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Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Software

CAD operational solutions are designed to geometrically model 2D and 3D objects in order to virtually test construction plans.

Computer-Aided Design (CAD) : related categories

Our selection of 24 computer-aided design (cad) software

Sketchup

Easy-to-use CAD and 3D modeling software

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4.5
Based on +200 reviews
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Paid version from $695.00

Create 3D models with ease using this top-rated CAD software. Streamlined tools, intuitive interface, and extensive library of materials make it perfect for architects, engineers, and designers.

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Sketchup is a powerful CAD software with a user-friendly interface that allows for fast and easy creation of 3D models. Its extensive library of materials and streamlined tools make it perfect for architects, engineers, and designers who need to create precise and detailed designs.

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DraftSight

Advanced CAD Solution for Professional Designers

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3.8
Based on +200 reviews
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Paid version from €99.00

Powerful CAD software for creating 2D drawings and 3D models with precision and ease.

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DraftSight offers a wide range of tools for drafting, editing, and annotating designs, including layers, blocks, and dimensions. Its intuitive interface and compatibility with industry-standard file formats make it a top choice for professionals and students alike.

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Inventor

Innovative 3D Design and Engineering Platform

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4.6
Based on +200 reviews
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Boost your productivity with advanced CAD software that simplifies the design process and offers 2D and 3D modeling capabilities.

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Inventor's intuitive interface and comprehensive set of tools allow you to create complex designs with ease. It offers seamless integration with other software and cloud services, making collaboration and data management efficient. Plus, its customizable workflows and automation features streamline repetitive tasks, saving you time and effort.

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Fusion

Fusion: Streamlined Project Management Software

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4.6
Based on +200 reviews
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Paid version from €42.00 /month

This CAD software allows users to design and visualize 3D models with ease, while also providing robust collaboration tools for teams.

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With a user-friendly interface and integrated cloud storage, Fusion streamlines the design process and enables real-time collaboration among team members. Its advanced simulation capabilities and extensive library of materials make it a top choice for engineers and designers.

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ReCap

Advanced 3D Modeling Software for Precision

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3.4
Based on 30 reviews
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Paid version from €48.00 /month

This CAD software streamlines project collaboration and makes data management more efficient.

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With its user-friendly interface, ReCap offers powerful tools for creating and editing 3D models, as well as sharing and collaborating on projects across teams. Its cloud-based platform provides secure data storage and easy access to project information from anywhere, making it an ideal solution for design and engineering professionals.

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SEE Electrical

electrical cad software for easily creating wiring diagrams

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3.2
Based on 25 reviews
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Paid version from €1,390.00

Streamline your electrical design process with powerful CAD software.

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With intuitive tools and customizable features, this software simplifies schematic creation, panel layout design, and project management. Collaborate with team members in real-time and generate accurate documentation.

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Benefits of SEE Electrical

check Easier

check offers real-time and automatic functions

check apidly and efficiently develop and manage complex electrical

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myCADtools

Enhanced CAD Experience for Precision Engineering

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Streamline your design process with top-of-the-line CAD software. Create precise 2D and 3D models with ease.

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With intuitive tools and a user-friendly interface, myCADtools allows you to quickly and accurately bring your designs to life. Collaborate seamlessly with team members and clients with built-in sharing features.

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Architekt 3D

Innovative 3D Design Software for Architects

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This CAD software provides 3D modeling, rendering, and animation tools for architecture and design projects.

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Architekt 3D offers a user-friendly interface, customizable templates, and a vast library of objects and textures. It also allows for precise measurements, lighting simulations, and walkthroughs. Its cloud-based platform enables collaboration and easy access to projects from anywhere.

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BricsCAD

Advanced CAD Software for Versatile Design Projects

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4.6
Based on +200 reviews
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Boost your productivity with powerful CAD software. Create 2D/3D designs, collaborate with team members, and access a vast library of tools.

