- CADCraft online runs directly in the browser, no desktop install required.
- Command-line workflow with aliases like L, C, TR, and M mirrors familiar CAD habits.
- DWG and DXF are the key formats for opening, editing, and exporting drawings.
- Desktop versions for macOS, Windows, and Linux are planned but still in development.
- Open-source project: the codebase is available on GitHub for anyone to inspect.
What Is CADCraft Online?
CADCraft online is the browser-based entry point to CADCraft, an open-source CAD and BIM toolset aimed at architects, engineers, drafters, estimators, and detail designers. The official website at getcadcraft.com currently offers an early browser version, with desktop releases for macOS, Windows, and Linux planned as the application family matures.
The project is organized as a family of 8 apps covering drafting, modeling, documentation, takeoff, civil design, detailing, markup, and parts workflows. According to the official GitHub repository, the project is fully open source, which means transparency for teams concerned about data ownership and long-term tool availability.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access mode | Browser (available now) |
| Project type | Open source |
| Apps in family | 8 CAD/BIM tools |
| Key file formats | DWG, DXF (plus PDF, SVG export) |
| Desktop plans | macOS, Windows, Linux (in development) |
CADCraft online suits drafters who want quick browser access to 2D drawing tools without installing native software. If your work depends heavily on legacy desktop-only plugins, wait for the desktop releases before migrating full projects.
Getting Started: First Drawing in the Browser
The fastest way to learn CADCraft is to draw something. This walkthrough takes you from opening the app to saving your first simple 2D drawing.
Open CADCraft in the Browser
Launch the CADCraft browser app from the official site and choose to start a new drawing session. Wait for the drawing workspace and command interface to load fully.
Learn the Workspace
Identify the three main areas: the drawing canvas for geometry, tool controls for common operations, and the command line where you type commands and answer prompts.
Enter Your First Command
Type L for Line, pick a start point in the canvas, pick additional points, and press Enter to finish. Try C for Circle next: pick a center, then define the radius.
Edit the Geometry
Use M (Move) to reposition objects, CO (Copy) to duplicate them, and TR (Trim) to clean up unwanted intersections.
Organize and Save
Assign geometry to appropriate layers, review the drawing at a useful zoom level, then save or export it in a supported format such as DWG or DXF.
Before closing the browser tab, confirm your changes are saved or exported. Browser-based file workflows do not automatically treat an uploaded original as a saved deliverable. Always export a separate copy of your revised work.
Core Features at a Glance
CADCraft's 2D drafting app covers the everyday capabilities most drafters need: geometry creation, organization, reusable content, and scaled output.
2D Drafting
- Line-based geometry and construction
- Command and alias entry
- Interactive point selection
Layers & Linetypes
- Layer-based organization
- Linetype and lineweight control
- Visibility management
Blocks & Layouts
- Reusable block content
- Layout-based sheet presentation
- Scale-aware printing
For a closer look at how these capabilities compare in daily drafting work, see the breakdown below.
| Feature | Category | Practical Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| 2D drafting | Drawing | Create geometry with familiar commands |
| Documentation | Annotation | Add dimensions and readable notes |
| Layers | Organization | Keep complex files manageable |
| Linetypes/lineweights | Display | Clear visual hierarchy on sheets |
| Blocks | Reusable content | Consistent repeated symbols |
| Layouts | Presentation | Separate model from sheet output |
| Scaled printing | Output | Print-ready, proportion-correct plans |
Coming from AutoCAD? CADCraft's command-line interaction, aliases, and layer/layout concepts follow familiar CAD patterns, which shortens the learning curve. Note that CADCraft is an independent product and is not affiliated with Autodesk.
Commands, Shortcuts, and File Formats
The command reference below covers the most frequently used operations. Each command can be typed at the command line; aliases give you a one- or two-letter shortcut.
| Command | Alias | Category | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Line | L | Drawing | Straight segments between points |
| Circle | C | Drawing | Circular geometry from center and radius |
| Trim | TR | Modify | Remove geometry at boundaries |
| Extend | EX | Modify | Extend objects to a boundary |
| Offset | O | Modify | Parallel or concentric copies |
| Move | M | Modify | Reposition selected objects |
| Copy | CO | Modify | Duplicate selected objects |
| Layer | Layer tools | Layers | Organize content into named layers |
| Dimension | Dim tools | Annotation | Add measurements to drawings |
File format handling follows the same practical logic:
| Format | Role | When to Use It |
|---|---|---|
| DWG | Standard CAD drawing format | Preserving structured 2D drafting content |
| DXF | CAD data exchange format | Cross-application interoperability |
| Fixed-layout document output | Review, sharing, and printing | |
| SVG | Scalable vector graphic | Vector use in other design tools |
After opening an existing DWG or DXF, check layers, linetypes, lineweights, blocks, layouts, and scale settings before editing. Format conversion is rarely pixel-perfect, so a quick audit prevents surprises at print time.
Access, Automation, and Roadmap
Beyond manual drafting, CADCraft applications are designed to be driven through scripts or AI agents, making batch processing and repetitive-task automation a genuine differentiator compared with conventional browser CAD tools.
Access currently works in four stages:
| Stage | Status | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Browser version | Available now | Immediate access, no install |
| Desktop edition | In development | Brings workflow beyond the browser |
| Early access | Qualification may apply | Preview selected desktop capabilities |
| Platform releases | Planned | macOS, Windows, and Linux support |
Community discussion is active on GitHub and on Reddit's r/Drafting community, where users share first impressions and workflow tips.
CADCraft Online Milestones:
- Open CADCraft in the browser and load the workspace
- Complete a drawing using L, C, TR, and M commands
- Organize geometry into named layers
- Export a drawing as DWG or DXF
- Explore scripting or AI-agent automation options
The roadmap, open-source plans, and support channels evolve. Follow the official support page for feature requests, troubleshooting, and early-access announcements.
FAQ
Q: Is CADCraft online 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 on GitHub. Check the official site for the latest terms, since access conditions and early-access qualifications may change as development continues.
Q: Can CADCraft open my existing DWG and DXF files?
Yes. DWG and DXF are the key file formats in the CADCraft workflow. You can open existing drawings, edit them, and export a copy. After opening a file, verify layers, linetypes, lineweights, blocks, and layout settings before making changes.
Q: Is CADCraft the same as AutoCAD?
No. CADCraft is an independent open-source application. It uses familiar patterns like command-line entry, aliases, layers, and layouts that reduce the learning curve for AutoCAD users, but it is not made by or affiliated with Autodesk.
Q: When will desktop versions be released?
Desktop editions for macOS, Windows, and Linux are in development, with early-access opportunities available on a qualification basis. The browser version is the way to use CADCraft online today; monitor the official site and support page for release updates.