Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

BricsCAD Shape VS SolveSpace

Compare BricsCAD Shape VS SolveSpace and see what are their differences

BricsCAD Shape logo BricsCAD Shape

BricsCAD Shape lets you create without limits. Sculpt your ideas in solids from the start.

SolveSpace logo SolveSpace

SOLVESPACE is a parametric 3D CAD program with extrude, revolve, union and difference functions.
  • BricsCAD Shape Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-09
  • SolveSpace Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-07-20

BricsCAD Shape features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    BricsCAD Shape offers a clean and intuitive interface that makes it easy for both beginners and experienced CAD users to navigate and use the software efficiently.
  • Cost-Effective
    It is a free-to-use software, providing a cost-effective solution for users who need basic 3D modeling capabilities without the financial burden of more comprehensive CAD tools.
  • Integration with BricsCAD
    Seamlessly integrates with other BricsCAD products, allowing for improved workflow and easy transition from conceptual design to detailed modeling and documentation.
  • Direct Modeling
    The software supports direct modeling, offering dynamic editing of 3D models without the constraints of traditional CAD parametric modeling.
  • Cross-Platform Availability
    Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, which provides flexibility for users working in different operating system environments.

Possible disadvantages of BricsCAD Shape

  • Limited Advanced Features
    Lacks some advanced features and functionalities found in full-featured CAD applications, making it less suitable for complex projects.
  • Learning Curve for New Users
    Although it is user-friendly, there may still be a learning curve for users who are new to 3D modeling or CAD software in general.
  • Niche User Base
    Primarily targets early-stage design and conceptual modeling, which may not be appealing to users needing comprehensive end-to-end CAD solutions.
  • Limited File Compatibility
    May not support all file formats, potentially leading to challenges when collaborating with others using different CAD software.
  • Basic Rendering Capabilities
    The software offers only basic rendering capabilities, making it less suited for users who require high-quality visual presentations.

SolveSpace features and specs

  • Open Source
    SolveSpace is open-source software, which means it is free to use, modify, and distribute. This encourages community contributions and allows users to customize the software to their needs.
  • Lightweight
    The software is relatively lightweight compared to other CAD programs, making it suitable for older systems or for users who prefer a minimal footprint.
  • Parametric Modeling
    SolveSpace offers parametric modeling, allowing users to define geometric constraints and dimensions that can easily be adjusted to alter the design.
  • Cross-Platform
    SolveSpace is available on multiple platforms including Windows, Linux, and macOS, enhancing accessibility for users on different operating systems.
  • 2D and 3D Design
    The software supports both 2D and 3D design capabilities, making it versatile for various design projects ranging from basic sketches to complex 3D models.

Possible disadvantages of SolveSpace

  • Limited Features
    Compared to more advanced and commercial CAD software, SolveSpace has limited features that might be insufficient for complex engineering projects.
  • User Interface
    The user interface of SolveSpace might seem outdated or less intuitive to users accustomed to more modern design environments.
  • Learning Curve
    New users may face a steep learning curve due to the program's unconventional approach and lack of comprehensive documentation or tutorials.
  • Performance
    While lightweight, SolveSpace can struggle with performance issues when handling complex or large 3D models, which may affect users working on detailed projects.
  • Limited Community Support
    As a lesser-known tool, the community around SolveSpace is smaller, which could lead to challenges in finding help or resources for troubleshooting.

BricsCAD Shape videos

10 Minutes to BricsCAD Shape (free software) - Webinar

More videos:

  • Tutorial - BricsCAD Shape Review Tutorial For Beginner

SolveSpace videos

Solvespace Tutorial 0: Basics and User Interface

More videos:

  • Demo - SOLVESPACE 2.0 demo
  • Tutorial - Solvespace Tutorial 1 - a Simple Plate

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to BricsCAD Shape and SolveSpace)
3D
21 21%
79% 79
Architecture
25 25%
75% 75
3D Modeling
32 32%
68% 68
CAD
29 29%
71% 71

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, SolveSpace seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 23 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

BricsCAD Shape mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of BricsCAD Shape yet. Tracking of BricsCAD Shape recommendations started around Mar 2021.

SolveSpace mentions (23)

  • Ink and Switch Constraint System (2023)
    The comment on constraints which still blows me away is the footnote on the readme for Dune 3D: https://github.com/dune3d/dune3d Probably a bit more approachable for folks is: https://www.cadsketcher.com/ which adds the Solvespace constraint solver to Blender. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 month ago
  • Show HN: A playable game of Tetris inside a PDF
    >> I do wish I did pay some attention to CAD now. I want a 3D printer and have no idea how to design objects for it. Get Solvespace: https://solvespace.com/index.pl Do the tutorials. If/when you outgrow it, the concepts will carry over to FreeCAD which otherwise has a steeper learning curve but has more capabilities. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • I Revived 3-Axis CNC Mill G-Code Simulator
    > - Solvespace --- limited to 2D last I checked According to https://solvespace.com/index.pl "SOLVESPACE -- parametric 2d/3d CAD" "SOLVESPACE is a free (GPLv3) parametric 3d CAD tool. Applications include: - modeling 3d parts — draw with extrudes, revolves, helixes and Boolean (union / difference / intersection) operations [...] - 3d-printed parts — export the STL or other triangle mesh expected by most 3d printers". - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
  • Herbgrind analyzes binaries to find inaccurate floating point expressions
    Is it feasible to run this on something large like Solvespace[1] (CAD) which is ~5MB executable? Or would we just get an insanely long list of issues? [1] https://solvespace.com/index.pl There are hundreds of numerical algorithms in there, and we have some bugs that might be related to this kind of implementation error. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Math and Motion: A Look at Chebyshev’s Works on Linkages
    If you want to quickly sketch and simulate the motion of linkages, I can recommend using Solvespace: https://solvespace.com/index.pl. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing BricsCAD Shape and SolveSpace, you can also consider the following products

SketchUp - 3D for Everyone

OpenSCAD - OpenSCAD is a software for creating solid 3D CAD objects.

FreeCAD - An open-source parametric 3D modeler

Assetforge - Asset Forge allows anyone to create 3D models and 2D sprites using building blocks.

ArchiCAD - ArchiCAD 16 enables BIM modeling with a new green approach to planning. Create anything you need with ArchiCAD's flexible new features for design.

LibreCAD - An open source 2D CAD application for Windows, Apple and Linux.