- Among free 3D CAD software, Leopoly is one of the best for beginners. Offering a plethora of benefits, the application is designed for excellence. It offers a cloud-based 3D modeling service. The software is a product from a Hungarian start-up, LeoPoly. And, clearly carries the concept of being easy to use and being user-friendly.
- FreeCAD is one of the best 3D CAD software for beginners that you can use without burning a hole in your pocket. And especially, if you're new to designing then 3D objects then you can first get your hands-on on this software before purchasing anything expensive.
Best Free CAD Software Tools: Computer Aided Design or CAD makes use of computer systems to create, modify, analyze or optimize a 2D/3D design. It is an essential tool that is used by designers and engineers.
Free and Open Source CAD Software Solutions. As stated above, free and open source CAD software does exist. They are easy to use, downloadable and one can easily modify their source code. They are the best economic solutions if you don't want to go with the premium ones. After all, they serve the purpose best.
CAD can be used to create 2D/3D designs for anything from small equipment to huge machines.
CAD software is used in a variety of industries such as architecture, animation, engineering and graphic designing.
CAD software is usually expensive and the price factor can be a major deterrent especially for students. Many times students or those who have just started learning CAD may be unsure of their exact requirements. This is where free CAD software can be the perfect solution.
There are plenty of resources that offer free or students' edition of software and this can be extremely valuable in the learning process.
Best Free CAD Software – Free CAD Programs
Here is a closer look at the 7 best options to help you get started:
Sculptris
This is a 3D sculpting and 3D modeling program that is available as a free download. It has been created by one of the well-known experts in the 3D industry, Pixologic. It is available for both Mac and Windows users.
It has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy even for beginners to learn and grasp its basic techniques in a short period of time. Intermediate users or those with some knowledge of creative designing will be able to make the most of this free CAD software.
Instead of creating a high-resolution mesh in the start, Sculptris encourages users to build up the levels of detailing in a step-by-step manner. First, the silhouette can be designed using broad brushes eventually moving on to smaller brushes and more details.
You can also extend the features and productivity of this free CAD software as it supports the use of several plug-ins.
SketchUp Make
SketchUp Make is one of the most popular and widely used 3D modeling software. It is used in industries such as engineering, architecture, interior design, designing and development of video games, etc.
It is the free version of SketchUp and is available for both Mac and Windows users as a free download. The simple user interface of this free CAD software makes it possible even for beginners to create simple 3D printable models in a short span of time.
One of its best features is the 3D Warehouse, which is a massive collection of 3D models uploaded by other users. This content can be downloaded and one can explore all the possibilities that this complete 3D modeling software offers you.
DraftSight
DraftSight is a free 2D CAD editor that is equipped with all the required tools for the creation of 2D technical drawings. Whether you are a professional, an educator or a student, this free CAD Programs works well for everyone.
Since it creates, edits and view files in the DWG file format, it makes it easier to open and share the files with other users. This makes it easy to edit existing DWG files.
The availability of a wide number of learning resources is a huge plus and it also offers a great level of support.
Blender
Blender is an open source and free CAD software, which is usually used by professionals for designing and 3D modeling purposes. It is mostly used in video games, animated films, visual effects, 3D interactive apps, etc.
It has a steep learning curve and has been designed keeping professionals in mind. It might not be the easiest free CAD software to master but it is powerful and packed with a range of features.
One of its interesting features is the Blender Game Engine, which can be helpful for those into game designing.
FreeCAD
This open source software is used predominantly by engineers and architects as it supports parametric 3D modeling. This capability allows modification of the 3D design by going back into the model history and changing the parameters of the design.
Though its target audience is mechanical engineers and product designers, it does offer some powerful features for various other uses. This free CAD software is extremely modular and allows customization. It is even possible to get plugins for any additional features that one might need.
FreeCAD may seem overwhelming in the beginning but the FreeCAD community can be of great help to discover this powerful tool. It has an easy interface and has professional looking layouts and designs in spite of being free CAD software.
