Shapr3D
FreemiumProfessional CAD tool for iPad and Mac with intuitive touch and pencil interface for precise 3D modeling — used by engineers, product designers, and architects.
What does this tool do?
Shapr3D is a professional CAD application built on the Siemens Parasolid kernel that prioritizes accessibility across devices—Mac, iPad, Windows, and Vision Pro—without sacrificing geometric precision. Unlike traditional desktop-bound CAD software, it combines direct and history-based modeling workflows in a minimalist interface designed to adapt to your work style. The tool emphasizes fast concept development with touch and Apple Pencil support, making it particularly suited for iterative design work. It integrates collaborative features including browser-based review links, team file management, and native Vision Pro editing capabilities, positioning itself as a bridge between traditional CAD workflows and modern, distributed design teams.
AI analysis from Feb 23, 2026
Key Features
- Hybrid modeling engine combining direct and parametric/history-based workflows, accommodating both exploratory and controlled design approaches
- Physically-based rendering (PBR) for high-quality material and lighting visualization with single-click toggle between modeling and presentation modes
- Native Vision Pro editing with real-time collaboration, enabling immersive design reviews and edits without external VR setup overhead
- Browser-based collaborative review links for sharing models, drawings, and visualizations with commenting capabilities for stakeholder feedback
- Support for external input devices including SpaceMouse, Wacom tablets, and custom keybindings alongside Apple Pencil, maximizing workflow flexibility
- On-device computing and offline functionality, ensuring reliability in environments with unreliable connectivity
- Siemens Parasolid kernel geometry engine, providing enterprise-grade topological soundness and manufacturing-ready model quality
Use Cases
- 1Industrial designers iterating on product concepts on iPad during meetings or on-site visits without desktop access
- 2Manufacturing engineers validating designs in AR/XR before committing to physical prototypes, reducing iteration cycles
- 3Architects reviewing and editing building models collaboratively in Vision Pro for immersive design feedback
- 4Product development teams sharing 3D models via browser links for asynchronous feedback instead of static renderings
- 5Engineers complementing legacy CAD systems by importing STEP/IGES files, editing them on mobile, and exporting back
- 6Design teams working offline on shop floors or remote locations where cloud-dependent tools are impractical
- 7Cross-departmental stakeholders collaborating on design intent using 3D models instead of PowerPoint presentations
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- True multi-platform parity—identical modeling capability across iPad, Mac, Windows, and Vision Pro with seamless workflow transitions, eliminating the feature gaps common in cross-platform CAD tools
- Native AR integration built into the core modeling workflow rather than a disconnected plugin, enabling real-time contextual validation without leaving the design environment
- Genuinely accessible learning curve—the website credibly claims users can build their first model in 15 minutes, supported by an intuitive touch-first interface that lowers the barrier for non-specialists
- Robust file format compatibility—native support for Pro/ENGINEER (.PRT), SolidWorks (.SLDPRT), CATIA (.CATPART), plus STEP and IGES, allowing genuine interoperability with legacy systems
- Strong security posture with SOC2 Type II and ISO 27001 compliance, plus flexible data storage options (their infrastructure or yours), addressing enterprise concerns
Limitations
- Pricing is not disclosed on the website, making it impossible to assess cost-effectiveness or total cost of ownership relative to alternatives like Fusion 360 or OnShape
- iPad and Windows capabilities are newer additions—the tool originated on Apple platforms, so feature parity across all desktop/mobile combinations may lag behind native implementations
- No mention of advanced simulation, FEA, or CAM capabilities; appears positioned for design and visualization rather than engineering analysis, limiting use for complex mechanical design workflows
- Dependent on Apple Pencil 'preferably' for iPad, meaning the touch experience may feel incomplete without it, and the hardware investment adds cost beyond software
- Limited information about offline sync behavior or conflict resolution when multiple team members edit the same file, a critical gap for truly distributed teams
Pricing Details
Pricing details not publicly available.
Who is this for?
Industrial designers, product engineers, and architects who need mobile-first CAD accessibility without compromising geometric precision; teams pursuing collaborative, distributed workflows; organizations seeking to reduce physical prototyping cycles through AR/XR visualization; companies with hybrid legacy CAD environments who need cross-platform compatibility; design-forward teams that prioritize concept velocity over advanced simulation capabilities.