Free CAD Software is a life saving tool for every small companies or individuals to manufacture or test their products. Here, in this articles I am listing the best Free CAD Softwares those are functional and useful.
What is the Use of CAD Software?
Most of the professional categories relating to design and construction (mechanics, architecture, household appliance product) today use digital tools that make it possible to virtually design and manufacture an object before embarking on its physical realization.
This allows, among other things, to make considerable savings, for example by avoiding the production of very expensive and unsatisfactory prototypes. Free CAD software makes it possible to manufacture, adjust, test until the desired result is obtained before the final realization. They also make it possible to develop virtual environments, for example in the context of video games or computer animations.
However, if the largest companies have the means to afford costly tailor-made solutions, the smallest structures can aspire to a similar quality at a lower cost or even… for free. Indeed, in 2024 there are many FreeCAD Softwares that are perfectly functional.
Free CAD Softwares
We have listed our best free CAD software for you.
- Leopoly 3D
- LibreCAD
- Magica Voxel
- Free CAD
- Fusion 360
- Mesh Mixer
- QCAD
- NanoCAD
- Archimedes
- BRL-CAD
- TinkerCAD
- Blender
- SelfCAD
- Sketchup
- SolveSpace
- Kicad
- Solid Edge 2D
- Sculptris
- OpenSCAD
- Draftsight
- DoubleCAD XT
Leopoly 3D
Created by the Zspace platform, this hybrid, a cross between 3D structure software and CAD software, is intended for students specializing in modeling. Users have at their disposal virtual tools allowing them to “sculpt” their product before printing it in three dimensions.
LibreCAD
Very easy to use and it displays a 2D view, Libre CAD has chosen not to offer a lot of features. This allows the user to get to the point and is especially ideal for beginners wishing to get started with computer-aided design.
Magica Voxel
Magica Voxel is intended for illustrators and designers of online games in the Mine Craft spirit. It takes a little time to get used to the platform, but once the user is comfortable the options are endless. It is possible to change colors, patterns, and create all the decorations and all the universes you want.
Free CAD
Free CAD allows modeling via the parametric system. It is used above all to recreate objects in 3D, whatever their size and volume. You can thus modify them and make them evolve as you wish. The software also offers an ELECTRONIC CAD / MECHANICAL CAD COLLABORATION module called PATH.
Fusion 360
Fusion 360 is a very complete software, primarily intended for experienced users. It remains very intuitive and easy to access. It allows you to design objects that will then be printed using the Autodesk Printing Studio program. Warning! While this software is normally paid for, teachers and students can subscribe to a free version that expires after 3 years.
Mesh Mixer
Mesh Mixer is known to be at the cutting edge of technology in the field of CAD. This product makes it possible to carry out the various meshes of a 3D modelization. It makes it possible, for example, to produce medical prostheses comprising a mechanical part. It is important to have some CAD basics before you start using Mesh Mixer, but its results are impeccable.
QCAD
Old school, but efficient, QCAD is a software with a 2D interface. Perfect for industrial drawing, it offers modeling tools such as polylines or NURBS. It also has a large library with more than 5,000 3D models available to you.
NanoCAD
NanoCAD is a free CAD software but also available in a paid version, NanoCAD Plus, which costs $ 180, which is quite affordable compared to other paid CAD software.
By comparing nanoCAD to other paid CAD software, we can note some notable differences.
NanoCAD does not offer dynamic input, library objects with behavioral properties, or operations with solid 3D objects.
However, it offers a lot of features that most CAD softwares do not have. These include raster manipulations, an Excel-style table editor, and a line type editor.
Archimedes
Archimedes is open-source 2D software (released under EPL), developed in collaboration with professional architects, with the aim of creating a better program than most paid CAD softwares for free.
Among its features are basic drawing tools, SVG export (export to other CAD formats is still unavailable, although this is in development), XML import (and Arc ), etc.
Archimedes is available free for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.
BRL-CAD
This computer-aided design tool was developed by the American Army in collaboration with NASA, so we are sure that it will answer the vast majority of your design and modeling needs in both 2D and 3D.
BRL-CAD offers multiplatform support, more than 400 utilities, applications, and predesigned libraries that will serve you for the most diverse purposes. From creating 3D models, rendering scenes, data processing, and geometric analysis, etc.
The negative part of BRL-CAD is that it offers a somewhat different working system than what you find in AutoCAD, so the process of adapting to its tools can be somewhat more complex than in other free CAD software.
