Best Free Autocad
Best Free Autocad
With the price of AutoCAD ranging from $400 to over $4,000, learning this extremely popular software can be too expensive for beginners. Without some kind of software, learning how to create 3D objects is impossible. For cash-strapped students in need of a program to help them learn the ropes, here are ten free alternatives to AutoCAD. 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. LibreCAD can read DWG files (and others) as of the latest Nightly build. It writes DXF files, but can also export SVG, JPG, PNG, PDF and other files.
Computer Aided Design, or CAD stands for any software that allows architects, designers, profilers and artists to recreate perfect scaled models, designs and graphs or diagrams in 2D and 3D with the use of a computer. Today, CAD software is used for more than just drawing electronic circuit boards. They can help create 3D animations, sketch the airflow across wing tips, draw to scale a building design showing weak spots and implementing good design strategies and much more. The possibilities with CAD solutions are endless and in the right hands they are a powerful tool to design, innovate and inspire.
1. Blender
Very few actually realize that Blender 3D, a completely free alternative to Maya and the likes has been around for a really long time. This open source 3D CAD software is probably the most advanced free solution with a strong following and plenty of features and specs. It can be hard to use at times and isn’t the best at modifiers such as bend, twist etc. or undo stacks but it does plenty of tasks flawlessly. Oh! Not to mention full compatibility with Python script to modify and alter Blender functionality helps customize this CAD software.
- Our Rating:
- Pros: Plenty of free features such as rigging, tracking, fluids, sculpting, painting etc. Decent poly modeling tools and quick too. Awesome customizable input.
- Cons: Layer system is unintuitive and hig-poly scenes have sluggish viewport performance.
- OS: Windows 8, Windows 7, XP/ Vista
2. Google Sketchup
Looking to create a quick mock-up? Google Sketchup isn’t your packed to the brim CAD software but is is astonishingly accurate in its virtual renderings considering that it’s a free download. Don’t expect mind numbing realism or animation but when processing power is a problem, SketchUp is the only 3D and 2D modeling software that will work fine. It may lack sophistication but it is definitely not short of ergonomics.
- Our Rating:
- Pros: Simple and quick to master. Can make all kinds of models, offers amateurs a chance at designing like a pro.
- Cons: Basic version allows uploads only to Google Earth. Not designed for pros and hardcore designers.
- OS: Windows 7 (32-bit and 64-bit), XP/Vista
3. Sweet Home 3D
Unlike other free CAD software, Sweet Home 3D is exclusively designed for floor planning or interior designing. This free for all program can quickly and efficiently draw an image for each room, showing you real time 3D models of any 2D plan you craft. It lets you view the model from any view point and even improve or fine tune dimensions finishing off with a photorealistic image using customized lights and create a movie.
- Our Rating:
- Pros: Easy to use interface, designed for the masses who don’t have access to professional designers and remodelers. Supports OBJ and SVG Format.
- Cons: Needs practice, placing items is clunky and it is limited in its scope as a CAD software.
- OS: All versions of Windows or use online
4. FreeCAD
In a world of complicated CAD software, FreeCAD is an advanced motion simulating software that is excellent for anyone new to 3D world, motion simulators and in need to master more complicated CAD programs. It lets users create complicated assemblies and manipulate them plus the parts in 3D format with full analysis and manipulation of designs. It leads to realistic 3D designs.
- Our Rating:
- Pros: Excellent for beginners, can do a lot of 3D tasks and provides a full set of analysis tools.
- Cons: Not packed with advanced features, crude 3D models can’t be refined and needs additional software for fine-tuning.
- OS: XP, Vista and 7, 32 and 64bits
5. Misfit Model 3D
OpenGL based CAD software that is predominantly used for 3D modeling, Misfit Model 3D is based on triangle models. It provides command line batch operation, skeletal animations, multi-level undos, simple texturing and lots more. If you want to make simple and effective 3D models but aren’t well versed in the world of 3D designing, Misfit Model 3D is a one stop solution. It lets users create perfect cubez, spheres and other figures.
