Why local-first CAD matters

CAD files are not disposable messages. They accumulate decisions, measurements, machine knowledge and often hundreds of hours of work. That changes what “access” should mean.

Convenience is not the same as dependency

Online services can be genuinely useful. They make sharing, backup and collaboration easier. The problem begins when convenience becomes the only doorway into the work. A licence server outage, discontinued product or changed subscription should not make local production files inaccessible.

Cloud features should add doors, not remove the local one.

What local-first means for Cadivari

The core design, modelling, CAM and export workflows are intended to run on the customer’s computer. Projects save locally. A permanent network connection is not part of the machining chain. The version purchased remains usable after its included year of updates.

It also means useful exits

Ownership is stronger when data can leave the application in practical forms. SVG supports vector interchange, tiled PDF supports physical drawings, and G-code is inspectable machine output. Native project files preserve richer intent, but they should not become a trap.

The trade-off is responsibility

Local-first software must take file compatibility, atomic saving, recovery and upgrade migrations seriously. Removing server dependency does not remove engineering responsibility; it moves that responsibility into the application where it belongs.

Read the concise Cadivari ownership promise.