Today, the market is stocked with a wide range of products in a never before seen scale. One of the reasons behind this is the evolution of modeling or technical drawing software. Using such software we can create 3D models which will aid in the tooling, prototyping, and the manufacturing of the above-mentioned products.
However, this is easier said than done and product engineers should have the right combination of the perfect skill and software. Hence in this article, we will be looking at the best free technical drawing software currently available in the market.
Contents
- 1 Best Technical Drawing Software
Best Technical Drawing Software
Engineering drawing software takes a huge burden off their backs by helping them draw all they need to complete certain projects. It can help save time and effort, as well as funds for a project, to have this software at your disposal. FreeCAD is designed to fit a wide range of uses including product design, mechanical engineering and architecture. Whether you are a hobbyist, a programmer, an experienced CAD user, a student or a teacher, you will feel right at home with FreeCAD.
1. Solidworks
Official URL: | https://www.solidworks.com/ |
Solidworks is probably one of the more well-known members of this list. This software is available in three versions to cater to users needs. Solidworks basically converts your sketch geometry into 3D geometry. you have a wide variety of features like Extrudes, Revolves, Fillets, Chamfers etc.
Solidworks Standard: This is the basic version and can produce the 3d design for machine parts, assemblies, and two-dimensional drawings.
Solidworks Premium: This has got advanced features like reverse engineering and pipe routing functionality.
Solidworks Professional: It comes with features like automated design and drawing checking, file management tools, advanced photorealistic rendering, and automated cost estimation.
2. Tinkercad
Official URL: | https://www.tinkercad.com/ |
Tinkercad is a 3D modeling tool which has something in it for everyone. This is completely free software. This is very useful for creating home designs. If you are a beginner who has just started beginning the fundamentals of CAD, then Tinkercad should be your go-to software.
If you are into circuit design then Tinkercad has the facility to allow simulations in the circuits to obtain the results. Moreover, you can also 3D print the designs you have created. The only flaw with this software is that you might not be able to get very creative in terms of the geometric shapes you can create.
3. QCAD
Official URL: | https://www.qcad.org |
It is an open source free technical drawing software for especially construction of 2D designs. Starting form plans, schematic diagrams to buildings, interior etc. can be easily built by QCAD. If you are about to 2D CAD system, QCAD can’t be the optional choice.
The amazing part about this software is you don’t need experience before working with QCAD. It includes 35 CAD fonts, 40 construction tools, 20 modification tools along with 4800 CAD parts library using which you can construct powerful 2d CAD designs. Give a try to this simple 2d drawing software.
4. Freecad
Official URL: | https://www.freecadweb.org/ |
Freecad is an open source software which has its main uses in the fields of mechanical engineering and product design. Despite being a freeware, Freecad has some great features makes it a great alternative to other popular drawing software.
Freecad is handy for architectural projects and other areas which makes use of 3d modeling. Freecad can create networks, 2d drawings, and other complex 3d solids. Despite being an impressive software with a wide array of features, Freecad is not easy to use and may slightly trouble beginners.
5. SketchUp
Official URL: | https://store.sketchup.com/ |
Sketchup allows users to create standout 3D models of almost everything ranging from interiors to landscapes. however, what really makes sketchup a cut above the rest is the fact that despite boasting of powerful professional quality features, using the software is a breeze. Audio maker software, free download.
Some of these features include high-quality lighting effects, textures, a layer manager, and animations. While it does not have a wide range of built-in models, it provides access to Trimble’s 3d Warehouse which has the all the 3d models and symbols a designer could possibly want in a free techinal drawing software.
6. NanoCAD
Official URL: | https://nanocad.com/ |
If you are looking for a software to create top quality 2D designs at a fairly good pace then NanoCAD will act as butter on your bread. The best quality of free technical drawing software is the ease of use. One of the main features is the support of the DWG format which is also used by Autocad.
Hence migrating from nanocad to AutoCAD is a very easy process. All you need to do is to send the created DWG to people with Autocad and they can open the file without the need for conversion. The interface is quite simple and easy to work with.
