KetchUp – Open-source SketchUp alternative built with Rust and WebGPU
BenchUp (formerly KetchUp) is an open-source 3D modeling app built with Rust and WebGPU, aiming to be a free, desktop-friendly alternative to SketchUp for woodworking and furniture design. It resonates with HN users frustrated by SketchUp's shift to subscription models and web-first interfaces, sparking a broader debate on the viability of AI-generated tools and the future of personal software development.
The Lowdown
BenchUp, initially named KetchUp, is a new open-source 3D modeling application designed specifically for woodworking and furniture design. Built with modern web technologies like Rust and WebGPU, it positions itself as a free, desktop-oriented alternative to SketchUp, which has seen its user base frustrated by recent licensing and platform changes.
- Purpose: The application allows users to plan and visualize woodworking projects, from shelves to cabinets, with precise measurements before any physical cuts are made.
- Availability: It runs directly in a desktop browser (requiring hardware acceleration and WebGPU/WebGL2) and is also available as native applications for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- Core Features: BenchUp offers essential 3D modeling tools such as drawing lines, rectangles, circles, push/pull for extrusion, moving, scaling, offsetting, and painting. It supports snapping to geometry, exact length inputs, and organizing models with groups, components, and tags.
- Workflow & Data: Models are autosaved locally in the browser, and projects can be downloaded as portable
.ketchupfiles. It supports importing SketchUp (.skp) geometry and exporting to Wavefront OBJ (.obj) format, with no cloud storage or account required. - Technical Foundation: The project is open-source under the MIT license, with its core logic written in Rust.
BenchUp appeals to DIY enthusiasts, woodworkers, and furniture makers seeking a powerful, free, and open-source tool that offers familiar workflows without the constraints of proprietary software or subscription fees.
The Gossip
SketchUp's Subscription Struggles
Many commenters express long-standing frustration with Trimble's changes to SketchUp, specifically the move away from free desktop versions and perpetual licenses towards web-based and subscription models. This shift alienated many hobbyist and casual users, who see BenchUp as a welcome, open-source successor. The sentiment is that SketchUp "enshitified" its product by focusing on professional markets, leaving a void for free alternatives.
The "Vibe-Coding" Verdict
A lively debate unfolds about the efficacy and future of "vibe-coding" – using AI agents to rapidly generate custom software tools. Some argue it empowers individuals to build precisely what they need, avoiding the learning curve of complex existing software. Others caution that it often leads to endless maintenance, shallow implementations, and a lack of polish, turning tool-building into the primary project rather than enabling the original goal. The discussion touches on whether AI-generated code fosters collaboration or leads to fragmented, solo efforts.
Usability Under Scrutiny
While appreciating the project's ambition, several early testers quickly point out usability issues and deviations from the intuitive SketchUp workflow. Common complaints include the need to name every rectangle, non-standard push/pull behavior, lack of grid snapping, and general UI clunkiness. This highlights the challenge of replicating the "magic" of a well-designed UX, even with powerful underlying technology, and suggests the tool still needs significant polish in user experience.
Naming Notoriety and Trademark Tangles
Commenters are confused by the inconsistent naming (KetchUp in the title, BenchUp on the site) and raise concerns about potential trademark infringement due to the obvious phonetic similarity to "SketchUp." The developer acknowledges these concerns, indicating a planned rename to "Dovetail3D" to reflect the project's woodworking focus and avoid potential legal issues, acknowledging the pun might have been too close for comfort.