Independents and makers
Hobbyists and makers who draw for laser cutting, CNC, 3D-print sketches, woodwork and floor plans. Clean files going out matter as much as files coming in.
About
Engineering software you can inspect
Open Engineering develops free, open-source tools for independent engineers, makers and small studios.
Why it exists
Drafting, calculation and planning software is dominated by expensive, licence-locked products. If you work for yourself, or just for the love of making things, a subscription for every tool adds up, and you cannot see how any of them reach their answers. When a result affects a design, being able to read the logic matters.
Open Engineering builds open alternatives, starting with the one that is furthest along. Each project lists its current maturity and known limitations.
Who it is for
Linux and open-source users
People leaving a closed or ageing tool, who want native Linux builds and regular Linux testing.
Small studios and sole traders
Independent drafters and engineers who need files that work with the rest of the industry, without a licence for every seat.
What we hold to
- 01
Show the working
The code is open and the logic is meant to be read. Where we can, we publish the checks that back a claim.
- 02
List what is not done
Every project has a visible “not yet” list, so missing and incomplete features are clear.
- 03
Free and open source
No subscriptions, no accounts and no telemetry. OpenDraft is GPL-3.0-or-later.
Maintainer
Maintained by James Hodgkins, a working engineer who builds these tools in spare time. The projects are independent and are not connected to any employer.
Contact: contact@openengineering.uk