Summary

SketchForge-3D provides a local-first, browser-based 3D design editor for rapid prototyping and model creation. It targets users seeking a lightweight, cloud-free alternative to complex CAD software for tasks like sketching, cutting, importing STLs, and exporting models, thereby eliminating account requirements and heavyweight installations.

How It Works

Built on a fast browser stack including Next.js, React, TypeScript, and Three.js, SketchForge-3D leverages Manifold/CSG for geometry operations. Its core design emphasizes a local-first, offline-capable workflow where projects are stored directly in the user's browser. The editor facilitates a direct design loop: users can easily add, manipulate, and group primitive shapes, utilize boolean operations (solid/hole, intersection), apply edge treatments like chamfers and fillets, and import/export various 3D file formats without server-side processing.

Quick Start & Requirements

Two primary methods exist for running SketchForge-3D:

• Docker / FabLab Server (Recommended): Requires Docker Desktop/Engine and Docker Compose. Installation involves docker compose -f deploy/docker/compose.yaml up --build -d or using prebuilt images. Access is via http://127.0.0.1:3000/.
• Local Development: Requires Node.js 20+ and npm. Installation involves npm install followed by npm run dev. Access is via http://127.0.0.1:3000/. Project files are served locally, and exports download directly through the browser.

Highlighted Details

• Local-first project storage and offline capability.
• Comprehensive primitive shape library and a solid/hole workflow with boolean operations.
• Advanced features include reversible edge treatments (chamfer/fillet) that preserve analytic geometry.
• Supports import of STL files and export to STL, OBJ, and STEP formats, with exact STEP/B-Rep geometry round-tripping.
• Includes a local MCP server for AI agent integration (Codex, Claude) for editor automation.

Maintenance & Community

The project welcomes contributions, with guidelines provided in .github/CONTRIBUTING.md. Specific community channels (e.g., Discord, Slack) or notable contributors/sponsorships are not detailed in the README.

Licensing & Compatibility

The project is licensed under the MIT license, which generally permits commercial use and integration into closed-source projects.

Limitations & Caveats

SketchForge-3D is currently in alpha status. Key areas for future development include workflow polish, extensive geometry edge-case testing, strengthening automated editor coverage, and improving release documentation.