{"slug": "build123d", "name": "build123d", "category": "dev-libs", "category_name": "Libraries and frameworks", "description": "Python library for code-based parametric CAD, built on the OpenCascade kernel.", "recommenders": 7, "commenters": 8, "warners": 0, "score": 6.518, "rising": -0.96, "first": "2026-02-20", "latest": "2026-10-11", "why": "Liked as a Python code-CAD library that pairs well with LLM coding assistants and builds real BREP solid models rather than meshes like OpenSCAD, with commenters using it for 3D printing prototypes and CNC-cut parts.", "why_is_quote": false, "has_verdict": true, "sentiment": {"recommend": 6, "neutral": 2, "compare": 0, "warn": 0}, "spark": [0, 0, 0, 1, 2, 3, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0], "listed": true, "loved": ["Works with LLMs", "Real solid models"], "caveat": "AI accuracy", "short_quote": "go straight for build123d which operates on real solid models (BREP)", "icon": true, "domain": null, "github_repo": null, "official_url": "https://build123d.readthedocs.io/en/latest/index.html", "pricing": "open source", "aliases": ["build123d", "Build123d"], "verdict": [{"text": "Liked as a Python code-CAD library that pairs well with LLM coding assistants", "cites": [{"id": 800024688, "item_id": 50001543, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50001543", "by": "bitexploder", "date": "2026-10-08", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I have been using these models to make 3d models with build123d \u2014 they are great at it.", "excerpt": "I have been using these models to make 3d models with build123d \u2014 they are great at it. I am never touching Fusion again. Astra is current a bit better than Opus 5.5.", "context": "", "use_case": "generating 3D models", "switched_from": "Fusion", "story": "Claude Haiku 5.5"}, {"id": 761212512, "item_id": 47575782, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47575782", "by": "z3ugma", "date": "2026-03-30", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "It's really useful to get an iteration loop going with an LLM.", "excerpt": "I have been using this library for a few months alongside Gemini 3.1 Fast It's really useful to get an iteration loop going with an LLM. The OCCP viewer extension for VS Code helps make sure you can see and manipulate the resulting model", "context": "", "use_case": "CAD modeling with LLM", "switched_from": "", "story": "Build123d: A Python CAD programming library"}, {"id": 765212368, "item_id": 47825773, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47825773", "by": "pizak", "date": "2026-04-19", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Build123d (and CadQuery) are fantastic", "excerpt": "I used build123d (a similar system) and the help of Claude Code to code a modern replica of historic guitar tuners from the 1760s. I had the results CNC cut in China directly from the STEP outputs and they are currently sitting on an instrument working great. Build123d (and CadQuery) are fantastic... https://paulfremantleluthier.substack.com/p/gibsons-tuners-v2", "context": "", "use_case": "designing guitar tuners in CAD", "switched_from": "", "story": "CadQuery is an open-source Python library for building 3D CAD models"}]}, {"text": " and builds real BREP solid models rather than meshes like OpenSCAD,", "cites": [{"id": 755414480, "item_id": 47213405, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47213405", "by": "nszceta", "date": "2026-03-01", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "go straight for build123d which operates on real solid models (BREP)", "excerpt": "I have been trying to force LLMs to work with geometries for over a month and it's so hard. Even the best LLMs have an extremely poor sense of geometric relationships in my testing. I would also stay away from mesh based CAD like OpenSCAD and go straight for build123d which operates on real solid models (BREP): https://build123d.readthedocs.io/en/latest/index.html", "context": "", "use_case": "LLM-driven CAD geometry", "switched_from": "", "story": "Show HN: Vibe Code your 3D Models"}, {"id": 753478432, "item_id": 47092402, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47092402", "by": "autumn-antlers", "date": "2026-02-20", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I've enjoyed Build123d (and it's over-loaded python operators) as an alternative to OpenSCAD", "excerpt": "I've enjoyed Build123d (and it's over-loaded python operators) as an alternative to OpenSCAD, backed (like FreeCAD) by the OpenCascade CAD kernel... but now they're vibe-coding