synaps-cad
A 3D CAD IDE where you edit code, see the model live, and reshape it with plain-language instructions.
What it does and how it connects
SynapsCAD is the AI-powered 3D CAD IDE: edit code, visualize in 3D, and reshape designs with natural language. It parses and evaluates OpenSCAD source without invoking the OpenSCAD executable, presents the result in a Bevy viewport, exports STL, OBJ or 3MF, and can ask local or hosted language models to revise the current design. The compiler is also available as a Rust library.
The editor sits on the left and the viewport on the right. Editing the source and selecting Compile rebuilds the model; number keys 1 through 7 select standard views, G toggles gizmos, L toggles labels, and a shortcut guide opens with question mark. The compiler crate exposes compile_scad_code as its high-level entry point, with atomic cancellation and recoverable warnings.
The README states SynapsCAD is an early prototype and OpenSCAD compatibility is incomplete, and asks for concise bug reports with a reproducing source file. Prebuilt Linux, macOS and Windows artifacts are published on the Releases page, and a web demo is linked from the README.
What engineers report
In SynapsCAD v0.7.0 on Windows 11 Pro, Ollama models are not detected, the model dropdown stays empty, and clipboard paste does not work.
2026-03-05Read the original
Alternatives
Compare side by side- openscad-agent
A Claude Code-powered agent environment generating 3D-printable designs by writing OpenSCAD code, rather than a 3D CAD IDE with its own OpenSCAD compiler.
- SolidCraft (tangency-labs)
An open-source parametric 3D CAD application in Rust with a built-in MCP server, rather than a 3D CAD IDE for OpenSCAD code.
- OpenGeometry
A browser-native CAD geometry kernel for web apps and AI CAD, rather than a 3D CAD IDE for OpenSCAD code.
- text-to-cad
A text-to-CAD plugin and skills set that generates CAD geometry from prompts, rather than a 3D CAD IDE for OpenSCAD code.
Recurring errors it addresses
Error Index entries this tool is built to reduce or work around.
- rebuilding a FreeCAD enclosure (45 objects, 19 spreadsheet parameters) in OpenSCAD, the lid matches but the case is 1643 mm³ off with a 9 mm max surface distance, so acceptance fails; some sketch effects did not carry over.Error Index
- porting a desk controller enclosure from FreeCAD to OpenSCAD, the author found the encoder retainer crossing the carrier and cut a 0.35 mm relief; the equivalence check is a homemade script comparing bounding box, volume and surface distance per configuration.Error Index
- Three CAD gates looked for OpenSCAD's 2-manifold warning in stderr, but the default Manifold backend in OpenSCAD 2026.10.11 does not print it, so the gates could not fail on a pinched mesh.Error Index
Sources
Not verified
- Pricing: none stated on the repo; the application is free open source.
- License: the LICENSE file states dual licensing under MIT or Apache-2.0 at the user's option; the GitHub API reports NOASSERTION, so the file governs.
Last verified November 6, 2026. Listings are informational. The evidence score measures public, verifiable evidence and is not an endorsement or a compatibility claim.