{"slug": "cadquery", "name": "CadQuery", "category": "media", "category_name": "Media and creative", "description": "Open-source Python library for building parametric 3D CAD models in code.", "recommenders": 10, "commenters": 13, "warners": 0, "score": 10.01, "rising": 4.36, "first": "2025-11-22", "latest": "2026-10-16", "why": "Recommended as a Python take on OpenSCAD with cleaner syntax and a B-rep geometry kernel, and used for exporting to CAD formats and generating many similar parts programmatically.", "why_is_quote": false, "has_verdict": true, "sentiment": {"recommend": 11, "neutral": 2, "compare": 1, "warn": 0}, "spark": [0, 1, 0, 0, 1, 3, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 4], "listed": true, "loved": ["Python-based syntax", "Generally recommended"], "caveat": "build123d preferred", "short_quote": "I recommend using https://github.com/CadQuery/cadquery as the CAD language", "icon": true, "domain": null, "github_repo": "github.com/cadquery/cadquery", "official_url": "https://github.com/CadQuery/cadquery", "pricing": "open source", "aliases": ["CadQuery", "cadquery"], "verdict": [{"text": "Recommended as a Python take on OpenSCAD with cleaner syntax and a B-rep geometry kernel", "cites": [{"id": 801844656, "item_id": 50115291, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50115291", "by": "zdp7", "date": "2026-10-16", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "It's essentially OpenScad for Python.  The big plus is b-rep modeler.", "excerpt": "I had been using Gemini to build OpenScad models. The other day Gemini mentioned CadQuery as an option. It's essentially OpenScad for Python. The big plus is b-rep modeler. https://github.com/cadquery/cadquery", "context": "", "use_case": "CAD modeling", "switched_from": "OpenSCAD", "story": "Ask HN: CAD for wood working with LLM support?"}, {"id": 800664000, "item_id": 50041500, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50041500", "by": "atoav", "date": "2026-10-11", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I find the latter be effectively the same but with a cleaner more expressive syntax", "excerpt": "I used both OpenSCAD and cadquery, and I find the latter be effectively the same but with a cleaner more expressive syntax and some helper functions that people would commonly expect to be there. If I have to build points up by hand, why not skip OpenSCAD and directly write python scripts that create your OBJ files? The point of OpenSCAD et.al. is to programmatically create geometry. Making exactly that easier is a f", "context": "", "use_case": "programmatic CAD", "switched_from": "", "story": "OpenSCAD the Programmers Solid 3D CAD Modeller"}, {"id": 800597312, "item_id": 50037332, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50037332", "by": "wren6991", "date": "2026-10-10", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "have a look at CadQuery", "excerpt": "If you look at this and you think \"wow, I love the idea of CAD-as-code but I wish it was a more sane language\" then have a look at CadQuery: https://cadquery.readthedocs.io/en/latest/quickstart.html#quickstart (I recommend CQ-editor for an easy install: https://github.com/CadQuery/CQ-editor/releases/) It's a similar idea to OpenSCAD, but embedded in Python and using a better geometry kernel. Want to fillet a box in O", "context": "", "use_case": "CAD-as-code in Python", "switched_from": "", "story": "OpenSCAD the Programmers Solid 3D CAD Modeller"}]}, {"text": ", and used for exporting to CAD formats and generating many similar parts programmatically.", "cites": [{"id": 801596657, "item_id": 50099791, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50099791", "by": "janne-alatalo", "date": "2026-10-15", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "finally CadQuery for easy exports to CAD formats", "excerpt": "I've tested different ways to use agents to model stuff from images with accuracy. Maybe this is something that can help or give you ideas: https://janne-alatalo.fi/en/articles/silhouette-modeling/ If you have some physical reference, for example a coffee table, you can create an accurate 3D model of that quickly. The agent creates model that can be converted to STEP format and opened with any CAD software. This migh", "context": "", "use_case": "exporting CAD formats", "switched_from": "", "story": "Ask HN: CAD for wood working with LLM support?"