Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

SolveSpace VS Dune 3D

Compare SolveSpace VS Dune 3D and see what are their differences

SolveSpace logo SolveSpace

SOLVESPACE is a parametric 3D CAD program with extrude, revolve, union and difference functions.

Dune 3D logo Dune 3D

Harness the power of parametric design with this open-source 3D CAD tool, now ad-free and multi-platform.
  • SolveSpace Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-07-20
Not present

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    The user interface of SolveSpace might seem outdated or less intuitive to users accustomed to more modern design environments.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.

Dune 3D features and specs

  • Enhanced Visualization
    Dune 3D offers advanced 3D modeling capabilities which enhance the visualization of complex data, making it easier for users to interpret and analyze.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The platform boasts a user-friendly interface that allows both beginners and experienced users to navigate and utilize the tools effectively for various projects.
  • Versatile Application
    Dune 3D supports a wide range of applications, from academic research to industrial design, making it a versatile tool for different sectors.
  • Community Support
    It has an active community that provides support, shares knowledge, and collaborates on projects, enriching the user experience and capabilities.

Possible disadvantages of Dune 3D

  • Resource Intensive
    The platform can be resource-intensive, requiring high-performance hardware for optimal functionality, which can be a barrier for users with limited resources.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    While the interface is user-friendly, mastering all features and functionalities of Dune 3D can require significant time and effort, especially for users new to 3D modeling.
  • Limited Offline Capabilities
    Some features of Dune 3D may require an active internet connection, limiting its usability in offline environments or areas with poor connectivity.
  • Subscription Costs
    The cost of advanced features and functionalities may be a hindrance for some users, as they may require a subscription or additional fees to access.

SolveSpace videos

Solvespace Tutorial 0: Basics and User Interface

More videos:

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

Dune 3D videos

3D or 4K? DUNE 3D Blu-ray Review

More videos:

  • Review - DUNE 3D CINEMA MOVIE REVIEW! (My Son took me to the movies!)
  • Review - Dune 3D movie review (part 1) and a part 2 trailer.

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SolveSpace and Dune 3D)
3D
57 57%
43% 43
Architecture
53 53%
47% 47
CAD
54 54%
46% 46
3D Modeling
44 44%
56% 56

User comments

Share your experience with using SolveSpace and Dune 3D. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, SolveSpace should be more popular than Dune 3D. It has been mentiond 25 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.

SolveSpace mentions (25)

  • Ask HN: What are your top open source apps/software?
    Love OBS and Blender. Recently started using Kdenlive and it is awesome. Big fan of OpenSCAD[1] and solvespace[2] for making functional 3D prints. I'm going to branch out a bit here and say GrapheneOS is my favorite thing going on right now. [1] https://openscad.org/ [2] https://solvespace.com/index.pl. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • FreeCAD is an open-source parametric 3D modeler
    Just checked it out [1] but it appears the last version released was in 2022? Makes me wonder if it is still active. [1] https://solvespace.com/index.pl. - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
  • 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 / over 1 year 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 / over 1 year 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 โ€” draw with extrudes, revolves, helixes and Boolean (union / difference / intersection) operations [...] - 3d-printed parts โ€” export the STL or other triangle mesh expected by most 3d printers". - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
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Dune 3D mentions (14)

  • Akse3D โ€“ open-source 3D modelling anyone can master
    A UI which seems a bit more in-line w/ contemporary expectations is Dune 3D: https://dune3d.org/ which I find a little less confusing than the traditional 3D CAD packages I've tried (and failed to learn) --- at least for Dune 3D I've made it through the tutorial successfully. - Source: Hacker News / 2 months ago
  • Focused microwaves allow 3D printers to fuse circuits onto almost anything
    Components are pretty easily done via pick-and-place, which was just demonstrated on video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGZ0qpPN1uk once one can make traces in 3D as part of a case/shell/frame/structure things get _very_ interesting --- consider that one electronics designer actually worked up a 3D CAD system: https://dune3d.org/ just for making 3D printed enclosures: >My primary use case for 3D CAD is... - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • Parametric CAD in Rust
    Notably the library was used (at least for a while) in the development of Dune 3D: https://dune3d.org/ but then the author used the source directly as noted in the Github footnote: >I ended up directly using solvespace's solver instead of the suggested wrapper code since it didn't expose all of the features I needed. I also had to patch the solver to make it sufficiently fast for the kinds of equations I was... - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
  • Blender 5.0 Released
    Another opensource CAD tool to look at is Dune 3D: https://dune3d.org/ which has been discussed here in the past: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37979758 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41975958 which if it just had parameters/scripting would have a lot more potential. - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago
  • Drafting Software Recommendation
    Note for Blender there is: https://www.cadsketcher.com/ That said, if you want 3D CAD, the simplest option is probably: https://dune3d.org/. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing SolveSpace and Dune 3D, you can also consider the following products

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

FreeCAD - An open-source parametric 3D modeler

Autodesk AutoCAD - Autodesk AutoCAD is a commercial computer-aided design (CAD) and drafting software application.

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

SketchUp - 3D for Everyone

SolidWorks - Dassault Systรจmes SolidWorks Corp. develops and markets 3D CAD design software, analysis software, and product data management software. SolidWorks is the leading supplier of 3D CAD product design engineering software.