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With intuitive user interface and advanced features, you can easily create complex designs, customize your workspace, and automate repetitive tasks. BricsCAD is the perfect solution for architects, engineers, and designers who demand high performance and flexibility.

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3d Juump Ace

Simplify Your 3D CAD Workflow

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5.0
Based on 2 reviews
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Advanced 3D modeling, intuitive interface, and seamless collaboration tools cater to designers across industries.

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3D Juump Ace offers advanced 3D modeling capabilities along with an intuitive interface that streamlines the design process. Its robust tools cater to a range of users, from architects to product designers. Additionally, built-in collaboration features enhance teamwork, allowing multiple users to work on designs simultaneously, ensuring that feedback is integrated in real-time. This software stands out for its versatility in various applications and its support for intricate design projects.

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Maya

Comprehensive 3D Animation Tool for Creatives

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4.5
Based on +200 reviews
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Advanced 3D modeling, animation, simulation tools, and intuitive interface for professional designers and artists.

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Maya offers robust capabilities including advanced 3D modeling, animation, and simulation tools tailored for professional designers and artists. The software's intuitive interface facilitates a seamless workflow, allowing users to create stunning visuals, animations, and complex simulations with ease. Its comprehensive features support industries ranging from video game development to film production, making it an essential tool for those seeking precision and creativity in their designs.

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SkyCiv Structural 3D

Innovative Structural Analysis for Engineers

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4.6
Based on 149 reviews
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Innovative CAD software that offers 3D modeling, analysis tools, collaboration features, and real-time design updates for structural engineers and architects.

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SkyCiv Structural 3D is a cutting-edge CAD software designed for structural engineers and architects. It provides robust 3D modeling capabilities, comprehensive analysis tools, and features that facilitate collaboration among team members. Users benefit from real-time design updates, ensuring that modifications are instantly reflected in the project. The intuitive interface streamlines workflows, making it easier for professionals to create compliant structures efficiently while saving time on projects.

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Creo

Innovative Design Tool for Versatile Product Development

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4.4
Based on +200 reviews
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Intuitive interface with robust modeling tools, integrated simulation capabilities, and collaboration features for streamlined design workflows.

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Creo is a leading Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software that offers an intuitive interface combined with robust modeling tools. Notable features include integrated simulation capabilities, enabling users to test designs efficiently, and collaborative tools that enhance teamwork across projects. These attributes make it ideal for engineers and designers seeking to streamline their workflows while improving product quality and performance. With its scalability, Creo supports both simple and complex design tasks effectively.

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FreeCAD

Open-Source 3D Modeling for Engaged Designers

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4.3
Based on +200 reviews
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This computer-aided design software offers powerful 3D modeling, parametric design, and flexible file formats, suitable for both beginners and professionals.

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FreeCAD is a versatile computer-aided design software that facilitates detailed 3D modeling and parametric design workflows. It supports various file formats, enabling easy collaboration across different platforms. The user-friendly interface accommodates both beginners and experienced designers, allowing users to create complex geometries with precision. Additionally, its extensive plugin capabilities enhance functionality, making it ideal for projects ranging from product design to architectural planning.

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LibreCAD

Open-Source 2D CAD Design Solution

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3.9
Based on 121 reviews
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Intuitive CAD software with 2D drawing tools, layer management, and import/export capabilities for various file formats.

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LibreCAD offers a comprehensive set of features tailored for 2D design projects. With its intuitive interface, users can easily navigate through a variety of drawing tools. The software supports layer management, allowing designers to organize their work effectively. Additionally, it ensures compatibility with different file formats, enabling seamless import and export processes. Ideal for architects, engineers, and hobbyists alike, it provides the versatility needed for diverse design tasks.

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MicroStation

Advanced CAD Design Software for Precision Projects

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4.5
Based on +200 reviews
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This CAD software offers powerful 2D and 3D design tools, advanced rendering capabilities, and seamless interoperability with various file formats.

