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The Best AutoCAD Alternatives of 2022 (3 Are Free)
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The flagship product of software company Autodesk, AutoCAD has been available since 1982 and is considered by many the grandfather of computer-aided design (CAD). Its prominence in the CAD community is comparable to that of Photoshop in the photo-editing community.To get more news about mechanical cad drawings, you can visit shine news official website.
The software comes with an array of features that make it a versatile tool for many industries, including industry-specific features and toolsets for engineering, architecture, graphic design, city planning, and even project management. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that AutoCAD is the go-to product for professionals, hobbyists, and students.
As you might expect, all of these features come at a cost: currently $1,775 per year, to be precise. Autodesk no longer offers perpetual licenses for AutoCAD, so it’s accessible only with a subscription. For many, it’s worth the price, but it’s a significant cost for non-professional users.
Luckily, AutoCAD has some worthy rivals with similar functionality and supporting infrastructure. But be warned: The market is crowded with not-so-great knockoffs. Fortunately, we’ve done the legwork to bring you the best AutoCAD alternatives.
Picking alternatives to AutoCAD is no easy task. And while there are many potential candidates out there, we’ll focus on alternatives that can truly wear AutoCAD’s hat. With this in mind, our selection is based on a few considerations:AutoCAD’s most popular applications are two-dimensional: architectural floorplans, factory layouts, electronic schematics, and so on. Therefore, a suitable alternative should be very 2D oriented and also capable of handling DWG and DXF files.
Finally, we acknowledge that some alternatives differ from AutoCAD, as each program offers different functions and focuses on specific application areas. With that said, the purpose of this article is to present an array of solutions so that you can decide which is the most suited to your needs.
BricsCAD is best known for having rich features in both 2D drawing and 3D modeling. In fact, those who are familiar with AutoCAD, especially the 2008 version, will note the similar interfaces. The huge library of third-party applications (i.e. plug-ins) can enhance user functionality.It’s fully compatible with templates, blocks, and sheets created within AutoCAD, with the extra advantage of natively supporting LISP routines and dynamic blocks. BricsCAD also claims to apply AI-based tools to recognize user intent and optimize tasks through the Blockify feature.
Direct 3D modeling tools are available with the Pro subscription (and above), with the Lite version only offering 2D drafting tools. The Platinum edition offers more advanced features than even those of AutoCAD, including sheet metal modeling. For those looking to use the software in the long term, BricsCAD also offers perpetual licenses for around double the price of an annual license, plus a small annual maintenance fee to keep your software updated.
CMS IntelliCAD was specifically designed to serve as an alternative to AutoCAD. It supports both 2D and 3D modeling techniques, including full BIM support and LISP compatibility. IntelliCAD works natively with DWG files and allows digital signatures just like AutoCAD.It provides an intuitive layout while still using the ribbon-style menu found in many CAD programs. CMS IntelliCAD’s built-in photorealistic rendering capabilities match those of AutoCAD and can be very useful for architectural and interior design applications.
IntelliCAD comes in various versions and, unlike many of the other options on this list, is mostly offered as a perpetual license. The cloud-based version, known as “Easy Run”, is offered via an annual subscription and can be accessed anywhere. Students and educators are eligible for a free license.