Dune 3D emerges as a parametric 3D CAD tool addressing gaps in open-source alternatives. The project targets users like the original author, who designs 3D-printed electronics enclosures but found FreeCAD’s 2D-centric sketching and Solvespace’s lack of STEP support and fillet/chamfer tools frustrating. Leveraging Open CASCADE for geometry operations and Horizon EDA’s 3D viewport, Dune 3D combines parametric constraints with a Gtk 4 interface. Unlike FreeCAD, it prioritizes 3D constraints, while avoiding Solvespace’s geometry kernel limitations.

Technical implementation relies on Open CASCADE for STEP import/export and parametric modeling, paired with Solvespace’s solver library. The author reused Horizon EDA’s interactive manipulator for editor infrastructure, adapting it for 3D workflows. A custom patch accelerated the solver by symbolically solving equations, ensuring responsiveness despite complex constraints.

The tool avoids integration with existing projects like Horizon EDA or Solvespace, opting instead for Gtk 4 to explore new UI paradigms. Contributions to FreeCAD or Solvespace were deemed too unwieldy, and the author’s enjoyment of CAD development motivated the standalone project. Documentation and sample files reside in a separate repository, with support via Matrix and GitHub Discussions.

Dune 3D’s launch highlights demand for flexible, open-source CAD solutions. By addressing FreeCAD’s rigidity and Solvespace’s missing features, it fills a niche for hobbyists and engineers. The project’s modular design and open-source ethos position it as a potential alternative in the evolving 3D modeling landscape.