Read the source
GPL-3.0-or-later. Read how it works, build it yourself, change what you need.
Open Engineering
Free engineering tools, built in the open
Free, open-source alternatives to costly engineering software, built for independent engineers, makers and small studios. Linux included.
Drafting
2D drafting with a real command line
A free 2D CAD application for Windows and Linux, written in Rust. It has a ribbon, a command line with the standard drafting command names, and it opens your DXF and DWG drawings.
Early release
Calculation
Calculation sheets that show their working
Calculation sheets where every value, unit and formula is visible and checkable, written in Rust. It is an early prototype and not yet available to download.
In development
OpenCalc · beam-check
Planning
Schedules that show the critical path clearly
Critical path scheduling, Gantt charts, resources and baselines, written in Rust. It is an early prototype and not yet available to download.
In development
OpenPlan · shutdown-plan
Linux
OpenDraft runs natively on Linux
OpenDraft is a native Linux program, not a Windows app in a wrapper. It runs on X11 and Wayland, ships as a .deb, an AppImage and a tarball, and is built and run in CI on Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Arch and openSUSE.
CI uses virtual displays, so real GPUs, GNOME, KDE and printers are not covered yet. If you try it, tell us what happens.
# Debian, Ubuntu, Mint
sudo apt install ./OpenDraft-<version>-linux-amd64.deb
# Any distribution
chmod +x OpenDraft-*.AppImage
./OpenDraft-*.AppImage
# From source
cargo run --release -p od-appFree, open source and independently checkable
No licence fees
No seats, keys, accounts or subscriptions, and no telemetry.
Works with your files
Reads DXF and DWG (AutoCAD 2010 to 2018), writes DXF, and plots to PDF, SVG or paper.
Checked in the open
Over 3,300 automated tests, run on Windows and Linux for every change.
AI assistant connection
An optional, off-by-default MCP server lets an AI assistant work in your drawing, with every change undoable. Early and experimental.
Native on Windows and Linux
One small native program: no interpreter, no runtime, X11 and Wayland on Linux.
Why it exists
Built for independent engineers, makers and small studios
Drafting, calculation and planning software is dominated by expensive, licence-locked products. If you are a maker, a sole trader or a small studio, a subscription for every tool adds up, and you cannot see how any of them reach their answers. Open Engineering builds free alternatives where the logic is in plain view.
- 3,300+
- automated tests in OpenDraft
- 3
- open tools
- £0
- licence cost
OpenDraft v0.2.0
Download it free, today
No licence key, no subscription. Windows builds are not code-signed yet, so Windows may show an unknown publisher warning.
All downloads on GitHubWindows
- windows-x64.msi14.3 MB
- windows.zip13.5 MB
Linux
- linux-amd64.deb16.5 MB
- linux-x86_64.AppImage16.2 MB
- linux.tar.gz16.6 MB
Resources
Learn, follow along and help
Guides
Short, practical guides to each project, starting with your first OpenDraft drawing.
LearnREAD MORELinux
Which projects run on Linux, what they need, and what is tested.
LinuxREAD MORERoadmap
What is done, in progress and planned, and what is deliberately not.
PlanREAD MORESource on GitHub
Read the code, follow releases and open issues.
CodeREAD MORELatest activity: Merge pull request #111 from JamesHodgkins/release/arch-checksum-0.2.0 · 4 Nov 2026 · Release notes
Frequently asked questions
Is OpenDraft really free?
Yes. It is released under GPL-3.0-or-later, with no licence fee, account or subscription. The source is public.
Does it run on Linux?
Yes, natively, on X11 and Wayland. It is tested in CI on Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Arch and openSUSE, using virtual displays. Real-hardware reports are the thing we most need.
Does it open DWG files?
It reads DXF and DWG files saved by AutoCAD 2010 to 2018, and writes DXF. There is no DWG export yet. It is in early development, so check your drawings and expect missing features.
Does it send my drawings anywhere?
No. There is no telemetry and no account. The only things that can use the network, an optional daily update check and an experimental in-app assistant that needs your own API key, are off until you turn them on.
Is it OK to use for real work?
It can be used for real work, but it is still early software. OpenDraft has over 3,300 automated tests, atomic saves, autosave and crash recovery. Keep a DXF copy of anything important, and check results that matter by an independent method, as with any engineering tool.
What can it not do yet?
DWG export, dynamic blocks, xrefs, 3D, macOS, and a stable native file format. The roadmap lists these openly.
How can I help?
Test it on your machine, report a bug, add a command or port a test. The Contribute page explains how.
Community
Help build engineering tools anyone can check
Test it on your machine, report a bug, add a command or port a test. You do not need to write Rust to be useful.