Chili3D is a browser-based 3D computer-aided design application for creating and editing solid models directly in a web browser. Its modelling engine is based on OpenCascade, compiled to WebAssembly, while Three.js handles the interactive 3D viewport.
The application is designed around a conventional CAD workflow rather than a simplified model viewer. Users can create sketches, build solids from profiles, modify geometry, organise parts hierarchically, and save projects in browser storage. A ribbon-style interface groups modelling and editing commands, with a project tree and property panels for working with model structure and parameters.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Create boxes, cylinders, cones, spheres, pyramids, toruses, and other basic shapes.
- Draw lines, arcs, circles, ellipses, rectangles, polygons, and Bézier curves in sketches.
- Perform Boolean union, difference, and intersection operations.
- Supports extrusion, revolution, sweeping, lofting, offset surfaces, and thick solids.
- Provides chamfer, fillet, trim, break, split, sew, simplify, and feature-removal tools.
- Includes object snapping, workplane snapping, axis tracking, feature-point detection, and visual tracking guides.
- Measure angles and lengths, and calculate aggregate length, area, and volume.
- Import and export STEP, IGES, BREP, and STL files.
- Offers undo and redo with transaction history.
- Supports dynamic workplanes, camera controls, saved camera positions, and hierarchical assembly organisation.
- Runtime plugin system supports dynamically loaded extensions, macros, and node-based visual programming.
- Interface translations include English, Chinese, and Brazilian Portuguese.
Website: github.com/xiangechen/chili3d
Support:
Developer: xiangechen and contributors
License: GNU Affero General Public License v3.0
Chili3D is written mainly in TypeScript, with C++ used for the WebAssembly module. Learn TypeScript with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
| CAD Software | |
|---|---|
| FreeCAD | 3D-Solid and general purpose design CAD/CAE |
| QCAD | Professional CAD System |
| LibreCAD | CAD in two dimensions |
| BRL-CAD | Constructive Solid Geometry (CSG) solid modeling system |
| OpenCASCADE | Technology, 3D modeling & numerical simulation |
| SALOME | Platform for numerical simulation |
| OpenSCAD | Programmers solid 3D CAD modeller |
| KiCad | Integrated environment for all of the stages of the design process |
| Chili3D | Browser-based 3D CAD application for parametric modelling |
| LeoCAD | Design virtual models you can build with LEGO bricks |
| SolveSpace | Parametric 3d CAD tool |
| CadQuery | Python parametric CAD scripting framework |
| Electric | The Electric VLSI Design System |
| gCAD3D | 3D CAD-CAM application which features an integrated 3D OpenGL viewer |
| XTrackCAD | CAD program for designing model railroad layouts |
| KLayout | Viewer and editor for integrated circuit and mask design |
| Dune 3D | Parametric 3D CAD |
| CAD Sketcher | Constraint-based geometry sketcher |
| build123d | Python CAD programming library |
| Design | 2D CAD software for GNOME |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
 Explore our carefully curated directory of recommended free and open source software, covering every major software category.The directory forms part of our extensive collection of articles for Linux enthusiasts. It includes hundreds of detailed reviews, together with free and open source alternatives to proprietary software from companies such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Cisco, Oracle, and Autodesk. LinuxLinks also covers interesting projects worth exploring, Linux-compatible hardware, free programming books and tutorials, and much more. Know a useful free and open source Linux application that we haven’t covered? Tell us about it using our submission form. |
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.