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Formsmith746

Formsmith746/SketchForge-3D

A local-first, browser-based 3D design editor for building and cutting primitive shapes, importing STL files, and exporting STL, OBJ, and STEP models.

Open-source alternative to:TinkercadOnshape

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1,182
Forks
127
Open issues
39
Last commit
2 months ago

What is it?

SketchForge is a lightweight CAD-style 3D editor that runs in the browser. Users drop primitive shapes such as boxes, cylinders, spheres and wedges onto a workplane, resize and rotate them, turn shapes into cutters for holes, and group the results into final geometry. Boolean intersection and chamfer or fillet edge tools are also available.

Projects are stored in each user's browser storage, so no account or cloud service is required. Models can be imported from STL files and exported as STL, OBJ or STEP, with selected objects or the whole scene available for export. The app is built with Next.js, React, TypeScript, Three.js and Manifold/CSG geometry tooling.

Docker is the recommended way to host it for classrooms or shared computers, with an optional shared .skf project library on the server. The project also includes a local MCP server that lets AI clients inspect and modify an open editor tab during development.

Key features

  • 01Browser-based 3D workplane with grid, snapping, transform handles and inspector controls.
  • 02Primitive library including boxes, cylinders, spheres, cones, text, roofs and tubes.
  • 03Solid and hole workflow for cutting shapes and grouping them into final geometry.
  • 04STL import plus STL, OBJ and STEP export.
  • 05Chamfer and fillet tools for selected CAD edges, with history controls to remove them.
  • 06Local browser storage for projects, with no account required.

Use cases

  • Designing simple 3D-printable parts with primitives and holes.
  • Teaching basic 3D modeling in classrooms or FabLab workshops using a shared server.
  • Modifying outside STL models by combining them with primitive shapes.
  • Letting an AI assistant automate shape creation in a local editor during development.

Quick start

  1. 1

    Download the project with Git

    git clone https://github.com/Formsmith746/SketchForge-3D.git
  2. 2

    Open the project folder

    cd SketchForge-3D
  3. 3

    Install dependencies

    npm install
  4. 4

    Start the development server, then open http://127.0.0.1:3000/ in your browser

    npm run dev

Things to know

  • Licensed under AGPL-3.0, so modified versions offered over a network must also share their source code under that license.
  • Local development requires Node.js 20 or newer.
  • Shared projects use file-based sharing with revision checks, not simultaneous live editing.

In collections

Privacy & local-first tools

Topics

#3d-modeling#cad#threejs#browser-editor#stl#local-first#typescript#nextjs

FAQ

What is SketchForge-3D?
A local-first, browser-based 3D design editor for building and cutting primitive shapes, importing STL files, and exporting STL, OBJ, and STEP models. SketchForge is a lightweight CAD-style 3D editor that runs in the browser. Users drop primitive shapes such as boxes, cylinders, spheres and wedges onto a workplane, resize and rotate them, turn shapes into cutters for holes, and group the results into final geometry. Boolean intersection and chamfer or fillet edge tools are also available.
Is SketchForge-3D free to use? What license does it have?
SketchForge-3D is open source under the AGPL-3.0 license. Check the license terms before using it in commercial products.
Is SketchForge-3D still maintained?
Updated within 6 months. The last commit to SketchForge-3D was on Sep 18, 2026.
What can I use SketchForge-3D for?
Designing simple 3D-printable parts with primitives and holes. Teaching basic 3D modeling in classrooms or FabLab workshops using a shared server. Modifying outside STL models by combining them with primitive shapes. Letting an AI assistant automate shape creation in a local editor during development.
How do I install SketchForge-3D?
Download the project with Git: git clone https://github.com/Formsmith746/SketchForge-3D.git Open the project folder: cd SketchForge-3D Install dependencies: npm install Start the development server, then open http://127.0.0.1:3000/ in your browser: npm run dev
Where can I get SketchForge-3D?
The source code and installation instructions are on GitHub: https://github.com/Formsmith746/SketchForge-3D

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