KetchUp: An Open-Source SketchUp Alternative in Rust and WebGPU

A new project called KetchUp is pitching itself as a free, open-source answer to SketchUp for people who design things they intend to build. The tool targets woodworking and furniture design: planning a shelf, table, cabinet or workbench with exact measurements before cutting any lumber. It is available as a browser editor and as desktop downloads for Windows, macOS and Linux, and it does not require an account.

What it does

KetchUp follows the interaction model that made SketchUp popular with hobbyists and tradespeople. You draw 2D shapes such as lines, rectangles, circles and freehand outlines, then turn faces into solid forms with a Push/Pull tool. From there you can move, scale, offset and paint geometry.

The feature set leans toward precision rather than artistic modeling:

• Snapping to geometry and axes, plus typed-in exact lengths
• Tape Measure and Dimension tools for inspecting a design
• Groups, reusable components and tags for organizing parts
• Local autosave and portable .ketchup project files
• Import of SketchUp geometry and export to OBJ

For a woodworker, that combination covers the core workflow: sketch board outlines, give them thickness, copy parts around an assembly and check proportions by orbiting the model.

Why the stack matters

The project is built with Rust and WebGPU, according to its listing. That choice is worth noting even if you never plan to model a bookshelf. Rust gives a native-speed core that can also be compiled to WebAssembly, which is a plausible way to ship the same engine as a desktop app and in a browser tab. WebGPU, the successor to WebGL, exposes modern GPU features to web applications and is increasingly supported across major browsers. Together they make it more realistic to deliver CAD-style tools without a heavy install.

That said, the source material is a product page, so details such as how the desktop builds are packaged, how the geometry kernel works, or which license applies are not spelled out here. Anyone evaluating the project should check the repository for the license and architecture notes before building on it.

Context: a crowded but underserved space

SketchUp has long been the default for quick, approachable 3D layout, but its free web tier is limited and its full desktop product is a paid subscription. Open-source alternatives exist, though they tend to sit at the extremes. FreeCAD and Blender are powerful but have steep learning curves and different mental models, while simpler tools often lack precise dimensioning. A lightweight, SketchUp-style tool with a permissive, no-account approach fills a real gap, particularly for DIY builders who just want to verify that parts fit.

The ability to import SketchUp geometry is a practical touch. Woodworkers often have existing models or download community-made parts, and a way to bring them in lowers the cost of trying something new. OBJ export keeps an escape hatch to other 3D tools.

What to watch

The project is clearly early-stage in how it presents itself, and a few things will determine whether it grows beyond a curiosity:

• Fidelity of SketchUp import. Geometry import is useful, but how well it handles components, materials and large files will matter.
• Browser support. WebGPU availability varies, and the app is described as built for a desktop browser and a mouse, so touch and mobile are out of scope.
• Project health. Release cadence, contributor activity and issue handling are the usual signals of whether an open-source tool is safe to adopt for real projects.
• Woodworking-specific features. Cut lists, joinery helpers and material-aware dimensions would turn a general modeler into a genuinely specialized tool.

For now, KetchUp is easy to evaluate: open the browser editor, click two corners to make a face, and see whether the workflow feels right. If you build furniture or follow Rust and WebGPU projects, it is worth a look.