Best CAD Software for Your Business

Best CAD software are TinkerCAD, FreeCAD, Solidworks, Creo, and Sketchup. These cad design software helps to create 2D and 3D designs for better visual understanding.

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List of 20 Best CAD Software

Showing 1 - 20 of 108 products
#1

SolidWorks is a 3d design software that helps to increase productivity by providing you with CAD solutions. It helps you through the product development process by providing you with tools for 3d designing, simulation, product data management and technical communication. This 3d modeling software is simple and easy to use for users. Read SolidWorks Reviews

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"SolidWorks : My Personal Favourite" - AAKIF SHAIKH

Category Champions | 2023

#2

ActCAD is one of the best CAD software for creating DWG & DXF 2D Drafting and 3D modeling design. Simple to use, ASCII and other png files are also edited and uploaded and low at a cost. Also, provided free technical services. Read ActCAD Reviews

Starting Price: Starting Price: $199 One Time

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"Useful for Mechanical Engineers " - Bhaskar

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High Performer | 2023

#3

It's develop higher quality, more innovative projects with tools for design, documentation, visualization, and simulation available in Autodesk architecture software. Improve communication throughout the project lifecycle by more securely managing and sharing data with collaborators and stakeholders. Read Autodesk Architecture Reviews

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"Autodesk Architecture - Best Tool" - Priyanka Sharma

Category Champions | 2023

#4

SketchUp users are architects, designers, builders, makers and engineers. They are the people who shape the physical world. They are important, and they deserve great tools because great tools produce great work. Read SketchUp Reviews

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"Sketchup is one of the easiest to learn cad software that Ive come across " - Akan Ponzi

#5

Revit is a fully featured Architecture Software designed to serve SMEs, Enterprises. Revit provides end-to-end solutions designed for Windows. This online Architecture system offers 2D Drawing, Building Information Modeling, Document Management, Design Modeling, Collaboration at one place. Read Revit Reviews

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"Revit is a good software for cad both 2d and 3d designs which is easy to both use and learn " - Akan Ponzi

#6

ARES Commander is the current CAD software. Qualities like domestic DWG support, extraordinary productivity features, support multiple languages and modern programming design of the website.The user can work in a user friendly environment. Read ARES Commander Reviews

Starting Price: Starting Price: $250 Per Year

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"Ares Commander - the best option " - Darius

#7

Creo is a fully featured CAD Software designed to serve Agencies, Startups. Creo provides end-to-end solutions designed for Windows. This online CAD system offers at one place. Read Creo Reviews

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"Nice 3d CAD software, easy for drawings" - CADER JONES

Contenders | 2023

#8

ArCADia BIM 12 allows for creating a complete architectural and construction model of a building, together with internal and external installations as well as terrain modelling. Read ArCADia BIM 12 Reviews

Starting Price: Starting Price: $945 One Time

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"Value for money" - R.Siva

#9

Romans CAD  is one of the best CAD software that used in footwear and leather goods business. This CAD software included functionalities as a decrease cost and fastest perform, customizable by users needs and used modern tools to design. Nowadays it becomes very popular among all the software. Read Romans CAD Reviews

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#10

CADMATE is a fully featured CAD Software designed to serve Agencies, Enterprises. CADMATE provides end-to-end solutions designed for Web App. This online CAD system offers 2D Drawing, 3D Modeling, Drafting, Presentation Tools at one place. Read CADMATE Reviews

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"Best CAD Software now a Days in All aspects " - Stanly

Category Champions | 2023

#11

nanoCAD is one of the best CAD software that offers new chances for accurate work. Complete packaging with features i.r dynamic input for editing drawings, access command, and block by tool palettes, make sheets, IFC file support. also, user-friendly environment. Read nanoCAD Reviews

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"Best value 2D design option" - Monica Stanfield

#12

ELCAD is a fully featured CAD Software designed to serve Enterprises, SMEs. ELCAD provides end-to-end solutions designed for Windows. This online CAD system offers at one place. Read ELCAD Reviews

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"Software is good" - Chinmay

