CAD operations and engineering document management
Convert across formats, diff 3D geometry, and collaborate with revision history. ToolCrib gives you the command line, web viewer, BOM editor, and approval workflows your multi-CAD team needs.
ToolCrib CLI: Open source CAD operations
Run CAD operations from the terminal. Convert between SolidWorks, FreeCAD, Onshape, and STEP formats. Compare geometry across versions with color-coded 3D diff. Export properties, batch convert thousands of files, and integrate CAD workflows into CI/CD pipelines.
Built on Python and Open CASCADE, ToolCrib CLI ships as a pip package:
pip install toolcrib
toolcrib convert part.sldprt --to step
toolcrib diff version1.step version2.step --visual
No GUI required. Works offline. Run batch jobs, scripts, and automations at scale.
CLI capabilities
Format conversion
Convert SolidWorks, FreeCAD, Onshape, and STEP files bidirectionally. Preserve geometry, metadata, and assemblies through the pipeline.
Visual 3D diff
Compare two CAD files. Changes appear in color: additions in green, removals in red, unchanged geometry in gray. Spot geometry deltas at a glance.
Batch automation
Convert hundreds of files in one command. Export properties, generate step files from source models, and automate release workflows.
Properties and metadata
Read and export mass, volume, surface area, bounding box, and assembly structure. Extract BOM data for downstream systems.
Tool Crib Cloud: Collaboration and approval
Take the CLI capabilities online. Upload CAD files to a secure cloud workspace, invite team members, and collaborate with full change history.
Web-based 3D viewer lets non-CAD stakeholders inspect geometry, leave comments on revisions, and approve changes. BOM editor simplifies assembly documentation. Approval workflows enforce design reviews. Audit logs track who changed what and when.
AI Toolshop agents validate designs against manufacturability rules (DFM), tolerance constraints, and compliance standards. The agent explains findings and suggests fixes, so design validation expertise is not a prerequisite.
Cloud features
Web 3D viewer
Open CAD files in a browser. Rotate, zoom, section, and measure. Comments and annotations on geometry. No CAD software required.
BOM editor
Create and edit bills of materials in a spreadsheet-like interface. Link rows to CAD geometry. Export for manufacturing systems.
Approval workflows
Route designs through reviewers. Require sign-off before release. Track approvals with timestamps and comments. Compliance-ready.
Audit logs
Complete record of every change: who uploaded, modified, approved, and when. Export logs for regulatory audits (aerospace, automotive, medical).
Team permissions
Granular access control. Assign roles per project: viewer, editor, approver, admin. Revoke access instantly.
AI Toolshop agents
Automated design validation. Check manufacturability (DFM), tolerance stack-up, and design rules. Agents explain findings and suggest corrections.
Common questions
- What CAD formats does ToolCrib support?
- ToolCrib CLI supports SolidWorks (.sldprt, .sldasm), FreeCAD (.FCStd), Onshape (export to native format), and STEP (.stp, .step). Tool Crib Cloud ingests the same formats and renders them in the web viewer. Format support expands regularly. Check the GitHub repo for the current list.
- Can I use ToolCrib CLI without Tool Crib Cloud?
- Yes. ToolCrib CLI is open source (MIT license) and works entirely offline. Download it via pip, run it from the command line, and integrate it into your scripts and CI/CD. Cloud features (web viewer, approval workflows, team collaboration) require a Tool Crib Cloud workspace.
- How does 3D diff work across different formats?
- When you compare a SolidWorks file to a STEP file, ToolCrib converts both to a common internal geometry representation, then compares faces, edges, and vertices. Color coding shows additions (green), removals (red), and unchanged geometry (gray). This works across any supported format pair.
- Is audit logging required for regulated industries?
- Yes. Aerospace (AS9100), automotive (IATF), and medical device manufacturers often need proof of design review and change approval. Tool Crib Cloud's audit logs show who, what, when, and optionally require digital signatures on approvals. Logs can be exported for regulatory submissions.
- What do the AI Toolshop agents actually check?
- Agents validate manufacturability (wall thickness, draft angles, blind holes), tolerance stack-up (using nominal and worst-case analysis), and compliance with design rules you define. They surface violations with clear explanations and suggest changes. No design expertise required to use them.
Start converting and collaborating today
ToolCrib CLI is free and open source. Tool Crib Cloud is a SaaS workspace for teams. Either way, you get CAD interoperability without format lock-in.
Explore on GitHub