Free & open-source CAD workflow

PlotTrust → FreeCAD
complete workflow

FreeCAD उघडा, PlotTrust मधून export केलेली drawing import करा, edit / dimension / print / convert करा. Both free, both open-source, both run on Windows / Mac / Linux.

Free
FreeCAD license
DXF
primary 2D handoff
OBJ / GLB
3D handoff
JSON
full plot model
⚠️
Honest scope of this workflow
  • PlotTrust does not control FreeCAD directly. The browser cannot drive FreeCAD. You export a file, then open it in FreeCAD manually. Two separate tools — PlotTrust prepares, FreeCAD edits.
  • No .skp (SketchUp) export is possible from JavaScript. The proprietary format has no open writer. SketchUp users should use the OBJ exporter and import via File → Import → 3D File.
  • AutoCAD is not free — it costs ~$1,800/year subscription. FreeCAD is the genuinely free alternative that opens the same DXF files. AutoCAD MCP integration is mentioned at the bottom as an *optional advanced* path for users who already have AutoCAD licensed.
  • PlotTrust remains fully usable on free exports alone. DXF + SVG + OBJ + GLB + JSON cover every downstream tool a small architect or homeowner needs.
4-step workflow

Generate · Install · Open · Edit

Each step takes a few minutes. Once set up, future projects flow in seconds.

01
📐
Export from PlotTrust
Visit the 3D Viewer after running the calculator. From the left side panel pick:
  • 2D elevation drawings → set Format: DXF → click Front / East / West
  • Architectural drawings → pick a drawing → set Format: DXF → Download
  • 3D model exports → click .glb (preferred for 3D) or .obj
  • FreeCAD workflow → click Export plot model .json for the full state file
Files download to your computer. Filenames include region slug, e.g. plottrust-kmc-elevation-front.dxf.
02
⬇️
Install FreeCAD (free)
Visit freecad.org → Download for Windows / Mac / Linux. Install with default options. Stable release recommended (currently FreeCAD 1.0+).
🪟 Windows .exe 🍎 macOS .dmg 🐧 Linux AppImage
Free, open-source, no subscription. Same DXF/SVG support as paid tools.
03
📂
Open / import in FreeCAD
Launch FreeCAD → File → Open (or drag-and-drop):
FormatFreeCAD pathBest for
.dxf File → Open → select .dxf (Draft workbench loads automatically) 2D plans + elevations, native CAD entities — fully editable lines / text
.svg Switch to Draft workbench → File → Import → .svg Title-blocked drawings ready to print, 9 different sheet types (DRG-01–09)
.obj File → Import → Wavefront .obj 3D mesh of the building — geometry only, no materials
.glb Install FreeCAD glTF importer add-on, then File → Import 3D model with materials / colours preserved
.json Read directly via Python macro (Tools → Macro → Macros…) or use as input for custom scripts Full plot data — feed into any tool, parametric workflows
04
✏️
Edit · Dimension · Print · Convert
Once open in FreeCAD, you can:
  • Edit — every line, text, polyline is fully editable. Move walls, add furniture symbols, refine room dimensions.
  • Dimension — switch to Draft workbench → Dimension tool. FreeCAD auto-snaps to PlotTrust geometry.
  • Print — File → Print to Printer or PDF. TechDraw workbench gives proper title-blocked plotting at A1 / A2 / A3.
  • Convert — File → Export to .dwg (AutoCAD), .pdf, .step, .iges, .stl (3D printing).
  • Combine — paste multiple PlotTrust DXFs into one master sheet via copy/paste between FreeCAD documents.
Reference matrix

Which format for which tool?

Tool DXF SVG OBJ GLB JSON
FreeCAD · free, open-source ✅ native ✅ via Draft ✅ native ✅ add-on ✅ via Macro
LibreCAD · free 2D ✅ native ⚠ partial
Blender · free 3D ⚠ via plugin ✅ Curves ✅ native ✅ native ⚠ via Python
Inkscape · free vector ⚠ partial ✅ native
SketchUp Pro · paid ⚠ Pro only ⚠ via plugin ✅ native ⚠ via plugin
AutoCAD · paid (~$1.8K/yr) ✅ native ⚠ via plugin ⚠ via plugin
BricsCAD · paid ✅ native ⚠ partial ⚠ partial
Browser · any ✅ direct ⚠ via viewer ✅ as text

Bottom line: If you can only install one tool, install FreeCAD. It opens every export PlotTrust produces and converts to anything else (.dwg, .pdf, .step) for free.

Practical tips

FreeCAD recipes for PlotTrust users

📏 Set drawing units to metres
Edit → Preferences → Units → System: Standard (mm/kg/s/degree). Then in Draft preferences set working plane to XY with metres. PlotTrust DXFs are saved as 1 unit = 1 metre, so dimensions read correctly.
🎨 Recolour layers for plotting
PlotTrust DXFs come with named layers: WALL-EXT, WALL-INT, DOOR, WINDOW, SETBACK, NORTH etc. Open the Layers panel, set lineweights and colours per your sheet style.
📑 Stack drawings into a sheet
Open multiple PlotTrust DXFs (Site + GF + 1F + 2F + Roof + Section). Use TechDraw workbench → New default page → drag each drawing as a view. Add KMC / PMC title block, save as PDF.
🔄 Convert to DWG for the architect
File → Export → AutoCAD .dwg. The architect can open the DWG in AutoCAD / BricsCAD / ZWCAD and continue. FreeCAD's DWG export uses the open ODA File Converter (free, install once when first prompted).
📋 Read JSON via Python macro
Tools → Macro → Macros… → New →
import json
with open('plottrust-kmc-model.json') as f:
    d = json.load(f)
print(d['plot']['area_sm'], 'sm')
print(d['setbacks_m'])
Build parametric models that auto-update when PlotTrust regenerates the JSON.
🏗️ Layered sheet in TechDraw
For TP-office submission style sheets, use TechDraw workbench (built into FreeCAD). Create A2 page → add DRG-01 site plan as primary view → add DRG-06 section as secondary → add KMC / PMC title block via SVG template. Print to PDF.
Optional · advanced

AutoCAD MCP — only if you already own AutoCAD

Some community projects expose AutoCAD's COM API to Claude via the Model Context Protocol. These let an AI conversation drive AutoCAD on your local machine (insert geometry, run commands, generate drawings).

Hard requirements before this path makes sense:

  • Licensed AutoCAD installed on your Windows machine (~₹1.5L+/year subscription)
  • Node.js or Python installed locally
  • Comfortable cloning a community GitHub repo and running it locally
  • Adding the server to your Claude Desktop's MCP config file
  • Adding github.com to your network allowlist (if behind one)

For 95% of PlotTrust users, the FreeCAD path above is faster, cheaper (free), and produces the same drawings. AutoCAD MCP only adds value if you're already deep in the Autodesk ecosystem and want conversational automation.

PlotTrust does not bundle, recommend, or test any specific AutoCAD MCP server. Installing community MCP servers is your responsibility — review the source code before running.

Ready to export and edit?

Run the calculator, open the 3D viewer, download .dxf or .glb, then load it in FreeCAD.