Emergents | 2023

#13

Envisioneer is a fully featured Architecture Software designed to serve SMEs, Agencies. Envisioneer provides end-to-end solutions designed for Windows. This online Architecture system offers Landscape Design, Component Library, 2D Drawing, Drafting, Data Import / Export at one place. Read Envisioneer Reviews

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#14

PTC software is Product Lifecycle Management solution. It helps to you manage cross-functional processes, coordinating the efforts of distributed teams and efficiently develop the best possible products. PTC software optimizing product development processes and using a single, secure source of information, you can develop products that are competitive, cost-effective, and high quality. Read ptc Reviews

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"Best software for modeling" - Santosh Kumar

Emergents | 2023

#15

CAD Pro is a home builder software for construction companies around the world. This program offers multiple estimate configurations, rate sheets, filling orders, tracking inventory, job analysis, error checking, and workflow configuration options. Read CAD Pro Reviews

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"Good to use. " - Srikanth R

Emergents | 2023

#16

Edificius architecture software allows great freedom with custom Working Drawing layouts and import/export in standard formats such as DXF/DWG for your CAD drawings, OBJ and 3DS for your 3D models, BMP and JPG for your renders. Read Edificius Reviews

Starting Price: Starting Price: $65.17 month

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"Simple and complete" - Snake Bis

Emergents | 2023

#17

TurboCAD is a one of the best CAD software that provides professional architecture, drafting, detailing and CAD 3D modeling. It is cheap at a price and gives high performance. Serves the way of features i.e  optimize 3D printing, advanced file compatibility, and simple to use. Read TurboCAD Reviews

Starting Price: Starting Price: $141.51 Onetime

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#18

Fusion 360 is a fully featured Collaboration Software designed to serve Enterprises, Startups. Fusion 360 provides end-to-end solutions designed for Web App. This online Collaboration system offers Project Management, Task Management, Version Control at one place. Read Fusion 360 Reviews

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"Fusion 360 is Great" - Rolins Macwan

Emergents | 2023

#19

Tinkercad is a one of the best CAD software for making simple 3D layout and app. Which is used for designers, professors, architects, doctors, and children. Simple to make a design as per users minds. It offers characteristics i.e different shapes available, grouping, updated 3d models. Read Tinkercad Reviews

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Contenders | 2023

#20

Chief Architect Software is a leading developer and publisher of 3D Architectural home design software for builders, designers, architects and home DIY enthusiasts. For professionals, we publish the Chief Architect® software product line, the most popular product for residential home design. Read Chief Architect Reviews

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What is CAD?

CAD stands for computer-aided design, which refers to the use of a computer to support the design process. It enables you to create, modify, analyze, and optimize a design. 

When you look around a well-built room, you will find windows, corners, and more located in a specific area. Did you ever wonder how one decides and communicates the same idea to the builder? 

Well, you guessed it right -  it’s CAD! CAD software enables designers to create 2D and 3D design models. 

What is the use of CAD Software?

It is a type of software program used to enhance the quality of the design. Engineers and designers mainly use it to create two-dimensional and three-dimensional models of physical components.

The introduction of CAD software removed the manual need to draft designs by hand. It replaced the use of t-squares and protractors - the traditional method of pen and paper, with an automated process. 

CAD design software is used across many different industries and by professionals. It is used to build electronic systems, floor plans, mechanical drawings, blueprints, architectural and technical designs, and more. CAD drawing software adds special effects to movies and TV shows. 

What is the difference between 2D and 3D CAD Software?

2D CAD Models
  • 2D models are flat, two-dimensional drawings - it involves height and width. It doesn’t support the thickness of the item. 2D CAD software is useful in industries like aerospace, civil engineering, interior designing, fashion, and more. However, in a 2D CAD environment, it can be hard to build large assemblies efficiently as one can’t be sure if the individual parts will interfere or not. 
3D CAD Models
  • 3D CAD models are similar to that 2D, except that it provides more significant details about individual parts. As the name suggests, it is a three-dimensional drawing. The best thing about the 3D model is that it shows you how different components will fit, assemble, and operate. It communicates a lot of details about fit and potential issues. 
  • You don’t use 3D models for floor plans. But when it comes to designing automobiles or any other types of machinery, it can be quite a help. 3D models would best represent it. 

