Published on Gizmo's Freeware (https://www.techsupportalert.com)

Home > Best Free CAD Computer Aided Design Program

Best Free CAD Computer Aided Design Program [1]

Last updated by site.editor [2] on 20. June 2019 - 07:58

Introduction

If you've already used drafting software at work, then you've likely heard of industry giant, AutoCAD, which has enjoyed a near monopoly. Its drawing exchange file format, .DXF, gets revised continually and competing software has to keep step. This is one of the reasons why you'll often see older versions of expensive CAD software offered for free on the Internet, usually feature-limited.

It would astound you the number of extravagant packages that are essentially AutoCAD clones and can be had for download and free use. Be forewarned that their system requirements tend to be very hefty. Ideally, your PC should have two or more gigabytes of memory, a monitor capable of 1280 x 960 resolution, fast dual processors, a state-of-the-art graphics card and a motherboard that is extra well-cooled.

But Gizmo won't be pursuing the giant AutoCAD clones in depth here, because our readers aren't so much concerned with getting impeccably-perfect blueprints down to some factory to produce high-valued widgets. Those who are should, in all probability, shop elsewhere for software. And those who are planning any major or risky undertakings, such as tearing out an exterior wall of their home to erect a second-story balcony… they also should seek out the best guidance money can buy to ensure the safety of their constructions. None of the software that Gizmo's has cited below claims to analyze structural integrity.

Rated Products

[4]

SketchUp Make [4] [5]

A modestly trimmed-down version of Sketchup Pro

Our Rating:
5
License: Free (Limited features)
Creates surfaces from lines and extrudes 3D solids from surfaces, offers a huge library of pre-designed scenes and objects.
No discernible downside.
Read full review... [5]
[9]

Sweet Home 3D [9] [10]

A software package to tickle every bone in your body

Our Rating:
4.5
License: Free (Open source)
Offers a facile intuitive interface, access to a growing library of furnishings and objects, download can be bypassed, just use it online.
No discernible downside
Read full review... [10]
[13]

Blender [13] [14]

A complete software package for 3D modelling

Our Rating:
4.5
License: Free (Open source)
Can do it all, import/export more than 20 file formats, including DXF/DWG.
Not a drafting package per se, no classic dimensioning function.
Read full review... [14]
[16]

progeCAD Smart! [16] [17]

A recommendation for budding architects and engineers

Our Rating:
4
License: Free (Private/Educational use)
Really nice AutoCAD clone, not horribly feature-limited, libraries of over 11,000 blocks and symbols, minimum system requirements not unduly burdensome.
No reflection of DXF file format revisions after 2009.
Read full review... [17]
[19]

Sculptris [19] [20]

A great utility for working with OBJ files and more

Our Rating:
3
License: Free
Works with .OBJ files, creating shapes and then applying textures, incorporates a straightforward understandable GUI.
Not a general-purpose drafting program
Read full review... [20]

To Be Reviewed:

DraftSight Basic [22]: free, professional-grade CAD product to create, edit and view DWG files for windows, Mac and Linux.

Related Products and Links

You might want to check out these articles too:

Editor

This software category is in need of an editor. If you would like to give something back to the freeware community by taking it over, check out this page [24] for more details. You can then contact us from that page or by clicking here [25].

Back to the top of the article

Please rate this article: 

Your rating: None
4.27411
Average: 4.3 (197 votes)
Source URL: https://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-cad-computer-aided-design-programs.htm

Links
[1] https://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-cad-computer-aided-design-programs.htm
[2] https://www.techsupportalert.com/users/siteeditor
[3] https://www.techsupportalert.com/files/images/[field_photo]
[4] https://www.techsupportalert.com/content/sketchup-make.htm
[5] https://www.techsupportalert.com/node/7822
[6] http://www.sketchup.com/products/sketchup-make
[7] https://www.techsupportalert.com/content/installer_advice.htm
[8] https://plus.google.com/118396188147577447707?rel=author
[9] https://www.techsupportalert.com/content/sweet-home-3d.htm-0
[10] https://www.techsupportalert.com/node/7823
[11] http://www.sweethome3d.com/download.jsp
[12] http://www.sweethome3d.com/SweetHome3DOnline.jsp
[13] https://www.techsupportalert.com/content/blender.htm-0
[14] https://www.techsupportalert.com/node/7824
[15] https://www.blender.org/download/
[16] https://www.techsupportalert.com/content/progecad-smart.htm-0
[17] https://www.techsupportalert.com/node/7825
[18] http://www.progesoft.us/index.pl?id=3985
[19] https://www.techsupportalert.com/content/sculptris.htm-0
[20] https://www.techsupportalert.com/node/7826
[21] http://pixologic.com/sculptris/
[22] http://www.3ds.com/products/draftsight/overview/
[23] https://www.techsupportalert.com/content/best-free-lego-building-program.htm
[24] https://www.techsupportalert.com/become-a-reviewer.htm
[25] https://www.techsupportalert.com/content/id-become-editor-gizmos-freeware.htm