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MicroStation provides robust features for both 2D and 3D design, making it ideal for architects, engineers, and designers. It includes advanced modeling tools, high-quality rendering options, and extensive library resources. Additionally, it supports a wide range of file formats for easy collaboration across different platforms. With a user-friendly interface, it enhances productivity while maintaining accuracy in complex projects.

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QCAD

Intuitive CAD Solution for Precision Drafting

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4.3
Based on 35 reviews
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This CAD software offers powerful 2D and 3D drafting tools, advanced layer management, extensive file format support, and customizable user interface for efficient design workflows.

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QCAD is a robust CAD solution designed for professional designers and engineers. It features advanced tools for creating detailed 2D and 3D models, ensuring precision in every project. The software supports a wide array of file formats, facilitating easy collaboration with stakeholders. Users benefit from an intuitive interface that can be customized to enhance productivity. Its effective layer management allows for better organization of complex designs, making QCAD suitable for both novice and experienced users.

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Rhino7

Unleash Creativity with Advanced 3D Modeling Tools

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4.7
Based on +200 reviews
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Robust CAD software with advanced modeling tools, rendering capabilities, and precision constraints for efficient design workflows.

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Rhino7 is a powerful CAD software that offers advanced modeling tools tailored for various design needs. With features like versatile rendering capabilities, users can create visually stunning images and prototypes. Additionally, precision constraints ensure high accuracy in designs, enhancing workflow efficiency. Whether for architectural or industrial design projects, this software maximizes productivity through its user-friendly interface and comprehensive toolset.

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Solid Edge

Powerful 3D CAD Design with Solid Edge

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4.5
Based on +200 reviews
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This CAD software offers advanced 3D modeling, simulation tools, and seamless collaboration features to streamline product design processes and enhance productivity.

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Solid Edge is a powerful CAD solution that provides users with cutting-edge 3D modeling capabilities, robust simulation tools to test designs under real-world conditions, and collaborative features that facilitate teamwork across distances. With its easy-to-navigate interface, integration with various engineering software, and comprehensive support for creating detailed documentation, Solid Edge is designed to improve design efficiency and enhance creative workflows in any engineering environment.

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Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software: purchase guide

Positioning of CAD software

Software such as AutoCAD is well known due to its long history in the CAD market. 30 years ago, AutoCAD made it possible to move from drawing board to computer-based drawing design. In fact, AutoCAD is still widely used in 2D drawing design today, although it has been integrating 3D functions natively for several years.

Other Computer-Aided Design software is also very present on the market with a different positioning of AutoCAD. Sketchup is growing well, for example, because the software is user-friendly and allows fast rendering that highlights colors and light in addition to the basic plans. The 3D representation of a building is therefore very accessible without any mental projection effort.

Finally, software such as DraftSight is positioned on a more aggressive price in order to attract agencies and firms with a more modest budget.

Practical and precise, quickly choose CAD software to facilitate your 3D design work! Discover the advantages of using a CAD software solution. Here are some tips to help you choose the most appropriate design software for your company!

Guide to CAD software

CAD software has become essential because it is so practical and facilitates calculations before creating an object. All right! All right! But what is it really about? CAD is a Computer-Aided Design. Unlike CAD software, CAD solutions go further than drawing software. It leads to the design of an object or a product assembly by 3D modeling. It has replaced the traditional technical drawing in the industrial field, but not only. Furniture, architecture, urban planning, the fields of application of CAD are very varied. Indeed, the 3D CAD planning software offers a useful tool for various companies. Saving time, more precision, simulating constraints, CAD is also ideal for digital models or 3D modeling. Your company will find it interesting to choose a 3D design solution. Your team will test the imagined products. Explore the world of computer-aided design and select the most suitable 3D CAD software. Intuitive, free software, design software? We explain everything to you so that you can make the best purchase according to your company's needs!

What is CAD?

