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FreeCAD is a parametric online 3D modeler of real objects. The tool lets users produce 2D thumbnails for creating 3D objects, and vice versa. It supports specialized file formats (STEP, IGES, STL, SVG, DXF, OBJ, IFC, DAE) for export. Parametric modeling makes it easy to modify a component by going back to the model history.
- Traditional drafting software is complex and difficult to use. But SmartDraw is easy enough for a novice with robust, powerful features that will please any expert. Here's how it works: start with a template and then easily customize it to fit your design vision. Thousands of ready-made symbols and presentation-quality themes are available.
- SketchUp is a premier 3D design software that truly makes 3D modeling for everyone, with a simple to learn yet robust toolset that empowers you to create whatever you can imagine.
- Powerful CAD Software. Packed with features experienced CAD users need, yet simple enough for beginners to use, our free software gives you control of an online machine shop.
A reliable CAD is crucial if you want to speed up the time to introduce a product right out of your design and modeling department. For one, it makes life easier for your project managers and marketing teams. If your product development team is out of ideas, having quick access to CAD libraries should help. You may have budget concerns, leaving you no choice but to consider free CAD software in the market. They may not have the awesome factor that the premium ones offer, but they're the ones to help you get there too.
In this article, we present 10 of the best free CAD software for you to choose from. This should shorten the time you need to get your business running. That and without expending more time and effort than necessary. Determine which one looks right for your needs now and consider any upgrade path that you might need later on. At the very least, they should allow you to work and save in a variety of formats to make them usable to other teams.
What are the 10 Best Free CAD Software Solutions?
If you're operating a small firm, working with a limited budget presents its own unique challenges. However, it should not stop you from falling behind the technology curve.
Two developments, for example, should play nicely in your hands: mobile CAD and the continued rise of vendors offering SaaS subscription-based CAD.
Mobile CAD
Mobile devices will not likely replace desktop systems in creating complex CADs soon. However, they are a great boon for on-site activities where teams could easily view, annotate and update ongoing projects.
Through a vast improvement in their workflow, mobile CAD can now share knowledge and shorten production cycles unlike before.
This new ability to synchronize devices and users in real time is a fundamental leap from previous work conditions, increasing productivity and efficiency everywhere.
SaaS CAD
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The massive logistics challenges in migrating CAD to the cloud meant that CAD would be among the last to follow the SaaS business model. It is happening now, however, and this could only be great news for small firms that could not afford the steep licensing terms required.
Business Advantage reports, for example, that around 19% of CAD users will be using cloud-based CAD, with a predicted increase of 29% in the next 3 to 5 years.
While vendors work out how to ideally implement cloud CAD, what's clear is that in the next five to ten years, engineers will be migrating the majority of their work online. This will bring with it powerful data management solutions, intense security.
One area of CAD that should see an immediate effect is parametric modeling. Engineers will fondly remember how in-context design, standard content, configurations and multi-part modeling used to be unreliable and ugly previously. In the era of cloud CAD, these tools will become more robust, helping users finish designs faster.
10 Best Free CAD Software Solutions
1. DraftSight
For up to December 31, 2019, feature-rich CAD solution DraftSight will let you design in 2D or 3D using the 2018 free version and the ones that came earlier. Beyond that, the vendor will only allow a thirty-day free trial version for the latest 2019 edition.
Draftsight allows for compatibility with any 2D or 3D DWG file. The user interface is easy to learn, helping you transition if you are using another CAD solution before.
In addition to already powerful features, DraftSight introduced new 3D capabilities in its latest update. This provides more choices and flexibility for users to design projects. Open source video editing software. DraftSight is also exploring the possibility of adding a cloud-based version of the software with additional features in the works.
Getting DraftSight makes sense, especially if you use other Dassault Systemes and SOLIDWORKS solutions.
Price Range: Standard Versions up to 2018 are free, but will cease running after December 31, 2019. Starting in 2019, DraftSight pricing for Standard, Professional, and Premium editions are $99, $199, and $499, respectively. There is an Enterprise edition but you need to request a quote for it.
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Key Features of DraftSight
- A feature-rich 2D/3D CAD platform for whatever purpose, whether you're an engineer or a hobbyist.
- Lets you create, edit, view, and review any DWG files without sacrificing speed, efficiency, and ease in adjustment.
- Greater freedom to go from drafting 2D to 3D designs, as well as to seamlessly transition between Dassault's design platforms.
