AutoCAD by Autodesk is a great program that has helped in industrial design but there are also many alternatives to it. Here are the 10 free Autodesk AutoCAD Alternatives You should know.
AutoCAD, the main product of the software business Autodesk, has been available since 1982 and is widely regarded as the grandfather of computer-aided design (CAD). In this article, we will discuss the 10 free Autodesk AutoCAD alternatives you should know.
It is as well-known in the CAD world as Photoshop is in the photo-editing community. The program has industry-specific capabilities and toolsets for engineering, architecture, graphic design, city planning, and even project management, making it a flexible tool for many sectors. As a result, it’s no wonder that AutoCAD is the product of choice for professionals, amateurs, and students.
AutoCAD allows you to create both 3D and 2D models. You can make solids, surfaces, and other objects, and you can automate various operations, such as model comparisons. If you have used AutoCAD or need to read and modify AutoCAD files, you should select a suitable replacement. It’s worth noting that an official free AutoCAD file viewer is available if you only need to see files. We have compiled a list of the 10 free Autodesk AutoCAD alternatives you should know below.
Check out our list of the 10 free Autodesk AutoCAD alternatives you should know:
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BricsCAD
This CAD platform is well-known for its reach capabilities and includes various recognized features, such as native.dwg apps. BricsCAD offers a fairly comparable interface to AutoCAD 2008, as well as powerful functionality in 2D design and 3D direct modeling. It is compatible with all major operating systems, including macOS, Windows, and Linux, as well as hundreds of third-party programs from across the world that are built on.dwg. Despite being a commercial product, BricsCAD is less expensive, having four editions: Lite, Pro, BIM, and Mechanical.
The latter two are loaded with features not present in AutoCAD, such as Sheet Metal, 3D Compare, and BIM.
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LibreCAD
LibreCAD has a large community of developers and users that contribute and propose changes because it is open-source. Prior to changing its name to LibreCAD, CADuntu was only used for a short period of time. However, in certain older blogs and forums, it could be referred to as CADuntu. LibreCAD is completely free to use; no fees or subscriptions are required. You are free to copy and distribute it because it is open-source. LibreCAD is accessible in 30 languages and runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux computers.
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OpenSCAD
OpenSCAD is a great free alternative to AutoCAD. It is a free program for creating solid computer-aided design objects. It is cross-platform software since it is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. The website may not be the most visually appealing, but it is free to use, so you can’t complain. There are two primary ways to utilize OpenSCAD. Constructive solid geometry is one modeling approach you may utilize, while extrusion of 2D outlines is another. Furthermore, it is frequently maintained and updated, so you do not have to download an outdated version.
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GstarCAD
GstarCAD is a full-featured alternative CAD solution that is very compatible with AutoCAD. It has been constantly improved for more than 30 years, firmly establishing it as one of the main CAD software solutions. With a similar interface and command-line features, the application is designed to allow you to effortlessly migrate from AutoCAD. GstarCAD supports both DWG and DXF files and allows you to import AutoCAD layouts, blocks, and printers, making switching between the applications a breeze.
GstarCAD is largely available with a perpetual license, with a yearly subscription option for individuals that prefer AutoCAD’s licensing scheme. Upgrades can be purchased alone or as part of a subscription package. GstarCAD’s license approach allows users to just purchase what they require.
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ZWCAD
Initially, the interface of ZWCAD appears to be nearly comparable to that of AutoCAD, making the transfer from one application to the other quite seamless. Beyond the similarity in appearance, it also has command bar functionality identical to AutoCAD’s, even using the same names for most of its actions. Unlike most CAD software these days, ZWCAD is only available with a perpetual license. The Standard edition, which includes 2D drawing features and smooth DWG compatibility, costs roughly $900 plus one year of maintenance.
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Draftsight
The open 2D CAD program is simple to use and built on advanced architecture. It includes all of the tools required to generate technical 2D drawings. DraftSight is accessible for free download and activation in a matter of minutes for everyone from professional CAD users to educators and students. It is also compatible with numerous operating systems, including Windows 10 64-bit and macOS Mojave and above.
Because design components are kept in layers, you can make exact updates using DraftSight’s simple user interface, which makes it simple to use and understand. You may also use the application to generate G-Code and save and read DXF and DWG files. It has a large design library from which you may utilize pre-existing patterns, do batch printing, and access macro recording.
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ProgeCAD
ProgeCAD is yet another professional CAD tool that works natively with DWG files and features an AutoCAD-like user interface. It enables 3D modeling as well as BIM objects and dynamic blocks. Its sophisticated capabilities include a PDF-to-DWG converter and a plethora of architectural tools and plug-ins. The “artisan” built-in photorealistic render has a comprehensive but extensible collection of materials and textures.
ProgeCAD, like NanoCAD, includes Excel-style table editing. For Windows, there are two main versions available: ProgeCAD Professional and ProgeCAD Architecture.
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Draft it
Draft It is a free CAD software that Cadlogic developed and disseminated. Draft You may design CAD models using expert tools, and save or print your work, and it is a perfect alternative to AutoCAD because it is always free. You may add hundreds of pre-made symbols to drawings using the symbol library in the Pro edition, which costs £99. Additionally, the Pro edition offers you more dimension tools and lets you upload DWG & DXF files created by AutoCAD. A 3D model viewer and hundreds of architectural symbols are available in the Architectural edition, which costs £199.
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QCAD
QCAD, like LibreCAD, is a free and open-source two-dimensional modeling program. So, if you’re seeking for a free alternative to AutoCAD for solely 2D modeling, take a look at QCAD. Perhaps one of our favorite aspects of QCAD is how basic and straightforward it is to use. The UI may not be the most contemporary or fanciest, but it is simple to use, especially if you have never used QCAD before.
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SketchUp
SketchUp is geared toward architectural and interior design applications. Its 3D Warehouse library has hundreds of models generated by both individual users and furniture manufacturers, all of which can be downloaded and incorporated into your creations. SketchUp also features a fantastic plug-in library that includes major rendering software like vRay. The free, pared-down version operates fully in the cloud and offers 10 GB of free cloud storage, while commercial versions now range from approximately $120 to $700.
