- CADCraft solutions provide open-source CAD and BIM tools built for browser-based drafting work.
- Command-line workflow with aliases like L, C, TR, and EX keeps drafting fast and repeatable.
- DWG and DXF support covers opening, editing, saving, and exporting existing 2D drawings.
- Desktop versions for macOS, Windows, and Linux are planned alongside the current browser app.
- Best starting point: open the browser app, learn the workspace, then complete a simple drawing.
What CADCraft Solutions Offer
CADCraft is an open-source CAD and BIM toolset aimed at architects, engineers, drafters, estimators, and detail designers. The official site at getcadcraft.com presents it as a family of eight applications covering drafting, modeling, documentation, takeoff, civil design, detailing, markup, and parts workflows. The browser version is available now, with desktop releases for macOS, Windows, and Linux planned.
Browser Drafting
- No install required
- Command-driven 2D drafting
- Immediate access from the official site
Open-Source Direction
- Public GitHub repository
- Community transparency
- Script and AI agent extensibility
File Compatibility
- DWG and DXF drawing formats
- PDF and SVG export paths
- Existing drawing migration
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Project type | Open-source CAD/BIM toolset |
| Access mode | Browser (early version available) |
| Apps in family | 8 application directions |
| Key formats | DWG, DXF, plus PDF and SVG output |
| Desktop plans | macOS, Windows, Linux |
If you are new to CADCraft, begin with the CADCraft 2D Drafting app page. It covers the core drafting workspace and serves as the entry point for the rest of the toolset.
Beginner Setup: Step-by-Step
Follow this sequence to go from a blank browser session to a finished, saved drawing. The workflow mirrors how experienced CAD users already work, so most steps will feel familiar if you have used command-driven software before.
Open CADCraft in the Browser
Launch the browser application from the official site. No traditional desktop CAD installation is needed. Choose an existing drawing or start a new session and wait for the workspace and command interface to load.
Learn the Drawing Workspace
Identify the main areas: the drawing canvas for geometry, tool controls, the command line for entering commands and options, and drawing-management areas that show the active drawing state.
Use the Command Line
Enter a command or its alias, follow the prompts, and supply points, distances, selections, or options as requested. Press Enter to complete a command or repeat the previous one.
Create a Simple Drawing
Start the Line command (L), pick a first point and additional points, then finish the sequence. Add a Circle (C) or another basic element to build a second shape.
Edit and Organize
Use Move (M) or Copy (CO) to reposition or duplicate geometry, Trim (TR) or Extend (EX) to clean intersections, and place objects on appropriate layers.
Review and Save
Inspect the drawing at a useful zoom level, confirm edits and layer assignments, then save or export the result in a supported format.
Before closing the browser session, complete your save or export operation. The browser workflow keeps the original uploaded file separate from your edited result, so download or export the revised copy rather than relying on the original upload.
Commands, Aliases, and Features
The command set is organized around familiar drafting purposes: drawing, modifying, organizing, annotating, and file operations. Aliases provide short keyboard entries for frequently used tools.
| Command | Alias | Category | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Line | L | Drawing | Creates straight segments between selected points |
| Circle | C | Drawing | Creates circles from a center and size input |
| Trim | TR | Modify | Removes geometry at selected boundaries |
| Extend | EX | Modify | Extends geometry to a boundary |
| Offset | O | Modify | Creates a parallel copy at a set distance |
| Move | M | Modify | Repositions objects between two points |
| Copy | CO | Modify | Duplicates selected objects |
| Layer | Layer tools | Layers | Organizes content into named layers |
| Dimension | Dim tools | Annotation | Adds measurements and documentation |
Beyond commands, the feature set covers the full 2D documentation pipeline:
- Layers for separating content and controlling visibility
- Linetypes and lineweights for visual hierarchy
- Blocks for reusable, consistent repeated elements
- Layouts for sheet-based presentation
- Scaled printing for documented output
Command-line interaction, aliases, layers, and layouts follow patterns familiar to AutoCAD users, which shortens the learning curve. Note that CADCraft is an independent product and should be evaluated on its own merits, not as an Autodesk offering.
DWG, DXF, and File Workflow
File handling is where CADCraft solutions answer the most common migration questions: whether existing drawings open correctly, what happens when you edit them, and which formats you can export.
| Format | Type | Workflow Stage | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| DWG | CAD drawing format | Open, edit, save, export | Working with existing CAD drawings |
| DXF | CAD exchange format | Open, edit, save, export | Interoperability between CAD apps |
| Document output | Export for sharing | Review, delivery, printing | |
| SVG | Vector graphic | Export | Scalable vector use in design tools |
The standard file workflow runs in four moves:
- Import an existing DWG or DXF drawing through the browser experience.
- Review and modify geometry while keeping the original file separate from edits.
- Manage layers and layouts so the drawing stays organized and presentable.
- Export a copy in the format the next stage of your process requires.
After opening an existing file, check layers, linetypes, lineweights, blocks, layouts, and scale-related output settings before continuing work. Small organizational differences between applications can affect printed output.
Access Roadmap and Milestones
CADCraft clearly separates what is available now from what is in development. The browser version is the immediate entry point; desktop applications are being built to extend the workflow beyond the browser.
| Stage | Status | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Browser version | Available now | Immediate access without installation |
| Desktop edition | In development | Complementary native application |
| Early access | Qualification may apply | Selected capabilities before broad release |
| Platform releases | Planned | macOS, Windows, and Linux support |
Development is tracked publicly through the GitHub repository, and community discussion appears on Reddit communities such as r/Drafting. Support and product questions route through the official support page.
Getting-Started Milestones:
- Open CADCraft in the browser
- Complete a first drawing with Line and Circle
- Apply Trim, Extend, Offset, Move, and Copy
- Organize a drawing with layers
- Export a DWG, DXF, PDF, or SVG copy
Because the project is open source and actively evolving, watch the GitHub repository and support page for roadmap changes, desktop release news, and open-source announcements throughout 2026.
FAQ
Q: Is CADCraft free to use in the browser?
The browser version is currently available as an early release from getcadcraft.com, and the project is open source with a public GitHub repository. Check the official site for the current terms and access details.
Q: Can CADCraft open my existing DWG and DXF files?
Yes. The file workflow supports opening, editing, saving, and exporting DWG and DXF drawings. After opening a file, review layers, linetypes, blocks, and layout settings before continuing work.
Q: How similar is CADCraft to AutoCAD?
CADCraft uses familiar patterns such as command-line entry, aliases like L, C, and TR, layers, and layouts, which eases transition for AutoCAD users. However, it is an independent application, not an Autodesk product.
Q: Are Windows, macOS, and Linux desktop versions available?
Desktop versions are planned and in development. Today, the browser version is the primary way to use CADCraft, with early-access opportunities expected ahead of broader desktop releases.