- Our Rating:
- Pros: Singular usage with limited productivity makes it easy to use, provides triangle based modeling.
- Cons: Not meant for top end designers but beginners, requires regular updates to add new features.
- OS: Windows xp/vista/7
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You can view, edit or share .dwg files, the native file format for Autocad data files, without using AutoCAD. Developing a model is very easy and convenient in AutoCAD. The files or models you develop in AutoCAD can be viewed, edited to get more effects visually on it. Following is the list of few of the best-picked software for viewing and editing AutoCAD drawings.
Related:
DWG TrueView
DWGTrueView is the AutoCAD viewer software from Autodesk. The software is basically designed to view, markup and convert .DWG drawings. This software supports .dwg , .dwf and .dxf formats of Autodesk files. This desktop software is basically designed to enable you to view .dwg files and with the inclusion of DWG Trueconvert software, it lets you convert newer .dwg version files to work with older versions of AutoCAD.
Best Free Autocad Alternative Software
A360 Viewer
A360 Viewer from Autodesk is the free online viewer software. The software does not require any downloads or plugins and works on your browser to let you view more than 50 file formats including .dwg file format. The software is basically designed to let you view, share, print and embed the AutoCAD files, including .dwg, .dwf and .dxf file formats. The software is available free of cost.
AutoDWG
AutoDWG is a free DWG file viewer. The key features of this software include a comfortable viewing of DWG or DXF files, print and batch print DWG files, easy measuring length and area with smart snap and tool for comparing two DWG files. You can also go for pro version to get features like DWG to image and PDF conversion and ability to publish markup in PDF and Image file.
eDrawings Professional for Windows
eDrawingProfessional is the AutoCAD viewer software built basically for Windows platform users. The software allows you to view your designs and concepts in the context of the real world. You can get 3D and 2D drawings of your 2D drawings with high size reductions without compromising the quality. The software is the easiest way to share 3D data across multiple CAD environments.
AutoCAD 360 for Android
AutoCAD360 is the software specifically designed for Android platform users. The software is free of cost DWG Viewing Software, with easy to use drawing and drafting tools that allow you to view, create, edit and share AutoCAD drawings across mobile devices. The key features of this software include a free 30-day trial of pro version, accurate measuring while on-site, multi-touch zoom and pan to easily navigate large drawings, work offline and sync your changes once online and plot designs to PDF or DWF and share them via email.
Autocad free. download full Version
Microspot DWG Viewer for Mac
Microspot DWG Viewer is the DWG viewer software basically designed for Mac platform users. You can open your DWG and DXF file with this software with ease and without any file size restrictions. Also, you can export your annotated file as an Adobe PDF compatible file. You can also control the visibility of the layers stored within the DWG file. There is also provision for providing texts and highlighting key areas of the DWG file.
Most Popular DWG Viewer – DWGSee
DWGSee is the most popular DWG viewer software. The software supports viewing and printing of DWG files with batch printing feature. You can measure and markup length, angle, and radius with Smart Snap technology of this software. The software also lets you convert and publish files in PDF, JPG, and PNG. The software has a pro version which offers additional features to let you annotate the DWG files.
How to Install AutoCAD Viewer?
Many of the AutoCAD viewer software listed above offer a setup file, allowing an easy installation of the software. Few of the software in this category are web-based, giving you access from anywhere with just one requirement of internet connectivity. AutoCAD viewer software is basically designed to enable the viewing of DWG files and has compatibility with wide versions of AutoCAD file formats.
While some software in this category offers free service for the basic need of viewing DWG files, the number of files to be printed and the annotation feature gets limited for the free version. If you are looking for fully featured software with some annotation feature along with batch printing, the paid ones are for you. Each software offering some unique feature over others, it’s the question of personal preferences for selecting one of the best software listed here.
Best Free Autocad Software
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Best Free Autocad