TinkerCAD
And continuing with the list of best CAD Softwares, but free, we can talk about TinkerCAD owned by the same firm. In this case, we are talking about a web application that we use from the browser with a multitude of functions and tools focused on modeling at a more domestic level than other CAD software. In fact, the program is based on offering us the possibility of uniting some basic objects to create more complex elements.
Likewise, it should be noted that it puts at our disposal assembly functions for all this and that can be used even by those without much experience in this particular field. That is why this is a good solution for those users who want to enter the world of CAD design without paying a dime but with powerful modeling functions.
Blender
Now we are going to refer to one of the best-known free CAD software. This is Blender, a free and advanced design solution valid for all types of users. Of course, those who are starting in this area may prefer to opt for other alternatives before this one, aimed at a more professional market. In fact, this is software that over time has already been used by many specialists on the subject, including animation films, video games, etc.
As it could not be otherwise, it has a large number of functions and features for modeling, mapping, editing, simulation, rendering, texturing, etc. It is also worth knowing that this free software even puts in our hands its own engine for creating video games.
SelfCAD
This is another freeCAD Software we can use from the browser. Actually it is a powerful 3D CAD application that allows us to work and design objects, from the simplest to more complex ones.
It has an intuitive user interface that will be very useful for users less experienced in these issues. It allows the loading of personal projects to start working on it and has several pre-defined elements that we can use in our new CAD creations.
Sketchup
One of the most used 3D modeling programs in the world is SketchUp, and it is due to its versatility, extensive functions, and features. It has a paid version that simply adds another layer of depth to the app.
Furthermore, the free version is fully functional and complete. The interface of the program is quite simple to use, perhaps for the beginners, it is a bit overwhelming due to the hundreds of tools and functions, but as the hours go by you can get used to it.
With SketchUp, you will be able to carry out any type of design, a hotel building, houses of different dimensions, small gears, or mechanical parts. Without a doubt, it is the ideal option for architectural and mechanical engineers looking for a free CAD Software, no matter what operating system you use. Because, SketchUp is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
SolveSpace
SolveSpace is another quite useful freeCAD for professionals in the fields of design. It is a totally free 3D parametric CAD program, capable of handling the most complex CAD drawings.
With SolveSpace you can model in 2D and 3D space, without worrying that your computer will eat-up resources since thanks to its interface, it is quite minimalist and its consumption is very balanced. It has basic and complete tools and is a fantastic software for those who are entering the world of building layouts, parts, and more.
One of the most attractive features of SolveSpace is the ability to print projects on a 3D printer or to make a part that you need in your home and implement it.
Kicad
This program is designed for all electrical engineers and for computer science and computer engineering specializations, so as to have valid support in the creation of new electrical circuits and printed circuits.
Solid Edge 2D
Solid Edge 2D is a very valid free 2D CAD from Siemens, available in the latest 64-bit versions for Windows 7 and Windows 8.
Note: If you have an earlier version of Windows, you need to look for a more dated version of Solid Edge, which is the ST6 or earlier.
It is possible to import existing 2D files through guided procedures, as well as easily create 2D diagrams by dragging standard symbols (useful, for example, for electrical diagrams); 2D layouts are designed in 1: 1 scale (multiple views are created on separate sheets and the scale of each can be resized according to our needs).
Solid Edge 2D is appreciated in various fields, but it is particularly appreciated for mechanics.
Sculptris
Sculptris is actually not a technical drawing tool but it is still one of the best free software for making 3d models. It is perfect for 3D modeling of sculpture, objects, faces, or animals. It is available on both Windows and MAC. You can never go wrong with this free CAD software.
OpenSCAD
OpenSCAD is a different kind of CAD software. Unlike others on this list, it allows engineers to use script programming to create exact designs of their machine parts. If you are good with scripting programming languages then this is the CAD software for you. It is available on Windows, Linux, and Mac.
Draftsight
This is arguably one of the best free CAD software available. DraftSight is an awesome but free 2D CAD software that lets you create, edit, and view DWG and DXF files.
This software is totally free but you will be required to activate with your valid email address within 30 days of registration. You will be required to reactivate after 6 months then annually.
DoubleCAD XT
DoubleCAD XT is perhaps the best free CAD Software because, due to its similarity to the latter (both in appearance and in menus, commands, and icons).
Like DraftSight, to download and use DoubleCAD XT, you must also register by email. Note that your email can be used for private and commercial purposes.
Summary
Of course, in addition to the software listed here, there are other programs that are free, but I think those listed are the best free CAD software (of course, each with its own advantages and disadvantages). Read through and pick your CAD software free.