2. Onshape
Fully free for students and non-professional or non-commercial users, CAD software Onshape helps you design all aspects of design activity through real-time observation. The platform helps you improve product design process through robust CAD assembly and configurations. It lets you complete your work quickly and effectively without being overwhelmed by an unfamiliar GUI.
Clear design elements prevent you from losing track of activities. For example, simply monitor your work by scrolling through an activity feed. You have full access to raw analytics for further study. If you have different types of users, you simply need to configure your users easily as full, light, or guest accounts. It lets you monitor your team easily through audit logs, so you know who did what and where they accomplished it.
They say modern problems require modern solutions, and Onshape is as modern as you can get with CAD.
Price Range: Free for students, non-professional and non-commercial users. The professional version costs $2,100 per year, while the Enterprise and Standard versions are priced $1,500 and $20,000, respectively. A free trial is available.
Key Features of Onshape
- Visibility enables you to monitor tasks in real-time, a first in the industry.
- Enables universal access for every stakeholder.
- Customized roles and permission schemes let you quickly assign and reassign tasks.
- Enterprise edition with a single log-in process.
- Modern CAD and data management eliminate crashes and IT intervention.
3. Fusion 360
Free for startups with less than US 100k per year in total revenue and non-commercial hobbyists, Autodesk's Fusion 360 is designed to help you design your products and bring them to market faster than you've ever imagined. Design, conceptualize and test your products using only a single platform from start to finish. Among other Fusion 360 benefits is the test tool, which ensures your designs are complete and will work.
Cloud storage helps you get the best of team collaboration. Earn more control of your data through managed user permissions and make sure only your team knows what's happening to the design, and not everyone else. Create and test prototypes through the program, and explore possible outcomes about the product even before it hits the assembly line. Make sure that weight, performance, and part issues are resolved before a physical copy of the product is made.
If you're interested to know more about the product development process of Fusion 360, sign up here for a free copy of their software.
Price Range: Aside from the free use for startups, hobbyists and non-commercial users, there are three different terms of subscription. A monthly plan costs $60, an annual plan costs $495, and a three-year plan costs $1,335. There are free 1-year and 3-year subscriptions for non-commercial and educational use.
Key Features of Fusion 360
- Simplify workflow with all the tools you need available in one place.
- Quick generation helps you find the flaws and errors in your design.
- Lets you create 2D drawings directly from your 3D creations through accurate documentation.
- Collaborate easily with all members of the team through a single, shared project dashboard.
- True CAD + CAM integration lets you avoid rework, defects, and missed deadlines.
4. Tinkercad
As one of the best free CAD software around, Tinkercad is also perfect for beginners. There are Tinkercad features for any level of designer. New designers, for example, can start by creating bricks similar to Lego. Minecraft gamers, on the other hand, can test their creativity through a Minecraft-like modeler. More serious designers can create more sophisticated designs without stifling their creativity.
You may design circuits and 3D designs with ease. If you're into codes, you may design objects using codes you know by heart. Once you're done, you may proceed to print in 3D using Tinkercad's partner services. Once done, they will ship your creations to your doorstep, laser-cut and ready to be presented.
Price Range: Free
Key Features of Tinkercad
- Create, design, and make anything you think of.
- Come up with your simulation, then assemble it to see what it looks like in the final render.
- Design an object using code.
5. FreeCAD
As its name suggests, FreeCAD is free to download. Not only that: it also gives you absolute freedom to design and create. The open-source 3D modeler lets you design real-life objects of any size. You may sketch in 2D then transform that into 3D images. With it, you can see how dimensions affect the design. Use any number of components to complete your design and simulate how parts move and come together as in real life.
Other FreeCAD details show a fully multi-platform software that supports Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. It is highly customizable owing to its open source nature. For file support, it reads and writes many open file formats so you can share works across your team. FreeCAD simply works, whether you're a mechanical engineer or just a hobbyist creator.
Despite its free nature, it comes ready with a wide selection of tools that helps you create and test just about anything. A robot simulation module and a Path workbench are available with the free trial.
Price Range: Free to download; always actively updated.
Key Features of FreeCAD
- With its open CASCADE Technology-based geometry kernel, allows for complex 3D shapes and operations.
- Sharpes can be based on different properties or even depend on other objects.
- Modular architecture allows for plugin extensions that add functions to the core program.
- Standard formats such as STEP, OBJ, DXF, SVG, or OFF and the like are supported, in addition to the native FCStd file format of FreeCAD.
- Different programmable modules that allow for a greater degree of studying functions and uses within the graphical environment.
