SelfCAD is a general-purpose 3D modelling program that runs in the web browser and as a desktop app for Windows and Mac. It is aimed at beginners, educators and makers, and it combines modelling, mesh editing, sculpting, rendering and an STL slicer in one tool. It is not dental software: there is no dental module and no tooth library. Dental students, technicians and clinics use it only as a general mesh editor, for example to clean up, cut, combine or thicken STL files before 3D printing. Many people search for a “SelfCAD download” or “SelfCAD free download”. There is a free plan, and the Pro plan is paid.
SelfCAD is developed and operated by CROSSBROWSER 3D LLC. Every registered user can use both the web version and the desktop version with the same account.
SelfCAD at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Latest version | Desktop 1.66.0 (installers published 22 July 2026); the web version is updated continuously |
| Licence | Shareware (conditionally free): Free plan with basic tools, plus a Pro plan with a Pro trial for new accounts |
| Platforms | Web browser with WebGL; desktop app for Windows 10 or later and macOS 10.15 Catalina or later |
| Developer | CROSSBROWSER 3D LLC |
| Official website | selfcad.com |
| Best for | Simple mesh edits on dental STL files, models for teaching, and beginners learning 3D modelling |
What it does
- Imports and exports mesh files. SelfCAD’s own articles name STL, OBJ, PLY and 3MF among the supported formats. It also imports solid and SVG files.
- Edits meshes with transformations, Boolean operations (combine, subtract, intersect), mirror, split, cut with plane and measurements.
- Repairs and cleans meshes with tools such as Magic Fix, Geom Clean, Flip Normals and Fill Polygons.
- Adds thickness to surfaces, simplifies heavy meshes and changes resolution. This is useful for large intraoral scans.
- Offers sculpting, deformations, advanced region selection, rendering and animation in the Pro plan.
- Includes an STL slicer that generates G-code. Its printer list is made up of filament (FDM) printers.
- Offers AI modelling features powered by purchasable AI credits, plus interactive tutorials inside the app.
How dental teams use it
These are general mesh-editing workflows. SelfCAD is not a medical device and has no dental indications.
Clean up a scan before printing a study model
- Export the arch from your scanner software as STL. For example, Medit Link can export scans from Medit scanners.
- Import the STL into SelfCAD and run Magic Fix to close holes and fix bad geometry.
- Use Cut with Plane to trim the base flat, and Simplify to reduce the file size if needed.
- Export as STL and prepare it in your printer’s software, such as CHITUBOX, Lychee Slicer or Formlabs PreForm for resin printers.
Add a label or a base to a model
- Create a block or text shape with the shape generators.
- Position it on the model base and join it with the Boolean tool. Or subtract it to engrave a case number.
- Check the result with Measurements and export the STL.
Teaching models for students
- Import a tooth or jaw STL that you are licensed to use.
- Split or cut sections to show internal anatomy for a class.
- Record the steps as a SelfCAD Interactive Tutorial so students can repeat them.
Install and first run
- Web: register on selfcad.com and open the online editor. You need a browser and graphics card with WebGL support.
- Desktop: SelfCAD offers Windows and Mac installers in two variants: “Upload to Cloud” and “Save to my PC”. The desktop app supports hybrid storage and offline work after you log in.
- Minimum hardware: 2 GHz CPU, 4 GB RAM, 700 MB of free disk space and Intel HD graphics with 512 MB video memory and WebGL. Recommended: 2.8 GHz CPU, 8 GB RAM or more and a discrete graphics card.
- Gotcha: full-arch colour scans can be large. Simplify them or use a PC with more RAM for smoother editing.
Limitations
- It has no dental tools: no margin lines, no crown design, no tooth libraries, no aligner staging and no DICOM/CBCT support.
- It is not a medical device and must not be used for diagnosis or to design appliances that go into a patient’s mouth without validated dental software.
- The built-in slicer is aimed at filament printers. Resin printers used in dentistry need their own slicer.
- The Free plan lacks sculpting, deformations, advanced region selection and rendering.
- The web version depends on an internet connection and on browser WebGL performance.
SelfCAD vs alternatives
| Tool | Best for | Licence |
|---|---|---|
| SelfCAD | Easy general mesh editing and modelling in the browser or on the desktop | Shareware (free plan and paid Pro) |
| PrusaSlicer | Free slicing for filament and Prusa printers | Free, open source |
| Dental Wings DWOS | Real dental CAD for crowns, bridges, partials and dentures | Shareware (trial licence) |
| ArchForm | Designing aligners and printable ortho models | Shareware |
Choose SelfCAD for simple edits and learning. For restorations, aligners or implant guides, use dental CAD, and use your printer’s slicer for printing.
FAQ
Is SelfCAD free?
SelfCAD has a Free plan with mesh import and export, mesh editing, Boolean operations and the STL slicer. Sculpting, rendering and other advanced tools need the paid Pro plan. New accounts get a Pro trial.
Is there a SelfCAD download for Mac?
Yes. SelfCAD offers a desktop app for macOS 10.15 Catalina or later, as well as for Windows 10 or later. You can also use it in the browser.
Can I use SelfCAD online?
Yes. The web version runs in a browser with WebGL. Your account works in both the web and desktop versions.
SelfCAD vs Tinkercad: which is better?
Both suit beginners. SelfCAD includes mesh editing, repair tools, sculpting (Pro) and a built-in slicer, which matter when you work with scanned STL files. Compare both with your own files before choosing.
SelfCAD vs Blender or Fusion 360 for dental STL files?
SelfCAD is simpler to learn for quick fixes. Blender and Fusion 360 are more powerful but harder to learn. None of them is dental CAD.
Can SelfCAD design crowns or aligners?
No. It has no dental indications or tooth libraries. Use dental CAD, such as DWOS for restorations or ArchForm for aligners.
What is a free alternative to SelfCAD?
For slicing only, PrusaSlicer is free and open source. For dental viewing and sharing, see the free exocad webview.
Last checked against official sources: 28 September 2026 (developer website: selfcad.com). Versions and licence terms change — confirm on the developer's site before deploying in a clinic.
