How to Make Money Using Your Design Files (CAD, SketchUp, Revit, Rhino & More)

Many designers already share files for free.
CAD blocks, SketchUp models, Revit families, Rhino details, even older files sitting on a hard drive.

At Freecads, we’re testing a simple idea:
free design files can still generate value for the people who create them.

This article explains how it works and what to realistically expect.

What this is (and what it isn’t)

This is not:

• A paid marketplace

• A promise of fast income

• A replacement for client work

It is:

• A way to earn something from files you already share for free

• Based on ad revenue, not paywalls

• Low effort and long-term

Most contributors upload files they already have.

How files generate revenue on Freecads

Freecads is a free design library supported by advertising.

When someone:

• Visits a file page

• Views or downloads a file

Ads are shown on that page.

80 to 90% of the ad revenue generated is shared back with the contributor.

Revenue depends on:

• How often the file is used

• User location

• Time spent on the page

• Advertising seasonality

Some files earn very little.
A few everyday files already generate a few hundred dollars per year.
Both outcomes are normal.

What kind of files you can upload

You don’t need complex or “perfect” work.

Simple, reusable files often perform best.

You can upload:

• CAD blocks and drawings (DWG, DXF, PDF)

• SketchUp models (SKP)

• Revit families (RVT)

• Rhino files (3DM)

• Other supported formats

If it’s something you’ve reused more than once, someone else probably needs it.

How much can you expect to earn?

This is cumulative, not instant.

A realistic way to think about it:

• One file may earn a small amount per year

• Multiple files add up over time

• Well-used files can earn significantly more

You upload once.
The file stays available.
Revenue builds slowly as people discover it.

Why we chose ads instead of paywalls

Paid marketplaces work, but they limit access.

We wanted to test a different approach:

• Keep files free

• Keep access open

• Share value through usage

It’s still evolving, but it matches how many designers already share their work.

Start small

Upload:

• One file

• Something simple

• Something you already have

See how it performs over time.

That’s the best way to understand the system.