CAD, or computer-aided design, refers to the use of computers to design or technically document with an automated process. In the design industry, architects, designers, drafters, and engineers use 2D or 3D CAD programs to draft construction documentation, visualize concepts with photorealistic renderings, and preview the unbuilt.
Today, we’ll introduce some of the free CAD programs with their merits and features. Hope this article will help you meet the best free CAD programs to get amazing 3D models and 3D prints for your project!
Best Free CAD Software
Here we’ve summarized the information including the pros and cons of each free CAD software:
#1. Autodesk AutoCAD
Pricing: Free 30-day trial, or $1,865 per year.
OS: Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile apps available.
Architects and designers use AutoCAD for both 2D and 3D designs. With free AutoCAD software, you can product design, do simulations of the structure, and create incredible accurate 3D visualizations. If you’re wondering whether this is the right software for your expertise, we’ll say AutoCAD is suitable for both beginners and professionals.
AutoCAD allows its users to set dimensions on the drawings, and build them automatically based on the given dimensions. At last, the result can be immediately printed on 3D printers, exported to any social networks, or just share by e-mails. On top of this, you can enjoy a connected design experience on any device, including desktop and mobile. The interface is user-friendly and easy to use, and we believe it is one of the best free architectural software.
#2. FreeCAD
Pricing: Free.
OS: Windows, macOS, Linux.
FreeCAD is an amazing drafting program with an open source and a simple interface. Because of its extensive functionality, FreeCAD is a good choice for both beginners and professionals. However, it requires knowledge of Python language if you hope to develop professional projects. Therefore, it is one of the best drafting programs for simple and basic designs.
This free CAD program reads and writes to many file formats including DWG, DXF, PDF, SVG and other popular formats.
#3. TinkerCAD
Pricing: Free.
OS: Online.
TinkerCAD is an online application, which means you can access it easily on your browser instead of downloading the program. Besides, it is super user-friendly because this best free CAD program has an easy-to-understand approach to shape 3D models. How it works is that you can create the object you want by placing blocks one by one.
The best thing of TinkerCAD is that it allows you to juice up your ideas without any 3D modeling or drafting experience. Thus, it is an ideal CAD program for beginners.
#4. SketchUp
Pricing: 30-day free trial, or $699 per year.
OS: Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile apps available.
SketchUp is a well-know and widely-used professional CAD software, especially for architects, interior designers, and engineers. It offers more than professionally-developed drafting, you can also enjoy creating 3D models and document 3D ideas in 2D.
Another merit of SketchUp is that it has hundreds of professional extensions to create an instinctive 3D experience. At the same time, this best free CAD software is equipped with an open-source library with a large collection of 3D models. In this way, you’re free to choose and use the right model for your project. At last, the SketchUp Free is a web platform which is totally free for personal use and students!
If you’re interested in SketchUp, you can check out our case study of using SketchUp here: A Mixed-use in Vietnam.
#5. OpenSCAD
Pricing: Free trial.
OS: Windows, macOS, Linux.
First things first, OpenSCAD is not suitable for all CAD users. Instead of focusing on the artistic side of the result, OpenSCAD is more for elaborated CAD projects. That is to say, OpenSCAD is the ideal application when you are planning to create 3D models of architecture or machine parts.
It’s a sure thing that OpenSCAD is not an interactive modeler. As a user, you have full control over the modeling process based on descriptive language.
#6. Fusion 360
Pricing: Free for personal use, or $409 per year for business use.
OS: Windows, macOS, Linux and online.
Fusion 360 is the first and only integrated cloud CAD, CAM, CAE, and PCB software platform. As an all-in-one drafting software, Fusion 360 allows you design your idea while engineering and creating with comprehensive electronics and PCB design tools. This free CAD program from Autodesk is an ideal solution for mechanical engineering and product design.
Using Fusion 360’s generative design and simulation tools, you can get access to flexible 3D modeling and design, creating detailed visualizations of complex products, and connect your team and communicate in real-time to manage your exciting projects.
#7. 3D Builder
Pricing: Free.
OS: Windows.
3D Builder is the perfect solution for 3D modeling and 3D printing. This free CAD program has incredible processing speed and pure simple interface. However, this free drafting program is only available on Windows platforms, and is not for heavy model-making.
Surprisingly, 3D Builder is able to turn 2D images into 3D files. On top of that, you can choose freely in the library among already-made projects. On the mobile version of this free CAD program (you can download one on Windows mobile), the application is able to scan objects and convert them into 3D files.
#8. QCAD
Pricing: Free.
OS: Windows, macOS and Linux.
QCAD is an open source application for CAD to create 2D drawings. It is the perfect choice for you if you’re a beginner and working on architecture projects to develop blueprints. With this free CAD drafting program, you can create 2D drawings such as floor plans, mechanical parts and diagrams.
This free CAD software features over 40 construction tools and 20 modification tools. At the same time, it supports DXF and DWG input and output.
#9. Archicad GRAPHISOFT
Pricing: Free for personal use, or $240 per month.
OS: Windows, macOS and Linux.
As a building information modeling (BIM) solution designed for architects, designers, interior designers and urban planners, Archicad is available both in cloud-based and on-premise deployment options. Due to its name, many people believe it is a CAD program for architectural design. The truth is it deserves attention as one of the best free drafting programs.
The sober and uncluttered interface makes it easy to use. Meanwhile, you can manage several data in the same program. We believe it is the best free CAD software for small and medium-sized companies and studios.
#10. Solid Edge
Pricing: Free for Solid Edge Community Edition, or $75 per month.
OS: Windows.
Solid Edge is an engineering CAD software that helps design, simulate and assemble products in both 2D and 3D. The great thing of Solid Edge is that it allows teams to coordinate various aspects of the project development process by connecting digital 3D models.
With a simple and clean user interface, this free CAD program is great at importing and exporting other CAD files. Additionally, Solid Edge features cloud-based capabilities, which allows easy access across different devices.
Wrap Up
In this article, we’ve summarized 10 different free CAD software that suitable for certain types of tasks. If you’re looking for a reliable free 2D or 3D computer-aided design to help your project, please choose any of these options:
- Autodesk AutoCAD: 2D & 3D printing;
- FreeCAD: Converting real-life products;
- TinkerCAD: Best for beginners;
- SketchUp: 3D drawing and documentation;
- OpenSCAD: 3D modeling & 3D printing;
- Fusion 360: Overall 3d modeling;
- 3D Builder: 3D modeling & 3D printing;
- QCAD: 2D drafting;
- Archicad GRAPHISOFT: 2D & 3D modeling and rendering;
- Solid Edge: Intuitive mechanical & electrical design.
Choose the best solution among these free CAD software. You may also contact us for more information about free drafting programs or 3D architectural visualization service.