7. TurboCAD
Official URL: | https://www.turbocad.com/ |
Turbocad is a powerful 3D/2D free technical drawing software with features for drawing, modifying, dimensioning, and annotating.
This product is quite popular among software Engineers due to its lighting effects and photorealistic rendering. You can also share your work with Autocad or Sketchup. The designs you created can also be brought into reality by 3d printing.
8. Catia
Official URL: | https://www.3ds.com/ |
Catia is a software used by many leading companies around the world for 3D designing. Using catia, you can design, simulate, analyze, and manufacture products for industries like Aerospace, automotive, and industrial machinery.
Catia is very powerful and has no limits in terms of the functionalities it offers. It is not free and you can get it for around 100 dollars.
9. IronCad
Official URL: | https://www.ironcad.com/ |
This is a software which is known for its simplicity. Ironcad helps you to create designs more quickly and easily. Regardless of how complex the 3D models are they only require one file.
Another key aspect is that you only need to use one tool to bring the design from conceptualization to reality. The interface is intuitive and the triball visualization feature is great as well.
10. LibreCAD
Official URL: | https://librecad.org |
LibreCAD is a free technical drawing software available for Windows, Mac and, Linux. It has a vast community to help you with any of the issues. Availability in 30 different languages covers a wide user base. With continuous updates, new features and bugs are being solved.
Construction, simulation, innovative designs can be developed perfectly with the help of LiberCAD. Any of the questions can be solved upon asking in the community.
11. BricsCAD
Official URL: | https://www.bricsys.com |
This is a software with a good combination of 2D drawing and 3D modeling. BricsCAD can save you a lot of time for creating designs owing to its unique features.
The familiar interface style is another plus point. However, to use this software you need to pay. The amount varies depending on the version but the minimum cost comes at around 600 dollars.
12. Autocad
Official URL: | https://www.autodesk.com/education/free-software/autocad |
![Free engineering software Free engineering software](https://damassets.autodesk.net/content/dam/autodesk/draftr/2191/Office_Montreal-0400-MFG-CG_compressed-3.jpg)
AutoCAD by Autodesk is one of the most powerful 3D CAD tools available in the market. You can create almost any 3D design with 3D modeling and visualization tools. Some of the key features available in AutoCad are Ribbon interface which presents commands in an organized manner.
Viewcube is another cool feature which allows you to see a 3D model from any orientation. AutoCAD is the standard for every other CAD software. Unfortunately, this is not a freeware and requires a subscription fee of 185 dollars per month. You may be able to get a cracked version.
Conclusion:
In this article, we have provided you with the list of best free technical drawing software according to us. You won’t go wrong with any of them but if money is not the problem of yours, then opting for one among Solidworks, AutoCad, and Catia would be a good idea.
Mechanical engineering encompasses industrial design, biomedical engineering and automotive design. Planning as well as designing mechanical pieces is what mechanical engineers do. Whether they’re producing motor or engine parts or concepting devices such as robots and refrigerators, they at some point need to use a CAD software.
CAD (short for Computer-Aided Design) is a methodology focusing primarily on the use of computer software to design real world objects. Since the inception of computers, CAD has been used in various engineering fields; In particular mechanical engineering relies mostly on this kind of software to hugely facilitate a task that was once extremely diffcult to accomplish by hand : Mechanical Design.
Premium CAD software package such as CATIA help mechanical engineers complete their tasks by assisting them in creating preliminary designs and spotting the faults prior to production, saving resources and time, however such type of software is very costly and not accessible to everyone in the field, that’s why we tried to compile the best 10 free alternatives you can download and use to accomplish your mechanical design tasks (visualization, simulation, 3D printing and much more).
- Best Free CAD Software for Mechanical Engineers
Best Free CAD Software for Mechanical Engineers
#1. SelfCAD
SelfCAD is a self-proclaimed leader in the world of online 3D slicing and modeling software”. Certainly, this 3D CAD software has the complete design-to-print workflow in a smartly presented package. At its core the SelfCAD offers a strong 3D CAD modeling and app that enables the users to design complex as well as 3D printable designs and objects.
