Is Cadelo really free?

Yes. Every feature is free — drawing, editing, DWG/DXF, exports, everything. The site is supported by unobtrusive ads in the page chrome (never over your drawing). There are no accounts, trials, or paywalls.

Do my files get uploaded?

No. Cadelo runs entirely in your browser via WebAssembly. Files are opened, edited, saved, and exported on your own device — nothing is ever uploaded to a server. This is a core design principle, not a setting.

Do I need an account?

No account, no email, no signup. Open the app and draw.

Does it work offline?

Once the app is loaded (cached by your browser), the core drawing and file operations work offline. You can open local files, edit them, and save. Ads need a connection, but your drawings don’t.

What file formats does it support?

Open & save: DWG and DXF, versions R13 through R2018
Export: DWG, DXF, SVG, PDF, STL, STEP, OBJ, PNG
Import: DWG, DXF, and OBJ meshes (plus blocks/xrefs/images from DWG/DXF)

See the file formats guide for details.

Can I open AutoCAD files?

Yes. Cadelo reads DWG (AutoCAD’s native format) from R13 (1994) to R2018, and it can write DWG back too — so you can edit and return files to AutoCAD users. Newer-than-R2018 files need a conversion first (ask the sender to Save As, or convert online).

Can I use it on my phone or tablet?

Cadelo works in any modern mobile browser for viewing and light editing. Precision drafting is much easier with a mouse and keyboard on a laptop or desktop — that’s true of every CAD program.

Why does the first load take a while?

You’re downloading and starting a full CAD engine (compiled to WebAssembly) plus the graphics pipeline. The first visit is the slowest; the browser caches everything for much faster subsequent loads.

What’s the difference between DWG and DXF?

DWG is Autodesk’s proprietary format; DXF is its open, documented exchange format. DXF is the safest for sharing with other software (laser cutters, CNC shops, Inkscape, FreeCAD). Cadelo reads and writes both. More in the file formats guide.

Is my drawing private?

Yes. Files never leave your device. The flip side: there’s no server-side backup, so keep your own backups of important files.

Why are there ads?

Ads are the business model that keeps Cadelo free for everyone — no subscriptions, no per-feature fees, no selling your data. Ads only appear in the page chrome around the app, never over the canvas, and the Maximize button hides them entirely while you work.

Is it open source?

Yes — GPL-3.0. Cadelo is built on OpenCADStudio, an open-source Rust CAD application. The full source is on GitHub. You can audit it, fork it, and contribute. See the About page for the license details.

Can I 3D print from Cadelo?

Yes. Model or import a solid, then Export → STL — any slicer accepts STL. STEP export covers manufacturing-grade CAD interchange. See the 3D modeling guide.

Can I collaborate with other people on a drawing?

Cadelo is a local-first tool — there’s no multi-user editing or cloud collaboration (that would require uploading your files). To share work, export the drawing (DXF is the most portable) and send it; your colleague opens it in Cadelo or any other CAD program.

Where are my files saved?

When you save or export in the browser, the file downloads to your device’s Downloads folder (or wherever your browser saves downloads). There’s also recent-file history on the Start tab for files opened in this browser.

What browsers are supported?

Chrome and Edge are best (full WebGPU). Firefox works well. Safari supports the app but may be slower on very large drawings. The app automatically falls back from WebGPU to WebGL2 when needed.

How do I support the project?

There’s a Support button in the app (opens Ko-fi) — tips are appreciated and go toward keeping Cadelo free. Sharing the site helps too, and contributions to the open-source project are welcome on GitHub.