These are 10 best alternative software used popularly as an alternative to AutoCAD, which are available free of cost. Author Bio:- Sophia Harris is an education consultant by profession at sd-academy.com -An AutoCAD training provider.

There is a distribution under Windows, Mac OSX, Linux Ubuntu, FedoraR, SuseR, and MandrivaR. Windows, Linux, Mac OS X GNU General Public License - license for private or comercial use LibreCAD is free CAD system for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. LibreCAD supports only 2D drawings. The program includes a large number of tools: circle, lines, arcs, polygons. In addition, the program has a large number of modifiers. Interface is standard: workspace, the layer and toolbar panels. LibreCAD is useful free CAD alternative.

Again, this feature has been available in AutoCAD since 2007. Beyond AutoCAD Compatibility CorelCAD continues to provide good support for AutoLISP and ARX and uses the same hatch patterns, linetypes and text files as AutoCAD. Users should therefore have few compatibility issues when exchanging drawing files, although when opening a DWG file saved using CorelCAD, AutoCAD will warn that the file was not saved by an Autodesk program. CorelCAD also offers some capabilities not found in AutoCAD. For example, you can insert audio recordings into a drawing and play them back later.

You can also take advantage of sheet metal design features like placement sketches, bend allowance and forming tools. In some cases, TurboCAD requires less interaction than AutoCAD with menus and commands, e.g., drawing multiple lines is as simple as clicking the mouse. Many users, however, have noted that while TurboCAD exceeds AutoCAD in some areas of functionality, it falls behind in stability. The product specifically struggles with large file sizes, crashing in some circumstances. Verdict Though TurboCAD isn’t as widely-used in the CAD industry as AutoCAD, it still has much to offer. You can get a lot of the same capabilities as AutoCAD with minimal costs.

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.

The best thing about becoming a LibreCAD user is that it’s always changing and always being tweaked to be better, more user-friendly, and more capable. SketchUp has exploded its user-base well beyond the industry of architecture, design, construction, and drafting, finding its way into people’s homes who might not otherwise touch a 3D modeling or drafting program. It’s easy to use, understand, and completely free. And while using SketchUp as a primary drafting tool comes with a laundry list of shortcomings, it can certainly be used as a stop-gap while you save up for proprietary software. SketchUp does almost everything well, and any designer or visualization artist would be missing out on a great idea maker if they don’t use it on a daily basis. It’s great for developing concepts, making them better, and then showing them off to friends, clients, and builders alike.

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Other aspects of CorelCAD are eerily similar to AutoCAD. For example, CorelCAD has a command window and you can start commands by typing, just like AutoCAD. A few commands have different names—such as PATTERN instead of ARRAY—but thanks to command shortcuts (like aliases in AutoCAD), you can type the AutoCAD command name to start almost any CorelCAD command. Mostly Similar Functionality Although CorelCAD does not include every function found in AutoCAD, with the last several releases, the list of missing features has gotten smaller. For example, last year CorelCAD 2017 gained a Quick Input feature (like AutoCAD’s dynamic input), command auto-completion (nearly identical to the feature first introduced in AutoCAD 2012) and context-sensitive grips (similar to extended tooltips) when working with 2D objects.

↓ 02 – 2D & 3D Windows macOS Linux FreeCAD is a parametric 3D modeler made primarily to design real-life objects of any size. Parametric modeling allows you to easily modify your design by going back into your model history and changing its parameters. FreeCAD is open-source and highly customizable, scriptable and extensible. FreeCAD is multiplatfom (Windows, Mac and Linux), and reads and writes many open file formats such as STEP, IGES, STL, SVG, DXF, OBJ, IFC, DAE and many others. Who is FreeCAD for? A couple of user cases: • The home user/hobbyist. Got yourself a project you want to build, have built, or 3D printed?

There are plenty of helpful hints and guides throughout too helping you get to grips with ‘snapping’ when you draw rectangles, circles and other shapes. Although if you’re going to use it for professional use, you’ll probably need to upgrade to the. Intaglio is a drawing and illustration application exclusively designed for Macs that makes complex technical drawing or illustration an absolute breeze. It illustrates diagrams in 2D allowing you to easily add graphics, text, color, and scripting. If you’ve previously been drawing in a different application, then Intaglio will convert it. As the name suggests, VectorDesigner is dedicated to all things vector and offers a simple, multi-windowed interface from which you can use all sorts of tools and shapes like rectangles, stars, polygons or bezier creations. Boolean tools offered by the program are easy to work with and let you combine your different shapes in all sorts of ways.

DoubleCAD XT DoubleCAD XT is one of the most popular alternativesof AutoCAD. The menu of this free software is quite extensive and incorporates lots of user friendly features that resemble AutoCAD to a larger extent. Compatible for Windows only, the program supports only English language; however, users can use this CAD software for both personal and commercial purposes. DoubleCAD XT can be downloaded from These are 10 best alternative software used popularly as an alternative to AutoCAD, which are available free of cost.

The 10 best free alternative 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. 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.

DraftSight DraftSight is free CAD software that facilitates its users for creating, editing, and viewing files in DWG and DXF formats. The software is compatible to run on Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. The interface of this software is almost similar to AutoCAD and its trial version is available for 30 days. DraftSight can be downloaded from 10. DoubleCAD XT DoubleCAD XT is one of the most popular alternativesof AutoCAD. The menu of this free software is quite extensive and incorporates lots of user friendly features that resemble AutoCAD to a larger extent.

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Supports plugins and extensions to expand its functionality.

You can even export any drawing to Visio ®to help you collaborate better. • Free Support Have a question? Call or email us.

