Autodesk AutoCAD Alternatives for Linux

DraftSight

DraftSight is a professional-grade, open 2D CAD product for users who want a better way to read, write and share DWG files. DraftSight is easy to use and is available for professional CAD users, students and educators to download and activate for free.* Based on advanced architecture, DraftSight has a small footprint, should take less than a few minutes to download, and runs on multiple operating systems, including Windows XP®, Windows Vista® and Windows® 7.

• Because i'ts equal in 2D part. Very good, has free version, and multiplatform. Guest • Feb 2017 • 11 agrees and 2 disagrees Disagree   Agree
• the free version really read/write autocad files. rbadillarx • Mar 2017 • 4 agrees and 0 disagrees Disagree   Agree
• Despite my continuous research, I have never found anything else closer and compatible to autocad. I say this with a critical spirit, because compatibility is good, not perfect ...Unfortunately. Guest • Jun 2018 • 4 agrees and 0 disagrees Disagree   Agree
• It is almost the same as Autocad for 2D drawings. It is very good for small size drawings but no so good graphical performace for more complex drawings. Guest • Jun 2018 • 1 agrees and 0 disagrees Disagree   Agree
• One of the better, if not the best CAD for Linux. Works on Fedora, would recommend this program. Guest • Mar 2017 • 2 agrees and 1 disagrees Disagree   Agree
• DraftSight is developed as a competitor to AutoCAD 2D. Distributed as a free (well also has a paid version) software to compete with 2D AutoCAD. Guest • Jul 2016 • 2 agrees and 1 disagrees Disagree   Agree
• Fully compatible with, industry standard, AutoCAD DWG files. Uses a command line based interface that works in the same way as AutoCAD. Guest • Dec 2016 • 1 agrees and 1 disagrees Disagree   Agree
• The interface is very similar and it was able to open existing autocadd drawings. this allowed a seamless transition. Guest • Jan 2017 • 1 agrees and 1 disagrees Disagree   Agree
• Good compatibility and excellent 2D drafting tools Guest • Nov 2018 Disagree   Agree
• This is the closest program in functionality to Autocad, It could use some stability improvements. Guest • May 2017 Disagree   Agree

Freemium Mac Windows Linux

79 Like

FreeCAD

FreeCAD is a general purpose parametric 3D CAD modeler. The development is completely Open Source (LGPL License). FreeCAD is aimed directly at mechanical engineering and product design but also fits in a wider range of uses around engineering, such as architecture or other engineering specialties. FreeCAD features tools similar to Catia, SolidWorks or Solid Edge, and therefore also falls into the category of MCAD, PLM, CAx and CAE.

• 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 AutoCAD Guest • Jan 2017 • 19 agrees and 6 disagrees Disagree   Agree
• I use Freecad to design my 3D printing models. Guest • Oct 2015 • 8 agrees and 4 disagrees Disagree   Agree
• 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. Guest • Aug 2017 • 3 agrees and 2 disagrees Disagree   Agree
• AutoCAD is a 2D drawing program, mostly used for architecture and structures. FreeCAD is 3D and aimed at mechanical engineers. They do different things. Guest • Feb 2018 Disagree   Agree
• Because is an user friendly software and is free to use.Autodesk Autocad is very expensive eduardoortiz1 • Mar 2018 • 0 agrees and 1 disagrees Disagree   Agree
• Not directly supporting DWG: needs a commercial/trial license of a file converter Guest • Apr 2017 • 2 agrees and 3 disagrees Disagree   Agree
• Very good app, has many workbenches for different branches of engineering. It has a very helpful community forum. I really recommend trying it before looking for any other alternative. Guest • Jun 2017 • 0 agrees and 1 disagrees Disagree   Agree
• FreeCAD is not a bad program, but it seems to lack functionality that AutoCAD provides. Currently FreeCAD seems to be in an early stage of development, and should probably not be considered for use in a professional production context, as a replacement for AutoCAD. Guest • Mar 2017 • 0 agrees and 2 disagrees Disagree   Agree
• FreeCAD is a software for 3d parametric model, AutoCAD is not that. Guest • Sep 2015 • 0 agrees and 6 disagrees Disagree   Agree

Free Open Source Mac Windows Linux

212 Like

LibreCAD

LibreCAD (originally QCad then CADuntu) is an open source 2D CAD application for Windows, Apple and Linux. It is based on Qt, which is a leading cross-platform application and UI development framework. LibreCAD can read DWG files (and others) as of the latest Nightly build. It writes DXF files, but can also export SVG, JPG, PNG, PDF and other files.

• LibreCAD is only a 2d Drafting software while AutoCAD also has 3d modelling capabilities Guest • May 2016 • 8 agrees and 7 disagrees Disagree   Agree
• If you know Autocad, you will learn librecad lightning fast. Guest • Jan 2018 • 2 agrees and 1 disagrees Disagree   Agree
• No blockeditor or creating dynamic blocks. Guest • Feb 2018 Disagree   Agree
• Similar GUI like AutoCAD, and for 2D drawing, it is a perfect solution Guest • Jul 2017 • 1 agrees and 2 disagrees Disagree   Agree

Free Open Source Mac Windows Linux PortableApps.com

109 Like

BricsCAD

A powerful CAD platform, with features familiar to you from native .dwg applications. BricsCAD® unifies advanced 2D design with the intelligence of 3D direct modeling. For Windows, Linux, and Mac. It supports hundreds of third party applications based on .dwg, from all over the world and all this at a very fair price.

