Assembly Line

Pythonocc-core

Python package for 3D geometry CAD/BIM/CAM

Pythonocc-core is an open-source 3D and CAD project on GitHub under the LGPL-3.0 license (weak copyleft), with 2k stars. It is built with CPython. Its last push was today.

Stars
2k
License
LGPL-3.0
Activity
Active
Latest release
8.0.1.2

Code on GitHub

Judgement

What it is
Building block
What it does
Python bindings for the OpenCascade kernel for 3D modelling, data exchange and visualisation in CAD, PLM, BIM and CAM applications.
Adopt it when
You build CAD or engineering tools in Python and need full OpenCascade access.
Watch out
Mostly maintained by one person, and installation is easiest through conda.
Ready for
Production-ready
Runs as
Library
Built with
Python, C++, SWIG and OpenCascade
How established
Established: started 12 years ago, latest release 8.0.1.2.
What the license allows
You can use it inside a product you sell; changes you make to its own files must be shared.

Judged on 2026-11-03 from the project's README and GitHub data. The license and age lines are worked out directly.

Built from

Follow it down: Pythonocc-core → CPython → GCC → LLVM project → runs on a microchip

How compilers were built, back to punched paper tape

Open-source alternatives to Pythonocc-core

  1. 1
    FreeCAD FreeCAD

    Official source code of FreeCAD, a free and opensource multiplatform 3D parametric modeler.

    Complete system Production-ready Engineers, makers or small firms need free parametric CAD without SolidWorks or Fusion licences.

    ★ 35k LGPL-2.1 C++ Active, pushed today
  2. 2
    Editor pascalorg

    Open-source 3D architectural editor with a local CLI, MCP tools, and practical workflows for humans and AI agents.

    Complete system Usable You want to sketch building layouts in 3D and let AI agents help.

    ★ 25k MIT TypeScript Active, pushed today
  3. 3
    Text-to-cad earthtojake

    Design physical products with AI

    Integration Experimental You design simple mechanical parts and want an AI agent to produce manufacturable files.

    ★ 25k MIT Python Active, pushed today
  4. 4
    SolidCraft tangency-labs

    SolidCraft: an open-source parametric 3D CAD application built in pure Rust. Desktop, web, and automation through MCP.

    Complete system Experimental You want to try a new open parametric CAD tool for hobby parts.

    ★ 13k Apache-2.0 Rust Active, pushed today
  5. 5
    CADAM Adam-CAD

    CADAM is the open source text-to-CAD web application

    Complete system Usable Makers want quick printable parts from a description and simple parameter tweaks.

    ★ 5.4k GPL-3.0 TypeScript Active, pushed 19 days ago
  6. 6
    Chili3D xiangechen

    A browser-based 3D CAD for AI-assisted, parametric and direct modeling.

    Complete system Usable You want real B-rep CAD in a browser without installing anything.

    ★ 5k AGPL-3.0 TypeScript Active, pushed yesterday
  7. 7
    SolveSpace solvespace

    Parametric 2d/3d CAD

    Complete system Production-ready You want a small, fast constraint-based CAD tool for simple mechanical parts.

    ★ 4.2k GPL-3.0 C++ Active, pushed 2 days ago
  8. 8
    Atopile atopile

    Design circuit boards with code! ✨ Get software-like design reuse 🚀, validation, version control and collaboration in hardware; starting with electronics ⚡️

    Developer tool Usable Your hardware team wants software-style reuse, validation and version control for electronics.

    ★ 4k MIT Python Active, pushed 19 days ago

Commercial 3D modeling and CAD software

  1. 1
    AutoCAD Autodesk

    Computer-aided design and drafting software

    Complete system Production-ready You produce technical drawings in architecture, engineering or construction and must exchange DWG files with others.

    3.7k readers a month Since 1982 Commercial
  2. 2
    SketchUp Trimble Inc.

    Architectural 3D modelling CAD software

    Complete system Production-ready Architects, builders or designers need quick 3D concept models rather than full engineering CAD.

    3.5k readers a month Since 2000 Commercial
  3. 3
    Autodesk Maya Autodesk

    3D computer graphics software

    Complete system Production-ready You work in or train for film, TV or game animation pipelines where Maya is the expected tool.

    2.7k readers a month Since 1998 Commercial
  4. 4
    SolidWorks Dassault Systèmes

    Desktop software for 3D modeling

    Complete system Production-ready A manufacturing or product engineering business designs mechanical parts and wants the most common desktop CAD for hiring and suppliers.

    1.9k readers a month Since 1995 Commercial
  5. 5
    Onshape PTC

    Onshape is the most customizable production CAD system. Cloud-native CAD and built-in PDM with AI-powered customization, on any device, with zero IT required.

    Complete system Production-ready A product team wants mechanical CAD without installs or file juggling, and values branching and real-time collaboration.

    800 readers a month Commercial
  6. 6
    Autodesk Fusion Autodesk

    Computer-aided design (CAD) software application

    Complete system Production-ready A small manufacturer, startup or maker wants design and CNC toolpaths in one affordable package.

    699 readers a month Since 2013 Commercial

Stars, license and activity come from GitHub and refresh on a rolling hourly schedule. The project's own description is quoted as written.