OpenVCAD

Matter Assembly Computation Lab · University of Colorado Boulder
What is OpenVCAD?
OpenVCAD (VCAD) is a unified framework for volumetric, multi‑material, programmable design and AM‑ready compilation. It couples an implicit modeling core with a compiler that emits printer‑ and simulation‑ready outputs. VCAD supports applications from graded lattices and metamaterials to medical models and simulation‑informed parts. Use VCAD via Python (pyvcad
) or the GUI OpenVCAD Studio to design with math, code, data, and external libraries—then export to inkjet/PolyJet or toolpath‑based systems, and to FEA‑friendly meshes.
Key capabilities
- Implicit geometry & materials: express both shape (signed distance implicits) and multi‑material volume fraction functions.
- Programmable design (Python): parametric & algorithmic modeling with
pyvcad
; integrate NumPy/SciPy/optimizers/simulation. - Digital alloying & blending: define graded compositions with smooth transitions across complex interfaces.
- Lattices & TPMS: graded struts, unit‑cell tiling, and complex structures with per‑feature control.
- Export everywhere:
- Inkjet/PolyJet: voxel/PNG stacks.
- Toolpath printers: gradient‑aware slicing strategies (e.g., FFF).
- Simulation: meshes with material sets for FEA.
How it fits together
- Model with
pyvcad
: build a tree of geometry + material nodes using parameters, loops, conditionals, or external data. - Compile to volumetric forms and/or process‑specific formats.
- Export to PNG stacks, OpenVDB/NanoVDB, FEA meshes, or meshes/toolpaths for traditional slicers.

Inputs & Outputs at a glance
Inputs
- Geometry: meshes, STEP CAD, implicit surfaces, DICOM, FEA, voxels (OpenVDB/NanoVDB)
- Materials: math expressions, Python/C++ callbacks, blending, image‑ or scan‑driven fields
Outputs
- Printing: PNG stacks (inkjet) and meshes/toolpaths (toolpath printers)
- Simulation: FEA‑ready meshes with material sets
- Voxel: OpenVDB/NanoVDB
- Rendering: Renderable previews
Gallery





Publications (OpenVCAD Project)
OpenVCAD spans multiple papers. Use these citations when referencing the framework or specific capabilities.
-
OpenVCAD: An open‑source volumetric multi‑material geometry compiler (2024)
Core framework; implicit volumetric design; inkjet/PolyJet workflows.
Read our paper here (Additive Manufacturing) -
Implicit Toolpath Generation for Functionally Graded Additive Manufacturing via Gradient‑Aware Slicing (preprint, 2025)
Extends VCAD to toolpath‑based systems (e.g., FFF) with gradient‑aware slicing.
Read our paper here (Pre-print / In-submission) -
Implicit Modeling for 3D‑Printed Multi‑Material Computational Object Design via Python (preprint, 2025)
Python‑first API (pyvcad
), enhanced lattice workflows, and simulation‑informed design/export.
Read our paper here (Pre-print / In-submission)
Cite Us (BibTeX)
@article{wade2024openvcad,
title={OpenVCAD: An open source volumetric multi-material geometry compiler},
author={Wade, Charles and Williams, Graham and Connelly, Sean and Kopec, Braden and MacCurdy, Robert},
journal={Additive Manufacturing},
year={2024}
}
@article{wade2025gradedtoolpath,
title={Implicit Toolpath Generation for Functionally Graded Additive Manufacturing via Gradient-Aware Slicing},
author={Wade, Charles and Beck, Devon and MacCurdy, Robert},
journal={arXiv preprint arXiv:2505.08093},
year={2025}
}
@misc{wade2025pyvcad,
title={Implicit Modeling for 3D-printed Multi-material Computational Object Design via Python},
author={Charles Wade and Devon Beck and Robert MacCurdy},
year={2025},
eprint={2509.15562},
archivePrefix={arXiv},
primaryClass={cs.GR},
url={https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.15562},
}
Try OpenVCAD
OpenVCAD is freely available for academic, research, and hobbyist use under a non‑commercial license.
Code & Docs: https://github.com/MacCurdyLab/OpenVCAD-Public
OpenVCAD Studio (GUI IDE): https://github.com/MacCurdyLab/OpenVCAD-Public/wiki
For commercial evaluation/licensing, contact Charles Wade at charles.wade@colorado.edu.
