# PaliCAD — Lightweight, offline 3D CAD

> Lightweight, offline 3D CAD app for creating and editing 3D models on iPad and iPhone. (iPhone/iPad app by Brayden Nilsen.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/palicad/id6812409084 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Brayden Nilsen](https://appshunter.io/developer/6806922596)
- Category: Productivity, Graphics & Design
- Price: $6.99
- Rating: 3.70/5 from 11 App Store ratings · 16 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 16.0 · 30 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2026-10-04
- Data updated: 2026-11-12
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/palicad/id6812409084/reviews.md

## What is PaliCAD?

PaliCAD is a lightweight 3D CAD app for iPad and iPhone.

Create, edit, and refine 3D models with a straightforward direct-modeling workflow. PaliCAD combines 2D sketching, solid modeling, analysis tools, and support for common CAD file formats in an interface designed to work naturally with touch and supports the Apple Pencil on iPad and iPhone Duo.

PaliCAD is actively developed and growing. Version 1.0 is aimed at makers, hobbyists, and CAD enthusiasts who value an affordable lightweight, offline modelling tool capable of managing simple to moderately complex designs.

PaliCAD is built around a simple idea: CAD software should be capable, cross-platform, lightweight, offline, and financially accessible without requiring an ongoing subscription.

KEY FEATURES
• Non-parametric direct 3D modeling

• 2D sketching with a straightforward sketch-to-extrude workflow

• 3D Boolean operations for combining, subtracting, and intersecting solids

• Fillets and chamfers for refining edges

• Import of image references

• Joints for visualizing basic part movement

• Section analysis for inspecting internal geometry

• Import and export support for common CAD file formats

• Save projects in PaliCAD's native cross-platform .pali project format

• Customizable light and dark themes

• Customizable keyboard shortcuts for faster workflows

One time purchase. No subscriptions.

Models you create with PaliCAD are yours to use, including for personal and commercial purposes. PaliCAD places no additional licensing restrictions on the models you create. As always, third-party files, images, designs, or other material you import remain subject to their respective rights and licenses.

PaliCAD and it’s underlying CAD kernel are actively evolving projects. New modelling tools, workflow improvements, and compatibility enhancements will continue to be developed over time.

OPEN DEVELOPMENT

At its core is Pali Ijo, an open-source CAD kernel released under the permissive MIT License. Pali Ijo is developed as a separate project so its geometry and modelling tools can be shared with everyone.

## Key features

- Non-parametric direct 3D modeling
- 2D sketching with sketch-to-extrude
- 3D Boolean operations
- Fillets and chamfers
- Import/export common CAD formats
- Section analysis
- Customizable themes and shortcuts

## Chart rankings

- #33 in Top Paid · Productivity (US App Store)

## Is PaliCAD safe?

Not enough ratings yet to assess PaliCAD.

## Is PaliCAD legit?

PaliCAD has limited verification signals. The AppsHunter Legitimacy Score for PaliCAD is 58 out of 100 points across 7 verification signals from App Store and developer data.

## Recent user reviews (10 of 16)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/palicad/id6812409084/reviews.md

### 3/5 — New update

*2026-11-08*

I was wrong. Good app. Solids tend to not be remain extruded. New update pretty much bricked the app. It just won’t open. I’m using iPad Pro 13” M4. But over all good app.

**Developer response:** Thanks for your support. There was an issue on some devices on 1.0.6 that was quickly patched in update 1.0.7. If you have any more feedback you want to provide to me I am available to reach at support@palicad.com. I am always open to feedback and am trying to make the app better and add more features. Regards, Brayden

### 5/5 — Thank you

*2026-11-07*

This is exactly what I’ve been looking for on the iPad. A proper lightweight CAD tool that actually feels good to use, works fully offline, and comes at such a fair one-time price — it’s honestly a bit of a game-changer.
Paired with Nomad Sculpt, I now have almost everything I need for my workflow. Clean, direct modeling in PaliCAD and organic sculpting in Nomad cover so much ground.
Huge respect to the developer. Wishing you all the best with the continued development of PaliCAD, and success in everything you do.

**Developer response:** Thank you very much for the kind words! I hope you continue to enjoy the app. If you have any feature requests or anything you want to discuss, feel free to contact me at support@palicad.com. Regards, Brayden

### 4/5 — Performance leaves to be desired

*2026-11-04*

Hi, i love what you did with the app and was looking for something like this. Can’t get a better deal compared to any other CAD software, but even with very simple geometry the performance drops below 60fps noticeably, just 15min into exploring extrusions, bevel and hallowing tools

**Developer response:** Hi, thank you for the kind words and feedback! I am always looking to improve the app, if you have any more details about performance issues or feature request please feel free to contact me at support@palicad.com. Regards, Brayden

### 5/5 — Супер

*2026-11-02*

Каждое обновление добовляет функционал, так держать!