• BricaCAD runs most native AutoCAD programming interfaces, lisp, diesel, pgp, brx (modified arx). Guest • Apr 2018 • 2 agrees and 0 disagrees Disagree   Agree

Commercial Mac Windows Linux

35 Like

OpenSCAD

OpenSCAD is a software for creating solid 3D CAD objects. It is free software and available for Linux/UNIX, MS Windows and MacOS. Unlike most free software for creating 3D models (such as the famous application Blender) it does not focus on the artistic aspects of 3D modelling but instead on the CAD aspects.

Free Open Source Mac Windows Linux

52 Like

SolveSpace

SolveSpace is an Open Source 2D and 3D CAD (computer-aided design) program. It is a constraint-based parametric modeler with simple mechanical simulation capabilities. It is developed by Jonathan Westhues.

Free Open Source Mac Windows Linux

24 Like

BRL-CAD

BRL-CAD is a powerful cross-platform open source solid modeling system that includes interactive geometry editing, high-performance ray-tracing for rendering and geometric analysis, image and signal-processing tools, a system performance analysis benchmark suite, libraries for robust geometric representation, with more than 20 years of active development.

Free Open Source Mac Windows Linux

44 Like

QCAD

QCAD is an application for computer aided drafting in 2D. With QCAD you can create technical drawings such as plans for buildings, interiors, mechanical parts or schemas and diagrams. QCad uses the AutoCAD DXF file format internally and to save and import files. AutoCAD DWG support is available as a commercial plugin. QCAD is available in two versions: Community edition and Professional edition. QCAD Community Edition is free and open source.

Free Personal Mac Windows Linux

19 Like

Open CASCADE

Open CASCADE Technology is a software development platform freely available in open source. It includes components for 3D surface and solid modeling, visualization, data exchange and rapid application development. Open CASCADE Technology can be best applied in development of numerical simulation software including CAD/CAM/CAE, AEC and GIS, as well as PDM applications. System requirements: http://www.opencascade.org/getocc/require/

Free Open Source Windows Linux

7 Like

Assetforge

Asset Forge allows anyone to create 3D models and 2D sprites using building blocks. Finished assets are compatible with most available game engines. You'll have access to a large library of pre-made blocks, they're each grouped in different categories. You can place an unlimited number of blocks in your creation after which it's possible to export and use in the game engine for your choice.

Commercial Mac Windows Linux

3 Like

BricsCAD Shape

BricsCAD Shape lets you create without limits. Sculpt your ideas in solids from the start. It’s the power of free-form modeling with full CAD accuracy.

• Work very well, cross platform, closer to AutoCAD than sketchup. munteanueveronyka • Oct 2018 Disagree   Agree

Commercial $ $ $ Mac Windows Linux

4 Like

MakerSCAD

Powerfull 3D design tool for 3D printing, virtual reality and game engine. Exports to STL, OBJ, and HTML5 3D websites.

Freemium $ $ $ Open Source Mac Windows Linux Web Chrome OS

3 Like

Cademia

CADEMIA is a modern CAD system with a full functionality to create dimensional accurate technical drawings and documents. Existing software tools for the planning process have severe limitations: They are restricted in openness, they are dependent on the platform, they are complex to use and to program and the users have a limited exertion of influence on the further development.

Freemium Mac Windows Linux

4 Like

ImplicitCAD

ImplicitCAD is a programmatic CAD program, implemented in Haskell. Unlike traditional CAD programs, programmatic CAD programs use text descriptions of objects, as in programming. Concepts like variables, control structures and abstraction are used, just as in programming.

Free Open Source Mac Windows Linux

VARKON

Varkon is a very powerful parametric 2D/3D CAD, modeling and application development tool for engineering, design, architecture, etc. It does 2D drafting, 2D and 3D modeling, sculptured surface modeling, and even animations. Varkon is a free CAD system and high level development tool for Engineering, Computer Aided Design and Product Modeling applications.

• 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

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. This means it is easily extensible but also has a pretty thin core that allows you to select the features you need and drop the other ones easily.

• 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

7 Like

SelfCAD

SelfCAD is a browser-based 3D CAD/CAM software designed from ground up for the 3D printing community. It includes a CURA based slicer with preset settings for most commonly used 3D printers and materials. It includes a 25,000+ library of guaranteed printable objects through its MyMiniFactory partnership. Its complete suite includes hard and soft modeling with advanced objects and image generators.

Commercial $ $ $ Mac Linux Web Chrome OS

8 Like

gCAD3D

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 programming interface for user programs. It has support for importing Step files and support for both importing and exporting Iges, DXF, and VRML files.

Free Windows Linux

2 Like

VariCAD

VariCAD is compact, fast, easy to use, and provides everything necessary for mechanical design. VariCAD is sold "fully loaded", including all features and functions, for one affordable price.

Commercial Windows Linux

3 Like

ARES Commander

All the productive tools and smart features for 2D drafting and design that you expect at a reasonable price. With DWG 2010 as its primary drawing file format and DXF support. ARES Commander Edition integrates the ACIS 3D Solid Modeler. Also, it is fully programmable and customizable through common program languages. And, it reads and writes ESRI® Shape files, allowing you to visualize maps and geographic models created by GIS applications.

Commercial Mac Windows Linux

2 Like

Arcad

The ARCAD Systemhaus offers with the CAD and AVA system a professional industry-specific solution for the operating system LINUX. As on a 3D volume model based software ARCAD offers you a quick mass calculation and quantity calculation, an automatic generation of views as well as an integrated visualisation. All required data of the planner can be obtained from the 3D model.

Commercial Mac Linux

1 Like

ar-cad freeCAD

freeCAD is a basic 3D CAD with advanced Motion Simulation capabilities. It is suitable for anyone interested in learning 3D CAD and Motion Simulation for free before using more sophisticated packages. Its motion simulation capabilities are comparable to the best and can provide accurate answers to engineers and scientists in diverse fields.

Free Windows Linux