Hew review
A focused SketchUp-style modeler for precise solids, printing, and direct design workflows.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Hew is a free, AGPL-3.0 open-source 3D modeler for woodworkers, builders, makers, architects, and other users who prefer SketchUp-style direct modeling. It combines sketch-and-extrude workflows with Push/Pull, Follow Me, Offset, Move, Rotate, Scale, measurement, and section-plane tools. Typed unit-aware dimensions, inference snapping, explicit Union, Subtract, and Intersect operations, and live solidity assessment support accurate watertight solids rather than freeform sculpting.
Its platform coverage is a practical strength for mixed workflows. Hew runs as a native application on Windows, macOS, and Linux, provides a browser application, and supports self-hosted deployment. Groups, components, tags, scenes, an outliner, materials, and textures give projects useful organization. Import support covers SketchUp, COLLADA, glTF, and STL files, while exports include STL, 3MF, glTF/GLB, USDZ, SVG, and native HEW format. Printing to exact scale on paper or PDF also suits technical documentation and physical planning.
The published offering is free and open source, with no subscription or paid tier structure to weigh against the feature set. That makes Hew a clear fit for users who need direct solid modeling, format interchange, and print-oriented output without a recurring plan. Its scope is narrower than a full 3D production suite: there is no sculpting, animation, parametric modeling, or render engine. Choose Hew for precise, SketchUp-style construction and maker workflows; choose an alternative if character work, animated scenes, procedural design, or rendered presentation is central to the project.
Hew pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Direct solid tools with typed dimensions, snapping, and booleans
- Runs on web, Windows, macOS, Linux, and self-hosted deployments
- Exports to STL, 3MF, glTF/GLB, USDZ, SVG, and native HEW
- Where it doesn't
- No sculpting, animation, or parametric modeling
- No built-in render engine
- Focused direct modeling may not suit character or visual-effects work
Hew fact sheet, pricing and score →
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