LibreCAD
LibreCAD is easy to use free CAD software, which is packed with some high-quality features. It is an open source 2D CAD modeling platform.
It comprises of basic tools that you would require to model and modify the designs. It has an uncluttered interface, which makes it simple for beginners to use. It is suitable for intermediate users as well who are interested in technical designing.
Some of its features include usage of layers, snap to grid for drawing, measurements inside the drawing, etc. This free CAD Programs has a large and loyal fan base of designers and customers alike.
Autodesk 123D Design
Autodesk brings you their free CAD software called Autodesk 123D Design. It is powerful and yet simple to use.
3D modeling and 3D printing are getting hugely popular and 123D Design is capable of working well with most of the 3D printer models available. It is perfect for those who not only want to create a design in 3D but get it printed with a supported 3D printer too.
The simple graphical user interface of this free CAD software makes it ideal for beginners. In addition, there are a number of tutorials to help users in the designing process.
SelfCAD
This is a browser-based 3D modeling software that offers an easy to use platform that allows one to model, sculpt and print models all under one program hence you don't need to install any extension or software and this makes SelfCAD the perfect software to be used in classrooms and workshops.
SelfCAD is easier to learn yet powerful. You can master everything in a matter of hours. Has various tools like the ImageGenerator tool which allows inexperienced users to create printable 3D shapes from Images. There are also advanced tools like the Magic Fix tool which makes the model ready for printing by identifying problems and magically fixing them.
Moreover, SelfCAD has a built-in slicer which prepares the models for printing.
SelfCAD has already partnered with MyminiFactory, this allows SelfCADer's to have access to more than 30,0000 models which are printable and they can also upload their models for the world to see them.
It's free for students and teachers and for the general users they have a one month trial period and $4.99/m thereafter, and this makes SelfCAD the most affordable professional software.
Your design can be transformed into reality by a 3D Printer, You can find a 3D Printer in this article Best Cheapest 3D Printer on Sale.
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Conclusion
Detailed engineering of 3D models is possible with the help of CAD. It has significant benefits such as a reduction in the development costs and a much shorter design cycle.
CAD designers are able to develop their work on the screen, print it and save it for future reference and editing. This helps them save a considerable amount of time.
With several options available today choosing the right free CAD software would depend on your specific requirements. Though they might not have a high degree of technical functionality most of the free CAD software is powerful and efficient. They offer awesome features that can be used by both beginners and intermediate users.
The possibilities are endless all thanks to the wide spectrum of free CAD software.
Several free CAD software are available online or can be downloaded for mechanical or product engineering and other purposes. This article lists out the top free CAD platforms and programs.
Free Online CAD Software programs
Easy Cad Software Free
This 3D modeling tool, targeted at beginners, comes for free (standard version) and used through web browser. The modeling method is almost similar to how models are created using Minecraft. Notably, desktop, tablet, and mobile versions are also available. The designs can be shared on social platforms or as 3D prints.
In this 3D software, CAD objects are coded in OpenSCAD. The difficulty level is high.
This free online CAD tool can be accessed via web browser. The learning curve is not steep. Users can get acquainted with the sculpting process by using the basic tools that this platform features.
This free CAD program is available online and is a cloud-based application. It works on the 'what you see is what you get' principle. Different pre-built designs are included and such designs can be easily customized. The platform lacks advanced modeling functions, but the user interface is very friendly. Additionally, there's a dedicated user community that shares ideas and aids in problem solving.
This online 3D modeling software is ideal for designers and artists. You need to register before using intuitive and user-friendly browser driven interface. You can import objects in STL and OBJ formats and export them as VRML2, STL or OBJ formats. You can export the designs to 3D printing service providers like Shapeways, 3DHubs etc.
This free tool available online has many innovative features. You need not register to use the platform. However, for exporting files, you need to use your Google account for signing up or logging in.
