Free online SCAD to DAE converter

SCAD files contain OpenSCAD source code, while many 3D applications and asset libraries require the Collada DAE format. Conversion is therefore needed when a parametric OpenSCAD model must be transferred to a renderer, game engine, CAD viewer, or 3D editor.

What the SCAD format is

SCAD is the native source format of OpenSCAD, a script-based solid-modeling program. A SCAD file describes geometry with code such as cube(), cylinder(), union(), difference(), transformations, variables, loops, and imported components.

SCAD files are created and edited in OpenSCAD and are common in parametric, programmable, and 3D-printing workflows. They store construction instructions rather than a finished polygon mesh, so the file must be compiled before another 3D program can use its geometry.

What the DAE format is

DAE, or COLLADA, is an XML-based 3D interchange format. It can contain polygon meshes, scene hierarchy, transforms, cameras, lights, animation data, and material references, making it suitable for Blender, some game engines, visualization tools, and asset pipelines.

DAE is useful when a receiving application does not support OpenSCAD scripts. It transfers the evaluated model as scene data, but it does not preserve the SCAD program's variables, modules, comments, dependencies, or parametric editing logic.

How to convert SCAD to DAE

Using OpenSCAD and Blender

1. Open the file in OpenSCAD and confirm that all required libraries are available.
2. Preview the model with Design → Preview, then use Design → Render or press F6 to evaluate the final solid.
3. Export the evaluated model with File → Export → Export as STL. From a command line, the equivalent is openscad -o model.stl model.scad.
4. Open Blender and choose File → Import → STL, then select model.stl.
5. Check the imported object's dimensions. OpenSCAD normally works in millimetres, while STL does not store reliable unit information.
6. Assign materials or repair the mesh in Blender if required. Use File → Export → Collada (.dae) and save the result as model.dae.

For a no-install workflow, you can use the SCAD conversion tool on 101convert.com for free. Upload the source file, select DAE as the output when available, run the conversion, and download the result.

Using an intermediate mesh format

If STL import produces an unsuitable result, export another mesh format supported by both applications, such as OFF or AMF where available. Blender can then import the intermediate mesh before exporting through File → Export → Collada (.dae). The exact formats offered by OpenSCAD depend on its version.

Quality and compatibility limits

The conversion is a source-to-mesh workflow: OpenSCAD evaluates the script, and the exporter writes polygon geometry. To increase curved-surface quality, set suitable values for $fn, $fa, or $fs before exporting; higher resolution creates larger files and slower processing.

STL normally carries geometry only, so colours, textures, named materials, and scene metadata must be recreated in Blender. A model containing multiple disconnected parts may import as one object or several components depending on the export and import settings.

Check scale after import because STL is effectively unitless. If the object is 100 mm wide in OpenSCAD but imports as 100 Blender units, set the required unit scale before exporting DAE. Also inspect normals, non-manifold edges, and thin walls because boolean operations or very fine curved surfaces can produce mesh defects.