**Developer response:** Спасибо за теплые слова и отзыв! Я невероятно рад тому, как пользователи встретили выход PaliCAD, и надеюсь, что программа продолжит вас радовать, пока я работаю над её улучшением и добавлением новых функций. В версии 1.0.4 должны быть устранены оставшиеся проблемы, связанные с использованием Apple Pencil. Если у вас возникнут вопросы или появятся предложения, пожалуйста, пишите мне на адрес support@palicad.com.

Thank you for the kind words and feedback! I am blown away by the initial response to the release of PaliCAD and hope you continue to enjoy it as I work to improve and add features to the software. Version 1.0.4 should fix any remaining Apple Pencil issues. If you have any concerns or feedback please feel free to reach me at support@palicad.com .

### 1/5 — No good.

*2026-11-02*

Why can’t these apps be simple?

**Developer response:** Thanks for your support and I am sorry that the app is not to your liking. If you have specific feedback you want to provide to me I am available to reach at support@palicad.com. I am always open to feedback and am trying to make the app better and add more features. Regards, Brayden

### 2/5 — has potential

*2026-11-01*

it’s a start but pencil support and basic sketching is frustrating

**Developer response:** Thanks for your support and feedback! I am sorry the pencil support and sketching features are not to your liking, if you have specific feedback you want to provide on your experience with those features please contact me at support@palicad.com, I am always trying to improve the experience and features in the app. I am working on some improvements including a setting for custom distance for the drawing point from your pencil tip for increased precision sketching in upcoming updates. Regards, Brayden

### 4/5 — Idee gut mit Schwächen

*2026-10-29*

Erst einmal gefällt mir die App gut. Nahe dran an z.B Shapr3D die viel zu teuer ist. Habe z.B bei einfachen Dingen noch Probleme. So z.B das freie Plazieren eines Lochs oder Gewinde auf der Oberfläche eines Körpers und die Einstellung der Lochtiefe. Da ich mit Fusion arbeite fehlen mir noch ein paar weitere einfache Einstellungsmöglichkeiten. Man muss hier aber Geduld haben und auf Updates hoffen. Bitte weiter so. Ich denke mit der Zeit wird die App eine gute alternative zu Shapr3D

**Developer response:** Vielen Dank für die netten Worte! Ich arbeite täglich daran, die App zu verbessern und neue Funktionen zu integrieren – ich hoffe, du bleibst dabei und verfolgst die weitere Entwicklung. Falls du noch weiteres Feedback oder Fragen hast, kannst du mich gerne unter support@palicad.com kontaktieren. Beste Grüße, Brayden

Thank you very much for your kind words! I am working everyday to improve the app and introduce more features, I hope you stick around to see it continue to get better. If you have any more feedback or questions, feel free to contact me at support@palicad.com. Regards, Brayden

### 4/5 — Good start

*2026-10-28*

Im a noob for 3d modelings but I was really happy to make my first model in a few minutes after buying the application I think the application need some work for the feature it's probably a three star for the moment but the fact that this is a one time purchase I think the fourth star is fair i'm excited to see what this app will become.

**Developer response:** Thank you very much! I am constantly working to improve the app and I hope you stick around to see it continue to improve. If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to reach me at support@palicad.com. Regards, Brayden

### 4/5 — Great idea & Handy App

*2026-10-27*

PaliCAD App is pretty good. Something i have been looking for on ipad.

Onces you get the hang off using interface. You can makes some useful 3Dmodel. 

its a new app so it has some bugs when it comes to making more complex model. i expect these bugs to be iron out in future updates. 

Also it one time purchase so its a Good investment.

**Developer response:** Thank you for the kind words and support! I have received a lot of great feedback about the app and I hope you see some performance upgrades in the next version, and I hope you stick around to see the app continue to improve. If you have any more feedback you want to share, feel free to contact me at support@palicad.com. Regards, Brayden

### 3/5 — Better pencil support please

*2026-10-24*

In sketch, if I select what I want to add, it doesn’t really work well with Apple Pencil. I can go to the canvas and place the pencil where I want the point to be, but it doesn’t add it, instead an add icon flashes off to the side. Which means I have to react quickly to tap it, but then the point moves. So instead, if I could suggest, automatically add if the pencil touches. I think it would be more intuitive that way.

