Hexagon VISI vs OwlCAD

Hexagon VISI is paid CAD/CAE/CAM software for designing, analysing and validating moulds and dies, especially plastic injection tooling. Its suite covers complex 3D modelling, electrode design, progressive die development, 3D data repair and sheet-metal unfolding. VISI Mold creates 3D moulds with parametric controls and standard libraries, while VISI Flow analyses injection-moulding flow. VISI Machining creates toolpaths for complex 3D parts and generates NC code using high-speed milling and smoothing algorithms. The software uses hybrid modelling and includes assembly design, sheet-metal tools, surface modelling, multiresolution and voxel sculpting, and texture painting. It runs on 64-bit Windows 11 Professional and specifies 4 GB RAM minimum. Imports include ACIS, CATIA, STL, DXF/DWG, IGES, STEP, Inventor, NX, SolidWorks, Parasolid and Creo; exports include 3D PDF, ACIS, CATIA V5, STL, IGES, JT Open, Parasolid, STEP and VDA. Pricing is on request.

OwlCAD is a parametric CAD tool for modeling 3D objects and assemblies in a browser or on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Its editor, modeling features, customizer, and file import and export are free forever, and every plan includes commercial rights to sell prints and files. The browser version requires no installation and can be opened without an account. OwlCAD imports and exports STL, 3MF, OBJ, GLB, STEP, SVG, and DXF files, and imports OpenSCAD SCAD and CSG files. Cloud projects autosave and keep version histories that can be rolled back. Projects are private by default; read-only share links, embeds, and comments can be enabled. Print preparation tools check mesh watertightness, repair geometry, estimate filament cost, and split oversized parts, with profiles for Ender 3, Prusa, and Bambu Lab. Published models can expose dimensions, counts, and text as browser sliders for downloadable print-ready versions. Pro adds AI generation and editing, monthly credits, and MCP access for use with Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Cursor, and other MCP clients.