This free 3D CAD tool has many powerful features for basic level CAD modeling. You can use polygon modeling features to bevel, loop, and cut, extrude, slice etc. For texture maps, you can avail of UV mapping.
This online CAD platform is free to use. You can design and 3D print complex objects at ease.
The user interface of this free CAD tool available online is innovative and facilitates collaboration. You can quickly adapt the mesh with selections and sliders of parametric modeling.
Ideal for engineers, you can code with programming languages in this open-source CAD tool for creating objects. How to install downloads on macbook. End designs are compatible with 3D printers.
The user interface is ideal for beginners. ZSpace has created free to use Leopoly in the online form. You can conduct training for new designers regarding creation, customization and preparing of 3D models meant for 3D printing. CAD and 3D sculpting go side by side on this platform.
This free CAD tool is owned by an online 3D printing and CNC milling service. After completing your design in 2D or 3D, you can place order for parts right away. Both beginners and advanced users can utilize the tools of this CAD platform. Sheet metal bending, chamfering and other features are available.
This open source 3D CAD modeler offers cross-platform compatibility. You can edit geometry interactively, ray trace in high quality for analyzing geometry or for rendering, and can perform product engineering related tasks.
SolidWorks had released Onshape for more innovative and qualitative CAD modeling.
This 3D modeling platform combines JavaScript and OpenSCAD. You can create accurate product models to 3D print them. You need to define model features through script files' parameters.
Free CAD Software programs to download
3D modeling can be done easily with this tool and you can 3D print all designs. You can share files on multiple platforms and view them on different devices. With built-for-collaboration platform, you can make creative and immersive designs.
You can draw layout functionalities as well use different styles for surface rendering. The exchange repository is included in the online, free software. You can download about 2.2 million models rich 3D Warehouse right in the online platform.
- This open source 3D CAD suite has numerous features and flexible tool sets. You can access designing, engineering and drafting tools along with modeling libraries and object oriented mathematics. Interactive viewing option is available. You can perform simpler modeling activities, visualization and advanced automation.
Pixologic has released this free 3D software for offering enriched sculpting toolset which enables creation of complex designs like dragon.
You can use it for creating architectural designs and other types of 3D designs.
This free CAD editor allows creation, editing and viewing of projects in native DWG mode. The standard features set can be leveraged by students and professionals alike. You can use text, polylines, lines, dimensions etc. for creating plans with professional appearance. The UI is minimalist.
This free open source parametric 3D modeling tool is aimed for mechanical engineers, architects and production designers primarily. You can create meshes, 2D drafts, 3D solids etc. Features like right hand coordinate system make it powerful.
This open source and free Printed Circuit Board (PCB) designing tool comes accompanied with project manager, PCB editor, footprint selector, schematic editor, and GERBER file viewer.
This 2D CAD design software is open source and free. You can draw technical parts, mechanical components, diagrams, buildings etc. QCAD is modular, extensible, and portable. The user interface is intuitive. Even beginners can use it. Other features include 4800+ CAD parts' library, different fonts for CAD, blocks, and layers.
This 2D CAD software offers ease of use and superior features like layers usage, inside drawing measurements, snap to grid etc using this best free drawing software.
You can 3D model or create animation in real time with features like drag and drop. Complex models can be created with Shape Building Tools and 3D primitives. For animating, you need to place subject at predefined points across a timeline.
This free 2D CAD free drafting software is an alternative for AutoCAD. You can use sophisticated CAD tools and superior performance. The table editor is power packed. More advanced features are available in NanoCAD plus and NanoCAD pro.
AutoDesk has released this cad software suite. You can sculpt, model, draw, create circuits, manipulate 3D files and do other things. Tools are simple yet even a beginner can create complex models.
With this open source modeler, you can model, rig, animate, simulate, render, motion track, and perform compositing. You can edit videos and create video games.
You can create solid 3D models. CAD model's properties and mechanical dimensions are given preference over artistic composition.