}, {"id": 764865008, "item_id": 47804063, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47804063", "by": "atoav", "date": "2026-04-17", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "It literally saved me days of manual work.", "excerpt": "I used cadquery to programmatically generate 3D models for an electronics library for a 1000 or so parts that only differ slightly in their measurements. It literally saved me days of manual work.", "context": "", "use_case": "generating 3D models for electronics library", "switched_from": "", "story": "CadQuery is an open-source Python library for building 3D CAD models"}]}, {"text": " Complaints are rare, though one commenter recommends build123d over it", "cites": [{"id": 766611266, "item_id": 47913204, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47913204", "by": "softservo", "date": "2026-04-26", "stance": "compare", "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"}]}, {"text": "; it suits people who want CAD-as-code for projects like 3D-printing prototypes.", "cites": [{"id": 800597312, "item_id": 50037332, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50037332", "by": "wren6991", "date": "2026-10-10", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "have a look at CadQuery", "excerpt": "If you look at this and you think \"wow, I love the idea of CAD-as-code but I wish it was a more sane language\" then have a look at CadQuery: https://cadquery.readthedocs.io/en/latest/quickstart.html#quickstart (I recommend CQ-editor for an easy install: https://github.com/CadQuery/CQ-editor/releases/) It's a similar idea to OpenSCAD, but embedded in Python and using a better geometry kernel. Want to fillet a box in O", "context": "", "use_case": "CAD-as-code in Python", "switched_from": "", "story": "OpenSCAD the Programmers Solid 3D CAD Modeller"}, {"id": 764832784, "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": "makes cosplay helmets, comfortable with code", "use_case": "3D printing prototyping", "switched_from": "", "story": "CadQuery is an open-source Python library for building 3D CAD models"}]}], "praise": [{"label": "Python-based syntax", "summary": "Commenters describe it as OpenSCAD for Python, with cleaner, more expressive syntax and helper functions.", "quotes": [{"id": 801844656, "item_id": 50115291, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50115291", "by": "zdp7", "date": "2026-10-16", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "It's essentially OpenScad for Python.  The big plus is b-rep modeler.", "excerpt": "I had been using Gemini to build OpenScad models. The other day Gemini mentioned CadQuery as an option. It's essentially OpenScad for Python. The big plus is b-rep modeler. https://github.com/cadquery/cadquery", "context": "", "use_case": "CAD modeling", "switched_from": "OpenSCAD", "story": "Ask HN: CAD for wood working with LLM support?"}, {"id": 800664000, "item_id": 50041500, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50041500", "by": "atoav", "date": "2026-10-11", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I find the latter be effectively the same but with a cleaner more expressive syntax", "excerpt": "I used both OpenSCAD and cadquery, and I find the latter be effectively the same but with a cleaner more expressive syntax and some helper functions that people would commonly expect to be there. If I have to build points up by hand, why not skip OpenSCAD and directly write python scripts that create your OBJ files? The point of OpenSCAD et.al. is to programmatically create geometry. Making exactly that easier is a f", "context": "", "use_case": "programmatic CAD", "switched_from": "", "story": "OpenSCAD the Programmers Solid 3D CAD Modeller"}, {"id": 800597312, "item_id": 50037332, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50037332", "by": "wren6991", "date": "2026-10-10", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "have a look at CadQuery", "excerpt": "If you look at this and you think \"wow, I love the idea of CAD-as-code but I wish it was a more sane language\" then have a look at CadQuery: https://cadquery.readthedocs.io/en/latest/quickstart.html#quickstart (I recommend CQ-editor for an easy install: https://github.com/CadQuery/CQ-editor/releases/) It's a similar idea to OpenSCAD, but embedded in Python and using a better geometry kernel. Want to fillet a box in O", "context": "", "use_case": "CAD-as-code in Python", "switched_from": "", "story": "OpenSCAD the Programmers Solid 3D CAD Modeller"}]}, {"label": "Generally