Whether you're constructing materials for personal or business reasons, the best CAD software allows you to create more precise estimates and simply adjust designs to increase quality. Plus, you may see actual representations of your work by using 3D CAD software. There is no need to adjust anything manually to witness its near-reality.
What Is CAD Software Used For?
Computer-aided design, or CAD, based on how it functions, helps architects, structural engineers, and site builders draft their creations. Not only does it replace manual drafting, but it also generates models and layouts in 3-dimensional figures. Thus, it allows them to visualize their projects further. In using 3D CAD software, the process can include developing, modifying, and optimizing designs.
What Is the Most Common CAD Software?
One of the most common CAD software is AutoCAD. People, especially students, educators, or academic institutions as a whole, who wish to opt for free CAD software find this useful. Not only does it support 2D, but also 3D.
It can help you develop schematics, equipment layouts, section planes, prototype documentation, and other designs of your choice. Not just that, learning this 3D CAD software is not much of a hassle either.
Best Cad Software in 2022
Despite being the most trusted CAD software for free, AutoCAD is not the only one in the field worth noting. That's why we sourced the internet and found the five best CAD software you could use for either professional or personal purposes.
#1 Autodesk Fusion 360
If you're looking for an all-around 3D CAD software, Autodesk Fusion 360 got your back. It works on a cloud and does not only support CAD but also CAE, PCB, and CAM software. It's one of the most preferred tools for online 3D modeling and construction. It enables you to simply create and layout your projects while also making various design iterations.
These designs may be tested early in the design process to gauge progress and discover potential faults. At the same time, you may use its integrated CAD and CAM software application to create and change current features and fittings.
Key Features
Provides collaboration tools
An easy way to accelerate 2D designs
Has a full version of printed circuit board design tools
Helps effortlessly design projects and turn them into 3D modeling
Offers an integrated CAD and CAM software
Has a dedicated software for product data management
Uses parametric modeling software for manufacturing and material constraints
Fusion 360 is also capable of converting 3D models into 2D drawings. This feature allows for precise annotating, measuring dimensions, and documenting for production accuracy.
Besides that, you may decrease the design and engineering effect with Fusion 360's generative design and simulation capabilities to assure manufacturability. As a result, it is feasible to create drawings with designs and other fittings to make them look realistic and live up to your expectations.
Pros
Easy to use
Offers many functionalities
Has online courses and comprehensive guides to help you
Cloud-based that makes it accessible
Provides parametric and organic modeling
Cons
Occupies large space
No customization for keyboard shortcuts
#2 TinkerCAD
TinkerCAD is one of the best CAD software if you are just starting things out. It comes with an easy-to-use user interface that may assist new designers and engineers develop the basic skills for creativity.
Through algorithmic modeling, you can instantly develop blocks of creative ideas and translate them into reality. Besides 3D CAD software, it also works for visualizing projects related to electronics and coding. It may not be an all-in-one software, but it has what you need as a newbie in the field.
Key Features and Benefits
Can print out 3D projects
Easily navigate 3D drawings
Easily add and remove materials
Work plane is easy to maneuver
Lets you add light and movement when it comes to designing electric circuits
Drag and drop options for code blocking
What makes it easy to use is not just the interface with simple options to operate, but also the entire function. To add or delete materials, simply place a pre-existing form or your own form on the work plane. You may experiment with different perspectives and viewpoints by rotating or shifting the plane. TinkerCAD also allows you to mix forms to build unique and intricate 3D objects.
Pros
Has a simple interface and easy-to-use functionalities
Offers tutorial videos for beginners
Suitable for STEM teachers and personal users
Integrates other materials into your creation
Draws whenever and wherever you are
Cons
No freemium version
Limited features
#3 FreeCAD
If you're on the lookout for free parametric modeling software, FreeCAD is the key to your problem. It lets you create real-world objects of any size. Plus, you can have them edited by simply going back to your history model using the open-source parametric 3D CAD software modeler. To do this, all you have to do is modify the settings.
FreeCAD includes components that will assist you in extracting design elements from 3D models and adjusting proportions. You may also draw 2D forms to serve as a foundation for creating other items. As a consequence, you can produce high-quality production drawings.
Key Features and Benefits
Works as a parametric modeling software
Can support BRep or boundary representation materials
Has a C++ coded core
Offers 2D CAD drafting and robotic simulation model
Architectural and BIM modeling for advanced users
Furthermore, FreeCAD is a multi-platform that is an adaptable and expandable tool. It is compatible with Mac, Linux, and Windows. It can read and write open file formats like DAE, STEP, DXF, and SVG and effortlessly incorporate them into your workflow.
This CAD program may be the finest of the best, but it may not be appropriate for novices. For starters, you may find it difficult to adjust to its profusion of capabilities and other complex editing possibilities. But after a few tries, you'll get the hang of it.
Pros
Has a full 3D preview functionality
Compatible with complex drawings
Has third party modules to add to its features
Lets you work closely with your drawings
Cons
Complex user interface
Not suitable for beginners
#4 BeeGraphy
BeeGraphy is a Computer-Aided Design platform focused on 2D and 3D parametric modeling. Launched in 2021, it has already attracted the attention of many modelers, manufacturers, product designers, and other specialists due to its innovative nature.
Being the first cloud-based parametric modeling software in the world, BeeGraphy opens up new opportunities for both industry experts and non-professionals to experiment, collaborate and create something valuable. The company aims to make the process of creation more available, easy, fun, accurate, and productive. With a team of industry experts, BeeGraphy is dedicated to providing more and more possibilities in the future adding new tools and features.
Everyone interested in design and modeling can find the solutions they have been looking for on the BeeGraphy platform. Based on the NURBS mathematical model, BeeGraphy enables the creation of highly flexible designs that can be customized by changing details and reused later.
The platform combines SaaS, E-Commerce, and B2B2C elements. Users can access the platform via web browsers, create models, sell them on BeeGraphy Shop, visualize their works, and collaborate.
From BeeGraphy Shop, users can select different models, change them and generate completely new designs.
Using the 3D interactive environment of BeeGraphy, manufacturers can see how designs look in the 3D environment and show the results to their clients. Due to its API Integration, and the 3D viewer, BeeGraphy takes the design process to another level, where building personalized products and getting a customer's approval is done efficiently.
Creators using the BeeGraphy Editor software may generate parametric designs saved in the moderator workspace on the BeeGraphy platform. Through parametric adjustments, thousands, if not millions of new models may be generated from a single existing model, which is the greatest element of parametric/algorithmic modeling in the 3D modeling business.
BeeGraphy helps increase the productivity of work dozens of times providing real-time collaboration opportunities between designers, customers, and teams. By demonstrating the products in an interactive environment, designers are able to understand a customer's vision clearly and meet their needs. Different teams and modelers can work together to comment on the results, experiment, and make decisions.
Key Features of BeeGraphy
It comes with a parametric 3D modeling online software, the first and only one of its kind ever to exist.
It contains a real-time collaboration feature involving design teams and engineers. The CAD software with customer-partner-builder workflow and model sharing efficiency increases work operation ten times faster, owing to online software technologies.
API that gives third-party programs, stores, and other applications a plethora of options, allowing them to incorporate real-time BeeGraphy visualization features.
It provides capabilities in developing, storing, and editing large-scale parametric 3D and 2D models on cloud servers.
It has a real-time 3D view of the parametric model, allowing developers/modelers to see the true 3D view of the processed model and share it with partners and clients through a dedicated URL. This functionality will assist many designers to avoid unnecessary supplementary services and save money.
These features make BeeGraphy stand out from other parametric design platforms, and fill the gap in the industry. Let's look at its pros and cons one by one.
Pros
Compatible with engineers, designers, modelers/designers working with node editors to create 2D and 3D parametric models
Real-time collaboration between design teams and customers
Offers extensive tools to create and finish designs faster than most of the CAD softwares
Works entirely server-based or cloud-based, where all work tools are available online, without exception
All the features of the parametric/algorithmic modeling software are free for standalone users
One of the best 3D modeling software with an option to integrate tools and resources as well as a set of simplified tools
Suitable for different purposes, including jewelry, gaming, entertainment, architecture, manufacturing, healthcare, etc.
Offers different functionalities depending on which type of version you'll obtain (for clients or for professionals)
Cons
Parametric models are available at varied prices
BeeGraphy contains well-designed technical documentation of the node-editor which sections allow everyone to understand the features and parametric modeling nodes of the online algorithmic software. If you think you're ready to level up your designs with your teams or by yourself, sign up for an account with BeeGraphy and get started right away!
#5 Creo
Creo is a prominent and one of the best CAD software developed by Parametric Technology Corporation. Thus, it guarantees expertise in building parametric models.
It's a complete bundle that includes all of the tools necessary to speed up product development. You won't need to look for add-ons to fulfill project requirements. You can simply do everything at once within its platform.
The simple-to-use program guides you from the early stages of the design process to later manufacturing phases. As a result, you can produce better-quality items more efficiently. Creo's tools, proven robust capabilities, and cutting-edge technology work together to increase product quality and decrease costs.
Key Features and Benefits
One of the best 3D CAD software for parametric solid modeling
Offers technical illustrations for advanced drawings
Has a generative design extension so you can produce high-quality yet low-cost outcomes
Comes with a finite element analysis as well as product simulation to let you see how it'll turn out
Provides schematic designs and functionalities
These revolutionary elements provide you with a competitive edge and enable you to capture a considerable market share. Because of its features, it may be more than what you need for personal purposes or if you're only a novice. But as a business or an organization, Creo is everything you need and more.
Pros
Integrates with other applications
Designs parts seamlessly
Exports easily
Built for prompt and deliberate creative works
Has suggestion feature for your drawings
Cons
Advanced and confusing controls for both inexperienced and experienced ones
Final Thoughts
The best CAD software is dedicated to increasing the productivity of designers, engineers, architects, and the like by eliminating the drawbacks of manual drawing. Every 3D model and design you generate using 3D CAD software helps accelerate the product development process.
That is why you must seek a product that you can entirely rely on for various sectors, such as automotive, aerospace, computer animation, or gaming. For this, our top 5 best CAD software all fits the role.
