{"slug": "the-open-source-3d-modeler-for-architecture-and-engineering", "title": "The open-source 3D modeler for architecture and engineering", "summary": "IngeTrazo is an open-source 3D modeler for architecture and engineering released under the GPL-3.0 license, with source code published on GitHub and native support for Linux, Windows and macOS. The software guarantees watertight solids, opens DWG, DXF, .skp, COLLADA, OBJ, glTF and STL files, exports to IFC, DXF and vector PDF, and since version 0.3.2 offers an Extensions menu for Python plugins. IngeTrazo connects to AI assistants and an MCP bridge that let Claude Desktop or Claude Code draw directly in the app by generating recipes the engine executes, with every step undoable and the model remaining hand-editable.", "body_md": "## What does open source mean here?\n\nIngeTrazo is **open-source software under the GPL-3.0**: you may use it for any project, study how it works, improve it and share it, with its source code published on GitHub. Your models are yours.\n\n \n## What makes IngeTrazo different?\n\nIt is **open-source software** (GPL-3.0) and runs **natively on Linux**, as well as Windows and macOS. It guarantees **watertight solids** and brings an optional **BIM layer**, in development. It composes **sheets at scale** into PDF, brings in **real terrain** (satellite, elevation, drone, GPS points) and connects to **AI assistants** that draw with the same engine, every step undoable.\n\n \n## Which formats does it open and save?\n\nIt opens its own **.igz** documents, **DWG and DXF** drawings, **.skp** models of every version (through [**OpenSKP**](https://github.com/iamahsanmehmood/openskp), an open reader IngeTrazo contributes to), **COLLADA (.dae)**, **OBJ**, **glTF** and **STL**. It saves to **.igz**, an open format, and exports COLLADA, OBJ, glTF, STL, IFC, DXF and PDF drawings.\n\n \n## Does it do BIM?\n\nAn optional layer, **in development**: you can tag geometry as a wall, slab, column or door, get its quantities (m², m³, units) and export it to **IFC**, the standard format other programs read — including IngePresupuestos. It grows with each version.\n\n \n## Can I produce the project drawings?\n\nYes. The **sheet composer** places views of the model at **exact scale** (1:50, 1:100…) on A4–A0 sheets, with dimensions anchored to the model that update when the model changes, an editable title block, graphic scale, numbered view titles, section marks, level and chained dimensions, detail callouts, and a vector hidden-line style with pens and poché. Export each sheet — or the whole set — to **vector PDF**, and the view to **DXF**.\n\n \n## Can I add features with plugins?\n\nYes. Since version 0.3.2 IngeTrazo has an **Extensions menu**: copy a plugin (a Python file) into your personal folder and its tools show up in the menu. Two come built in: **Model Info** (statistics, materials with painted m², and BIM objects) and a **Python Console** to inspect and automate the model with code, all tied into undo. The guide is in the [manual (Spanish)](https://ingetrazo-docs.pages.dev/extensiones/).\n\n \n## Does it have artificial intelligence?\n\nYes, in two ways. The built-in **AI Assistant** is a chat: paste the key of whichever provider you prefer (Groq has a free tier; also Gemini, OpenAI, Anthropic, OpenRouter, DeepSeek, or Ollama on your own machine) and describe the model in words or with a photo. And the **MCP bridge** lets Claude Desktop or Claude Code draw directly in the open app. In both cases the AI generates *recipes* that the engine executes —never blind meshes—, every step can be undone and the model stays editable by hand. Without AI, IngeTrazo works just the same, and offline.\n\n \n## Does it work offline?\n\nYes, the whole modeler works **offline** and your files live on your computer. Only the satellite map and the 3D terrain download imagery from the internet while you use them.\n\n \n## How do I install it?\n\nOn **Windows**: download the installer from the Download section, double-click and you're done (it associates .igz files). On **Linux**: download the **Flatpak** (double-click and GNOME Software / KDE Discover installs it, with .igz and .skp files associated), the **AppImage** (make it executable and open it) or, if your distro lacks FUSE, the **tar.gz**: extract it anywhere and run `ingetrazo`. If something doesn't work, `--check` tells you what's missing. On **macOS** (Apple Silicon): download the **.dmg** from [Download ▸ macOS](#mac), drag IngeTrazo to Applications and the first time open it with right-click ▸ Open (it isn't signed with an Apple account yet). You can also run it from source with 3 commands.\n\n \n## Is it good for 3D printing?\n\nNot its strong suit yet, but it's on the horizon. Today you can export to **binary STL** and take it to your slicer, and the solids the engine makes are closed; what it doesn't have yet are dedicated 3D-printing tools (wall-thickness checks, overhangs, mesh repair, 3MF). They're **planned for the future**.\n\n \n## How do I report a problem or contribute?\n\nThe project lives on [GitHub](https://github.com/ingelibre/ingetrazo): open an issue with your sample file, suggest improvements or send code. You can also get in touch by [email](mailto:ing.sumari@gmail.com).", "url": "https://wpnews.pro/news/the-open-source-3d-modeler-for-architecture-and-engineering", "canonical_source": "https://ingetrazo.com/en/", "published_at": "2026-10-08 09:23:19+00:00", "updated_at": "2026-10-08 09:49:43.081757+00:00", "lang": "en", "topics": ["ai-agents", "agent-protocols", "ai-tools", "developer-tools"], "entities": ["IngeTrazo", "GitHub", "OpenSKP", "Claude Desktop", "Claude Code", "Groq", "Gemini", "Ollama"], "also_reported_by": [], "alternates": {"html": "https://wpnews.pro/news/the-open-source-3d-modeler-for-architecture-and-engineering", "markdown": "https://wpnews.pro/news/the-open-source-3d-modeler-for-architecture-and-engineering.md", "text": "https://wpnews.pro/news/the-open-source-3d-modeler-for-architecture-and-engineering.txt", "jsonld": "https://wpnews.pro/news/the-open-source-3d-modeler-for-architecture-and-engineering.jsonld"}}