This parametric 3D CAD software is suited for product engineering for modeling 3D parts for printing, preparing CAM data, designing mechanisms, and using solid or plane geometry. You can build solid models, analyze them, sketch and do other things.
This 3D CAD tool is from Autodesk. You can work with triangle meshes. You can precisely do 3D positioning through pivots or design objects for fitting another shape.
This 3D CAD modeler allows product engineering in 3D in innovative manner. You can do rapid prototyping and reverse engineering quickly.
You can process and edit unstructured triangle meshes in 3D with this open source 3D CAD modeler. The triangular meshes can be edited, cleaned, healed, inspected, rendered and converted.
You can avail of flexible plugins in this 3D CAD programs for artistic 3D modeling. Visualization pipeline architecture is also present.
This 3D CAD modeler from Matt Keeter allows fabrication, rapid prototyping and interactive editing.
This free CAD tool can be used on desktops, Xbox One, Windows Hololense, and Windows Mobile. You can download free cad online models for editing and 3D printing.
The user interface of this free CAD program is intuitive. Color palettes to the left of interface allow painting of voxels when traditional textures are not present. You can custom define or load palettes. The render settings do perfect work. Patterns and brushes consisting of voxels are defined beforehand.
The basic features suit the needs of beginners. Professionals can use the advanced features.
This free 3D modeler offers ease of use and industry grade tools. You can engage in subdivision surface-based modeling, carry out animation with skeletons, and create materials or procedural textures with graphical language. The tool is intuitive and power packed.
You can use the CAD tools of LeoCAD for building virtual designs with LEGO bricks. Models with many parts can be easily built. Kids and beginners can use it. Since this is open source, you too can contribute newer, more advanced features.
This 3D solid modeler is used for creating geometric objects with 2D shapes. This free software is ideal for mechanical engineering tasks.
This finite element analysis app is open source and adopts an input format like Abaqus. You can find CCX (implicit and explicit solver) and CGX (pre- and post-processor).
You can use this free architecture software, open source platform for numerical simulation with pre and post processing. Free open source 3d animation software. Reusable components underlie this open architecture. You may download the binaries and source code from Salome's official site.
You can digitally create or remodel home interiors or rooms.
You can use virtual characters, props, cars, animals, environs, accessories etc. for creating unique art or animation. After selecting the subject and setting, you can arrange lighting and accessories to create attractive artwork. You can use technological innovations for enhancing user experience.
This feature rich CAM/CAD/CAE kernel allows 3D model development. You can avail of reusable object libraries in C++ and powerful development tools.
This 2D and 3D CAD program runs on Linux and Windows and is ideal for mechanical engineering related modeling. You will get support for geometric constraints, parameters, shells' tools, sheet metal unbending, pipelines, assembly support, crash test, bills of materials, calculations etc. You can access the symbol and mechanical part libraries containing bearings, nuts, screws etc. You may also use the calculation modules like beam torsion, mass, volume, springs, center of gravity etc.
You can design efficiently with this free CAD program and can produce bill of materials for calculating 3D project printing cost. With DesignSpark Mechanical, you can get access to built-in library. The pull feature allows creation of 3D models from a surface only.
With this free CAD system, you can draft in 2D, model in 3D and 2D, carry out parametric modeling and visualize. You can avail features for geometric and sculptured surface modeling. The standard library has 350+ procedures as well as functions to facilitate ease of integration, storage in object oriented database, render with OpenGL etc. Files can be imported and exported in DXF, STL, IGES, and PLT formats.
This open source CAD program suits architectural designing needs. It is built on Eclipse's Rich Client Platform and has many underlying plug-ins. The core is thin and platform is extensible.
This 3D model editor is OpenGL based. You can work with triangle based models.You can benefit from undo function at multi-level, skeletal animation, scripting, texture mapping, batch processing through command line, and new feature adding plug-in.
Free Cad Programs For Beginners
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