Key Features of Online CAD Software

Some of the modern capabilities of CAD design software are: 

features of cad software

  • Direct Modelling: The best 2D CAD software enables direct modeling, which allows you to use easy push/pull controls to move, rotate, resize, or scale features from imported geometries.
  • Smart Dimensioning Tools: When you create drawings or blueprints, you must add precise dimensions. CAD drawing software comes with ‘smart dimensioning’ tools that automatically create all your blueprint dimensions with just a few clicks.
  • Freeform Modelling: Using conventional traditional techniques can be hard to create highly shaped parts using conventional traditional techniques. Freeform modeling tools enable you to freely draw the shape of your design by moving points, edges, and faces. It is an alternative modeling approach to help you create more visually compelling designs using direct manipulations.
  • Support Availability: Support available from the vendor is another crucial feature of online CAD software. If the program suddenly crashes or you face any technical issues, you need to have a reliable and active support team. It’s important to consider that the vendor offers live phone support and has solid support resources to solve problems quickly. 
  • Compatibility: There will be times you will exchange CAD files with other users. That’s why it’s essential to ensure that the software can get open data from those CAD programs and also allow you to export or save files in various formats.
  • Speed and Accuracy: The primary purpose of using it is to improve the productivity and accuracy of the drawings. The software should enable easy edits with commands like mirror, copy, stretching, rotate and scale, and much more to increase the speed of the work. 

Furthermore, it helps you define precision to any number of decimal places to achieve maximum accuracy in all dimensions. 

What Is AutoCAD Used for?

AutoCAD is a 2D and 3D model computer-aided drafting software application, which was a desktop application until 2010. It then adopted cloud technology, which is now available on mobile and web-based apps. Sometimes, it is also known as AutoCAD 360.

AutoCAD is used for many reasons. Some of these include:

  • For Architectural Designs: The main use of AutoCAD is to help you design, plan, execute, and analyze the strength of a building at the design stage.  It has numerous templates of in-built design layout, which fits right into architectural planning and construction. The latest version of AutoCAD also offers analytical tools. Using this, you can easily analyze the individual components of the building. It helps you troubleshoot stress and load levels of building support.
  • For Graphical Designs: Yet again, AutoCAD software is well-equipped with tools that enable users to plan and map out spaces to take advantage of available space. Besides, it can be used with various other applications like 3D Max, animation tools, and more. 
  • For Engineering Design: It is useful for designing models for the engineering domain. CAD software for designing engineers involves three main branches that AutoCAD is compatible with - mechanical, civil, and electronic. You can use AutoCAD to build both 2D drawings as well as 3D models to help in the visualization of products.  AutoCAD Electrical software enables you to plan, design, and analyze drawings. The end product is always accurate with precise dimensions. 
  • For the Fashion Industry: Clothes, accessories, boots, and other delicate fashion items don’t come out by chance. They are first designed using the best AutoCAD software. AutoCAD software for PC offers the necessary tools to plan and draw intricate designs for manufacturing fashion items. 
  • For Industrial Designs: AutoCAD offers various design tools, including freeform modeling tools, smart dimensioning tools, and more. These tools help reduce manufacturing costs as it saves time and effort by eliminating the need to design manually. 
  • For 3D Printing: To print objects in a 3D printer, you must create a virtual 3D representation. And then feed the design to the printer. AutoCAD can help build those 3D models. It is compatible with a 3D Printer format, and thus, it can export designs in various supported formats. 

How to Use AutoCAD?

People use AutoCAD software for PC to create drawings used to manufacture equipment, construct commercial structures, and build homes. 

  • AutoCAD has many specialized programs for your area of interest - civil, aeronautical, mechanical, architectural, or more. You first need to decide what you want to use AutoCAD for. 
  • Another critical step is ensuring that your computer is compatible with AutoCAD programs. It requires a minimum of 2GB RAM, 2 GB storage for installation, Internet Explorer 7.0 or higher, and a screen resolution of 1024 x 768.
  • The next step involves installing the AutoCAD program. The process is pretty simple; you need to follow the step-by-step instructions from the Installation Wizard. 

