What are the best free AutoCAD alternatives? Read our reviews of the top free CAD programs for technical 2D and 3D modeling design.
- We already covered the ten free CAD software for every type of platform. Here is another ten best CAD software for Mac that will run natively on the Mac OS X operating system. It is fully compatible with the Mac operating system, and no need to use any specific emulation software or a compatibility layer to uses this software.
- FreeCAD is a multiplatfom (Windows, Mac and Linux), highly customizable and extensible software. It reads and writes to many open file formats such as STEP, IGES, STL, SVG, DXF, OBJ, IFC, DAE and many others, making it possible to seamlessly integrate it into your workflow.
AutoCAD was the first of the CAD programs that allow us to create designs in two or three dimensions, in such a way as to be used in different fields of engineering, architecture, mechanics, electronics, and so forth. Unfortunately, the high price of AutoCAD software makes it very often not affordable for all budgets. Here, therefore, is a special article containing what we think are the best free AutoCAD alternatives. In this article, we see the list of 10 best free programs to download for Windows PC, Mac and Linux.
also, read our other guides on the best designer’s laptop, 3D mice for designers, drawing tablets, laptops for architects, and the best creative gift ideas for architects.
The 10 best free alternative to AutoCAD
SmartDraw is the best floor planning tool for Mac for creating 2D floor plans quickly and easily. In fact we also voted SmartDraw as the best CAD Software for Mac for doing 2D designs because it makes the normally complex business of architectural planning easy enough for anyone. Here are the best free CAD apps to download and use on a Mac, and a couple of paid but reasonably priced options, too. Used by designers the world over, CAD, or computer-aided design and drafting (CADD), is design and documentation technology that replaces manual drafting (like blueprints, for example) with an automated process. Best Architectural CAD Software for Mac. Explore these highest-rated tools to discover the best option for your business. Based on ratings and number of reviews, Capterra users give these tools a thumbs up.
Finding alternatives to professional programs as established as AutoCAD is always an arduous task and, in many cases, the alternatives do not cover all the needs.
Luckily, free software has a good number of options and alternatives to AutoCAD that allow you to use functions and design tools very similar to those you can find in AutoCAD, offering you the possibility of importing and exporting files with the DWG file format. native AutoCAD.
The possibility of these free CAD programs to save costs is one of the greatest advantages of this type of alternatives.
Let’s review some of the top 10 free alternatives to AutoCAD.
FREECAD
FreeCAD is a completely free CAD especially designed to create 3D models and is primarily for mechanical engineering but also goes well in other engineering applications, such as in architecture. It uses the main format FCStd but you can also import and export to other formats such as STEP, DXF, SVG, DAE, IGES, STL, and others. FreeCAD also allows you to extend its functionality through the use of special plugins and has a very comprehensive graphical interface. It is available in many languages for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. Want to know more and download the software? Just follow the link given below.
Best Free Cad Program For Mac
BRL-CAD
BRL-CAD is a Constructive Solid Geometry type free CAD program that allows you to create solid models through the use of Boolean algebra. You can use this software for graphics-based applications and also useful for engineering. BRL-CAD, among other things, also includes a geometric editor, the support to the raytracing, different tools for managing images and signals, a series of libraries that allow the cooperation with other software, as well as the analysis support ballistics and that electromagnetic. It allows you to import files in DXF and STL while it also allows you to export them to EUCLID, IGES, X3D and TANKILL, as well as in other formats. BRL-CAD is available for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. Want to know more and download the software? Just follow the link given below.
QCAD
QCAD is a CAD software licensed under the GPL that allows you to create and print 2D drawings. It uses files DXF and lately also manages the format DWG. You can export files in different formats. But, unfortunately, does not support the layout DXF and not even allows you to export to VRML and SVG. QCAD is available for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux in multiple languages. Want to know more and download the software? Just follow the link given below.
LIBRECAD
Based on software libraries QCAD, LibreCAD is another CAD 2D drafting GPL. Most of the menus and commands in LibreCAD are very similar to AutoCAD, thus making it a particularly easy to use by all those users already familiar with using the latter. LibreCAD allows only import files in the format DXF, however, it allows you to use a number of other formats to export files. LibreCAD is available for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux in various languages. Want to know more and download the software? Just follow the link given below.
ARCHIMEDES
Archimedes is a 2D CAD open-source software, licensed under the EPL, developed with the collaboration of some professional architect with the desire to create a better program than AutoCAD, making it, in addition, available in a completely free. Among the various features offered by Archimedes are the basic drawing tools, export to format SVG, imported into XML and Arc. Unfortunately, Archimedes still missing export to other CAD formats, although that in DXF is under development. Archimedes is available for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. Want to know more and download the software? Just follow the link given below.
MEDUSA4 PERSONAL
MEDUSA4 Personal is a powerful 2D / 3D CAD Free package that is part of the MEDUSA4 CAD solutions family. Its spacious design features, similar to the most advanced commercial package, including basic 3D, parametric module, the integration of color images, as well as the design of sheet metal. MEDUSA4 Personal is available only for Windows operating systems. Want to know more and download the software? Just follow the link given below.
DRAFTSIGHT
DraftSight is a free 2D CAD software that lets you create, edit and view both files in DWG files in the DXF. It has a graphical interface very similar to that offered by AutoCAD LT. But as soon as you save or print for the first time, to continue using free DraftSight, will be asked to activate it within 30 days, using a valid e-mail address. After which you will be asked to reactivate it after six months, and thereafter every year, that is, at intervals of 12 months. DraftSight is available for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux in various languages. Want to know more and download the software? Just follow the link given below.
