This month, I've seen several posts about DraftSight, a free CAD software that support DWG files. I've tried it in few minutes, and it's actually quite nice. For a freeware, it is a good software. For home and students, we can use it as alternative for AutoCAD. It looks like it, and feels like it. Well… older AutoCAD.
Although it is a nice alternative to have, but honestly I'm quite disappointed. We know that there are many drafting software that look and feel like AutoCAD. It is normal to see a community trying to provide cheaper or even free alternative for well known software. But I expect a well known company like Dassault Systemes will release their own solution.
Click next, and when AutoCAD ask you for file name, give it door schedule.dxe. You can use this file again later when you need to create another door schedule. Page 2 – Define Data Source. AutoCAD give you a choice: you want to create a data extraction from file(s) or from some objects in your drawing. CADsketch allows you to quickly and easily create hand-drawn effects from AutoCAD DWG/DXF and HPGL PLT files. CADsketch is the answer to complaints about the dull nature of computer-generated line drawings. CADsketch takes the lines in your drawings and applies random changes to them. Welcome To ACAD Tutorials I am Anket KamtekarIn this Video We create classic workspace in autocad 2020follow my steps AutoCAD 2020 Download: https://youtu.
- It looks fancy, but they consume many resources. Even if you use Windows XP, this will help to reduce Windows to consume too many resources. Press Win key (the one Windows logo) and type on search ‘advanced system settings' – without quote. Click the icon when it appears. If you use Windows XP, right click my computer then choose properties.
- Make DWG's look like hand drawings. I'm looking to make my AutoCAD Drawings look like Hand Drawings for presentations. I've seen it done before through AutoCAD a few years ago, but I don't know how to do it, or what the command might be called. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I want to share my opinion on this. This is purely my personal opinion, not reflects any organization or company that I'm involved.
It will Never be Better
This is a conversation between Dre Parker and mr Han in Karate Kid movie. They look down to Dragon's well and see their reflection.
'What do you see Shao Dre?'
'Me'
Jacky Chan wave his hand over the water.
'Now what do you see?'
'Now it's blurry'
One thing we realize when we release a software that mimic a well known application is, it will never be bigger than the original. I have seen how some sales person trying hard to convince people that they can directly use it like AutoCAD, they can open their DWG files, AutoCAD this, AutoCAD that… Probably they mention it even more than mentioning their own product, more than Autodesk partner sales. Free promotion for Autodesk. At the best shot, it will only as good as AutoCAD is.
If it works like AutoCAD, then it has all it's flaws. And their own flaws. They probably don't bother to try creating a better software. As long as it works close to the original, that's the purpose. Even if they add more functionalities that work better than AutoCAD, their users will never use it anyway. Why should they? They are looking for AutoCAD, not other CAD software. The only thing that can make the users happy is it works like it.
It will Not Encourage Software Development
If every software just trying to look like and feel like AutoCAD (or other well known software), then what good can it brings? Autodesk can be lazy developing it, and people still want to buy it.
I remember when the first time SketchUp was introduced. I think it was quite revolutionary, many people like it. Autodesk and Bentley Systems quickly add the SketchUp like features to AutoCAD and MicroStation. And we can see now many CAD software support importing SketchUp files.
I really wish to see something new like SketchUp, so we can have revolutionary features. Applications like that will keep CAD vendors busy to catch up with new features.
To be Different is Good
Bentley has MicroStation, their flagship product. It can do almost everything AutoCAD can do, but it's not the same. Some features are better than AutoCAD. I'm not saying MicroStation is better, because sometimes it doesn't. AutoCAD is better in some area, but MicroStation can be better in other area.
When I use AutoCAD, sometimes I wish it has MicroStation way. And when I use MicroStation, I wish it can be done like in AutoCAD. For short, it offers an alternative as solution when working with the other is harder.
Do you think Apple will have a big brand and loyal customers if Mac OS looks and feels like Windows? If the only thing the application can do is close to AutoCAD, I believe they are hardly can get loyal users. Except for open source community. They are different types of users :) they are geeks…
My Conclusion
While alternative is good, I really expect something that can give a difference. Not just about low price or free. In my opinion, the ‘AutoCAD wanna be' can be alternative until we can afford it. But I will not use them if I depends on AutoCAD in my office.
What about you? What do you think about these applications? Do you have any experience using them?
Autodesk's AutoCAD is an industry-standard for high-end CAD designing. But does that make it the right CAD tool for your construction business?
Autodesk is a juggernaut in the industrial drafting solutions market. And its products are the go-to tools for many types of professionals, including product designers, architects, and instrumentation engineers.
Golf around! download free. The company's AutoCAD is a popular tool in the construction industry, offering features such as 3D modeling and parametric constraints. But big things have long shadows; in AutoCAD's case it's the $1,610 per user per year price tag. It's a fairly expensive option, especially for small construction firms.
If you're looking for a less expensive software option, the fact that the market is fraught with terrible AutoCAD knockoffs doesn't help either.