recommended", "summary": "Several commenters call it neat or fantastic and suggest trying it.", "quotes": [{"id": 794982480, "item_id": 49686405, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49686405", "by": "dofm", "date": "2026-09-13", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "CadQuery is not at all as bad a foundation (I think it's quite neat, and I think it could work).", "excerpt": "No, the comparison is not apt with PHP (which I use on the daily and have done for twenty years). It's a bit more like comparing CSS with a subset of JavaScript that can do the same tasks. OpenSCAD isn't, really, a proper CAD package. It's a CSG drawing library with a declarative syntax. It is like nested CSS for 3D things. Code complexity and repetition balloons with part complexity. Your thing will not scale well b", "context": "", "use_case": "programmatic CAD", "switched_from": "", "story": "Benchmark: CadQuery vs. OpenSCAD for agentic CAD work"}, {"id": 765212369, "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": "3D CAD modeling", "switched_from": "", "story": "CadQuery is an open-source Python library for building 3D CAD models"}, {"id": 741418032, "item_id": 46338627, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46338627", "by": "M_bara", "date": "2025-12-20", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Or perhaps take a look at cadquery? It\u2019s also pretty neat", "excerpt": "Or perhaps take a look at cadquery? It\u2019s also pretty neat - http://cadquery.readthedocs.io/", "context": "", "use_case": "3D CAD modeling", "switched_from": "", "story": "OpenSCAD is kinda neat"}]}, {"label": "Geometry kernel", "summary": "Its B-rep kernel makes operations like filleting simple compared with OpenSCAD.", "quotes": [{"id": 801844656, "item_id": 50115291, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50115291", "by": "zdp7", "date": "2026-10-16", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "It's essentially OpenScad for Python.  The big plus is b-rep modeler.", "excerpt": "I had been using Gemini to build OpenScad models. The other day Gemini mentioned CadQuery as an option. It's essentially OpenScad for Python. The big plus is b-rep modeler. https://github.com/cadquery/cadquery", "context": "", "use_case": "CAD modeling", "switched_from": "OpenSCAD", "story": "Ask HN: CAD for wood working with LLM support?"}, {"id": 800597312, "item_id": 50037332, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50037332", "by": "wren6991", "date": "2026-10-10", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "have a look at CadQuery", "excerpt": "If you look at this and you think \"wow, I love the idea of CAD-as-code but I wish it was a more sane language\" then have a look at CadQuery: https://cadquery.readthedocs.io/en/latest/quickstart.html#quickstart (I recommend CQ-editor for an easy install: https://github.com/CadQuery/CQ-editor/releases/) It's a similar idea to OpenSCAD, but embedded in Python and using a better geometry kernel. Want to fillet a box in O", "context": "", "use_case": "CAD-as-code in Python", "switched_from": "", "story": "OpenSCAD the Programmers Solid 3D CAD Modeller"}]}, {"label": "Programmatic generation", "summary": "Used to generate models for about 1000 slightly different parts, saving days of manual work, and as a target for converted KiCad geometry.", "quotes": [{"id": 764865008, "item_id": 47804063, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47804063", "by": "atoav", "date": "2026-04-17", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "It literally saved me days of manual work.", "excerpt": "I used cadquery to programmatically generate 3D models for an electronics library for a 1000 or so parts that only differ slightly in their measurements. It literally saved me days of manual work.", "context": "", "use_case": "generating 3D models for electronics library", "switched_from": "", "story": "CadQuery is an open-source Python library for building 3D CAD models"}, {"id": 780944705, "item_id": 48809044, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48809044", "by": "cjshearer", "date": "2026-07-06", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "convert kicad geometry primitives to cadquery", "excerpt": "Gonna shill my project, a 34 key solar powered split keyboard https://github.com/cjshearer/cweep. Each half should end up just a bit wider than a smartphone (114mm x 86mm). I'm still working on the case generation, which is intended