PRs, and I'm even more exited to adopt real constructive-modeling (rather than emulating it on-top of edge & face representations) as libfive matures -- it's already widespread language bindings and a few lightweight dedicated editors", "context": "", "use_case": "CAD modeling", "switched_from": "OpenSCAD", "story": "FreeCAD is an open-source parametric 3D modeler"}]}, {"text": " with commenters using it for 3D printing prototypes and CNC-cut parts.", "cites": [{"id": 764832785, "item_id": 47802049, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47802049", "by": "hgoel", "date": "2026-04-16", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "CadQuery and build123d have been very handy for prototyping stuff for 3d printing.", "excerpt": "CadQuery and build123d have been very handy for prototyping stuff for 3d printing. AI still isn't quite good enough to generate correct scripts, but AI autocomplete at least helps with putting together small snippets. My last project involved making a cosplay helmet. I modeled the shell in blender, it was a low poly design, so I exported it to an OBJ, then put together some Python to load the OBJ, give the triangles ", "context": "", "use_case": "3D printing prototyping", "switched_from": "", "story": "CadQuery is an open-source Python library for building 3D CAD models"}, {"id": 765212368, "item_id": 47825773, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47825773", "by": "pizak", "date": "2026-04-19", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Build123d (and CadQuery) are fantastic", "excerpt": "I used build123d (a similar system) and the help of Claude Code to code a modern replica of historic guitar tuners from the 1760s. I had the results CNC cut in China directly from the STEP outputs and they are currently sitting on an instrument working great. Build123d (and CadQuery) are fantastic... https://paulfremantleluthier.substack.com/p/gibsons-tuners-v2", "context": "", "use_case": "designing guitar tuners in CAD", "switched_from": "", "story": "CadQuery is an open-source Python library for building 3D CAD models"}]}, {"text": " The most common caveat is that AI models still struggle to write correct geometry scripts for it.", "cites": [{"id": 764832785, "item_id": 47802049, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47802049", "by": "hgoel", "date": "2026-04-16", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "CadQuery and build123d have been very handy for prototyping stuff for 3d printing.", "excerpt": "CadQuery and build123d have been very handy for prototyping stuff for 3d printing. AI still isn't quite good enough to generate correct scripts, but AI autocomplete at least helps with putting together small snippets. My last project involved making a cosplay helmet. I modeled the shell in blender, it was a low poly design, so I exported it to an OBJ, then put together some Python to load the OBJ, give the triangles ", "context": "", "use_case": "3D printing prototyping", "switched_from": "", "story": "CadQuery is an open-source Python library for building 3D CAD models"}, {"id": 755414480, "item_id": 47213405, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47213405", "by": "nszceta", "date": "2026-03-01", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "go straight for build123d which operates on real solid models (BREP)", "excerpt": "I have been trying to force LLMs to work with geometries for over a month and it's so hard. Even the best LLMs have an extremely poor sense of geometric relationships in my testing. I would also stay away from mesh based CAD like OpenSCAD and go straight for build123d which operates on real solid models (BREP): https://build123d.readthedocs.io/en/latest/index.html", "context": "", "use_case": "LLM-driven CAD geometry", "switched_from": "", "story": "Show HN: Vibe Code your 3D Models"}]}], "praise": [{"label": "Works with LLMs", "summary": "Commenters say LLM assistants handle build123d well and make a useful iteration loop for modeling.", "quotes": [{"id": 800024688, "item_id": 50001543, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50001543", "by": "bitexploder", "date": "2026-10-08", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I have been using these models to make 3d models with build123d \u2014 they are great at it.", "excerpt": "I have been using these models to make 3d models with build123d \u2014 they are great at it. I am never touching Fusion again. Astra is current a bit better than Opus 5.5.", "context": "", "use_case": "generating 3D models", "switched_from": "Fusion", "story": "Claude