Free Cad Design Software For Mac

Vectorworks is an object-oriented CAD software for Mac OS. The software primarily uses for 2D Drafting, technical drawing, and highly effective 3D modeling. It gives 2D, 3D, production management, and presentation capabilities for all levels of the design course. Strata Design 3D CX offers a free trial. Strata Design 3D CX is engineering software, and includes features such as 2d drawing, 3d modeling, design analysis, and design export. With regards to system requirements, Strata Design 3D CX is available as Mac software. Costs start at $595.00/one-time/user. The most up-to-date version of the software includes Direct X support, which is useful for those who use CAD software for video games, as well as being a practical addition to most developers. NanoCAD has been thoroughly designed and is a great free alternative to AutoCAD. Aug 24, 2021 AutoCAD for Mac software — it’s AutoCAD, for the Mac, bringing robust 3D free-form design tools and powerful drafting capabilities to your platform of choice.It takes full advantage of the Mac OS X platform, with an intuitive, graphical user interface that makes it easy to bring your ideas to life.

One of the biggest benefits of SmartDraw over traditional CAD software is that you can use SmartDraw on your computer, browser or mobile device—Windows ®, Mac ®, Android ®, iOS ®, or any other platform with an internet connection.Whether you're in the office or on the go, you'll enjoy the full set of features, symbols, and high-quality output you get only with SmartDraw.
Live Interior 3D Pro. Features and functions This is freehome design software for Macwhich lets you design your home or interiors in 2D and 3D formats. It comes with a huge catalog of obxjects and also preset designs.
AUTOCAD – Leading 3D Modeling Software. The AUTOCAD for Mac is the best 3d modeling software that money can buy for you. The industry leading software is the first choice for every user who want the best user experience. Blender – Free Open 3D Modeler. The blender is a free open 3D modeler software which is free for use.

It is one of the best free CAD software systems that is loved by engineers and electricians around the world. It is an open-source PCB design software that comes with a built-in project manager and four powerful utilities including a printed circuit board editor, schematic editor, footprint selecting tool and the GERBER file viewer/editor. FreeCAD is a multiplatfom (Windows, Mac and Linux), highly customizable and extensible software. It reads and writes to many open file formats such as STEP, IGES, STL, SVG, DXF, OBJ, IFC, DAE and many others, making it possible to seamlessly integrate it into your workflow.

A Proven Replacement for AutoCAD 2D/3D DWG Software

…with all the Familiar Icons and Menus

iCADMac is professional ‘AutoCAD’ like software without the monthly subscription. It supports an interface complete with an “AutoCAD® Like” icon menu and “AutoCAD® Like” commands. It has the same file formats, same menus, and commands and at a fraction of the price (a one-time investment instead of a monthly subscription like AutoCAD)…

Over 20,000 Blocks and Symbols

Includes over 20,000 Blocks and Symbols in the iCADLib block library manager.

Express Tools

Use a similar bonus toolset as AutoCAD. Offered FREE without subscription because, well, we’re just like that!

Application Programming Interface (API) Support

Automate your tasks using industry standard API’s, including AutoLISP, and SDS (like ADS).

PDF Import

Import PDF into iCADMac, along with Blocks, Layers, Linetypes, etc. All intelligence contained within the PDF is imported into your drawing.

PDF Plotting

Plot to PDF using iCADMac’s plot interface. Use Color Tables (.ctb) or Style Tables (.stb) and Printer Configuration Parameter (.pcp) files from AutoCAD.

What is iCADMac?

To start, it is over $3000 less than AutoCAD…

Affordable Price
High compatibility with the DWG drawing file format
PDF Import and Export
Gradient Hatch
Tables
Raster and Image Management
Image Clipping
Polygonal Viewports
Xref Manager
Standard Interface
Property Bar
Additional Hatches
Multilines
Display on iPad™
Rendering
ACIS® Solids
iCADLib – Advanced Blocks Libraries
Traceparts

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iCADMac vs. AutoCAD

iCADMac works with AutoCAD DWG files, without any type of conversion. edit every version of DWG: AutoCAD 2.5 through the latest!
iCADMac’s user interface is complete with “AutoCAD Like” icon menus and commands.
iCADMac supports AutoCAD file types: DWG, DXF, .MNU, .SCR, AutoLISP, SHX and TTF fonts, CTB and PCP for Plotting, Hatch Patterns, Linetypes, etc.
iCADMac supports 3D ACIS Solid Modeling, 3D Surface commands such as revsurf, rulesurf, etc., iCADMac also has 3D Realistic Rendering built in allowing you to make true to life representations of your AutoCAD compatible DWG models. See further comparisons by selecting the button below…