**Developer response:** Thank you for your support and feedback! I am actively working to improve PaliCAD's user experience, and your experience helps a lot in how I improve the app moving forward. I have received much feedback that the issues with Apple Pencil have been resolved in version 1.0.4, if you are still experience technical difficulties or want to provide any more feedback or feature requests, please contact me at support@palicad.com as it is of a high priority to make sure that Apple Pencil support works as intended.

## Frequently asked questions about PaliCAD

### What is PaliCAD?

PaliCAD is a lightweight, offline 3D CAD application for iPad and iPhone. It allows users to create, edit, and refine 3D models using a direct modeling workflow, 2D sketching, and various analysis tools.

### Is PaliCAD free to use?

No, PaliCAD is a paid application. It has a one-time purchase price of $6.99 and does not require any ongoing subscriptions.

### Does PaliCAD have ads?

No, PaliCAD does not contain advertisements. As a paid application, it offers an ad-free experience for its users.

### What devices does PaliCAD support?

PaliCAD is designed for Apple devices and supports both iPhone and iPad. It is optimized for touch input and also supports the Apple Pencil on compatible devices.

### Can I use models created with PaliCAD commercially?

Yes, models you create with PaliCAD are yours to use for personal and commercial purposes. The application does not impose additional licensing restrictions on your created models.

### How often is PaliCAD updated?

PaliCAD is actively developed, with new modeling tools, workflow improvements, and compatibility enhancements planned over time. The latest version is 1.0.7, last updated on November 8, 2026.

### What file formats can PaliCAD import and export?

PaliCAD supports common CAD file formats for import and export, allowing for integration with other design workflows. It also saves projects in its native cross-platform .pali project format.

### What is the age rating for PaliCAD?

PaliCAD has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users. This indicates it contains content generally considered appropriate for young children.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.0.7 — 2026-11-08

1.0.7 (iOS)
- Fixed issue with document opening on some devices using iOS 27.2
- Maintained compatibility with PaliCAD 1.0.6

### 1.0.6 — 2026-11-07

1.0.6 (iOS)
- Added support for iPhone and iPhone Duo with a landscape layout with slide-away panels that give you more room to model.
- Follow the new animated beginner tutorial to sketch, extrude and export your first part, or explore the What’s New tour from the title screen.
- Use Revolve to turn a sketch around an axis, or guide a Loft between angled sketches and faces with sketch rails.
- Create linear, grid and circular patterns in sketches and on 3D objects.
- Draw dashed construction geometry, snap to the centre of closed outlines, offset text outlines and add or remove individual sketch dimensions.
- Search, sort and filter the model browser. Use Zoom to to bring a part or sketch into view.
- Set inches as your default unit and enter calculations like 500 mm - 1 in directly on the touch numpad or a connected keyboard.
- Offset the sketch point from your finger or Apple Pencil so you can see exactly where you’re placing it.
- Work more smoothly with curved models, with more reliable Boolean operations, fillets, chamfers and hollowing.

### 1.0.5 — 2026-10-29

1.0.5 (iPad)
- New Text sketching tool with custom font support, precise positioning, and editable sketch outlines
- New Arc sketching tool
- Added support for spline offsets
- Import SVGs as editable sketches
- Open supported CAD files and images directly, or import another PaliCAD projects into your current one
- Improved STEP, STL, and 3MF importing, with progress indicators
- Expanded Fillet, Chamfer, Hollow, and Threads capabilities
- Faster viewport navigation and more responsive selection in complex models
- Measure between points or edges with visual indicators of distances
- Double-tap faces or planes to start sketching
- Improved small-window layouts
- Improved keyboard shortcuts
- The numpad now remembers where you move it
- Added image transparency controls
- Moved STEP/3MF export from settings to a dedicated button
- Improved icons
- Scale independent sizing of the default planes

### 1.0.4 — 2026-10-24

1.0.4 (iPad)
- Added an alignment submenu to the move tool. You can now centre objects at their origin, or align a flat face to a plane selected in the scene
- Improved loft compatibility checks to ensure sketches are parallel
- Ease of use updates to sketch tool
- Added offset distance and draggable arrow to construction plane creation
- Continued improvements to Apple Pencil support

### 1.0.3 — 2026-10-22

1.0.3 (iPad)
- Fixed bug causing Apple Pencils that support hover from moving sketch confirmation controls on iPad. 
- Mouse and trackpad sketching now use click-to-place behaviour while pencil and finger input retain touch confirmation.

## Related topics

[cad electrical](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/cad-electrical)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-11-12.*