Haiku 5.5"}, {"id": 761212512, "item_id": 47575782, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47575782", "by": "z3ugma", "date": "2026-03-30", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "It's really useful to get an iteration loop going with an LLM.", "excerpt": "I have been using this library for a few months alongside Gemini 3.1 Fast It's really useful to get an iteration loop going with an LLM. The OCCP viewer extension for VS Code helps make sure you can see and manipulate the resulting model", "context": "", "use_case": "CAD modeling with LLM", "switched_from": "", "story": "Build123d: A Python CAD programming library"}, {"id": 799436481, "item_id": 49964780, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49964780", "by": "bitexploder", "date": "2026-10-05", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "I use build123d + blender", "excerpt": "Real world: I use QFN38 to build 3d models. I use build123d + blender and this model is the first local model that does a good job. It is kind of amazing. This model is as good as DSV 4.1 on most tasks and I think it only loses when specific knowledge matters.", "context": "", "use_case": "3D modeling", "switched_from": "", "story": "Run Qwen 3.8 Flash Next (125B) on consumer hardware (RTX 4090) at 100T/s"}]}, {"label": "Real solid models", "summary": "Recommended over mesh-based OpenSCAD because it works on BREP solids via the OpenCascade kernel.", "quotes": [{"id": 755414480, "item_id": 47213405, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47213405", "by": "nszceta", "date": "2026-03-01", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "go straight for build123d which operates on real solid models (BREP)", "excerpt": "I have been trying to force LLMs to work with geometries for over a month and it's so hard. Even the best LLMs have an extremely poor sense of geometric relationships in my testing. I would also stay away from mesh based CAD like OpenSCAD and go straight for build123d which operates on real solid models (BREP): https://build123d.readthedocs.io/en/latest/index.html", "context": "", "use_case": "LLM-driven CAD geometry", "switched_from": "", "story": "Show HN: Vibe Code your 3D Models"}, {"id": 753478432, "item_id": 47092402, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47092402", "by": "autumn-antlers", "date": "2026-02-20", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I've enjoyed Build123d (and it's over-loaded python operators) as an alternative to OpenSCAD", "excerpt": "I've enjoyed Build123d (and it's over-loaded python operators) as an alternative to OpenSCAD, backed (like FreeCAD) by the OpenCascade CAD kernel... but now they're vibe-coding PRs, and I'm even more exited to adopt real constructive-modeling (rather than emulating it on-top of edge & face representations) as libfive matures -- it's already widespread language bindings and a few lightweight dedicated editors", "context": "", "use_case": "CAD modeling", "switched_from": "OpenSCAD", "story": "FreeCAD is an open-source parametric 3D modeler"}]}, {"label": "Physical fabrication", "summary": "Used to prototype 3D prints and produce STEP files that were CNC cut into working parts.", "quotes": [{"id": 764832785, "item_id": 47802049, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47802049", "by": "hgoel", "date": "2026-04-16", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "CadQuery and build123d have been very handy for prototyping stuff for 3d printing.", "excerpt": "CadQuery and build123d have been very handy for prototyping stuff for 3d printing. AI still isn't quite good enough to generate correct scripts, but AI autocomplete at least helps with putting together small snippets. My last project involved making a cosplay helmet. I modeled the shell in blender, it was a low poly design, so I exported it to an OBJ, then put together some Python to load the OBJ, give the triangles ", "context": "", "use_case": "3D printing prototyping", "switched_from": "", "story": "CadQuery is an open-source Python library for building 3D CAD models"}, {"id": 765212368, "item_id": 47825773, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47825773", "by": "pizak", "date": "2026-04-19", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Build123d (and CadQuery) are fantastic", "excerpt": "I used build123d (a similar system) and the help of Claude Code to code a modern replica of historic guitar tuners from the 1760s. I had the results CNC cut in China directly from the STEP outputs and they are currently sitting on an