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Details

iCADMac has high compatibility with the DWG drawing file format, from Version 2.5 up to the most recent AutoCAD® 2018.
iCADMac supports PDF file conversion into DWG with Layers supported. iCADMac can export your drawings in the PDF format.
iCADMac displays and creates Gradient Hatches
iCADMac displays and creates tables.
iCADMac displays and creates and edits DWG drawings with images, photos and raster images.
iCADMac supports rectangular and polygonal clip on images.
iCADMac supports polygonal layout viewports.
iCADMac has Xref Manager which is a module for quick, easy management of external references.
iCADMac has Standard Interface which is a friendly, familiar environment for AutoCAD® users.
iCADMac has Property Bar which is a visual and intuitive interface to edit object properties.
iCADMac has more than 300 additional hatch patterns.
iCADMac displays and creates tables
iCADMac has basic rendering functions with Light and Shading management. Advanced module will be available soon for for a small fee.
iCADMac supports multiple line creation of up to 16 simultaneous tracks.
Display and edit iCADMac drawings on iPad™, iPhone®, and iPod touch® in DWG and PDF formats.
iCADMac creates a package containing the current drawing and its dependent files such as References, referenced images, referenced PDF files, font files, font mapping files, PrintStyle files, and Print Configuration files.
The PDF format is widely used everywhere. If you receive a PDF file that you want to reference as you draw, you can attach it as an underlay and looks it transparent over the drawing entities.
iCADMac proposes the basic rendering module with multiple Lights and Shadow support. The advanced Ray-tracing module with materials, reflection, transparency and smooth shadows will be available soon as an option module.
Multiline objects can consist up to 16 parallel lines, called “elements”. Multilines allow quick creation of walls, roads, insulation etc. iCADMac offers a complete configuration mask specially designed to define various multiline styles.
Revision clouds are used in drawings to indicate that certain areas require or contain revisions. You can create rectangular, elliptical and freehand Clouds to accentuate drawing areas. You can adjust the radius of the sequential arcs of Clouds.
iCADMac reads and writes 3D solid objects with the ACIS Solid Modeling libraries (the same as AutoCAD®)
Essential for those who deal with Industrial Design, Dies, complex architectural elements and generally for any application in which creating complex three-dimensional shapes quickly and easily.
ACIS solids are available thanks to an agreement signed with Spatial, the supplier of technology for solid modelling to many of the most important CAD software companies in the world.
iCADMac has implemented complete management of ACIS solids including viewing, printing, creating and editing.
Exchange of CAD project data with other CAD software which uses ACIS Solids (such as AutoCAD®) is therefore a simple process!
Creating complex three-dimensional shapes by using solid models is made easier in comparison with the more traditional techniques.
More than 22.000 Blocks are ready to be used for Construction, Architectural, Furnishing, 3D Furnishing, Mechanics, Electrical, Electronics, Steel profiles and many others industries. Thanks to the Blocks Library Management module it is quick and easy to find a symbol you need. iCADLib can be also used to manage libraries of symbols or personal that already exist.
iCADLib includes the access to Traceparts for progeCAD: Advanced integration with the progeCAD’s Traceparts web portal for easy guided usage of more than 100 millions of blocks.
Directly guided block insertion from the web to your drawings just in a snap.

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Introducing iCARE Subscription Services

iCARE is a 1 year subscription-based maintenance and support program. It offers a variety of benefits to help customers get the most out of their iCADMac software. iCARE cuts down upgrade costs and gives customers more value.

For an annual fee, iCARE customers get convenient access to the following benefits:

Software – You will receive all iCADMac Updates and All New Versions.
Support – Free Technical assistance via the web with the new help desk service through ticket, email, live chat and remote support.

Buy iCARE now bundled with your iCADMac licenses and save 20% off the iCARE price.

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Unprecedented File Compatibility

iCADMac® uses DWG for it’s design file format, natively without conversion. That means unrivaled compatibility with AutoCAD® Drawing files without need to convert the files first, and no risk for data loss, none.
iCADMac enables you to export your drawing files in practically every DWG format ever produced. You can take a DWG all the way back to 1983 (if you don’t mind the music!).
Same with DXF, a standard used by thousands of CAD users to move designs from one CAD system to perform additional analysis or even to edit within a different CAD system.
DWG files are probably the most convenient and reliable format for viewing drawings on the Apple iPad™

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Licensing Options

iCADMac is available with different licensing solutions

SL – Single License
Simple but Stationary. For a single Mac® Pro, MacBook® Pro; iMac®; Mac® mini; MacBook Air®; MacBook®.

USB – USB-Dongle License
This license with a USB-Dongle protection allows to transfer your license from between Mac® Pro, MacBook® Pro, iMac®, Mac® mini, MacBook Air® or MacBook®.

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iCADMac System Requirements

Apple® Mac® Pro, MacBook® Pro, iMac®, Mac® mini, MacBook Air®, MacBook®
Mac OS X v10.5.8 or later
x86 Intel® processor
1 GB of RAM (2 GB recommended, you may even want more) The easiest way to make your iCADMac perform is to add more memory. It’s the main factor for ensuring your drawings have the least amount of themselves put onto the hard disk to make room for whatever else the machine needs to store in their location… is mega memory!
2.0 GB free disk space for download and installation (3 GB recommended). If you decide against that extra ram, you probably should give yourself a little more room for those bigger drawings.
All graphics cards on supported hardware
1,024 x 768 display with true color
Mac OS X-compliant printer

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BUY

Volume pricing *

QTY	Price Each
3-4	5% discount
5-9	7% discount
10+	10% discount

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I am very happy with iCADMac! iCADMac does everything I need. Great tool!

– Jane Facer

All is well with my iCADMac. Some of the nicest software that I've had. Thanks.

– Ben Tedd

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)

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.

Document management in Fusion 360 (Source)

Free 2d Cad Software Mac

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)

Best Cad Software For Mac

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.

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

Best Cad For Mac

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:

Methodology

To be shortlisted, products had to fulfill the following criteria:

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).

Note: The content in this piece that provides opinions and points of view expressed by users. It does not represent the views of Capterra.