What are the best free AutoCAD alternatives? Read our reviews of the top free CAD programs for technical 2D and 3D modeling design.
AutoCAD was the first of the CAD programs that allow us to create designs in two or three dimensions, in such a way as to be used in different fields of engineering, architecture, mechanics, electronics, and so forth. Unfortunately, the high price of AutoCAD software makes it very often not affordable for all budgets. Here, therefore, is a special article containing what we think are the best free AutoCAD alternatives. In this article, we see the list of the 10 best free programs to download for Windows PC, Mac and Linux.
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The 10 best free alternative to AutoCAD
Finding alternatives to professional programs as established as AutoCAD is always an arduous task and, in many cases, the alternatives do not cover all the needs.
Luckily, free software has a good number of options and alternatives to AutoCAD that allow you to use functions and design tools very similar to those you can find in AutoCAD, offering you the possibility of importing and exporting files with the DWG file format. native AutoCAD.
The possibility of these free CAD programs to save costs is one of the greatest advantages of this type of alternatives.
Let’s review some of the top 10 free alternatives to AutoCAD.
FREECAD
FreeCAD is a completely free CAD especially designed to create 3D models and is primarily for mechanical engineering but also goes well in other engineering applications, such as in architecture. It uses the main format FCStd but you can also import and export to other formats such as STEP, DXF, SVG, DAE, IGES, STL, and others. FreeCAD also allows you to extend its functionality through the use of special plugins and has a very comprehensive graphical interface. It is available in many languages for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. Want to know more and download the software? Just follow the link given below.
BRL-CAD
BRL-CAD is a Constructive Solid Geometry type free CAD program that allows you to create solid models through the use of Boolean algebra. You can use this software for graphics-based applications and also useful for engineering. BRL-CAD, among other things, also includes a geometric editor, the support to the raytracing, different tools for managing images and signals, a series of libraries that allow the cooperation with other software, as well as the analysis support ballistics and that electromagnetic. It allows you to import files in DXF and STL while it also allows you to export them to EUCLID, IGES, X3D and TANKILL, as well as in other formats. BRL-CAD is available for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. Want to know more and download the software? Just follow the link given below.
QCAD
QCAD is a CAD software licensed under the GPL that allows you to create and print 2D drawings. It uses files DXF and lately also manages the format DWG. You can export files in different formats. But, unfortunately, does not support the layout DXF and does not even allow you to export to VRML and SVG. QCAD is available for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux in multiple languages. Want to know more and download the software? Just follow the link given below.
LIBRECAD
Based on software libraries QCAD, LibreCAD is another CAD 2D drafting GPL. Most of the menus and commands in LibreCAD are very similar to AutoCAD, thus making it particularly easy to use by all those users already familiar with using the latter. LibreCAD allows only import files in the format DXF, however, it allows you to use a number of other formats to export files. LibreCAD is available for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux in various languages. Want to know more and download the software? Just follow the link given below.
ARCHIMEDES
Archimedes is a 2D CAD open-source software, licensed under the EPL, developed with the collaboration of some professional architects with the desire to create a better program than AutoCAD, making it, in addition, available for completely free. Among the various features offered by Archimedes are the basic drawing tools, export to format SVG, imported into XML and Arc. Unfortunately, Archimedes still missing export to other CAD formats, although that in DXF is under development. Archimedes is available for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. Want to know more and download the software? Just follow the link given below.
MEDUSA4 PERSONAL
MEDUSA4 Personal is a powerful 2D / 3D CAD Free package that is part of the MEDUSA4 CAD solutions family. Its spacious design features, similar to the most advanced commercial package, include basic 3D, parametric module, the integration of color images, as well as the design of sheet metal. MEDUSA4 Personal is available only for Windows operating systems. Want to know more and download the software? Just follow the link given below.
Download MEDUSA4 PERSONAL Here
DRAFTSIGHT
DraftSight is a free 2D CAD software that lets you create, edit and view both files in DWG files in the DXF. It has a graphical interface very similar to that offered by AutoCAD LT. But as soon as you save or print for the first time, to continue using free DraftSight, will be asked to activate it within 30 days, using a valid e-mail address. After which you will be asked to reactivate it after six months, and thereafter every year, that is, at intervals of 12 months. DraftSight is available for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux in various languages. Want to know more and download the software? Just follow the link given below.
Download DRAFTSIGHT Here
DOUBLECAD XT
DoubleCAD XT is one of the best free alternatives to AutoCAD LT since, due to its resemblance to the latter, both in appearance and in menus, commands and icons, it can be used without major problems on the part of those already accustomed to using AutoCAD LT. There is also a paid version, called TurboCAD LTE Pro, which offers a few more features than DoubleCAD XT, but this latest version is already more than enough because it has no type of limitation. In fact, it offers the opportunity to open and save files in the formats DWG, DXF and DWF, but if desired, can also use the templates provided by SketchUp and SketchUp Pro. You can use it both for private purposes and for business purposes. DoubleCAD XT is available only for Windows operating systems. Want to know more and download the software? Just follow the link given below.
NANOCAD
nanoCAD is another of the best free alternative to AutoCAD 2D / 3D type. It has a very similar graphical interface to AutoCAD and allows you to create, read and open files in format DWG. Unfortunately, nanoCAD is only available for Windows and in order to proceed to download, you must register via your email. However, just as with DoubleCAD XT, you can use nanoCAD both for private purposes and for commercial purposes. Want to know more and download the software? Just follow the link given below.
OPENSCAD
OpenSCAD is a CAD program that allows you to create solid models in 3D type Constructive Solid Geometry. This is not an interactive modeler, but, rather, a 3D compiler, which creates a 3D model before reading a particular script, even from files DXF in AutoCAD 2D. OpenSCAD is available for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. Want to know more and download the software? Just follow the link given below.
That’s all for now, folks. These are the 10 best free AutoCAD alternatives, in our opinion. Of course, in addition to these, there are also other free alternatives to AutoCAD, or still, other alternatives that are sold at a much more affordable price compared to the latter. However, we think that these, while each having its pros and cons, are just the best free alternative to AutoCAD.
Don’t forget to share your thoughts with us. Thank you.