CAD Tools User Guide

CAD Tools is a Blender add-on for selection-driven hard-surface modeling. It provides modal tools for Subtract, Loft, Revolve, Offset, Shell, and Split, plus a separate Simplify cleanup utility.

Overview

The main workflow is accessed through a modal operator and the CAD Tools sidebar. You can open it in both Object Mode and Edit Mode

Requirements

• Blender 5.0.0 or newer
• Main workflow entry: CAD Tools sidebar
• Sidebar location: 3D View \> CAD Tools

Installation

1. In Blender, open Edit > Preferences > Add-ons.
2. Click the downward arrow icon at the top right of the Add-ons panel and choose Install from Disk....
3. Select the CAD Tools .zip file.
4. Enable the add-on after installation.
5. Open the 3D View sidebar and find the CAD Tools tab.

Getting Started

1. Select a mesh object and enter Edit Mode (most tools require it; only Subtract and Simplify are available in Object Mode).
2. Open CAD Tools from the CAD Tools sidebar
3. Choose a tool from the Active Tool list.
4. Follow the viewport instructions.
5. Confirm with Enter or the Apply button, or stop with Esc / Cancel.

Tool Availability By Mode

• Subtract: Object Mode, Edit Mode. The only main CAD tool available in both modes.
• Loft: Edit Mode only. Disabled in Object Mode.
• Revolve: Edit Mode only. Disabled in Object Mode.
• Offset: Edit Mode only. Disabled in Object Mode.
• Shell: Edit Mode only. Disabled in Object Mode.
• Split: Edit Mode only. Disabled in Object Mode.
• Simplify: Object Mode, Edit Mode. Separate utility block, not part of the main modal workflow.

In Object Mode, edit-only tools are labeled with (Edit Mode) in the sidebar.

Main Workflow Notes

• CAD Tools uses a modal workflow.
• While a tool is active, Blender transform hotkeys such as G, R, and S are blocked until you Apply or Cancel.
• The viewport overlay shows the active tool, instructions, warnings, and the Apply / Cancel buttons.
• The sidebar shows the current settings for the active tool.

Tool Guide

Subtract

Subtract removes one mesh body from another.

Object Mode

• Works with selected mesh objects.
• The active mesh object is treated as the target.
• The cutter can be kept after apply with Keep Cutter.

Edit Mode

• Works on separate selected bodies / islands inside one mesh object.
• The workflow expects a target body and a cutter body.

Loft

Loft creates a bridge surface between two selected faces.

• Mode requirement: Edit Mode
• Runtime controls exposed in the sidebar: Span Segments, Profile Detail, Seam Offset, Loft Twist, Continuity
• Select a first face, then a second face on the active mesh object.

Revolve

Revolve spins selected geometry (face) around an axis edge.

• Mode requirement: Edit Mode
• Runtime controls exposed in the sidebar: Angle, Steps, Length, Merge
• Select a source face, then select an edge as the rotation axis.

• Known limitation: on very complex bodies, edges on the preview body may be inaccurate or missing.

Offset

Offset creates a face-based offset from a selected source face.

• Mode requirement: Edit Mode
• Runtime controls exposed in the sidebar: Distance, Size Threshold, Corner Scale
• Select exactly 1 face on the active mesh object.
• Note: outward (negative distance) offset is not yet supported.

Shell

Shell creates thickness from a selected body and opening face.

• Mode requirement: Edit Mode
• Runtime controls exposed in the sidebar: Thickness, Mode, Auto Fallback, Approx Strength, Thickness First
• Select a target body (one island), then select opening faces on that island. Hold Shift to add multiple opening faces.
• Openings (e.g. doors) may result in chamfered edges on complex shapes.

Split

Split cuts a selected body using a cut plane.

• Mode requirement: Edit Mode
• Runtime controls exposed in the sidebar: Split Islands, Flip Plane Normal
• Select a target body (one island), then select a face to define the cut plane.

Simplify

Simplify is a separate cleanup utility available in the sidebar.

• Trigger button: Run Simplify
• Available in both Object Mode and Edit Mode
• Modes: Precise and Solid
• Solid is marked in the UI as object-mode only

Controls

• Enter: apply the current tool
• Esc: cancel the current tool
• Apply / Cancel: viewport overlay buttons
• K: toggle Keep Cutter during Subtract
• F: flip plane normal during Split
• \[ / ]: decrease or increase Revolve steps

License

CAD Tools is distributed under GPL-3.0-or-later. The product files include per-script GPL notices and a license.txt file containing the full GNU GPL text.