While they tend to produce sleek, full-featured products, they come at a high cost. These free alternatives 2D CAD software are ideal for architects or engineers that are tight on budget and do not want to use pirated versions of AutoCAD. All for free. With QCAD you can create technical drawings such as plans for buildings, interiors, mechanical parts or schematics and diagrams. It is a constraint-based parametric modeler with simple mechanical simulation capabilities.
It is developed by Jonathan Westhues. Applications include:. Support and documentation is free from our large, dedicated community of users, contributors and developers. FreeCAD is an open-source parametric 3D modeler made primarily to design real-life objects of any size. Parametric modeling allows you to easily modify your design by going back into your model history and changing its parameters.
FreeCAD is aimed directly at mechanical engineering and product design but also fits in a wider range of uses around engineering, such as architecture or other engineering specialties.
It is a feature based parametric modeler with a modular software architecture which makes it easy to provide additional functionality without modifying the core system. DraftSight is a professional-grade 2D design and drafting solution that lets you create, edit, view and markup any kind of 2D drawing.
A familiar user interface and a minimal learning curve facilitates an easy transition from your current CAD application. DraftSight is no longer free.
To address the most asked-for capabilities and functionality from our users, DraftSight provides new powerful features and robust 3D capabilities, along with more product choices and flexibility. We are also investing in other technologies including an upcoming cloud-based version of DraftSight and more.
It costs 33 Euro for a one user, one-time lifetime license. Updates are free for the first year. However, their basic version is free. Apparently, students should be able to run it for free, and they also provide a free. I bought draftsight pro several years ago.
Such measurements are often difficult to get exactly right by hand, and almost impossible for those not used to such design methods. This is where 2D CAD software can be a lifesaver for people who need precisely laid-out structures in reliable settings. Those used to 3D CAD software will know how useful base views can be when perfecting each side of a model. With 2D CAD software, you can turn this base view into a full design. This is especially useful for interior designers who want to turn 3D models into a 2D floor plan.
The best 2D CAD software for you all depends on what you need it for. Some are geared towards interior design, while others are best suited to mechanical and construction projects, and can also be used for laser cutting and engraving, or CNC.
Some software is geared towards architecture , others have more creativity in mind. Cartoonists and graphic designers will benefit from its easy manipulation of images, while architects and interior designers take advantage of its precise and easy-to-measure line drawing. Both mechanical engineers and artists alike will find its simple interface a refreshing break from industrial-level software, which can often be overbearing. LibreCAD acts like many drawing software tools, allowing for the direct manipulation of files.
However, veterans or those used to more professional tools may be left wanting. Another beginner-friendly 2D CAD software is QCAD, which offers many design, editing, and online sharing features that are ideal for graphic designers as well as architecture and engineering students. It is a cross-platform software, being that it is available on Windows, Mac, and Linux devices.
In addition, it is being maintained and updated regularly, so it is not like you have to download an old version. The latest version was released just a few months ago January — check the download page to see the latest version, or check the news page to see other updates that might interest you. One modeling technique you can use is constructive solid geometry, while another technique is the extrusion of 2D outlines.
You can go to the download page to download the latest version and check system requirements — for example, the latest version as of this writing requires a Mac OS X The source code is public and available on GitHub. I really liked the Cheat Sheet , which can help you get started. The interface might not look the most modern or be the fanciest, but it is incredibly intuitive and easy to figure out, even if you have never used QCAD before.
You can go to the download page to download the free version of QCAD. By default, that comes with a free trial of the Professional version as well — the free trial allows you to work using the Professional version for up to 15 minutes at a time.
If you can complete your work in 15 minutes, you will have no problem; you can restart the Professional version every 15 minutes. However, if you want, you can only download the free version and not deal with the Professional version or its free trial at all. Remember, QCAD is not only free but it is open-source, meaning the source code of the free version is public and available to all.
You can go to the online QCAD shop to see updated pricing information. Draft It is free forever, making it a great alternative to AutoCAD, and it allows you to create CAD models using professional tools and save or print your work.
I will mention that while Draft It is forever free, there are premium versions as well. Using the premium versions, you can benefit from additional features. Also, the Plus version allows you to create and save symbols to insert in other drawings and take advantage of the layer management tool.
The good news is that if you want, you can keep the free version forever and never pay anything. Draft It is only compatible with Windows computers, both 32 and bit.
Go to the download page to download the free version of Draft It both bit and bit versions are available. When you download the free version, you will also be downloading trials of the three other versions of Draft It: Plus, Pro, and Architect. Those three other versions can be used for up to 15 days. Once those 15 days are over, you can continue using the free version of Draft It without any limitations. It is free and available for Windows, Mac, and Linux devices.
The LeoCAD software is compatible with LDraw tools, and it also makes use of the LDraw library, which has over 10, parts you can add to models and designs. LeoCAD is not only free, but it is also open-source. As such, everyone can contribute a fix or repair a bug. The reason for this is that SketchUp is a much simpler tool, and CAD models can often be too complicated for SketchUp modeling, leading to various complications.
One thing I like about SketchUp over its alternatives is that everything is done in the cloud. In other words, you access the work area from your browser, on the web, without downloading any software.
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