After installation, the AutoCAD icon will appear on your desktop and be ready to use. 

Many design institutions offer certification and degree programs in AutoCAD to teach you how to use it. They provide training with hands-on usage of software CAD  for industrial drafting and assembling with accreditation. 

Best CAD Software for Engineers and Mechanical Engineers

Hundreds of CAD design software available in the market are specially designed for engineers. Some of the top names are as follows.

  • PTC CREO (Pro/ENGINEER): CREO, formerly Pro/ENGINEER, is a product design software created by PTC for 2D or 3D CAD, parametric, and direct modeling. Its wide range of features includes simulation tools for analyzing the product’s performance, including vibration, structural, and thermal analysis.
  • NX (or UG): NX, formerly known as UG, is one of the best CAD software for mechanical engineers that helps deliver products faster and more efficiently. It is created by SIEMENS, which includes industrial/electro-mechanical design, product design, and mechatronics design. With its flexible and powerful integrated solution, NX enables companies to realize the full potential of the digital twin. 
  • CATIA: CATIA is another best CAD software for computers created by Dassault Systèmes. It lets you deal with parts, assembly drawings, kinetic simulation, mechanism design, parts positioning, and more. Leading aerospace- and automotive-based organizations use this powerful CAD design software. Besides, it easily integrates with existing processes and tools. 
  • SOLIDWORKSSOLIDWORKS is one of the best 3D CAD software created by Dassault Systèmes. It is used for drawing electrical designs, product data management, simulation, concept design, and more. With its robust and innovative features, it aims to help you maximize the productivity of your design and manufacturing resources. And at the same time, it also empowers you to deliver better products faster.

Best CAD Software for Engineers in Other Categories

  • CorelCADCorelCAD is one of the best CAD software for Macs used by engineers to create visually appealing designs. Its design tools let you experiment with superior 2D drafting and 3D design modeling. The software aims to increase productivity and performance by optimizing the program for Windows and macOS. Besides, it supports most file extensions. 
  • ProfiCAD: ProfiCAD is the leading electrical CAD software that assists you in building control circuit diagrams, schematics, and more. Besides, it can also be used for hydraulics, pneumatics, and other technical diagrams. The best thing is that it has been translated into many languages to facilitate cooperation with international partners. You can easily export files in the DXF format. 
  • DesignSparkDesignSpark is a powerful and free CAD electrical software that provides tangibility to your ideas. The software has a collection of millions of electrical parts to choose from so that you can enhance your product designs faster. They also offer video tutorials to help you easily navigate through the program. 
  • TurboCAD Pro: TurboCAD Pro is online CAD software specially designed for interior designers, architects, mechanics, and landscapers. It renders 2D and 3D modeling tools that come with advanced functionalities. Besides, it also supports extensive file formats. The software offers hundreds of drawing tools to help you plan, sketch and modify your designs.
  • Electra E8Electra E8 is one of the best CAD software for engineers to help you draw hydraulic, draughting, schematics, and pneumatic circuit designs. This CAD electrical software comes with an intuitive interface, making it easy to create designs. It contains more than 700 beautiful, standardized symbols to choose from. 
  • Altium DesignerAltium Designer is a designing tool that enables professionals, design team leaders, electronic designers, and executives to design a complex project more effectively. It improves productivity by managing all aspects of the design process, including PCB, documentation, schematic, and simulation.

FAQs of CAD Software

Here are a few reasons why you should be using CAD if you are into designing:
  1. It helps improve the quality of the design
  2. It increases workflow productivity
  3. It enhances communication through documentation
  4. It improves record-keeping by creating a database

There is no industry standard file format for sharing CAD programs. However, we recommend that you look for a product that supports the formats used commonly in your particular industry. Some of the standard file formats are -.DXF (Drawing eXchange Format), .DWG, W. MF (Windows Metafile), STEP, STL, IGES, Parasolid, etc.

All CAD programs are different - each software is designed for a specific industry, such as engineering or fashion or architecture. Sort the options based on industry, and then weigh its features against your needs and budget. And, before making the final purchase, always make sure to get the final advice from the expert.

CAD Software in following industries

Last Updated: March 09, 2023