to have a metal backplate for magnetic mounting, but I've gotten distracted developing a generic method to convert kicad geometry primitives to cadquery, so others can benefit from this w", "context": "keyboard hobbyist building a split keyboard", "use_case": "enclosure generation", "switched_from": "", "story": "I Like Small Keyboards"}]}, {"label": "CAD exports", "summary": "Valued for easy exports to standard CAD formats such as STEP.", "quotes": [{"id": 801596657, "item_id": 50099791, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50099791", "by": "janne-alatalo", "date": "2026-10-15", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "finally CadQuery for easy exports to CAD formats", "excerpt": "I've tested different ways to use agents to model stuff from images with accuracy. Maybe this is something that can help or give you ideas: https://janne-alatalo.fi/en/articles/silhouette-modeling/ If you have some physical reference, for example a coffee table, you can create an accurate 3D model of that quickly. The agent creates model that can be converted to STEP format and opened with any CAD software. This migh", "context": "", "use_case": "exporting CAD formats", "switched_from": "", "story": "Ask HN: CAD for wood working with LLM support?"}]}, {"label": "3D-print prototyping", "summary": "Described as handy for prototyping things for 3D printing.", "quotes": [{"id": 764832784, "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": "makes cosplay helmets, comfortable with code", "use_case": "3D printing prototyping", "switched_from": "", "story": "CadQuery is an open-source Python library for building 3D CAD models"}]}], "caveats": [{"label": "build123d preferred", "summary": "One commenter building an AI CAD tool recommends build123d over CadQuery.", "quotes": [{"id": 766611266, "item_id": 47913204, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47913204", "by": "softservo", "date": "2026-04-26", "stance": "compare", "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"}]}, {"label": "AI script generation", "summary": "One user says AI still isn't good enough to generate correct scripts, though autocomplete helps with small snippets.", "quotes": [{"id": 764832784, "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": "makes cosplay helmets, comfortable with code", "use_case": "3D printing prototyping", "switched_from": "", "story": "CadQuery is an open-source Python library for building 3D CAD models"}]}], "who": [{"by": "cjshearer", "context": "keyboard hobbyist building a split keyboard", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48809044", "date": "2026-07-06"}, {"by": "hgoel", "context": "makes cosplay helmets, comfortable with code", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47802049", "date": "2026-04-16"}], "tags": ["for Python users", "for 3D printing", "for parametric part libraries", "for AI-assisted CAD"], "use_cases": ["programmatic cad", "3d cad modeling", "cad modeling", "exporting cad formats", "cad-as-code in python", "code-based cad"], "compared": [{"slug": "openscad", "name": "OpenSCAD", "co": 8, "switched_from": 1, "switched_to": 0}, {"slug": "onshape", "name": "Onshape", "co": 5, "switched_from": 0, "switched_to": 0}, {"slug": "build123d", "name": "build123d", "co": 5, "switched_from": 0, "switched_to": 0}, {"slug": "freecad", "name": "FreeCAD", "co": 3, "switched_from": 0, "switched_to": 0}, {"slug": "zoo", "name": "Zoo", "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": 3}, {"url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50067325", "title": "Ask HN: CAD for wood working with LLM support?", "mentions": 2}, {"url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49984349", "title": "OpenSCAD the Programmers Solid 3D CAD Modeller", "mentions": 2}, {"url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49676577", "title": "Benchmark: CadQuery vs. OpenSCAD for agentic CAD work", "mentions": 1}, {"url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49140396", "title": "Show HN: I'm a 15 Year Old Wannabe Engineer, This Is a Cycloidal Gearbox I Built", "mentions": 1}, {"url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48746939", "title": "I Like Small Keyboards", "mentions": 1}], "sentiment_by_month": {"2025-11": {"neutral": 1}, "2025-12": {"recommend": 1}, "2026-01": {}, "2026-02": {}, "2026-03": {"recommend": 1}, "2026-04": {"recommend": 3, "compare": 1}, "2026-05": {}, "2026-06": {}, "2026-07": {"neutral": 1}, "2026-08": {"recommend": 1}, "2026-09": {"recommend": 1}, "2026-10": {"recommend": 4}}, "quotes": [{"id": 801844656, "item_id": 50115291, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50115291", "by": "zdp7", "date": "2026-10-16", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "It's essentially OpenScad for Python.  