Whenever we talk about 3D CAD software, the mere term that clouds our minds is AutoCAD. CAD stands for Computer-Aided Design. It’s a program that assists you in frame designs with the help of a PC. If you desire to know more, then let’s dive into this topic and learn about it.
What is CAD Software?
CAD is a useful way to create mechanical or industrial plans and blueprints. It assists you with designing 3D objects and preparing a blueprint in an orderly fashion. CAD software is used in different industries, including aerospace, architecture, 3D modeling, mechanical designs, the automobile industry, and many more spaces.
It contains many components to adjust dimensions or extract design details from 3D models to create high quality production ready drawings. Accessible, flexible & integrated FreeCAD is a multiplatfom (Windows, Mac and Linux), highly customizable and extensible software. It’s also popular in the hobbyist 3D printing community since it’s free for hobbyist and educational use. The tool is easy to learn with the help of ample online tutorials. In addition, Fusion 360 tends to be good at creating watertight models suitable for 3D printing, unlike equally popular free CAD tools like Blender. Aug 21, 2018 The list of the most used 3D design software for Mac (see below) is based upon our list of the 25 most popular 3D modeling programs. However, we excluded software that is not available or not suitable for the Mac OS. This leaves us with the ultimate 3D modeling list for Macintosh users. The Ranking: 3D Modeling Software for Mac Users.
Several tools help you render various functions like creating, contouring, applying textures, and many more. In this article, if you want to enhance your 3D design skills, we have compiled some of the best CAD software for 3D printing and modeling for both beginners and advanced users.
Other 3D Cad Software for Windows, Android, and Mac Os Platforms 3D Cad software is available in plenty of various platforms like Android, Mac Os, and Windows. The features and functions of these software are presented below individually for each platform to help one to understand them better.
What is CAD Software?
1. 3D Crafter
3D Crafter is a real animation and 3D modeling tool that allows you to plan out your 3D models on the computer. The easy-to-use drag and drop option is something that makes it a must-have tool. It comes with built-in 3D shape crafting tools and primitive utilities that easily create intricate designs and models.
This software also allows you to apply animation and effects on the models and shapes. You just need to place the object at each point, thereby making sure that the animations are smooth.
3D Crafter is compatible with Windows.
2. Adobe Dimension CC
Adobe Dimension CC is a part of the Creative Cloud Suite that brings new dimensions into your project and design. The features, such as lighting and high-quality models, allow you to build and craft some engaging 3D models easily within seconds. The navigation options, along with the drag and drop features, make this app one of the best CAD software for 3D printing.
You can easily craft superfine 3D prints using an image or vector graphics onto a model. Adobe Dimension CC delivers unbeatable performance by creating realistic three-dimensional images with perfect texture, contour, and lighting effects.
Adobe Dimension CC is fully compatible with macOS and Windows 10.
3. Nano Cad
If you are looking for CAD tools that come with the complete “.dwg” support, then Nano CAD is what you are looking for. You can enjoy the premium features, including SNAP, ONSAP, precision tools, along with Command Line Tool. Whether you are new to 3D CAD software or are a professional architect, you would find NanoCAD extremely useful. The free version comes with several features and provides an excellent base for the new users, thereby making it an excellent 3D CAD software for beginners. But if you are a professional, then you need to pay to unlock the professional features.
Nano CAD supports Windows.
4. Daz Studio
Daz Studio is a free-to-use 3D CAD software that is full of features and is geared more towards professionals. Besides these features, such as morphing, animation after-effects, and posing, the software also enables you to enhance your skills with a list of in-app interactive tutorials and learning modules. Daz Studio runs seamlessly well on Windows and Mac OS X platforms.
5. Autodesk 3ds Max
It is a function rendering and modeling program that offers tons and tons of 3D modeling options and tools. You can create, design, and animate 3D characters and models for HD games. It is one of the best 3D CAD software that comes with some features that assist you in:
This software comes with many learning modules you can use to learn the basics of 3D modeling.
Auto Desk 3ds Max supports Windows, Linux, and iOS.
6. KiCAD
If you are looking for ways to design your next Printed Circuit Board (PCB), KiCAD will do the job. It is one of the best free CAD software systems that engineers and electricians love 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.
