QCAD: Open-Source 2D CAD for Developers and Makers

Ever needed to sketch up a precise floor plan, design a mechanical part, or draft a technical diagram, but found professional CAD software overkill, expensive, or locked to one OS? For developers, designers, and makers who just need clean, accurate 2D drawings without the bloat, the search can be frustrating.

Enter QCAD. It’s a robust, open-source 2D Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD) application that runs natively on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It strips away the complexity and cost of 3D suites, focusing on what you actually need for technical drawings: precision, clarity, and control.

What It Does

QCAD is a fully-featured 2D CAD system. Think of it as a digital drafting board. You can create detailed technical drawings like architectural plans, interior layouts, mechanical schematics, or diagrams. It handles layers, blocks, various measurement units, and a wide array of geometric tools with the precision expected from professional CAD software.

Why It's Cool

First, it's genuinely cross-platform. The same application runs smoothly on all three major desktop operating systems, which is a huge win for diverse teams or polyglot developers.

Second, it’s open-source (GPLv3). You can use it for free, forever, for any purpose—personal, educational, or commercial. You can also audit the code, contribute to it, or even modify it for your own needs.

Third, it respects the CAD standards. It uses the DXF file format (with DWG support available via a proprietary add-on) as its native format, making it highly interoperable with other CAD tools. This isn't a toy; it's a tool for real work.

For developers, there’s a powerful scripting interface based on ECMAScript (JavaScript), allowing you to automate tasks, create custom tools, or integrate QCAD into other workflows. The community has also built a rich ecosystem of add-ons and scripts.

How to Try It

Getting started is straightforward. Head over to the QCAD GitHub repository to browse the source, or go directly to the official QCAD website for downloads.

You can download the free, open-source edition directly from the site. Installation packages are available for Windows (.exe), macOS (.dmg), and Linux (.tar.gz or via repositories). Just download, install, and start drafting. The interface is clean and the learning curve is manageable, especially if you have any prior CAD experience.

Final Thoughts

In a world of subscription software and vendor lock-in, QCAD is a breath of fresh air. It does one thing—2D drafting—and does it very well across all platforms. Whether you're a developer sketching a rack layout for a server room, a maker designing a part for a CNC router, or just someone who needs a precise diagram, QCAD is a tool worth having in your kit. It’s reliable, unrestricted, and gets the job done without fuss.

Found this project interesting? Follow @githubprojects for more cool tools and libraries from the open-source world.