OM_CAD_tools.md
June 21, 2026 · View on GitHub
Open-microscopy CAD Tools
Package | Cost | Academic License | Open-source? | Supported OS | Native file format | Supports STEP file | Supports STL file |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fusion360 | €415-1.120/year | available | NO | Mac, Windows | .f3d | YES4 | YES |
| Autodesk Inventor | €2839/year | available | NO | Windows | .ipt, .iam | YES | YES |
| AutoCAD | €1950/year | available | NO | Windows | .dwg | YES | YES |
| Solidworks | Quote required | Quote required | NO | Windows | .sldprt | YES | YES |
| RhinoCAD | € 9.953 | € 1.953 | NO | Mac, Windows | .3dm | YES | YES |
| OpenSCAD | Free | N/A | YES | Mac, Windows, Linux | .scad | NO | YES |
| FreeCAD | Free | N/A | YES | Mac, Windows, Linux | .FCStd | YES | YES |
| Blender | Free | N/A | YES | Mac, Windows , Linux | .blend | NO | YES |
| Tinkercad | Free | N/A | NO | online | .obj | NO | YES |
| OnShape | Public projects (free) unique: online collaboration and version merging, €1.500 (Standard), €2.100 (Pro) per year | available | NO | online | - | YES | YES |
| SketchUp | €150-600/year | €55€/year | NO | online/offline, Windows, Mac | .skp | YES | YES |
Also, please have a look at the extensive list on Wikipedia
Open-microscopy CAD Repositories
| Repository | Purpose | STL Previews | Automation | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zenodo | Long-term archiving of scientific data. | NO | NO | Zenodo |
| Thingiverse | Commercial platform to share 3D printing/laser-cutting designs. Relatively stable. | YES | NO | Thingiverse |
| Fusion360 | Commercial cloud that stores editable and shareable files for Autodesk Fusion360 (STLs mostly). Subject to change of license terms at any time. | YES | NO | Fusion360 |
| GrabCAD | Community for sharing whole CAD assemblies, tutorials and knowledge | YES | NO | GrabCAD |
| Yeggi | Search engine for multiple 3D model databases | YES | NO | YEGGI |
| GitLab | Version controlled platform to host various files with inbuilt rendering tool for STL | YES | YES | GitLab |
| GitHub | Version controlled platform to host various files with inbuilt rendering tool for STL | YES | YES | GitHub |
| NIH 3D printing database | Supporting medical workers with 3D printing equipment | YES | NO | NIH Database |
| Printables | Database for various 3D printed models from Prusa | YES | NO | https://www.printables.com/ |
| Ondsel lens | Database of public (editable) FreeCAD models, with STL/STEP export. | YES | NO | https://lens.ondsel.com/public-models |
| OnShape | Public online CAD models, with STL/STEP export. | YES | NO | Public projects browser |