Open Source Autodesk AutoCAD Alternatives
Known for robust compatibility and as the standard application for computer-aided design, Autodesk AutoCAD supports a wide variety of files formats. Though there are other alternatives that support the opening of .dwg files that store 2D and 3D data.
As AutoCAD is paid software, you might want to look into the many free alternatives that are available. On top of this, though AutoCAD is available on most popular desktop and mobile operating systems, it does not have a Linux-based client, so alternatives to AutoCAD that run on Linux are available as well.
- FreeCAD is a general purpose parametric 3D CAD modeler. The development is completely Open Source (LGPL License). View 92 alternatives to FreeCAD
- Free • Open Source
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
FreeCAD vs Autodesk AutoCAD
eduardoortiz1 Because is an user friendly software and is free to use.Autodesk Autocad is very expensiveI use Freecad to design my 3D printing models.Freecad is (as mentioned in the description) for 3D parametric CAD, and has no drafting functionality worth speaking of. Not a bad program, but certainly not an AutoCAD replacement. It has much more similarity to SolidWorks than AutoCADFreeCAD is a 3D parametric CAD whereas AutoCAD is more oriented for 2D drawings. On the other hand, FreeCAD is still buggy and lacks of important workbenches (whereas others like a robot simulator are available even if they are not suitable for a professional use)Autocad is a 2d cad mostly. Freecad is a parametric design software. Different purposes different design paradigm.AutoCAD is a 2D drawing program, mostly used for architecture and structures. FreeCAD is 3D and aimed at mechanical engineers. They do different things.Not bad for a free Software, but Workflow seems very antiquated and unneccessarily complicated. It lacks logic on available tools in different workbenches. There are much ways to get to your goal but every way takes really a lot of clicks and more of trial and error. - LibreCAD (originally QCad then CADuntu) is an open source 2D CAD application for Windows, Apple and Linux. View 107 alternatives to LibreCAD
- Free • Open Source
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- PortableApps.com
LibreCAD vs Autodesk AutoCAD
umix A lightweight, AutoCAD-like 2D CAD program. Feature set is smaller than AutoCAD, but is sufficient to work with 2D drawings. A command line is available, as well as a built-in scripting language. If you have experience in AutoCAD, then there will be no problems with working in LibreCAD. There is a support forum and wiki.Ideal for preparing 2D drawings. Better than AutoCAD LT in some ways but can be a bit flaky.LibreCAD can't reliably open .dwg files, which are an industry standard in construction. This means it is not a viable alternative for many people. LibreCAD does not support XRefs, although fewer people use that functionality.No open AutoCAD files, say need permissions.Autocad is based on text command usage. But librecad totally lacks it. And in addition, Librecad cannot open dlg files, only native cad files.No blockeditor or creating dynamic blocks.If you know Autocad, you will learn librecad lightning fast. - OpenSCAD is a software for creating solid 3D CAD objects. It is free software and available for Linux/UNIX, MS Windows and MacOS. View 35 alternatives to OpenSCAD
- Open source 3D geometry modeling system with a robust feature set developed over 20 years. View 65 alternatives to BRL-CAD
- Open CASCADE Technology is a software development platform freely available in open source. View 17 alternatives to Open CASCADE
- Powerfull 3D design tool for 3D printing, virtual reality and game engine. Exports to STL, OBJ, and HTML5 3D websites. View 102 alternatives to MakerSCAD
- Freemium • Open Source
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Chrome OS
- Varkon is a very powerful parametric 2D/3D CAD, modeling and application development tool for engineering, design, architecture, etc. View 32 alternatives to VARKON
Discontinued
The project seems no longer developed. Last version, 1.19E, released in November 2012, can be still downloaded from SourceForge.
- Free • Open Source
- Windows
- Linux
- Archimedes is a free and open source CAD (Computer Aided Design) software. It is a robust system built over Eclipse’s Rich Client Java Platform fully based on plug ins. View 48 alternatives to Archimedes
Discontinued
The project seems no longer developed. Last version, 0.66, released in June 2012, can be still downloaded from SourceForge.
- Free • Open Source
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- gCAD3D is a 3D CAD CAM application that features an integrated 3D OpenGL viewer, a program interpreter for geometry and NC-commands in 3D, an integrated NC-processor, and a... View 56 alternatives to gCAD3D
- ImplicitCAD is a programmatic CAD program, implemented in Haskell. Unlike traditional CAD programs, programmatic CAD programs use text descriptions of objects, as in programming. View 26 alternatives to ImplicitCAD