instrument working great. Build123d (and CadQuery) are fantastic... https://paulfremantleluthier.substack.com/p/gibsons-tuners-v2", "context": "", "use_case": "designing guitar tuners in CAD", "switched_from": "", "story": "CadQuery is an open-source Python library for building 3D CAD models"}]}, {"label": "Python API", "summary": "Commenters enjoy its Python interface, including its overloaded operators.", "quotes": [{"id": 753478432, "item_id": 47092402, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47092402", "by": "autumn-antlers", "date": "2026-02-20", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I've enjoyed Build123d (and it's over-loaded python operators) as an alternative to OpenSCAD", "excerpt": "I've enjoyed Build123d (and it's over-loaded python operators) as an alternative to OpenSCAD, backed (like FreeCAD) by the OpenCascade CAD kernel... but now they're vibe-coding PRs, and I'm even more exited to adopt real constructive-modeling (rather than emulating it on-top of edge & face representations) as libfive matures -- it's already widespread language bindings and a few lightweight dedicated editors", "context": "", "use_case": "CAD modeling", "switched_from": "OpenSCAD", "story": "FreeCAD is an open-source parametric 3D modeler"}]}, {"label": "Over CadQuery", "summary": "One commenter advises choosing build123d over CadQuery.", "quotes": [{"id": 766611265, "item_id": 47913204, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47913204", "by": "softservo", "date": "2026-04-26", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Use build123d > cadquery.", "excerpt": "This is text-to-cad, an open source tool for generating 3D models in Codex / Claude Code! Use it to prompt and edit complex 3D models. Export STEP, STL, GLB, DXF and URDF files. Built for CAD newbies. Link to github below. CAD is hard. As a software engineer getting back into robotics, I\u2019ve been humbled by new tools like Onshape. Struggling to kick old habits, I started prompting Codex to generate 3D models and had s", "context": "", "use_case": "CAD scripting", "switched_from": "", "story": "CAD in Codex"}]}], "caveats": [{"label": "AI accuracy", "summary": "LLMs still often fail to generate correct scripts and have a poor sense of geometric relationships.", "quotes": [{"id": 764832785, "item_id": 47802049, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47802049", "by": "hgoel", "date": "2026-04-16", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "CadQuery and build123d have been very handy for prototyping stuff for 3d printing.", "excerpt": "CadQuery and build123d have been very handy for prototyping stuff for 3d printing. AI still isn't quite good enough to generate correct scripts, but AI autocomplete at least helps with putting together small snippets. My last project involved making a cosplay helmet. I modeled the shell in blender, it was a low poly design, so I exported it to an OBJ, then put together some Python to load the OBJ, give the triangles ", "context": "", "use_case": "3D printing prototyping", "switched_from": "", "story": "CadQuery is an open-source Python library for building 3D CAD models"}, {"id": 755414480, "item_id": 47213405, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47213405", "by": "nszceta", "date": "2026-03-01", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "go straight for build123d which operates on real solid models (BREP)", "excerpt": "I have been trying to force LLMs to work with geometries for over a month and it's so hard. Even the best LLMs have an extremely poor sense of geometric relationships in my testing. I would also stay away from mesh based CAD like OpenSCAD and go straight for build123d which operates on real solid models (BREP): https://build123d.readthedocs.io/en/latest/index.html", "context": "", "use_case": "LLM-driven CAD geometry", "switched_from": "", "story": "Show HN: Vibe Code your 3D Models"}]}, {"label": "Not native CSG", "summary": "One commenter is more excited about libfive's native constructive modeling than modeling built on edge and face representations.", "quotes": [{"id": 753478432, "item_id": 47092402, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47092402", "by": "autumn-antlers", "date": "2026-02-20", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I've enjoyed Build123d (and it's over-loaded python operators) as an alternative to OpenSCAD", "excerpt": "I've enjoyed Build123d (and it's over-loaded python operators) as an alternative to OpenSCAD, backed (like FreeCAD) by the OpenCascade CAD kernel... but now