- Integrated spreadsheet and expression parser uses drive formula base to help organize model data into a single, central location.
6. LibreCAD
LibreCAD provides CAM capabilities into the community version of QCAD. It is an improved QCAD version with Qt4 enhancements, allowing for better rendering and modernized support. Aside from being completely free, it comes with a dedicated development team and an actively helpful community. There's a partnership with BRL-CAD and JetBrains, which has lent their CLion licenses.
The latest version of its engine has the LcPainter layout. This improves its existing OpenGLpainter, which can render draw() codes. It is also armed with the current transition matrix—CTM. A fast caching mechanism helps you save data. There's gradient rendering to create a linear gradient and calculate the color (R, G, B, A) for each vertex using vector mathematics.
As its name says, LibreCAD is completely free and easy to download. Microsoft word for apple.
Price Range: Free, open-source
Key Features of LibreCAD
- Completely free to download; no trials and subscriptions to worry about.
- Developed by a dedicated team with support from a vibrant community, ensuring the source copy gets improved with each addition.
- Available with over 30 languages and with cross-platform support for three major OSes—macOS, Windows, Linux.
7. OpenSCAD
OpenSCAD is another excellent choice for free software. Perfect for highly technical users, it's remarkable for creating 3D representations of machine parts. As a 3D-compiler, it reads a script file that describes the object and renders the 3D model from it. It gives the designer full control over all aspects of the modeling process. Configurable parameters make it easy to change designs.
Two modeling techniques are available to creators: the constructive solid geometry and the extrusion of 2D outlines. DXF files, readable by Autocad, is the data format used for 2D files. The platform can also read from DXF files and create 3D models that can be saved in STL and OFF file formats.
OpneSCAD is downloadable in a variety of different OS.
Price Range: Free; accepts donations through Paypal.
Key Features of OpenSCAD
- Can create constructive solid geometry (CSG) and 2D outlines.
- Lets you read design parameters from DXF files aside from 2D paths.
- Import/export 3D models from STL and OFF file formats.
8. QCAD
Another open source application, QCAD lets you create technical drawings, building plans and mechanical parts in 2D. Different schematics and diagrams are available, and the source code is also available under the GPL v3. You can add to it as it suits you, or remove any features you feel you don't need. Its true beauty, however, is in the design.
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The application offers a portable solution with an intuitive interface. These features come into play once you realize how powerful this CAD software is. Photo imaging software. QCAD is one of those platforms which you can use as soon as you pick it up. The software is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms.
Price Range: Free to download.
Key Features of QCAD
- Layering, as well as blocks that can be grouped.
- Prints to scale and on multiple pages as well.
- A multitude of tools for construction and modification.
- Over 4,800 CAD parts available in its parts library.
- Operates using the ECMAScript (JavaScript) interface.
9. 3D Slash
With its similarity to the block-building game Minecraft, 3D Slash directly appeals to gamers. It is also free and is browser-based. The light, fun interface makes it is easy for beginners to learn 3D modeling. Intermediate workers, on the other hand, just need to start creating. The platform is optimized for use on any media, whether on mobile or desktop. A notable 3D Slash benefit is letting creators display their designs on social media. If that is not an option, they may instead opt to go for 3D printer.
You may slice or slash a cube as easy as if playing a game. A new feature lets you engrave pictures or text on a model. There's a wide color palette so you can color your cube in any dye of your choice. You get two version options: for use in classrooms or in the workplace. All formats are synchronized for support.
5. FreeCAD
As its name suggests, FreeCAD is free to download. Not only that: it also gives you absolute freedom to design and create. The open-source 3D modeler lets you design real-life objects of any size. You may sketch in 2D then transform that into 3D images. With it, you can see how dimensions affect the design. Use any number of components to complete your design and simulate how parts move and come together as in real life.
Other FreeCAD details show a fully multi-platform software that supports Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. It is highly customizable owing to its open source nature. For file support, it reads and writes many open file formats so you can share works across your team. FreeCAD simply works, whether you're a mechanical engineer or just a hobbyist creator.
Despite its free nature, it comes ready with a wide selection of tools that helps you create and test just about anything. A robot simulation module and a Path workbench are available with the free trial.
Price Range: Free to download; always actively updated.
Key Features of FreeCAD
- With its open CASCADE Technology-based geometry kernel, allows for complex 3D shapes and operations.
- Sharpes can be based on different properties or even depend on other objects.
- Modular architecture allows for plugin extensions that add functions to the core program.
