Before entering into the discussion regarding Engineering Drawing Software, we should take a look at the history of engineering drawing. In past days engineers used to draw manually with the help of drafter and pencil on a drawing sheet.
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It was too time-consuming. When any fault occurs in that drawing, they need to replace it by drawing it completely once again.
But from the beginning of the 1960s engineering drawing software has reduced the time to make an effort-less drawing.
Nowadays engineering drawing is made with the help of CAD software on a computer. CAD is the acronym for Computer-Aided Design.
The use of computer technology for design and design documentation is called CAD. Sometimes it is called Computer-aided design and drafting(CADD) too.
Engineering drawing software has replaced manual drawing with an automated process. Modern-day engineering drawing software ranges from 2D drafting systems to 3D solid and surface modelers.
The engineering drawing software also allows points line, thickness, layers, curves, shapes, rotation of 3D objects, view of 3D objects from various angles and we can also look inside the drawing objects with the help of CAD software.
Engineering drawing software is used for the design of all kinds of machines, all types of buildings starting from residential complexes to large industries. Engineering drawing software is used for a detailed drawing of physical components on a computer.
Criteria for choosing Engineering drawing software:
1. Efficient Engineering drawing software:
To make drawings, We need excellent engineering design quality. A minor change in the drawing can affect the production of the industry to a large extent.
When looking for engineering drawing software, we must keep in mind that it can fulfill all our drawing requirements. For different types of engineering, the requirements are different. For mechanical engineers, it should be able to explore tools for making free-from surfaces.
There should be common blocks available. For Example – Blocks like ammeter, voltmeter, the transformer should be available for electrical engineers.
For civil engineering inbuilt blocks of floors and walls should be available to make our drawing easier and save our time.
ActCAD is an engineering drawing software having an excellent design quality. It also has blocks available for mechanical, electrical, civil and architectural engineers also
2. Easy Learning Curve:
To make complicated drawings in engineering drawing software, we need training and experience. Always search for an engineering drafting software that has an almost similar interface like others.
So the engineering CAD software, we are going to buy must be easy to learn in a short span of time. Another aspect we need to take care of is the software we are choosing must have built-in tutorials.
It must have some online articles and YouTube videos which will help us to learn faster. Most of the commands must be the same as that of other software too. The engineering drawing software must allow both the classic and ribbon interface.
3. Good Technical Support:
We should always go for a product which has excellent support during our requirements. If the engineering drawing software, we have bought has an excellent technical support team, they will take less time to resolve our issue. Generally, Email is the main source of communication in organizations.
But if the company is giving the solution with the help of screen sharing, calling, etc., it is a big advantage for all of us.
Having You-tube video tutorials for common issues will also help us a lot. Even if we are buying an engineering drafting software at a slightly higher price with excellent technical support, we must buy it.
4. Having Drafting tools for present and future:
When we are working with an organization, employees of different units have different drawings. If the engineering drafting software we have purchased is not able to show the 3D models like the thickness of a line, the proper dimensions of drawing, tolerance, etc. it’s a waste of time. Be clear that the engineering drafting software you have purchased should be able to create the drawing for the modern-day standards.
ActCAD is an engineering drawing software used for both 2D and 3D drawings. It is made with IntelliCAD 8.4b which is the latest technology available at present. ActCAD can open any kind of file along with its thickness, proper dimensions, and tolerance.
5. Compatible with all types of files:
When you are working in an organization, you may work with several kinds of files like Dwg, Dxf, PDF, etc. Prisma pro paint software, free download. In an engineering drawing software, the common type of file format is Dwg.
If the software you have purchased can open only one type of file i.e DWG, it is a complete waste of money. But people want a file format that can be opened in any system.
They generally ask for PDF format because it can be opened in any system without the CAD software. ActCAD is the drawing software that supports all kinds of files like DXB, DWF, DGN, etc. ActCAD also has a special feature has called”PDF Converter” which can convert DWG file to PDF.
6. Cost Criteria:
Several types of engineering drawing software are available in the market. Their price varies from one to another.
Before buying the engineering drawing software, at first, we should consider the Price of the CAD software. But before that, we should go for software having the features to fulfill our requirements.
ActCAD is a drawing software that is 80% economical comparedto other CAD software.
Along with that, we should be clear about 2 other charges, hidden charges and upgrade charges. Generally, a dealer or company does not mention these extra charges at the time of buying the software.
Hidden charges include special charges for a special feature. After buying the software, when the person tries to use that special feature, he has to pay an extra amount for it.
Hidden charges also include charges at the time of technical support. It means when we have an issue with the software and want the solution to that issue, we have to pay an extra amount for it.
Upgradation charges are the amount of money we have to pay to upgrade our software to the latest version. Some of the software also charge annually for using the software.
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Conclusion:
At the time of buying any engineering drawing software, I suggest you keep the above-mentioned criteria in your mind. A good decision at the time of choosing the Engineering drawing software can increase the profit of the company to a larger extent.
Before buying any engineering drafting software you must use the software for at least a period of 15 days for being completely aware of the function of the software you are going to buy.
Please choose the software based on the requirements of your company. So before buying an engineering drawing software do a lot of research, analysis, and evaluation.
If you’re looking for CAD software for Mac, you’re not without options. We’ve found some standout Mac and cloud-based CAD platforms for you.
You’re likely to hit a wall if you’re searching for computer-aided design (CAD) software designed for Mac. There are plenty of CAD software options for Windows—you’ll see many of them in our list of the top AutoCAD alternatives—but only a handful offer support for Mac.
And, if you think you’ll bypass the issue by using a cloud-based CAD tool, you’ll quickly find that CAD vendors haven’t embraced the cloud as much as other types of software vendors have, so the offerings are still largely on-premise. According to Gartner’s Hype Cycle for IT Evolution (full content available to Gartner clients), cloud-native CAD applications still have five to 10 years before they reach mainstream adoption.
But fear not, Mac users. We’ve done some digging and have put together this list of the top-rated CAD software for Mac. Read more about our methodology at the bottom of this article.
5 Best CAD Software for Mac (presented alphabetically)
Jump to:
CorelCAD
FreeCAD
Fusion 360
LibreCAD
Onshape
1. CorelCAD
CorelCAD offers 2D drafting and 3D design capabilities, such as the drawing constraints feature for creating different geometric shapes faster and the push and pull feature for 3D direct modeling.
3D modeling in CorelCAD (Source)
Common user feedback trends
Based on analyses of user reviews on Capterra, here’s an overview of the areas of CorelCAD they like best, as well as those they feel could use improvement.
What users like:
- The short learning curve: Users mention that the tool is easy to use and beginners don’t have to spend a lot of time learning it.
- Compatibility with multiple file types: Users like the fact that the tool is compatible with DWG, PDF, ACIS, DXF, STL, CDR, and other file formats.
What users think could be improved:
- Software reliability issues: Some users mention that the software tends to crash at times.
- Better dimension functionality: Some users would like a better dimensioning feature for more accurate drawings of angles and proportions.
Who can use CorelCAD
CorelCAD can be used by construction businesses for collaborative editing on multiple devices. It offers native iOS applications, which makes it easy for field crews to add annotations in graphics and share files using their iPhones and iPads. Additionally, the tool allows team members to leave recorded messages and instructions for colleagues embedded in the graphics using a voice note tool.
2. FreeCAD
FreeCAD is an open source CAD tool that works on Mac as well as Windows and Linux. It reads many common file formats such as STEP, IGES, STL, SVG, DXF, OBJ, IFC, and DAE.
It offers different modules, including a drawing sheets module that converts 3D models into 2D views, a rendering module that can export 3D objects, and an architecture module for a BIM-like workflow.
3D model of a building in FreeCAD (Source)
Common user feedback trends
Based on analysis of user reviews on Capterra, here’s an overview of the areas of FreeCAD they like best, as well as those they feel could use improvement.
What users like:
- Feature-richness for a free tool: Users mention that, although it’s free, the tool comes with a full set of features.
- Reliability: Users mention that the tool does not demand a lot of CPU power and works well on devices with low RAM.
What users think could be improved:
- Steep learning curve: Users mention that the tool is not the most user-friendly solution and can be difficult for beginners to learn.
- Dependent on community for updates: Users mention that modules ignored by the community tend to become outdated quickly.
Who can use FreeCAD
FreeCAD appears to be best for hobbyists and home users. It’s also good for users who don’t have a high budget for software but still want to tinker with CAD modeling.
FreeCAD could also be a good choice for businesses on a budget looking for a free and open-source option.
3. Fusion 360
Fusion 360 is a CAD tool from Autodesk with design functionalities such as sketching and 3D modeling. It also supports project management with features such as task management, document management, and collaborative image editing.
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Document management in Fusion 360 (Source)
Common user feedback trends
Based on analysis of user reviews on Capterra, here’s an overview of the areas of Fusion 360 they like best, as well as those they feel could use improvement.
What users like:
- Comprehensive design features: User mention that the tool offers all the functionalities necessary for 2D and 3D designing.
- Availability of training resources: Users like the fact that the tool comes with ample documentation and tutorials.
What users think could be improved:
- System crashes: Users mention that the tool tends to crash, especially when designing and rendering large files.
- Steep learning curve: Users mention that it can take a lot of time to learn the advanced functionalities of the tool.
Who can use Fusion 360
Fusion 360 is part of the Autodesk ecosystem designed for the AEC industry. This makes the tool suitable for construction businesses that are already using, or intend to use, other Autodesk solutions. Using a software vendor that offers multiple solutions will especially benefit larger businesses that invariably need software that can scale with their growing requirements.
4. LibreCAD
LibreCAD is an open source CAD tool that supports Mac, Windows, and Linux operating systems. The tool comes with 2D drawing features such as a snap tool, dimensioning, and annotations. It also supports multiple file imports and exports.
2D drawing in LibreCAD (Source)
Common user feedback trends
Based on analysis of user reviews on Capterra, here’s an overview of the areas of LibreCAD they like best, as well as those they feel could use improvement.
What users like:
- Ease of use: Users mention that the tool offers an intuitive and easy-to-use interface.
- Lots of tutorials: Users like the fact that there are ample video tutorials that help them get started with the tool.
What users think could be improved:
- Software speed: Users mention that the software tends to lag, especially when trying to print designs.
- Add support for 3D design: Users would like to see functionalities for creating 3D designs.
Who can use LibreCAD
LibreCAD is an exclusively 2D CAD tool for drawing and designing blueprints of buildings, layouts of parks, and the like. As a free tool, the solution can be used by small and midsize businesses across different industries, including manufacturing, engineering, architecture, and construction.
5. Onshape
Onshape is a cloud-only CAD solution that comes with features such as document management with version control, collaborative design creation/editing capabilities, and reporting dashboards to understand project status.
Importing documents in Onshape (Source)
Common user feedback trends
Based on analysis of user reviews on Capterra, here’s an overview of the areas of Onshape they like best, as well as those they feel could use improvement.
What users like:
- Document version control: Users like the document management features of the tool, such as version history.
- Intuitive interface: Users mention that the tool comes with an intuitive interface for easy image editing.
Google chrome 32 bit mac. What users think could be improved:
- Performance issues: Some users mention that the tool does not function well on non-Chrome browsers and has file loading issues.
- Lack of features: Users mention that the tool should improve certain features such as 2D drawing and 3D surfacing.
Who can use Onshape
As a fully-cloud based tool, Onshape is ideal for businesses that need to manage design documents collaboratively with multiple stakeholders. The tool’s collaboration functionalities include document sharing, document editing, comments, and file downloads in multiple CAD formats, such as Parasolid, ACIS, STEP, and IGES.
Next steps
This report offers a mix of Mac CAD solutions—from free tools that can help you with basic 2D drawing to advanced solutions offering extensive 3D modeling functionalities.
If these tools don’t meet your needs, expand your search and check out more options. To help you, we’ve created a CAD software comparison page where you can explore products using different filters, such as features offered and pricing options.
If you’re looking to understand the CAD software market better, we also recommend that you read the articles listed below: |
Best Best 2d Drawing Software For Mac Download
Methodology
To be shortlisted, products had to fulfill the following criteria: Paint tool sai full version 2016.
- Products had to be compatible with Mac and offer core CAD software capabilities, such as:
- 2D drawing or 3D modeling features
- Collaborative editing of drawings
- Products needed a minimum of 20 user reviews on Capterra (published in the last two years).
- Products had to have a high overall rating (an average of at least 4 out of 5 on Capterra).
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Note: The content in this piece that provides opinions and points of view expressed by users. It does not represent the views of Capterra.
Looking for Construction Management software? Check out Capterra's list of the best Construction Management software solutions.