they're vibe-coding PRs, and I'm even more exited to adopt real constructive-modeling (rather than emulating it on-top of edge & face representations) as libfive matures -- it's already widespread language bindings and a few lightweight dedicated editors", "context": "", "use_case": "CAD modeling", "switched_from": "OpenSCAD", "story": "FreeCAD is an open-source parametric 3D modeler"}]}], "who": [{"by": "seesthruya", "context": "Fusion user", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50040926", "date": "2026-10-11"}], "tags": ["for AI-assisted CAD", "for 3D printing", "for CNC fabrication", "for OpenSCAD switchers", "for Python developers"], "use_cases": ["code cad", "generating 3d models", "3d modeling", "cad scripting", "designing guitar tuners in cad", "3d printing prototyping"], "compared": [{"slug": "openscad", "name": "OpenSCAD", "co": 3, "switched_from": 1, "switched_to": 0}, {"slug": "cadquery", "name": "CadQuery", "co": 5, "switched_from": 0, "switched_to": 0}, {"slug": "fusion-360", "name": "Fusion 360", "co": 2, "switched_from": 1, "switched_to": 0}, {"slug": "freecad", "name": "FreeCAD", "co": 3, "switched_from": 0, "switched_to": 0}, {"slug": "zoo", "name": "Zoo", "co": 1, "switched_from": 0, "switched_to": 1}, {"slug": "claude-opus", "name": "Claude Opus", "co": 2, "switched_from": 0, "switched_to": 0}, {"slug": "onshape", "name": "Onshape", "co": 2, "switched_from": 0, "switched_to": 0}, {"slug": "claude-code", "name": "Claude Code", "co": 2, "switched_from": 0, "switched_to": 0}], "makers": [], "threads": [{"url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47772725", "title": "CadQuery is an open-source Python library for building 3D CAD models", "mentions": 2}, {"url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49984349", "title": "OpenSCAD the Programmers Solid 3D CAD Modeller", "mentions": 1}, {"url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49996437", "title": "Claude Haiku 5.5", "mentions": 1}, {"url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49953495", "title": "Run Qwen 3.8 Flash Next (125B) on consumer hardware (RTX 4090) at 100T/s", "mentions": 1}, {"url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47913203", "title": "CAD in Codex", "mentions": 1}, {"url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47567242", "title": "Build123d: A Python CAD programming library", "mentions": 1}], "sentiment_by_month": {"2025-11": {}, "2025-12": {}, "2026-01": {}, "2026-02": {"recommend": 1}, "2026-03": {"recommend": 2}, "2026-04": {"recommend": 3}, "2026-05": {}, "2026-06": {}, "2026-07": {}, "2026-08": {}, "2026-09": {}, "2026-10": {"neutral": 2}}, "quotes": [{"id": 800654819, "item_id": 50040926, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50040926", "by": "seesthruya", "date": "2026-10-11", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "I have dabbled with build123d", "excerpt": "I love what I see so far with FluidCAD! I'm a Fusion user that keeps bouncing off FreeCAD, and I have dabbled with build123d. Very interested to see where this project goes as it seems to be great combination of gui-driven and code-driven cad.", "context": "Fusion user", "use_case": "code CAD", "switched_from": "", "story": "OpenSCAD the Programmers Solid 3D CAD Modeller"}, {"id": 800024688, "item_id": 50001543, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50001543", "by": "bitexploder", "date": "2026-10-08", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I have been using these models to make 3d models with build123d \u2014 they are great at it.", "excerpt": "I have been using these models to make 3d models with build123d \u2014 they are great at it. I am never touching Fusion again. Astra is current a bit better than Opus 5.5.", "context": "", "use_case": "generating 3D models", "switched_from": "Fusion", "story": "Claude Haiku 5.5"}, {"id": 799436481, "item_id": 49964780, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49964780", "by": "bitexploder", "date": "2026-10-05", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "I use build123d + blender", "excerpt": "Real world: I use QFN38 to build 3d models. I use build123d + blender and this model is the first local model that does a good job. It is kind of amazing. This model is as good as DSV 4.1 on most tasks and I think it only loses when specific knowledge matters.", "context": "", "use_case": "3D modeling", "switched_from": "", "story": "Run Qwen 3.8 Flash Next (125B) on consumer hardware (RTX 4090) at 100T/s"}, {"id": 766611265, "item_id": 