So, we've done the research to bring you the top four AutoCAD alternatives. Read on to learn about the key capabilities and pricing of the top four AutoCAD alternatives for construction businesses.
How we selected the best AutoCAD alternatives
Products are listed in alphabetical order. To make the list, products had to meet the following criteria:
How Do I Make Autocad Look Like Windows On Mac
- Core AutoCAD capabilities: The product had to offer similar 2D and 3D modeling capabilities and support similar file types to AutoCAD.
- Minimum of 20 user reviews published on Capterra's site in the last two years: Recent reviews help us analyze the pros and cons of the alternatives.
- High 'likelihood to recommend' rating: The product should have an average recommendation rating of at least 8 out of 10 on Capterra.
- High 'features and functionality' rating: The product must have a minimum functionality rating of 4 out of 5 stars on Capterra.
1. FreeCAD: Open source parametric 3D CAD modeler
| Recommendation rating:8.1/10 Features & functionality rating:4.2/5.0 Reviews:71 |
FreeCAD comes with capabilities such as 3D parametric modeling, robot simulation, 2D drawing and sketching, and a rendering module for creating high-quality 3D images.
The tool is suitable for a wide range of uses in manufacturing and engineering industries. However, construction businesses can also use it to create floor plans or to design 3D building models.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Users like the tool's many features, considering it's completely free to use for commercial purposes. | Users mention that certain modules can become outdated when there are no updates from the community. |
| Users also like the fact that the tool is lightweight and works on most systems, even those with low RAM, without crashing. | Users also say that there is a steep learning curve. |
How much does FreeCAD cost? | |
| FreeCAD is an open-source solution and can be freely downloaded for use on platforms such as Windows, macOS, and Linux. |
3D modeling of a building in FreeCAD(Source)
2. SketchUp: Intuitive 3D modeling
| Recommendation rating:9.6/10 Features & functionality rating:4.8/5.0 Reviews:128 |
SketchUp helps users draw 2D construction plans as well as 3D models of buildings. Along with design-related features, the tool offers features for document management with support for numerous file types (including DXF, DWG, FBX, OBJ, XSI, and VRML) and the facility to export images (including PDFs and HD animations).
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Users mention that the tool has a short learning curve. | Users mention the tool is not suitable for large-scale designs that require parametric modeling. |
| Users like the intuitive interface that makes direct 3D modeling easy. | Users say the tool lacks functionalities and relies heavily on plugins, which come at an additional cost. |
How much does SketchUp cost? | |
| SketchUp's cloud-based version offers a basic free plan for personal use; the paid plans start at $119 per user per year. The on-premise version is priced at $695 (one-time license fee), with an additional $120 for annual upgrades. |
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3D construction plan design in SketchUp (Source)
3. SolidWorks Premium: Full-featured CAD tool
| Recommendation rating:8.6/10 Features & functionality rating:4.5/5.0 Reviews:324 |
SolidWorks Premium is a good option for 3D sketchers who want CAD software for detailed design work. The tool comes with extensive design features that allow for creating 2D drawings and 3D models. The tool also supports document management (with version control) for building a repository of up-to-date designs.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Users like the tool's wide set of functionalities for 3D modeling. | User mention that the software is buggy and prone to crashes. |
| Users like the vendor's exhaustive training resources. | Users mention that the software is incompatible with any operating software beside Windows. |
How much does SolidWorks Premium cost? | |
| SolidWorks Premium's license costs and terms of use vary based on whether you're using it for commercial or academic purposes. The student version is $150 for a 12-month term-of-use license fee; the commercial pricing is customized based on a business's specific needs. |
3D image design in SolidWorks (Source)
4. Vectorworks Architect: Suitable for BIM modeling
| Recommendation rating:8.0/10 Features & functionality rating:4.4/5.0 Reviews:25 |
Vectorworks Architect offers capabilities such as 2D drawing, 3D modeling, and building information modeling (BIM). As its name suggests, the tool is designed to help architects; it allows building 3D construction site models, drawing site blueprints, and designing digital walk-through presentations.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Users like the tool's capabilities to integrate with other CAD solutions. | Users say the tool comes with a steep learning curve. |
| Users also like the tool's capabilities for creating high quality graphics. | Users mention that the tool can become slow on computers running on fewer than 4GB RAM. |
How much does Vectorworks Architect cost? | |
| Vectorworks Architect offers only custom pricing for the software with a free 30-day trial period. |
Designing stairs in Vectorworks (Source)
What other great CAD options are out there?
Is there a great CAD program that we've missed? Battletech. What do you use? If you use AutoCAD, why do you prefer it? Let us know in the comments below!
The AutoCAD alternatives listed here are based on ratings from Capterra users. To expand your search, compare other CAD software on Capterra.
Note: Listed pros and cons are derived from features listed on the product website and product user reviews on Gartner Digital Markets domains (Capterra, GetApp, and Software Advice). They do not represent the views of, nor constitute an endorsement by, Capterra or its affiliates.
Looking for Construction Management software? Check out Capterra's list of the best Construction Management software solutions.