There are a few additional features that include:
KiCAD performs smoothly on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Ubuntu.
7. Blender
Blender is a free to use open-source CAD software that assists you with 3D designing, shaping, and modeling and rendering functions, thus making it a versatile program. You can do much more than just handling projects, animations, applying after-effects, three-dimensional printing, and whatnot. It is undoubtedly an excellent CAD software for 3D printing. You can also install specific add-ons to unlock several functions, options, and features depending on your assignment.
Blender is highly Windows macOS and Linux.
8. Solid Works
Solid Works is a 3D CAD software that comes with tons and tons of powerful features, making it one of the best 3D modeling software.
It is a program that is developed by Dassault Systemes and runs on Windows. If you’re new to three-dimensional modeling and design crafting, this software is not for you. A vast collection of tools and tons of features makes it a perfect choice for professional artists and architects. This program is easy-to-use if you know the depths of designing and modeling. The PDF guides and essential options help you modify the quality of your designs and models.
Solid Works runs smoothly on Windows.
9. FreeCAD
FreeCad is a 3D CAD program that enables you to design real objects of any size in 3D space. It is a dynamic parametric modeling program, and you can effortlessly change the dimensions and parameters of your models or designs using its model history menu.
You can use this software to create:
There are some primitive options and features that make FreeCAD one of the best CAD software tools for professionals:
It is a multiplatform performer and can process multiple file-formats, including DAE, STEP, IFC, OBJ, DXF, STL, and many more.
FreeCAD syncs well with Windows, macOS, and Linux devices.
10. Mesh Mixer
MeshMixer is a top-notch 3D CAD program that you can use for shaping and modeling excellent 3D designs. It is geared more towards handling professional models in 3D space, thereby making it an incredible choice for artists and architects. You can use it to build, edit, and modify models from scratch as the program provides all the necessary tools.
This program will help you in your projects if your assignment is all about 3D modeling, crafting, and printing. All this makes Mesh Mixer one of the best CAD software for 3D printing.
These are some features it offers:
MeshMixer works well on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.
These are some best 3D CAD software Programs to get if you’re a civil engineer, architect, graphic designer, or a 3D artist.
Bonus 3D CAD Software:Cad Software For Mac
Based on the recommendations and user ratings from our study, we are also revealing excellent CAD software for 3D printing.
3DReshaper
3DReshaper is a beautiful 3D CAD program that assists you in processing the models. If you’re a professional artist with years of experience in modeling, after-effects, and three-dimensional printing, this is the program you’re looking for. It is a flexible application that caters to several industries, including shipbuilding, automobile, civil engineering, arts, gaming, and many more sectors. Moreover, it packs a punch of features and supports several scripts for hassle-free modeling.
If you’re interested in getting an application that can save your time and help you in your complex projects, this is one of the ideal CAD software for 3D printing
It is a unique program that efficiently processes 3D point clouds from various sources, including:
Since point-cloud processing is the most challenging step to manage and handle, the software provides robust tools and functions such as Automatic Segmentation to manage and process point clouds and Fusion to simplify your tasks.
3DReshaper works flawlessly fine on Windows 10.
Conclusion:
It brings an end to our guidance and concludes the list of best free CAD software. It is difficult to answer which CAD software is incredible as each of the programs mentioned above comes with a set of advantages and useful features.
It’s worth suggesting that running animation and 3D effects on your PC require robust hardware.
Most of the applications discussed in this article are free of charge and are undoubtedly the best CAD software tools for professionals that will help you in your assignments and projects. We sincerely hope that you select the program that suits your needs and works the best for you.
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:
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:
What users think could be improved:
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:
What users think could be improved:
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)
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:
What users think could be improved:
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:
Best Cad For Mac
What users think could be improved:
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:
Best 3d Cad Software For Mac
What users think could be improved:
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.
Methodology
To be shortlisted, products had to fulfill the following criteria:
Note: The content in this piece that provides opinions and points of view expressed by users. It does not represent the views of Capterra.
Best Cad Software For Mac 3d Printing
Looking for Construction Management software? Check out Capterra's list of the best Construction Management software solutions.
Comments are closed.
|
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |