If we are looking for a program with which to carry out 2D work, but we do not have the budget to be able to opt for AutoCAD, we present some alternatives that may not reach the functionality and power of the Autodesk program, but for many these other proposals will be more than enough for your projects.
QCad, one of the most popular proposals
If we have to start talking about alternative programs to the one mentioned above, QCad it is an excellent alternative. In fact, it is a proposal that has been used for a long time and that has evolved a lot based on updates. Perhaps one of its main characteristics comes from the simple user interface that presents us This makes it an affordable proposal in usability for a greater number of people.
His way of working focuses on the treatment of 2D shapes And it is one of the most popular alternatives that we are talking about due to the time it has been with us. It has a wide library of more than 4800 CAD objects, a multitude of construction and project modification tools, etc. In the same way we can highlight that it offers support for the import and export of formats such as DXF and dwg of AutoCAD.
We can download QCad for Windows, MacOS or Linux from
The best
Here we find one of the most popular CAD design alternatives on the market. In addition, it is characterized by the ease of use that it provides us thanks to the user interface that we find by default.
Worst
The program tries to automate many of the processes of this type of work, which is why more advanced users may miss having more control over certain functions and characteristics.
LibreCAD, application focused on CAD design
Now we are going to talk about another of these alternatives, perfect for users who want to enter this world of design. We refer to LibreCADa program focused on free CAD design and open source that has a multitude of tools modeling. Like the previous case, it focuses on 2D jobs and projects and allows us to view a multitude of compatible formats.
Of course, since it is a proposal that is somewhat more focused on all types of users, the number of functions available will not be as high as in others. However, contrary to what one might think, this will be an advantage for many who do not want to get too complicated.
We have the possibility to download LibreCAD from .
Top
In those cases in which users do not have much knowledge of this type of design and want to delve into this world, in this case we find ourselves before a perfect program for all of this. It is an open source project with all the necessary functions to start working and designing all kinds of objects.
minus top
Those who already have some knowledge in this Belizean sector will have to opt for another more advanced application that allows them to have greater control over the projects that are carried out here.
Free 3D CAD programs
On the other hand, if what we are looking for is the possibility of carrying out projects in three dimensions, then we are also going to see great alternatives that will allow us to make use of this third dimension. And, as if that were not enough, without neglecting the possibility of also creating 2D projects.
FreeCAD, allows you to create projects in 2D and 3D
FreeCAD is another of the best free alternatives that we can find for AutoCAD. Within this program we can find a large number of functions and characteristics typical of other programs, such as Catia, SolidWorks or Solid Edge, to be able to easily create our own projects. This program is characterized, above all, by offering excellent compatibility with projects created with other similar programs. In addition, it allows you to create both 2D and 3D projects from scratch, being a truly versatile tool that adapts to all types of work.
We can download this program completely free of charge.
remarkable
Just by downloading and installing this software solution that we are talking about now, we can easily carry out all kinds of jobs in both 2D and 3D. One of its main characteristics is the enormous compatibility that it offers us with all types of file formats or those related to this subject.
less noticeable
The user interface that we find when we run the application at first can be a bit confusing, something that is especially evident in those users who do not have some experience in this type of design applications.
SolveSpace, with low resource consumption
There is no doubt that one of the main barriers faced by most users who want to enter this sector of design software is the price of AutoCAD. Precisely for this reason, in these lines we are talking about some solutions belonging to the same sector, but for which we will not have to pay a single euro. A clear example of all this can be found in the program , another very useful alternative for both domestic and professional users who want to delve into this section of design.
Basically here we are going to find a program focused on 3D CAD design that we can download and install without having to pay a single euro. In addition, it presents functions both for those who are entering or starting in these programs, or for those who want to expand their knowledge of CAD design. It must be taken into account that this is an application that allows us to work with the most complex projects of this type and belonging to other larger ones.
In addition, we will have the possibility of working with models both in two dimensions and in 3D. With everything and with this there is another characteristic that is worth highlighting and that is the low consumption of resources that the application carries out in general terms. Obviously, this will come into play here and the size of the project we are working on will have a lot to do with it, but the software as such will cause us few inconveniences in this regard. At the same time, it is worth knowing that we will have basic functions and tools at our disposal for those with little experience who want to start delving into this world.
BRL-CAD, has more than 400 utilities
If you are a lover of open source software and CAD design, this is an excellent alternative to use without having to spend a single euro. In addition, it is worth knowing that this is a tool that has been with us for a good number of years, so its creators have plenty of experience in these matters. It offers functionalities both in the 2D sector and in the 3D and puts at our disposal more than 400 utilities, applications and libraries.
Thanks to the predesigned objects that we find here, we will be able to design our own personal projects in a very affordable and bearable way. This will allow us to carry out works of the most diverse nature such as 2D and 3D modelingamong others.
If you want to try it now, you can download BRL-CAD from this .
Leopoly, ideal for beginners in the CAD sector
And again we are going to talk about another interesting alternative specially created for beginners in the CAD sector, or for those who do not want many complications. Specifically, we refer to the application called Leopoly, a proposal more focused on 3D design than those mentioned above. Actually, we are referring to a free platform that we can use from our favorite browser with a wide library of objects that it makes available to us.
At the same time it offers the necessary functions to create and adapt those three dimensional objects with whom we want to work. Therefore, we can say that this solution is not valid for 2D CAD design as such, but more for 3D modeling in the full range of its field. For all this we will have a wide variety of objects predefined that we will have the possibility to modify and customize.
We will be able to access the Leopoly platform from .
Blender, an advanced design application valid for all types of users
Now we are going to refer to one of the best-known proposals of this type, alternatives to AutoCAD. Is about 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. In fact, this is software that over time has already been used by a multitude of specialists on the subject, even in animated 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 its own engine in our hands for creating video game.
If you want to get the most out of Blender, you can download it from .
DraftSight, compatible with AutoCAD DWG format
Changing the third, we are also going to talk to you along these same lines about another powerful application of this type. To begin with, we will tell you that at first glance it is a complete professional solution for assisted design on PC with 2D and 3D projects. But at this point it is interesting to know that this proposal that we are talking about makes available to us a completely operative and functional free version.
Once we know all this, say that the program is compatible with the files dwg in format, which are precisely those used natively by AutoCAD. But that’s not all, since the compatibility goes further and we will be able to export our projects in a multitude of formats. Among these we find some of the importance of WMF, JPG, PNG, SLD, or SVG, among others. Therefore this is a CAD title that presents us with a good number of functions and valid for many types of use, both domestic and professional. To test it first hand, it’s something we can do from .
OpenSCAD, specialist in creating solid 3D CAD models
We are facing a software with which we will be able to create solid 3D CAD models in different operating systems such as Windows, macOS and Linux. It differs from other free 3D modeling software in that it does not focus on the artistic aspects of modeling itself, instead choosing to focus on other CAD aspects. Therefore, it can be used mainly to create 3D models of machine parts, rather than to create computer-animated movies, which makes it an excellent alternative to AutoCAD.
We can say that it is a 3D compiler that is responsible for reading any script file to describe the object and rendering the 3D model from this file. This will help us to have total control over the modeling process, or to make definitive designs using…