47913204, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47913204", "by": "softservo", "date": "2026-04-26", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Use build123d > cadquery.", "excerpt": "This is text-to-cad, an open source tool for generating 3D models in Codex / Claude Code! Use it to prompt and edit complex 3D models. Export STEP, STL, GLB, DXF and URDF files. Built for CAD newbies. Link to github below. CAD is hard. As a software engineer getting back into robotics, I\u2019ve been humbled by new tools like Onshape. Struggling to kick old habits, I started prompting Codex to generate 3D models and had s", "context": "", "use_case": "CAD scripting", "switched_from": "", "story": "CAD in Codex"}, {"id": 765212368, "item_id": 47825773, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47825773", "by": "pizak", "date": "2026-04-19", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Build123d (and CadQuery) are fantastic", "excerpt": "I used build123d (a similar system) and the help of Claude Code to code a modern replica of historic guitar tuners from the 1760s. I had the results CNC cut in China directly from the STEP outputs and they are currently sitting on an instrument working great. Build123d (and CadQuery) are fantastic... https://paulfremantleluthier.substack.com/p/gibsons-tuners-v2", "context": "", "use_case": "designing guitar tuners in CAD", "switched_from": "", "story": "CadQuery is an open-source Python library for building 3D CAD models"}, {"id": 764832785, "item_id": 47802049, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47802049", "by": "hgoel", "date": "2026-04-16", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "CadQuery and build123d have been very handy for prototyping stuff for 3d printing.", "excerpt": "CadQuery and build123d have been very handy for prototyping stuff for 3d printing. AI still isn't quite good enough to generate correct scripts, but AI autocomplete at least helps with putting together small snippets. My last project involved making a cosplay helmet. I modeled the shell in blender, it was a low poly design, so I exported it to an OBJ, then put together some Python to load the OBJ, give the triangles ", "context": "", "use_case": "3D printing prototyping", "switched_from": "", "story": "CadQuery is an open-source Python library for building 3D CAD models"}, {"id": 761212512, "item_id": 47575782, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47575782", "by": "z3ugma", "date": "2026-03-30", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "It's really useful to get an iteration loop going with an LLM.", "excerpt": "I have been using this library for a few months alongside Gemini 3.1 Fast It's really useful to get an iteration loop going with an LLM. The OCCP viewer extension for VS Code helps make sure you can see and manipulate the resulting model", "context": "", "use_case": "CAD modeling with LLM", "switched_from": "", "story": "Build123d: A Python CAD programming library"}, {"id": 755414480, "item_id": 47213405, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47213405", "by": "nszceta", "date": "2026-03-01", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "go straight for build123d which operates on real solid models (BREP)", "excerpt": "I have been trying to force LLMs to work with geometries for over a month and it's so hard. Even the best LLMs have an extremely poor sense of geometric relationships in my testing. I would also stay away from mesh based CAD like OpenSCAD and go straight for build123d which operates on real solid models (BREP): https://build123d.readthedocs.io/en/latest/index.html", "context": "", "use_case": "LLM-driven CAD geometry", "switched_from": "", "story": "Show HN: Vibe Code your 3D Models"}, {"id": 753478432, "item_id": 47092402, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47092402", "by": "autumn-antlers", "date": "2026-02-20", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I've enjoyed Build123d (and it's over-loaded python operators) as an alternative to OpenSCAD", "excerpt": "I've enjoyed Build123d (and it's over-loaded python operators) as an alternative to OpenSCAD, backed (like FreeCAD) by the OpenCascade CAD kernel... but now they're vibe-coding PRs, and I'm even more exited to adopt real constructive-modeling (rather than emulating it on-top of edge & face representations) as libfive matures -- it's already widespread language bindings and a few lightweight dedicated editors", "context": "", "use_case": "CAD modeling", "switched_from": "OpenSCAD", "story": "FreeCAD is an open-source parametric 3D modeler"}]}