drawing in the Studio
Follow this sequence to go from a blank browser session to a saved, exported drawing.
Open the Browser Studio
Launch the CADCraft browser app from the official site, open an existing drawing or start a new session, and wait for the workspace and command interface to load.
Learn the Workspace
Identify the canvas for geometry, the command line for input, and the drawing-management areas. Review the active drawing state before each operation.
Draw with Commands
Enter L for Line, pick a first point, add more points, and finish the sequence. Add a second element with C for Circle.
Edit and Organize
Use M or CO to reposition or duplicate geometry, TR or EX to clean intersections, and assign objects to appropriate layers.
Review and Export
Inspect the drawing at a useful zoom level, confirm edits and layer assignments, then save or export a copy in the format you need.
When working in the browser, always export a copy for your deliverable rather than treating an uploaded original as the final output. Check layers, linetypes, lineweights, blocks, layouts, and scale settings after opening an existing DWG or DXF.
File Format Support in the Studio
Format compatibility is the most common question from users migrating existing drawings. Here is how each format fits into the studio workflow.
| Format | Role | Best Used For |
|---|---|---|
| DWG | CAD drawing format | Working with existing CAD drawings, preserving structured 2D content |
| DXF | CAD exchange format | Interoperability between compatible applications |
| Document output | Review, documentation delivery, printing | |
| SVG | Vector graphic export | Scalable vector use in other design tools |
| Browser workflow | Application mode | Open, edit, save, or export without desktop installation |
Review the active file operation before closing a browser session so required changes are saved or exported. Unsaved browser-session edits can be lost.
Access, Roadmap, and Studio Checklist
Access to the studio is tiered by development stage, which keeps expectations clear about what you can use today versus what is coming.
| Stage | Status | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Browser version | Available now | Immediate access, no installation |
| Desktop edition | In development | Brings the workflow beyond the browser |
| Early access | Qualification may apply | Preview selected desktop capabilities |
| Platform releases | Planned | macOS, Windows, and Linux support |
Studio Setup Milestones:
- Open the browser studio and complete a first drawing
- Memorize the core aliases: L, C, TR, EX, O, M, CO
- Organize a drawing with layers and layouts
- Open and inspect an existing DWG or DXF file
- Export a drawing to PDF or SVG
- Explore scripting or AI-agent driven automation
Follow development stages, the application family, open-source plans, and feature-request channels through the official support page and the GitHub repository. Public discussion also appears on Reddit's r/Drafting.
FAQ
Q: Is the CADCraft design studio free to use?
CADCraft is an open-source CAD and BIM project, and the browser-based version is currently accessible through the official website. Desktop editions for macOS, Windows, and Linux are planned but had not shipped as of October 2026.
Q: Can the studio open my existing DWG and DXF files?
Yes. DWG and DXF are the key file formats in the CADCraft workflow. You can open, edit, save, or export these formats through the browser app, and also export to PDF and SVG for documentation and vector use.
Q: Will my AutoCAD skills transfer to the CADCraft design studio?
Largely, yes. CADCraft uses a command-line workflow with aliases like L, TR, and CO, plus layers and layouts, which match common AutoCAD habits. However, CADCraft is an independent product and should be learned on its own terms.
Q: Does the studio support automation?
The official site states that CADCraft apps can be driven through scripts or AI agents, supporting automated drawing tasks, batch processing, and repetitive workflow optimization.