Who is FreeCAD for? A couple of user cases: • The home user/hobbyist. Got yourself a project you want to build, have built, or 3D printed? Model it in FreeCAD. No previous CAD experience required. Our community will help you get the hang of it quickly! • The experienced CAD user.

I am not all for pirated software, but the consumers are not always to be blamed. When a product is priced out of reach from the average consumer, it only encourages people to pirate it. Adobe realise this and moved to a subscription based model, with an average subscription fee of approximately USD10, one can enjoy the latest version of Photoshop.

Even Microsoft took this router with their lucrative Office suites. Autodesk on the other hand appears to be on the greedy side. Almost every students pirate their software, and it is understandable due to the lack of purchasing power. However, once a person graduates and found a job, especially those into freelance or starting their own business, my personal view is they must purchase the original software – no amount of excuses is acceptable. You’re running a profitable business, at least have a decency to pay for the ‘tools’ that enables you to put food on your table. Programmers don’t run on rain and sunshine like plants. Without further ado, here are 3 AutoDesk’s AutoCAD alternatives.

LibreCAD can be downloaded from 6. NanoCAD NanoCAD is free CAD software; it has a user interface similar to AutoCAD and allows users to create, read, and open files in DWG format. It is only available for Windows and supports only English and Russian language. Users can use this free software for private and commercial reasons. NanoCAD can be downloaded from 7. OpenSCAD OpenSCAD is free CAD program that allows its users for creating 3D solid models. This software runs on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux and supports English only.

It has layers, blocks, splines, polylines, ellipse tools, advanced tangent line & circle tools, transformation tools, an advanced snapping system and more. ↓ 06 – Windows macOS Linux FreeCAD is an open-source parametric 3D modeler made primarily to design real-life objects of any size. Parametric modeling allows you to easily modify your design by going back into your model history and changing its parameters. FreeCAD is aimed directly at mechanical engineering and product design but also fits in a wider range of uses around engineering, such as architecture or other engineering specialties. FreeCAD features tools similar to Catia, SolidWorks or Solid Edge, and therefore also falls into the category of MCAD, PLM, CAx and CAE. It is a feature based parametric modeler with a modular software architecture which makes it easy to provide additional functionality without modifying the core system.

Sketchup is also not alternative to Autocad but it is an amazing program that fills many of the use ability and productivity gaps that Autodesk have never addressed. Best media player software. SketchUp Make is not being updated past Make 2017. Trimble (who bought it from Google), is only providing a web based free version now, SketchUp Free.

Who uses CAD software? Graphic designers, architects, engineers, project managers, and interior and fashion designers, among others. What is the difference between 2D and 3D CAD software? 2D CAD software supports two-dimensional (height and width) drawings, such as rectangles, circles, squares, and triangles.

The program includes a large number of tools: circle, lines, arcs, polygons. In addition, the program has a large number of modifiers. Interface is standard: workspace, the layer and toolbar panels. LibreCAD is useful free CAD alternative. Windows, Linux, Mac OS X GNU Lesser General Public License - license for private or comercial use FreeCAD is free multi-platform CAD software to create 3D models.

AutoCAD for Mac is the powerful graphics designing program for designing buildings, objects and just about anything that requires precision in 2D or 3D. Download AutoCAD for Mac Free. AutoCAD for Macbook Pro is very complex for beginners as it has plenty of advanced tools. AutoCAD for Macbook Air has an extensive documentation and a series of tutorials for beginners. AutoCAD for Mac OS is compatible with both 2D and 3D and is amazingly versatile. The app interface enables you to customize almost every aspect of the design process. The interface of the application has been much improved in recent years.

CAD or computer-aided design software enhances design creation, modification, analysis, and optimization with increased speed and quality. Various 2D and 3D CAD Windows apps are used to explore ideas, render concepts, and simulate performance IRL, but AutoCAD, the original CAD software, is still the go-to CAD app for most Windows users. When was CAD first invented and how did it grow in popularity? Ivan Sutherland developed CAD in 1961 when he described a computerized sketchpad in his Ph.D. Thesis at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). By the mid-1970's, as CAD systems advanced, the cost benefits for companies to switch to CAD -- lower product development costs and a greatly shortened design cycle -- were clear.

If you’re looking for software with all of AutoCAD’s intricate capabilities, you will be disappointed. However, if you approach it with a relatively open mind, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Want to know more about CAD software? Head on over to our for tips, advice and information. I agree in most points with you.

FreeCAD can be used in the technical design, construction products, as well as in other areas relating to the implementation of engineering work. The program is good free alternative to create models for 3D printers as it supports STL format. Besides its own program FreeCAD formats are compatible with the following formats: DXF, SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics), STEP, IGES, STL (STereoLithography), OBJ (Wavefront), DAE (Collada), SCAD (OpenSCAD), IV (Inventor), and IFC. The application is a good free alternative to AutoCAD. Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, Mac OS X BSD License - license for private or comercial use BRL-CAD is a cross-platform open source constructive solid geometry (CSG) modeling computer-aided design (CAD). The program helps to create three-dimensional objects using an interactive geometry editor.

If you use commercial CAD or BIM modeling software at work, you will find similar tools and workflow among the many workbenches of FreeCAD. • The programmer.

As we know that AutoCAD is an industry leader in 2D and 3D CAD software. And in design, drafting, modeling, architectural drawing, and engineering software. But, you are looking to get AutoCAD and this type of design and work then it quite an expensive for you to buy this program. If you are looking to do this type of design and architecture work? There are some free alternative auto cad open source tools available. That alternative AutoCAD can also do all kind of task smoothly and effectively.

It is a constraint-based parametric modeler with simple mechanical simulation capabilities. It is developed by Jonathan Westhues.