CadQuery is an intuitive, easy-to-use Python module for building parametric 3D CAD models. Using CadQuery, you can write short, simple scripts that produce high quality CAD models. It is easy to make many different objects using a single script that can be customized.
CadQuery is often compared to [OpenSCAD](http://www.openscad.org/). Like OpenSCAD, CadQuery is an open-source, script based, parametric model generator. However, CadQuery stands out in many ways and has several key advantages:
1. The scripts use a standard programming language, Python, and thus can benefit from the associated infrastructure. This includes many standard libraries and IDEs.
2. CadQuery's CAD kernel Open CASCADE Technology (OCCT) is much more powerful than CGAL. Features supported natively by OCCT include NURBS, splines, surface sewing, STL repair, STEP import/export, and other complex operations, in addition to the standard CSG operations supported by CGAL
3. Ability to import/export STEP and the ability to begin with a STEP model, created in a CAD package, and then add parametric features. This is possible in OpenSCAD using STL, but STL is a lossy format.
4. CadQuery scripts require less code to create most objects, because it is possible to locate features based on the position of other features, workplanes, vertices, etc.
5. CadQuery scripts can build STL, STEP, and AMF faster than OpenSCAD.
The original version of CadQuery was built on the FreeCAD API. This was great because it allowed for fast development and easy cross-platform capability. However, we eventually started reaching the limits of the API for some advanced operations and selectors. This 2.0 version of CadQuery is based directly on a Python wrapper of the OCCT kernel. This gives us a great deal more control and flexibility, at the expense of some simplicity and having to handle the cross-platform aspects of deployment ourselves. We believe this is a worthwhile trade-off to allow CadQuery to continue to grow and expand in the future.
The easiest way to install CadQuery and its dependencies is using conda, which is included as part of an Anaconda/Miniconda installation. See the next section for an alternative to a full install of Anaconda that may be preferable to some users. The steps to install cadquery are as follows:
For those unfamiliar (or uncomfortable) with Anaconda, it is probably best to install Miniconda to a local directory and to avoid running `conda init`. After performing a local directory installation, Miniconda can be activated via the [scripts,bin]/activate scripts. This will help avoid polluting and breaking the local Python installation. In Linux, the local directory installation method looks something like this:
CadQuery was built to be used as a Python library without any GUI. This makes it great for use cases such as integration into servers, or creating scientific and engineering scripts. Use Anaconda/Miniconda to install CadQuery, and then add `import cadquery` to the top of your Python scripts. If the stable version of CadQuery is desired, the following command will install it. However, be aware that the stable version can fall significantly behind the current state of CadQuery, so in many cases the `master` installation method at the beginning of the Getting Started section is preferable.
We also have a [Google Group](https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/cadquery) to make it easy to get help from other CadQuery users. We want you to feel welcome and encourage you to join the group and introduce yourself. We would also love to hear what you are doing with CadQuery.
[FxBricks](https://fxbricks.com/) uses CadQuery in the product development pipeline for their Lego train system. FxBricks has also given back to the community by creating [documentation for their CAD pipeline](https://github.com/fx-bricks/fx-cad-notes). They have also assembled [cq-kit](https://github.com/michaelgale/cq-kit), a library containing utility classes and functions to extend the capabilities of CadQuery. Thanks to @michaelgale and @fx-bricks for this example.
Hexidor is an expanded take on the Quoridor board game, and the development process has been chronicled [here](https://bruceisonfire.net/2020/04/23/my-adventure-with-flosscad-the-birth-of-hexidor/). CadQuery was used to generate the game board. Thanks to Bruce for this example.
Thanks to @eddieliberato for sharing [this example](https://jungletools.blogspot.com/2017/06/an-anti-kink-device-for-novel-high-tech.html) of an anti-kink resin mold for a cable.
Contributions from the community are welcome and appreciated.
You do not need to be a software developer to have a big impact on this project. Contributions can take many forms including, but not limited to, the following:
* Writing and improving documentation
* Triaging bugs
* Submitting bugs and feature requests
* Creating tutorial videos and blog posts
* Helping other users get started and solve problems
* Telling others about this project
* Helping with translations and internationalization
* Helping with accessibility
* Contributing bug fixes and new features
It is asked that all contributions to this project be made in a respectful and considerate way. Please use the [Python Community Code of Conduct's](https://www.python.org/psf/codeofconduct/) guidelines as a reference.
Installing cq-editor adds another instance of cadquery which overrides the clone just added. Fix this by reinstalling cadquery using pip:
-`pip install -e .`
- Before making any changes verify that the current tests pass. Run `pytest` from the root of your cadquery clone, there should be no failures and the output will look similar to this:
- ======= 215 passed, 57 warnings in 13.95s =======
If you find yourself wishing for a feature that does not exist, you are probably not alone. There are bound to be others out there with similar needs. Open an [issue](https://github.com/CadQuery/cadquery/issues) which describes the feature you would like to see, why you need it, and how it should work.