- Standard formats such as STEP, OBJ, DXF, SVG, or OFF and the like are supported, in addition to the native FCStd file format of FreeCAD.
- Different programmable modules that allow for a greater degree of studying functions and uses within the graphical environment.
- Integrated spreadsheet and expression parser uses drive formula base to help organize model data into a single, central location.
6. LibreCAD
LibreCAD provides CAM capabilities into the community version of QCAD. It is an improved QCAD version with Qt4 enhancements, allowing for better rendering and modernized support. Aside from being completely free, it comes with a dedicated development team and an actively helpful community. There's a partnership with BRL-CAD and JetBrains, which has lent their CLion licenses.
The latest version of its engine has the LcPainter layout. This improves its existing OpenGLpainter, which can render draw() codes. It is also armed with the current transition matrix—CTM. A fast caching mechanism helps you save data. There's gradient rendering to create a linear gradient and calculate the color (R, G, B, A) for each vertex using vector mathematics.
As its name says, LibreCAD is completely free and easy to download. Microsoft word for apple.
Price Range: Free, open-source
Key Features of LibreCAD
- Completely free to download; no trials and subscriptions to worry about.
- Developed by a dedicated team with support from a vibrant community, ensuring the source copy gets improved with each addition.
- Available with over 30 languages and with cross-platform support for three major OSes—macOS, Windows, Linux.
7. OpenSCAD
OpenSCAD is another excellent choice for free software. Perfect for highly technical users, it's remarkable for creating 3D representations of machine parts. As a 3D-compiler, it reads a script file that describes the object and renders the 3D model from it. It gives the designer full control over all aspects of the modeling process. Configurable parameters make it easy to change designs.
Two modeling techniques are available to creators: the constructive solid geometry and the extrusion of 2D outlines. DXF files, readable by Autocad, is the data format used for 2D files. The platform can also read from DXF files and create 3D models that can be saved in STL and OFF file formats.
OpneSCAD is downloadable in a variety of different OS.
Price Range: Free; accepts donations through Paypal.
Key Features of OpenSCAD
- Can create constructive solid geometry (CSG) and 2D outlines.
- Lets you read design parameters from DXF files aside from 2D paths.
- Import/export 3D models from STL and OFF file formats.
8. QCAD
Another open source application, QCAD lets you create technical drawings, building plans and mechanical parts in 2D. Different schematics and diagrams are available, and the source code is also available under the GPL v3. You can add to it as it suits you, or remove any features you feel you don't need. Its true beauty, however, is in the design.
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The application offers a portable solution with an intuitive interface. These features come into play once you realize how powerful this CAD software is. Photo imaging software. QCAD is one of those platforms which you can use as soon as you pick it up. The software is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms.
Price Range: Free to download.
Key Features of QCAD
- Layering, as well as blocks that can be grouped.
- Prints to scale and on multiple pages as well.
- A multitude of tools for construction and modification.
- Over 4,800 CAD parts available in its parts library.
- Operates using the ECMAScript (JavaScript) interface.
9. 3D Slash
With its similarity to the block-building game Minecraft, 3D Slash directly appeals to gamers. It is also free and is browser-based. The light, fun interface makes it is easy for beginners to learn 3D modeling. Intermediate workers, on the other hand, just need to start creating. The platform is optimized for use on any media, whether on mobile or desktop. A notable 3D Slash benefit is letting creators display their designs on social media. If that is not an option, they may instead opt to go for 3D printer.
You may slice or slash a cube as easy as if playing a game. A new feature lets you engrave pictures or text on a model. There's a wide color palette so you can color your cube in any dye of your choice. You get two version options: for use in classrooms or in the workplace. All formats are synchronized for support.
With it's easy to pick up nature, beginners or returning designers won't have any problem designing in the platform.
The free app gives users online storage for the web version. You can only work with 8 colors, though, limiting what you can do. The premium is only 2 dollars, so that leaves you with a good subscription option.
Price Range: low-cost plans, from Free to Premium ($2 per month), School ($8 per month), and Professional ($20 per month) versions.
Key Features of 3D Slash
- Unique interface makes creating models lightweight.
- Easy to start, easy to create through fast technology.
- Features are designed for both basic work and for professionals.
- Online and offline working platforms synchronized.
- Advanced features work precisely with the platform.
10. nanoCAD
With a free version and other professional versions, nanoCAD caters to industry standards. A wide variety of APIs is backed by a powerful table editor. It is well-supported by a dedicated community of people who are directly connected to the CAD software industry with years of expertise. nanoCAD features an interface that's easy to master because of its familiarity. Better still, its drafting and design tools are also easy to use.