The big plus is b-rep modeler.", "excerpt": "I had been using Gemini to build OpenScad models. The other day Gemini mentioned CadQuery as an option. It's essentially OpenScad for Python. The big plus is b-rep modeler. https://github.com/cadquery/cadquery", "context": "", "use_case": "CAD modeling", "switched_from": "OpenSCAD", "story": "Ask HN: CAD for wood working with LLM support?"}, {"id": 801596657, "item_id": 50099791, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50099791", "by": "janne-alatalo", "date": "2026-10-15", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "finally CadQuery for easy exports to CAD formats", "excerpt": "I've tested different ways to use agents to model stuff from images with accuracy. Maybe this is something that can help or give you ideas: https://janne-alatalo.fi/en/articles/silhouette-modeling/ If you have some physical reference, for example a coffee table, you can create an accurate 3D model of that quickly. The agent creates model that can be converted to STEP format and opened with any CAD software. This migh", "context": "", "use_case": "exporting CAD formats", "switched_from": "", "story": "Ask HN: CAD for wood working with LLM support?"}, {"id": 800664000, "item_id": 50041500, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50041500", "by": "atoav", "date": "2026-10-11", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I find the latter be effectively the same but with a cleaner more expressive syntax", "excerpt": "I used both OpenSCAD and cadquery, and I find the latter be effectively the same but with a cleaner more expressive syntax and some helper functions that people would commonly expect to be there. If I have to build points up by hand, why not skip OpenSCAD and directly write python scripts that create your OBJ files? The point of OpenSCAD et.al. is to programmatically create geometry. Making exactly that easier is a f", "context": "", "use_case": "programmatic CAD", "switched_from": "", "story": "OpenSCAD the Programmers Solid 3D CAD Modeller"}, {"id": 800597312, "item_id": 50037332, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50037332", "by": "wren6991", "date": "2026-10-10", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "have a look at CadQuery", "excerpt": "If you look at this and you think \"wow, I love the idea of CAD-as-code but I wish it was a more sane language\" then have a look at CadQuery: https://cadquery.readthedocs.io/en/latest/quickstart.html#quickstart (I recommend CQ-editor for an easy install: https://github.com/CadQuery/CQ-editor/releases/) It's a similar idea to OpenSCAD, but embedded in Python and using a better geometry kernel. Want to fillet a box in O", "context": "", "use_case": "CAD-as-code in Python", "switched_from": "", "story": "OpenSCAD the Programmers Solid 3D CAD Modeller"}, {"id": 794982480, "item_id": 49686405, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49686405", "by": "dofm", "date": "2026-09-13", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "CadQuery is not at all as bad a foundation (I think it's quite neat, and I think it could work).", "excerpt": "No, the comparison is not apt with PHP (which I use on the daily and have done for twenty years). It's a bit more like comparing CSS with a subset of JavaScript that can do the same tasks. OpenSCAD isn't, really, a proper CAD package. It's a CSG drawing library with a declarative syntax. It is like nested CSS for 3D things. Code complexity and repetition balloons with part complexity. Your thing will not scale well b", "context": "", "use_case": "programmatic CAD", "switched_from": "", "story": "Benchmark: CadQuery vs. OpenSCAD for agentic CAD work"}, {"id": 786294036, "item_id": 49143377, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49143377", "by": "fho", "date": "2026-08-02", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I like using OpenSCAD and CadQuery...", "excerpt": "Version 10-12 is 10-ish years ago. They switched to yearmonth (e.g. 2604) release names long ago. Let's just say things changed since then. There is also a difference between intuitive and familiar. I learned to CAD on Fusion 