DOUBLECAD XT
DoubleCAD XT is one of the best free alternatives to AutoCAD LT since, due to its resemblance to the latter, both in appearance and in menus, commands and icons, it can be used without major problems on the part of those already accustomed to using AutoCAD LT. There is also a paid version, called TurboCAD LTE Pro, which offers a few more features than DoubleCAD XT, but this latest version is already more than enough because it has no type of limitation. In fact, it offers the opportunity to open and save files in the formats DWG, DXF and DWF, but if desired, can also use the templates provided by SketchUp and SketchUp Pro. You can use it both for private purposes and for business purposes. DoubleCAD XT is available only for Windows operating systems. Want to know more and download the software? Just follow the link given below.
NANOCAD
nanoCAD is another of the best free alternative to AutoCAD 2D / 3D type. It has a very similar graphical interface to AutoCAD and allows you to create, read and open files in format DWG. Unfortunately, nanoCAD is only available for Windows and in order to proceed to download, you must register via your email. However, just as with DoubleCAD XT, you can use nanoCAD both for private purposes and for commercial purposes. Want to know more and download the software? Just follow the link given below.
OPENSCAD
OpenSCAD is a CAD program that allows you to create solid models in 3D type Constructive Solid Geometry. This is not an interactive modeler, but, rather, a 3D compiler, which creates a 3D model before reading a particular script, even from files DXF in AutoCAD 2D. OpenSCAD is available for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. Want to know more and download the software? Just follow the link given below.
That’s all for now, folks. These are the 10 best free AutoCAD alternatives, in our opinion. Of course, in addition to these, there are also other free alternatives to AutoCAD, or still, other alternatives that are sold at a much more affordable price compared to the latter. However, we think that this list, while having each its pros and cons, are just the best free alternative to AutoCAD.
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3D CAD software provides 3D modeling and designing of products as well as useful for any engineering industry like mechanical and architecture. They also execute script files and render 3D models with ease. They enable creating footprint as well as schematic components using printed circuit boards. They come with shape-building tools to create complex models. One can search Google using 3d cad software, free download, free 3d cad software or 3d cad software free. download full version to know more varieties and information.
Inventor
Best CAD for Mac Software. CAD software has been long used to aid the construction industry. Plenty of CAD software has been made for Windows though, only a few for Mac. But nothing to worry, options are out there. Here we list the best Apple options based on their popularity in the industry with best features they provide, the pros, cons, and pricing. Lightwave 3D A classic 3D graphic software, which includes powerful rendering, animation and modeling tools. Windows, Mac Autodesk Maya A massive, complete suite of tools for professional all aspects of 3D design including modeling, rigging, dynamics and animation.
This Inventor is 3D CAD software which provides parametric modeling options, advanced simulation as well as design automation tools. It enables the creation of drawing, flexible modeling and automation of design without complex programming. It enables combining Printed Circuit Board with mechanical designs. It also helps to render one’s products and linking electrical data. It comes with a free trial version.
Solid Works – 3D CAD
3d Cad For Mac
This SOLIDWORKS allows testing product performances using real motion analysis. It ensures a designing product with ease and helps in resolving assembly issues in the design process. It can perform reverse engineering as well as pipes and tubes routing. /best-photo-storage-and-editing-software-for-mac/. It enables creating and documenting layouts for electrical wiring, tubing, and piping by incorporating PCB data into a 3D model. It provides a free trial version.
Creo Parametric
This Creo 3D CAD software provides mixing of direct and parametric modeling with product design applications. It helps in improving the quality of the product by automating the process of product development. Parametric modeling enables precise as well as comprehensive design definition. It also provides direct modeling which helps the experts by providing flexibility. It allows downloading for free to try.
Other 3D Cad Software for Windows, Android, and Mac Os Platforms
3D Cad software is available in plenty of various platforms like Android, Mac Os, and Windows. The features and functions of these software are presented below individually for each platform to help one to understand them better. One should also check for platform compatibility as they are entirely platform dependent.
3D CAD Models for Android
This 3D CAD models application provides direct access to various parts from more than four hundred catalogs of prominent manufacturers. It allows downloading 2D CAD and 3D CAD models at free of cost and comes with an easy configuration of CAD models. It also provides latest CAD formats that are certified by the suppliers.
Free CAD for Windows
FreeCAD is 3D modeler useful for product designing as well as mechanical and architecture engineering. It allows building tough 3D operations and supports many concepts such as nurbs, brep, and Boolean operations. It also allows comprehensive parametric modeling. It provides full access to interpreters, macros or external scripts and FreeCAD interface as well.
Open CAD for Mac
OpenSCAD software provides the building of solid 3D CAD models. It enables reading scripts and provides rendering 3D model from the script file. It allows changing steps in modeling process easily as well as creating designs that are defined using parameters. It provides constructive solid geometry as well as creating 2D objects.
2d Cad For Mac
ZW3D – Most Popular Software
ZW3D software provides CAD solutions for a comprehensive product development process. It provides solid-surface hybrid modeling, non-solid mold parting as well as CNC machining tactics for the various axis. It enables managing mold making with great flexibility and provides various methods which ensure quality design. It helps in providing design workflow with optimization and cost efficiency. You can also see CAD Viewer Software
How to Install 3D CAD Software?
Cad Software For Macs
Installation instructions for 3D Cad software are provided along with the software downloads. One can follow this guide which comes with step-by-step instructions in illustrated manner and complete the installation process with ease. The system requirements and pre-requisite file information are provided either in the software website or in the installation guide. One should check them before installing the software. Some of these software support more than one platform and hence one should download and install the exact download file. You can also see 3D Drawing Software
3D CAD software enables making mold designs, improve efficiency and provide 3D modeling. They help to maintain the quality of the design and come with various designing tools. They are widely used in engineering industries. They provide design automation and enable documenting layouts. They provide designing, building, and printing 3D models. They are extensively used in constructions to provide quality and energy efficient structures.