It has various productivity features and is always updated through updates and prioritized online support. nanoCAD brings most of what makes CAD software a must-have; the capability to edit, validate, share, and manage CAD models, but mostly none of what makes CAD software hard to master from the start.
Price Range: Free version; all other professional versions come with a free trial. The other six versions include the Plus version at $180, the Pro version at $290, the Construction at $260, the Construction Site edition at $260, the Mechanica version at $300, the Construction Site edition at $600 and the 3DScan that is only quote-based.
Key Features of nanoCAD
- Easy-to-use platform with a great user experience, powered by high performance.
- Excel-style table editor with a set of different capabilities.
- ActiveX automation and support for LISP available.
- C++/C# APIs supported on top of its core functions.
- Plot settings allow multiple plot area setups and multi-page plotting.
Consider Other Tools that Go Right with CAD Apps
That's it, our top ten best free CAD software. One of these platforms should be the software just right for your needs. It could be in terms of fast workflows, more advanced modeling and the like.
CAD applications are just one of a number of applications that design professionals have at their disposal. For those in the construction industry, they may consider construction management software to give them a good handle of every aspect of their projects, from design, estimates, workflows to reporting and analysis among many others.
BIM software is another class of applications closely related to CAD. If you're in the building industry, you might really need this one more than a CAD platform.
If you're an architectural firm, these top architecture software solutions may be a better fit. They have elements of CAD, BIM and project management tools designed for structural outlining and visual presentation.
Collaboration tools, on the other hand, are also great partners to your CAD app of choice. It should help you handle even remote team members while ensuring that apps and files required for the projects are always on hand.
This is a list of free and open source 2D CAD (computer-aided design) software packages.
- FreeCAD - Draft workbench
- About FreeCAD
The Draft Workbench allows you to draw simple 2D objects, and offers several tools to modify them afterwards. It also provides tools to define a working plane, a grid, and a snapping system to precisely control the position of your geometry.
The created 2D objects can be used for general drafting in a way similar to Inkscape or Autocad. These 2D shapes can also be used as the base components of 3D objects created with other workbenches, for example, the Part and Arch Workbenches.
FreeCAD is primarily a 3D modelling application, and thus its 2D tools aren't as advanced as in other drawing programs.
- LibreCAD
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LibreCAD is a free Open Source CAD application for Windows, Apple and Linux. Support and documentation is free from our large, dedicated community of users, contributors and developers.
- Solid edge 2D drafting
With a familiar user interface, easy-to-use tools that comply with the most popular drafting standard capabilities to simplify your experience, Solid Edge 2D Drafting has everything you need to quickly and easily create 2D documentation. Solid Edge 2D Drafting offers simple drawing layout, diagramming, annotation, and dimensioning controls that automatically comply with drafting standards, including the International Standards Organization (ISO), American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and British Standards Institution (BSI), among others.
Start your drawing from scratch, or easily import existing .DWG files. An optional step-by-step wizard allows you to preview the drawing, including each individual layer, and control background color, drawing size, line type, font, and more.
When you're finished, you can save your file as either a Solid Edge or .DWG format, allowing you the flexibility to collaborate with customers, peers, and partners, and to easily open your 2D CAD files in nearly any 3D CAD program.
- NanoCAD
NanoCAD is an easy-to-use 2D CAD application that delivers a great user experience by providing high performance, full capability, a classic interface and native .dwg format support. NanoCAD has been built to deliver design and project documentation for all industries. nanoCAD includes a full suite of basic and advanced tools, for creating industry-standard DWG-compatible CAD files. NanoCAD provides innovative, collaborative and customizable features to enhance your efficiency. nanoCAD includes several APIs, allowing anything from routine task automation to complex CAD application development. All for free.
- QCAD Community edition
QCAD is a free, open source application for computer aided drafting (CAD) in two dimensions (2D). With QCAD you can create technical drawings such as plans for buildings, interiors, mechanical parts or schematics and diagrams. QCAD works on Windows, macOS and Linux. The source code of QCAD is released under the GPL version 3 (GPLv3), a popular Open Source license.
QCAD Application WindowQCAD was designed with modularity, extensibility and portability in mind. But what people notice most often about QCAD is its intuitive user interface. QCAD is an easy to use but powerful 2D CAD system for everyone. You don't need any CAD experience to get started with QCAD immediately.