360 with no formal education and it just worked. I can use FreeCAD sufficiently well to be productive (it really has become better over the years). I tried OnShape and just started working. I li", "context": "", "use_case": "code-based CAD", "switched_from": "", "story": "Show HN: I'm a 15 Year Old Wannabe Engineer, This Is a Cycloidal Gearbox I Built"}, {"id": 780944705, "item_id": 48809044, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48809044", "by": "cjshearer", "date": "2026-07-06", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "convert kicad geometry primitives to cadquery", "excerpt": "Gonna shill my project, a 34 key solar powered split keyboard https://github.com/cjshearer/cweep. Each half should end up just a bit wider than a smartphone (114mm x 86mm). I'm still working on the case generation, which is intended to have a metal backplate for magnetic mounting, but I've gotten distracted developing a generic method to convert kicad geometry primitives to cadquery, so others can benefit from this w", "context": "keyboard hobbyist building a split keyboard", "use_case": "enclosure generation", "switched_from": "", "story": "I Like Small Keyboards"}, {"id": 766611266, "item_id": 47913204, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47913204", "by": "softservo", "date": "2026-04-26", "stance": "compare", "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": 765212369, "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": "3D CAD modeling", "switched_from": "", "story": "CadQuery is an open-source Python library for building 3D CAD models"}, {"id": 764865008, "item_id": 47804063, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47804063", "by": "atoav", "date": "2026-04-17", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "It literally saved me days of manual work.", "excerpt": "I used cadquery to programmatically generate 3D models for an electronics library for a 1000 or so parts that only differ slightly in their measurements. It literally saved me days of manual work.", "context": "", "use_case": "generating 3D models for electronics library", "switched_from": "", "story": "CadQuery is an open-source Python library for building 3D CAD models"}, {"id": 764832784, "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": "makes cosplay helmets, comfortable with code", "use_case": "3D printing prototyping", "switched_from": "", "story": "CadQuery is an open-source Python library for building 3D CAD models"}, {"id": 755421408, "item_id": 47213838, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47213838", "by": "statuslover9000", "date": "2026-03-01", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I recommend using https://github.com/CadQuery/cadquery as the CAD language", "excerpt": "Having played around with this a bit, I recommend using https://github.com/CadQuery/cadquery as the CAD language instead. I'm pretty sure it could even transpile to OnShape / Solidworks models as well, though it might require some funky hacks with their extensions frameworks", "context": "", "use_case": "AI-generated 3D CAD models", "switched_from": "", "story": "Show HN: Vibe Code your 3D Models"}, {"id": 741418032, "item_id": 46338627, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46338627", "by": "M_bara", "date": "2025-12-20", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Or perhaps take a look at cadquery? It\u2019s also pretty neat", "excerpt": "Or perhaps take a look at cadquery? It\u2019s also pretty neat - http://cadquery.readthedocs.io/", "context": "", "use_case": "3D CAD modeling", "switched_from": "", "story": "OpenSCAD is kinda neat"}, {"id": 736259155, "item_id": 46016197, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46016197", "by": "VorpalWay", "date": "2025-11-22", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "There are a few python cad things already as well: SolidPython, PythonSCAD and CadQuery.", "excerpt": "I saw a programatic Web cad tool before, took a moment to find it (and along the way I found a few others). Caveat: of these I have only used Onshape, and I tend to use it via the graphical interface. - First up Onshape is web based, but is actually programmable behind the scenes (and all documents are scripts under the hood). This is used to let you write plugins it for it. - The one I was thinking of used to be cal", "context": "", "use_case": "Python CAD", "switched_from": "", "story": "3D printing with unconventional vase mode"}]}