Download SelfCAD
Download SelfCAD
#2. TinkerCAD
TinkerCAD is well known browser-based CAD software for mechanical engineers. You can start using the software and get started to build 3D modeling projects. TinkerCAD is an excellent preface to 3D software, which just perfect for educational purposes. If you don’t have any 3D modeling experience then this is for you as it put life to your great ideas.
You can place the blocks separately to build any object that you need to finish your project. The user-friendly interface of the software makes it easier and simple use of 3D tools and creates your 3D modeling project.
Download TinkerCAD
You can place the blocks separately to build any object that you need to finish your project. The user-friendly interface of the software makes it easier and simple use of 3D tools and creates your 3D modeling project.
Download TinkerCAD
#3. Fusion 360
Engineering Sketch App
Fusion 360 is a fantastic CAD software for mechanical engineers. Students, hobbyists, and startups can use this software for free. It offers a range of motion studies, simulation, and assembly modeling tools. You will love using the robust collaboration tools.
Download Fusion360
Download Fusion360
#4. FreeCAD
It is 100% open source and is specially designed for product design and mechanical engineering design uses, yet it could also be used for engineering industry that depends on a number on parametric 3D modeler.
Even though it is free and open-source, FreeCAD is keeping pace with other well-known CAD software because of its ability to build real 3D solids, 2D drafting, support for meshes, and right-hand coordinate framework in addition to a lot more amazing features.
Download FreeCAD
Even though it is free and open-source, FreeCAD is keeping pace with other well-known CAD software because of its ability to build real 3D solids, 2D drafting, support for meshes, and right-hand coordinate framework in addition to a lot more amazing features.
Download FreeCAD
#5. OpenSCAD
OpenSCAD is free software program for producing solid 3D models. Unlike TinkerCAD or Blender, OpenSCAD mainly focuses particularly on mechanical dimensions as well as the properties of CAD models rather than their creative properties. It’s perfect for creating detailed mechanical models and machine parts.
OpenSCAD allows the user to create models by compositing solid geometry or from 2D outlines, as in a number of premium software. You can export the files in common file formats as well as it supports STL for the 3D printing process.
Download OpenSCAD
OpenSCAD allows the user to create models by compositing solid geometry or from 2D outlines, as in a number of premium software. You can export the files in common file formats as well as it supports STL for the 3D printing process.
Download OpenSCAD
#6. SketchUp
SketchUp is free 3D design software. It has a library full of free 3D models which any person could use and to which any person could contribute. The Layout feature of SketchUp allows you to convert 3D models into realistic drawings in no time. After that these can be exported in a range of different file types.
Download SketchUp
Download SketchUp
#7. QCAD
QCAD is free CAD software that mechanical engineers should use in case you are planning to build technical drawings be it for mechanical parts, structures or even diagrams and schematics. Since it’s open-source software, it focuses on extensibility, portability, and modularity.
Download QCAD
Download QCAD
#8. NanoCAD
External keyboard for macbook pro 13. Here is another free CAD software for experienced users. It is a free drafting software giving advanced CAD tools. It has a powerful table editor offering a ton of new possible outcomes. This 2D CAD software is available for windows. If you want to enjoy advanced features of the software, then you should download NanoCAD plus or NanoCAD pro version; however this free version is the right choice.
Download NanoCAD
Download NanoCAD
#9. LeoCAD
LeoCAD is a simple and easy to use CAD software which could be valuable for educational reason for mechanical engineering students. It is appropriate for huge models with different parts.
It is open-source CAD software, which means that anybody can add to it and include new features.
Download LeoCAD
It is open-source CAD software, which means that anybody can add to it and include new features.
Download LeoCAD
#10. LibreCAD
Sketch For Windows
LibreCAD is an excellent CAD modeling software for mechanical engineers. It is easy and simple to use software which offers impressive features. Some of the features that LibreCAD is offering to its users include: usage of layers, snap to grid for drawing, measurements within the drawing, and several other features to make your life hell a lot easier when you are completing your task on this CAD software.
Download LibreCAD
Download LibreCAD