popkern.dev
popkern is an open-source parametric boundary-representation (BRep) CAD kernel written in Rust, with browser and local tooling for building precise solid models from scripts. Its stated goal is to make a commercial-grade CAD kernel available fully open source and free to use for everyone who makes things.
At a Glance
- Makers and hobbyist engineers
- Open-source CAD and computational-geometry developers
- Mechanical designers and engineers
- Researchers implementing CAGD algorithms
- +2 more
AI Tools by popkern.dev
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popkern
Open Source Rust BRep CAD Kernel
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Latest News
CLI films render natively and popkern render adds still-image output
CLI adds binary STL export for visible bodies and assemblies with watertightness reporting
Public launch: Announcing popkern, an open-source Rust CAD kernel built with AI agents
Generative design becomes a documented part feature, including a generative bracket example
Products & Services
Open-source Rust parametric BRep geometry kernel for exact solid modeling, including booleans, fillets/chamfers, sweeps, revolves, lofts, shelling, constrained sketches, assemblies, simulation, and STEP import/export.
Browser-based modeling environment compiled to WebAssembly, with interactive script editing, model viewing, section views, feature-history workflows, gallery examples, and simulation.
Installable command-line/local workflow for creating projects, serving popkern live locally, running scripts, building migration-based projects, exporting STEP/STL/PNG, and rendering films.
Model Context Protocol endpoint exposed by popkern serve so AI agents can list, create, read, edit, build, and export projects; the documentation gives Claude Code setup instructions.
Market Position
popkern positions itself as a free, fully open-source alternative at the CAD-kernel layer, aiming to narrow the capability gap with commercial kernels such as Parasolid and ACIS while offering more accessible scripting and agent integration. It differentiates from established open-source options such as OpenCASCADE/FreeCAD, Truck, SolidCore/SMLib, and OpenSCAD through research-driven exact BRep modeling, certified smooth G2 corner blends, migration-based scripts, browser execution, and MCP support; it is still early and openly documents robustness gaps.
Leadership
Founders
Graeme Douglas
Developer and data/database professional; his public GitHub profile identifies him as the creator of the LittleD relational database for embedded devices and sensor nodes. He authored the popkern launch post and describes himself as directing the AI-agent implementation and reviewing the underlying CAGD research.
Executive Team
Graeme Douglas
Founder and project lead
Developer and database/data professional; creator of the LittleD embedded relational database. He says he guides the AI-agent implementation, curates research, reviews failures, and directs the project.
Founding Story
Douglas says popkern began after a personal loss in late 2023 reinforced his desire for more people to have access to excellent tools for making things. The project began on March 14, 2026 as an experiment in using agentic AI to close the capability gap between open and commercial CAD kernels; the vision evolved into a fully open-source, commercial-grade kernel whose value remains with its users.
Business Model
Revenue Model
The software is free forever and open source. The project asks users to support ongoing development through GitHub Sponsors or one-time Ko-fi contributions; the support page says contributions fund AI-agent costs and the maintainer's time.
Pricing Tiers
Kernel and browser experience are free; users can try popkern live in a browser or install the CLI locally.
Target Markets
- Makers and hobbyist engineers
- Open-source CAD and computational-geometry developers
- Mechanical designers and engineers
- Researchers implementing CAGD algorithms
- Developers building agent-assisted CAD workflows
- Educators and students
- Programmatic mechanical-part and assembly design
- Parametric CAD experimentation and research implementation
- Browser-based CAD without installation
- Local scripted CAD and command-line STEP/STL/render export
- AI-agent-assisted CAD through MCP
- Education, maker projects, and open-source CAD tooling