As its name suggests, the design is supported by powerful computer software. CAD is a real asset for the design of objects with diversified parameters. Indeed, the 3D CAD software takes into account the many constraints. It integrates the strength of the materials, the weight constraint or the ability to bend apart. Assemble components, manipulate 3D objects and manage large assemblies in a few clicks from your desktop with the performance of your 3D design software

Why should you use CAD software?

With CAD, you can make simple plans with computer assistance. CAD software is a more complete tool because it simulates by not neglecting the weight and strength constraints or the practicality of an object. CAD is essential in the industrial field but is not limited to this universe. Widely used in design or as architectural software, CAD software can also be used to design objects for medical purposes. It can be used by all companies that produce technical drawings and need to interact with various constraints and materials.

CAD software in the cloud or on a fixed workstation? 

The answer to this question depends on how you use it in your company. Will there be several of you working on a project? In this case, the cloud offers you the possibility to initiate collaborative work but also to be accessible from anywhere. If you only have one person to manipulate the software for 3D design, direct your choice towards a single software. Then decide whether you want free software or paid software. The first solution is free but often limited. You will not have access to all the features. It is sometimes more sensible to opt for a paid version in order not to limit the possibilities of your 3D rendering. 

What are the advantages of CAD software? 

The 3D design software no longer has so much to prove as it has made its place in the professional field. CAD software is:

  • Saving time in product design.
  • The precision of the ribs that automatically adapt when you change scales.
  • The possibility to select various materials whose constraints are included in the data of the 3D modeling software.
  • An extensive library of predefined shapes that you can adapt to your needs.
  • Various textures with shadows and light effects.
  • The ability to view the object from all angles. 
  • Accurate calculations and the ability to estimate the costs of manufacturing a product.
  • Manage large assemblies that are not always easy to handle in reality.

Which CAD software for your company?

To choose the most efficient 3D creation software, it is essential to clearly define your company's needs. Here are some 3D CAD software at your disposal:

  • Google Sketchup: This is a very intuitive and easy-to-use modeling software. It is particularly well suited to the field of architecture but can also be used in other fields. It is free of charge.
  • AutoCAD: On Mac or Windows, it is ideal for mechanical and electronic engineers but is also very useful for urban planning and architecture. AutoCAD 2018 offers a free trial version.
  • Catia: This is the 3D design software solution designed by Dassault Systèmes. It is one of the most widely used software and is perfectly suited for companies of all sizes. 

Computer-Aided Design (CAD) softwares: Q&A

How does a computer-aided design (CAD) software work?

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CAD software is used to create, modify, and optimize 2D and 3D designs. It uses mathematical algorithms to generate precise and accurate models that can be easily edited and analyzed. The software allows designers to create complex designs that would be difficult to achieve manually.

What features should I look for when looking for computer-aided design (CAD) software?

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Look for software that has a user-friendly interface, and a wide range of tools and features, such as 3D modeling, rendering, and animation. The software should also have good compatibility with other programs, support file sharing, and have good customer support.

What are the benefits of computer-aided design (CAD) for my company?

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CAD software can help companies reduce errors and design time, improve collaboration between teams, and provide accurate modeling and visualization of products. It can also help companies save money by reducing the need for physical prototypes and improving production efficiency.

What are the best computer-aided design (CAD) software options?

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Some of the best CAD software options include AutoCAD, SolidWorks, and SketchUp. AutoCAD is widely used in the industry for 2D drafting, while SolidWorks is popular for 3D modeling and simulation. SketchUp is a user-friendly option that is popular for architectural and interior design.

What are the free computer-aided design (CAD) software alternatives I could try?

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Some free CAD software alternatives include FreeCAD, Tinkercad, and LibreCAD. FreeCAD is a powerful open-source CAD program that supports both 2D and 3D design. Tinkercad is a web-based program that is popular for 3D printing and simple design projects. LibreCAD is a 2D CAD program that is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux.