With its plethora of features, it is no surprise that Vectorworks products are the go-to CAD solutions for professionals across numerous industries. However, with great functionality comes great investment. While Vectorworks is one of the best on the market, there are many that would consider it a bit expensive. The most basic package, Vectorworks Fundamentals, costs a one-time fee of $2,300, with yearly upgrades costing at least $805. Check out our “how much does Vectorworks cost?” article for more. At these prices, Vectorworks is inaccessible to many CAD users. Therefore, the question, “Can I get Vectorworks for free?” is very valid. Fortunately, the short form answer to this question is yes.

Vectorworks can be used to design entire buildings and landscapes (source)

In this article, we will be exploring the ways by which you can lay your hands on Vectorworks for free. Keep in mind that while these ways allow you to enjoy Vectorworks to an extent, they do not grant perpetual, unrestricted access. We will also be going through some ways by which you should definitely not get Vectorworks for free.

Vectorworks Free Trial

As most software makers do, Vectorworks Inc. offers a free trial version of their software for 30 days. This is to allow intending users to get a complete feel of the products before making a commitment. To get a free trial, you simply have to apply for it on the free trial page. You will be required to input your info and contact details, after which you will receive a 5-minute phone consultation from representatives of Vectorworks. During the call, you will be provided with a unique serial number and instructions on how to get started with your free trial.

During the 30-day period, you are granted unrestricted access to the full range of Vectorworks’s features, after which access will be withdrawn. You will have to pay to continue using the software. This method of getting Vectorworks for free only makes sense for one-off projects.

Vectorworks Academic Programs

If you are in education, whether as a student looking to develop designs for class, an educator teaching design, or an administrator looking to get design software for your school, then you are in great luck. Through their academic program, Vectorworks Inc. offers students and professors in select global markets free individual copies of Vectorworks Designer. Also known as Vectorworks Design Suite, this product includes all the features of Architect, Landmark, and Spotlight and ordinarily costs $4,300.00 (without maintenance) and $5,246.00 (with maintenance) for a perpetual license. (However, Vectorworks will ditch the perpetual license model in favor of the subscription model starting January 1, 2023.) As long as you can prove that you are in education, you will be granted free access to the product.

Vectorworks Inc. also offers their entire product line, including Vectorworks Designer, Vision, Braceworks, and ConnectCAD, absolutely free, in the form of a full lab donation. This offer is available to accredited institutions with technology courses.

In addition to these, Vectorworks Inc. also offers graduates in architecture, landscape, or entertainment an opportunity to kickstart their careers with their Student2Pro program. While this program does not get qualified users Vectorworks for free, it provides them with a whopping 40% discount on all the other products except Braceworks and ConnectCAD.

Vectorworks Alternatives

Vectorworks is preferred by many for its high functionality. However, if none of the explored methods of getting the software for free works for you, you may want to consider some affordable Vectorworks alternatives.

There are numerous CAD programs on the market, and so it can be challenging to search out the ones that can adequately replace Vectorworks for your project. To help you with this problem, we have compiled a list of Top Vectorworks alternatives that are either free or cost a fraction of what Vectorworks does. 

How Not to Get Vectorworks for Free

You may have heard about a “smart and easy” way of getting Vectorworks for free by downloading a cracked version of the software. We strongly advise against this as there are numerous repercussions. To begin with, when you download a crack, you are exposing your computer to a host of malware. Nothing is free in the long run, and you may end up paying for the crack with your personal information or with a damaged system.

Cracks are an avenue for malware (source)

Also, cracked versions are never the same as the original as they are bound to lack a lot of additional features. Furthermore, when you download a crack, you are basically stealing from the developers who took countless hours to create the software. If you don’t mind reaping off others’ hard work, you should mind breaking the law.

In addition to all the disadvantages of downloading a crack, the act is also illegal and can land you in some serious trouble. In summary, it is never worth the risk.

Although getting to understand how to design with Creo is not extremely difficult, designing a project from scratch can be tiresome and time-consuming. Going online, you will find thousands of models that can be downloaded into your Creo application and used directly or edited to your specifications. These models help save a lot of design time for professionals and assist the beginners who need a reference model in the course of learning the program. While most of these models are available on various websites for purchase, there are still a significant amount of free Creo models out there.

In this article, we will be going through 13 sites where you can download free Creo models. The models in these sites are of PTC Creo’s native file formats such as .prt and .asm. While going through this article, keep in mind that this is not a ranking or comparative article, and so the sites listed are in no particular order. 

1. PTC PARTcommunity

PTC PARTcommunity is an online CAD solution for industry professionals like architects, designers, engineers, and technicians. It provides standard user and supplier-contributed 2D and 3D CAD models in Creo file formats. The on this site tabs are well arranged to make their interface easy to navigate. The home screen has a search bar at the top, with which you can search by either the product name or by the order number of the supplier models. There are also other intelligent search filters such as the sketch, solidarity, color, certified catalog, supplier, and categories to narrow down the search results. You’ll need to register to be able to download models.

2. CGTrader

CGTrader is a virtual 3d content marketplace with over a million members. The features of the site include a model marketplace, various CAD tutorials, and freelance job offers. The models are categorized into aircraft, animals, architecture, CG textures, cars, plants, vehicles, and many more. There are thousands of 3D models, polycount, licenses, and attributes under the free models’ page. To begin your downloading, you will need to register to the site. 

3. Archive 3D

If you are into graphic designing, Archive 3D will interest you. They provide 3d models for animation and graphic design. The site comes with a straight forward interface and has displayed on the home screen, some models, a Google custom search bar, and the model categories by the side. The models are categorized into furnishing, equipment and appliance, site improvements, doors and windows, structures, and kitchen. For this site, registration is not needed to start downloading.

4. Turbosquid

Turbosquid offers a wide range of models to choose from. The site has a very aesthetic interface. Most of their models are premium (paid), but you can find about 30,000 free models from various software, including Creo. This site makes locating models seamless with the search option on the home page or by searching through the well-outlined categories ranging from anatomy to vehicles, buildings, and technology. To begin your download of the free models, registering with the site is mandatory. 

5. GrabCAD

GrabCAD is one of the largest, if not the largest, online CAD communities with over seven million CAD users as members. This website has a library with four million-plus free CAD files of over 40 different CAD formats, including PTC native formats for downloads. Asides from the free models, GrabCAD offers 3d printing services, a GrabCAD workbench for collaboration, different CAD challenges where you can win awards for your designs, and various CAD tutorials. To find your desired model, you can either use the search bar or browse through many categories. You’ll have to join the community to start enjoying the services of this site. 

6. 3D Content Central

3D Content Central is an enormous online service provider with a community of over 2 million CAD users. After joining the community by registering, you’ll be eligible to upload your models and download both the user and supplier-contributed free models. In its library, you’ll find thousands of models in various categories that are compatible with many popular CAD programs, such as Creo. There’s also a search bar provided. After searching and not finding your desired model, you can request and have your model designed by professionals in no time.

7. TraceParts

TraceParts is one of the leading online providers of 3D content for professionals. They provide digital marketing services for part vendors, 3d printing suppliers, and software and hardware vendors. It has a library (portal) with many supplier catalogs and has over 100 million CAD models, all of which are free of charge. They offer different options with which you can search for your desired model. You can search through the manufacturer catalogs and also search by sector (e.g., civil engineering, mechanical engineering). You would find a list of software packages such as Inventor, Solidworks, AutoCAD, and Creo to choose from below the screen. Registration is required to begin downloading. 

8. 3D CAD Browser

The next on our list is a site solely dedicated to the provision of 3D models. Though most of the models on 3D CAD Browser are not free, you still have access to around a thousand free models. These models are available in Solidworks, CATIA, STL, and Creo file formats and are grouped in categories like automotive, vehicle, electrical, building, and technology. There is a search bar for the. To be able to download from this site, you would have to first register and then upload a model. This is to help increase the number of models in the library. 

9. CAD Crowd

Cad Crowd is an all in one online service provider in the CAD world. You can get modeling and rendering services on this website, find qualified freelance design, get 3d models, and participate in design contests. In their library (under the 3d models’ showcase tab), you’ll find thousands of free models designed by CAD crowd professionals, made available in different file formats such as the PRT and ASM. You can sort your models by categories or by selecting from a plethora of CAD software. There is also a search bar made available. 

10. MorphoSource 

MorphoSource was initially created by anthropologists. This site is an online platform where researchers come to upload and share their 3D designs. The platform is mainly for those who are in search of 3D of anthropology models. There are 15,000+ free models for download on the site in various popular file formats. Quality is assured as these models come from high-resolution 3D scans. There is a search bar for locating models.

11. Autodesk Online Gallery

Being one of the most popular and powerful software makers, Autodesk is sure to have tangible content in its online gallery. The Autodesk Online Gallery is where members of the Autodesk community come to share their models for review and download. The gallery has over 20,000 free models for download. The website offers a ton of filters to ease your search and navigation. You can use filters such as industries, categories, and used products. You’ll find the models in various CAD formats, including Creo’s. As expected, you’ll have to be a member of the community to start your download. 

12. Part Cloud

This website gives you a little bit of everything 3D models. They offer both paid and free models. Game developers and graphic designers would find this site very useful. You can find models such as ice cream, lamps, doors, furniture, vehicles, shops, and so on. PARTcloud boasts of having one of the best search functions. You can either use the search bar or check through the top site users and their creations. You’ll need to register to start downloading. 

13. 3DSky

3DSky comes with a very simple interface. They offer both paid and free 3D models. The site also allows you to upload your models. On the homepage, there is a search bar for finding models and a tab named 3d models, which takes you to the 3d model library. Here, you’ll find Creo models alongside other applications’. They are categorized into furniture, architecture, technology, and a lot more. Just like in 3D CAD browser, you’ll have to upload a model after registering to download. You’ll be granted access to three free models per day.

In the early days of CAD, CAD programs were very few, inaccessible, and limited to particular industries. There was the problem of getting a CAD application. Today, however, the has become selecting the program that would be suitable for your project, as a plethora of applications is now available. At Scan2CAD, we provide you with descriptive articles, comparing various CAD programs to help you choose the right application for your project.

In this article, we will be comparing two multidisciplinary CAD software giants, CATIA, and NX. We will explore their histories, capabilities, and users, before going through a direct “CATIA vs. NX” comparison.

CATIA

History and Development of CATIA

The story of CATIA’s development began in the late 1960s when Dassault Aviation of France took a keen interest in applying computer technology in aircraft design. This interest eventually led them to license the CADAM software, developed by Lockheed, for 2D drafting work, becoming one of the software’s first licensees. This was way back in 1974. During that time, the company was also developing the DRAPO program, a manufacturing application that applied interactive graphics. DRAPO entered industrial service in late 1975. DRAPO formed the foundation of what is now known as CATIA.

In 1978, Dassault Aviation’s CAD Department embarked on developing a 3D design tool. These efforts led to the development of a new DRAPO system called CATI (Conception Assistée Tridimensionnelle Interactive). CATI was initially used to machine complex machine parts utilizing 2D drawings created using DRAPO. In 1981, Dassault Aviation renamed CATI; thus, CATIA (Computer-Aided Three-Dimensional Interactive Application) was born. CATIA helped Dassault Aviation optimize production efficiency, enhance quality, and lower cycle times.

In mid-1981, Dassault Aviation created a subsidiary, Dassault Systémes, to further develop, commercialize, and market CATIA. Since the early years, Dassault Systémes embraced a practice that saw it introduce enhanced features, packaged as releases. These releases would be based on an existing architecture of the CATIA software. It is the architecture that defined the version of the software. This practice persists to date. It is, therefore, not uncommon to encounter several releases of the same version. CATIA’s naming system identifies the version as well as the release. For instance, with CATIA Version 5 (V5), you might encounter releases such as R7, R17, R18, R19, R20, and R21, with the first one written as CATIA V5-R7.

In 2012, Dassault Systémes launched 3DExperience (3DX), a unified business and innovation platform that enables all project participants to collaborate in real time and securely on any device. In 2014, the company launched the first 3DExperience platform, Release 2014x, which included CATIA.

So far, Dassault Systémes has released six versions (architectures) of CATIA. CATIA V5-6R2023 and CATIA R2023X are the latest CATIA software.

What does CATIA do?

Modeling in CATIA (source)

CATIA is a suite of CAD applications that provides solutions for computer-aided design, manufacture, and engineering. This well-endowed software takes you through the complete design process from the product’s conceptualization, design, and engineering, to its manufacturing. You get to design and collaborate in an interactive environment. The wide array of tools for every function makes working with CATIA seamless. The capabilities are divided into construction, design and styling, engineering, and systems engineering. 

Construction

For construction, CATIA offers tools for the complete design and engineering processes for both small scale and complex construction projects. In this discipline, collaboration among stakeholders and designers across different project phases is very important in the project’s development. CATIA offers the virtual twin technology, which acts as a common language that facilitates collaboration between the architects, engineers, owners, and other personnel involved in the project. 

The software also enables the users to create high-level detailed models of industry standards, generate accurate bills of materials, extract associative 2D documents from 3D models, and do many other things.  CATIA makes the construction process straightforward and easy. 

Design and styling

Design and styling play a major role in project development. With CATIA, you’re sure to attain a high level of quality and surface sophistication using the right design tools for the physical and virtual prototype. This software also provides you with all the needed tools for design creativity in 3D sketching, subdivision surface, A class module, 3D printing, reverse engineering, and visualization. The major benefits are the industrial design and advanced surface modeling features. 

Engineering

The software offers a ton of properties in the mechanical engineering discipline. CATIA provides an environment for the rapid development of high-quality mechanical products (parts, assemblies)

The program enables digital prototyping, combined with digital analysis and simulation which allows the development team to virtually create and analyze a mechanical product in one environment. The design of machine components such as parts and assemblies is effortless with CATIA. 

Who uses CATIA?

CATIA’s myriad of functionalities and capabilities makes it used by members from many industries. It is used by mechanical engineers, fluid and systems engineers, electrical designers, builders, and many other industry professionals. 

NX

History and Development of NX

NX was previously called Unigraphics, software originally developed by United Computing. (United Computing was founded in 1963.) Unigraphics was a 3D-capable CAD/CAM software for design and drafting. It had a double-precision database and supported a wide range of NC machines because it could output complete .NC and .APT files. The software incorporated GRIP, a graphics interactive programming language, particularly at the macro level, enabling users to productively perform complex and time-consuming functions.

The GRIP programming language handled system and file management functions, manipulated strings and text, manipulated geometry, performed vector arithmetic, and solved drafting problems. For most users, GRIP was a significant differentiator between Unigraphics and other CAD software.

Unigraphics’ and, therefore, NX’s history and development is as follows: In 1973, United Computing acquired the exclusive rights to the Automated Design and Manufacturing (ADAM) software, including its source code, from Manufacturing and Consulting Services Inc., owned by Patrick Hanratty. ADAM, which had itself been released earlier in 1972, was a mechanical design package. It had been developed to run on the REDCOR RC-70 minicomputer with a Computek terminal, but its code was machine-agnostic. It is this property that led to the creation of Unigraphics.

Early Years of Unigraphics/NX

The first version of Unigraphics, then Uni-graphics, was created in 1973 by porting the ADAM software to an early 16-bit minicomputer with a Tektronix display and adding a menu-driven user interface. This was implemented as a single-user system. In 1974, the hyphen in Uni-graphics was dropped, giving birth to Unigraphics. It was also in 1974 that United Computing sold its first Unigraphics system.

Beginning in the mid-1970s, the ownership of United Computing changed hands severally. In 1976, McDonnell Douglas Corp. (MDC) acquired United Computing, which started operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of MDC’s automation division, McDonnell Douglas Automation Company (McAuto). In 1991, the General Motors Corp.-owned Electronic Data Systems (EDS) Corp. acquired McDonnell Douglas’s Systems Integration Company.

In 1996, EDS was spun off as an independent company, ceasing its association with GM. The EDS division in charge of Unigraphics then became EDS Unigraphics. In early 1998, EDS restructured EDS Unigraphics, creating a separate enterprise called Unigraphics Solutions. (EDS sold shares in Unigraphics Solutions but retained a controlling stake in the company.) That year, Unigraphics Solutions acquired Solid Edge from Intergraph.

In 2001, Unigraphics Solutions changed its name to UGS to reflect the fact that it sold other products alongside Unigraphics, before again rebranding to UGS PLM Solutions in 2003. In 2004, the company became UGS Corporation. Three years later, in January 2007, Siemens AG acquired UGS Corp. Following this acquisition, UGS became Siemens PLM Software. At that time, Unigraphics had already become NX.

Why Was Unigraphics’ Original Name Changed?

Over the years, Unigraphics nomenclature changed to reflect enhancements and new ownership. For instance, the while the first version of the software, Uni-graphics, still had the ADAM software source code, United Computing and McAuto had significantly revised it, differentiating it in many ways. Next, when Unigraphics was overhauled by introducing a 32-bit architecture and a complete rearchitecting of the part data model, it was now named Unigraphics II. Unigraphics II also introduced several enhancements and new ways of creating models and drawings, including perspective views, user-defined attributes, grouping of objects, new view and layout capabilities, and more.

The launch of Unigraphics NX in 2002 also introduced numerous changes. This software version had a friendlier user interface, improved capabilities for editing models imported from other CAD software, knowledge-based task automation, and better tools for exchanging models. The name Unigraphics was dropped in 2004 because the developer had completed the migration of two two products, Unigraphics and I-DEAS, to create a single software, NX. Under Siemens’ ownership, NX has retained its name. So, Unigraphics is now called NX.

NX 2306 is the latest NX software.

What does NX do?

Modeling in NX (source)

NX is an industry-leading 3D modeling application with toolsets that provide solutions for computer-aided design, manufacturing, and engineering. This program supports the full process of product development from conceptualization, 3D modeling, documentation, to manufacturing. 

The toolsets are NX design, NX CAM, and NX CAE, under which you will find 3D design, simulation, model analysis, collaboration, and many other tools. 

NX CAD

The extra-flexible and innovative design toolset and features speed up and simplify the product development process. With NX, you get to use more virtual product models, thereby reducing or avoiding expensive and physical prototypes. 

The toolset offers highly effective tools for 2D design, layout, drafting, annotation, and documentation. With its drafting tools, you can automatically generate engineering drawings from 3D models; also from parts and assemblies. They also offer tools for each mechatronic concept design, electrical design, product modeling, and many others 

NX CAM

Using NX CAM, you are provided with a virtual industrialized manufacturing environment, where you can design, prepare, and validate production equipment and design tools for manufacturing and quality control. With the CAM software, you can automate NC programming and, using the intelligent high-speed cutting, reduce cycle time, and produce better parts and the automated based machining. Furthermore, there are tools for robot automation and tooling and fixture design.

NX CAE

The NX CAE capability offers simulation solutions. The importance and significance of simulation in product design can never be overemphasized. It enables you to evaluate different design alternatives, conduct experiments repeatedly, and gain new insights into the workability of the products. 

The comprehensive set of simulation tools in NX CAE facilitates the manufacturer to incorporate performance simulation in the early stages of the development, thereby making room for more design options and making a smarter product decision.

Furthermore, unlike other CAE applications, NX offers an integrated analysis model with simulation for thermal, flow, structural, motion, multiphysics, and optimization in a single environment. 

Who uses NX?

NX is a suite of CAD applications with solutions for CAD, CAM, and CAE. With these multidisciplinary features and functions, professionals from a plethora of industries use the application for their products. Industries like transportation, automotive, aerospace, construction, and manufacturing. Some companies that use NX in their production are Sterling Engineering Inc, CEG partners, Boeing, and Virgin Orbit. 

CATIA vs. NX

User Interface and User Experience

Most CAD and CAM software have a familiar user interface (UI). Usually, these products’ UI have a ribbon – a horizontal bar at the top of the window – right under the quick access toolbar. The ribbon has several separate ribbon tabs within which related commands are grouped. The workspace can be found in the section right below the ribbon groups. In some software, the status bar occupies the bottom section of the window.

When it comes to CAD and CAM software, NX, alongside other software like AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Solid Edge, FreeCAD, Fusion 360, Inventor, and more, feature this familiar user interface. So common is this UI, in fact, that it is found in multiple other non-CAD and non-CAM software, too, namely word processors, spreadsheets, and more.) This familiarity makes NX easy to learn, given that commands can be accessed in familiar tab groups. Of course, other factors also contribute to NX’s gentle learning curve as discussed below.

On its part, CATIA has a markedly different UI. It resembles a web browser in that it lacks ribbons and ribbon tabs. Instead, like a web browser, it simply displays tabs associated with each design or model you are working on. Toggling through these tabs – if you have multiple models open – lets you see each model individually or side by side. The design toolbar is found at the bottom of the workspace.

Users also note that 3DExperience CATIA, which is cloud-based, has a UI and user experience (UX) that is completely different and unconventional vis-à-vis other CAD products, including CATIA V5, the non-cloud-based version of the CATIA. Nonetheless, all versions of CATIA lacks context sensitivity, which makes it harder to find features or buttons you are looking for. As a result, CATIA is less intuitive than NX, which adds complexity to the learning process. It is, however, perfect for users who already know what they are doing.

Compatibility with Other CAD Software

CATIA supports standard file formats such as IGES (2D or 3D), STEP, and DXF. This means it is compatible with software that exports these formats, albeit with several caveats. It also directly interfaces with Dassault Systémes software, including SolidWorks, StrimStyler, CADAM, and others.

The June 2023 release of NX is compatible with recent versions of CATIA V5 (R8 or later), SolidWorks 2023, AutoCAD 2023, and software that supports the STEP, IGES, IFC, DWG, DXF, and ACIS file formats. This is because it can read SolidWorks 2023 files, CATIA V5-6R2022 SP3 files, and IFC files. On the other hand, it can read and write ACIS files (up to the 2022 version) and DXF/DWG (up to the 2023 versions) files. You can also export (write) NX files as STEP and IGES files, albeit with caveats found in the release notes.

Collaboration

Siemens NX supports collaboration through Teamcenter, Siemens’ product lifecycle management (PLM) solution. Teamcenter lets users create digital twins of processes for designs, simulation, visualization, systems, software, manufacturing, and more. This way, it enables them to optimize, automate, and streamline the processes.

Teamcenter integration for NX is a product that enables users to manage and accelerate design collaborations for teams of any size. It reduces the time spent by design, engineering teams, and suppliers finding the right NX data. Further, it reduces the development cycle times, ensures faster product change and approval processes, and acts as a single source of product information.

The solution offers on-demand access to design data stored on Teamcenter without having to leave the NX user interface. The integration also ensures that the project you are working on on NX is kept in sync with Teamcenter.

On the other hand, CATIA supports collaboration through its 3DX platform. 3DX connects various factions of an organization – people, data, ideas, and processes – using a single environment. It brings together all project participants, enabling real-time collaboration regardless of the device.

Pricing

Pricing for both software products varies according to a number of factors. These include the number of seats. Large companies with hundreds of employees will likely pay less for the same software package than a small company with a handful of employees.

The pricing also depends on your needs. The cost is much lower if you intend to use a single module or function. Conversely, if you wish for the software to support design, assembly, modeling, full 5-axis machining, turning, and milling, you will have to part with way more.

NX costs anywhere between $7,000 to $45,000 per seat per year, depending on the package you want, according to users on the Siemens NX subreddit. You also have to pay maintenance fees. On the other hand, CATIA, on the other hand, is (unofficial) priced at between $9,000 and $65,000 per seat, although some users put the upper at $80,000. CATIA pricing varies based on add-ons/modules. Plus, you also have to pay maintenance charges.

Do note, however, that both Siemens and Dassault Systems, as well as their authorized resellers, do not publicly publish their official prices for NX and CATIA. So, the prices quoted herein may not be accurate; they are estimates from actual users’ comments and reviews.

Discounts or Special Licenses

Dassault Systémes offers 3DExperience for Startups, an affordable, multi-year program targeting budding companies that produce hardware. The program provides access to the functionalities of CATIA, SIMULIA, ENOVIA, DELMIA, and other product development solutions at a discount. Startups can enjoy up to 90% discount during the first year. Moreover, the company offers 3DEXPERIENCE CATIA for students for only $60/year.

On its part, Siemens has a student version of NX, which it avails for free. This free version, the NX Student Edition, has watermarks added to printed and plotted data. Furthermore, part files created using the free version cannot be opened in a commercial version of NX. The company also lets colleges, universities, and technical schools purchase special academic licenses. Furthermore, qualifying startups can access enterprise-level products at a significant discount through the Xcelerator for Startups. The products include NX for design, Teamcenter, and Simcenter.

Minimum System Requirements

CATIA requires significant CPU resources. Thus, choosing a CPU with higher processing speeds and more cores is crucial because it guarantees scalability and performance. The software also requires a dedicated GPU. And while Dassault Systémes does not explicitly list the minimum system requirements, it has certified various workstations.

Going through the list, we deduced that you require a CPU with a clock speed of at least 1.9GHz and a professional graphics card with a memory not below 4GB. The developer also recommends a 64-bit Windows 10 or 11 operating system and at least 16GB of memory (RAM).

With NX, raw processor speed also influences NX performance. This means a higher clock speed will result in better performance. But, according to Siemens, increasing the number of cores does not always translate into better performance. However, other factors also contribute to the overall performance, including the type of disk drive, memory, and more.

Siemens recommends that the minimum amount of memory to run the native NX software is 8GB. On the other hand, if you are looking to run Teamcenter integration for NX, your workstation should have minimum recommended memory of 12GB. Still, the company recommends installing as much RAM as your workstation can support for optimal application performance and user experience.

Starting with the June 2023 release of the software (NX 2306), NX will require the use of a dedicated GPU. Furthermore, NX is currently only supported on Windows and Linux. But versions that preceded NX 1847 support macOS.

Community and Customer Support

To use the CATIA User Community or read the queries and contributions posted therein, you must have a 3DX account. On the flip side, creating an account is relatively straightforward and ordinarily takes a minute or two, if not less. But then again, the community is not as vibrant as you may expect. While multiple users have posted questions they would like their peers to help answer, the responses are few and far between. In most cases, the questions received no response, with some not getting a single engagement (like or comment) more than two weeks after they were posted. To be fair, though, Dassault Systémes has a dedicated call center and email support staff for its brands and products, including CATIA.

In contrast, NX’s community is significantly more vibrant. For starters, with NX, you do not need an account to access peer support and view issues other users may be facing. You can readily access Siemens’ community for NX. Secondly, most posts have comments that seek to answer what had been asked. We went through multiple weeks’ posts and only found a handful of posts that did not trigger responses from the NX community, unlike CATIA’s. In addition to the vibrant online community, Siemens has a dedicated support center. The support center includes resources (knowledgebase), documentation, and avenues to create and submit a support ticket/case.

Future Outlook

It is difficult to tell what future plans Siemens and Dassault Systémes have for their respective products. But during the 3DExperience World event held in February 2023, the latter did give us a peek into the plans. The company intends to add AI capabilities to the 3DExperience platform, making this feature available to products like CATIA.

The feature works by using AI to regenerate existing design specifications, thus recreating it in the best possible way. It enables designers to reassess the quality of existing designs and lets them create new designs with high-quality specs in mere minutes, elevating companies’ intellectual property (IP).

Designers now simply have to specify the specs of a design, with the platform then taking over the process of creating the design per the specs. The 3DExperience platform’s generative AI feature can also create designs from scans. (If the 2023 event is anything to go by, we expect that Dassault Systémes will likely make key announcements regarding planned features during next year’s and subsequent events.) Moreover, Dassault Systémes appears to be pivoting towards 3DExperience CATIA, based on the fact that it is providing more attractive prices for new 3DX CATIA than the new CATIA V5 products, according to one user.

On its part, Siemens aims to continue innovating, delivering the latest and greatest NX software every six months. The enhancements included in the new releases are based on customer feedback. In the future, the company aims to continue providing consistent, improved, and efficient solutions for workflows across various sectors. However, the company does not hint at these planned enhancements before the rollout of new releases.

Conclusion

Both CATIA and NX are widely used, industry-leading, acclaimed applications for the design, development, and manufacture of products. Their workbenches offer integrated solutions for Computer-aided design, manufacturing, and engineering. With all their similar features, they are still some toolsets that outshine the other. Like the surface modeling features in CATIA are top-notch. That is why it is highly utilized in the automotive industry.

NX also offers a more integrated CAM toolset for product development compared to that of CATIA with which you might have to download some add-ons. We can’t say which of the programs is best, but we’ve been able to show you their properties and differences to help you decide which suits your project more. They also both offer free trials for you to check out the software. 

The iPad mobile device is so powerful that it can run different CAD programs successfully. However, the success of your CAD project doesn’t depend solely on the power of the hardware (an iPad in this case), but also on the iPad CAD Software used. There are tons of paid for and free CAD applications available for the design of models. 

In this article, we would be reviewing the 7 Best CAD applications for iPads. If you need more, all the available applications can be gotten from the Apple App Store.

The 7 Best CAD Applications for iPads

1. Shapr3d

Shapr3D Pricing

The first app on our list is actually one of the first professional 3D CAD applications to run on any Apple pencil-supported iPad. Shapr3D is a 2D and 3D modeling application that is used for 2D drafting, part design, and visualization. Using the Apple Pencil, you get to experience highly responsive 3D modeling, which gives the feeling of sketching with a pen on paper. The application also has a predictive menu that suggests various tools and transformations for every selection you make, speeding up your design process. Shapr3D also features smart toolsets that are engineered for quick mastery, hence reducing design time. You can effortlessly create parametric designs using the constraints, dimensions, and drawing tools such as lines, arcs, ellipses. You can also use the boolean command to combine separate bodies, creating water-tight manageable solid models. 

Another perk of using Shapr3D is that you can use it as a 2D/3D model viewer and editor. You just have to import an existing project and utilize the app’s intuitive tools to develop stronger prototypes. This perk is also helpful for design presentations and idealization with clients. Shapr3D supports X_T, STEP, IGES, STL, DFX, DWG, OBJ, JPG, and PNG file formats. First-time users usually master the interface and learn how to use the tools in no time with the help of the free video tutorials and bi-weekly seminars provided by the application.

You will get to use the powerful Siemens Parasolid, a geometric modeling kernel, that powers Shapr3D. Parasolid provides advanced capabilities for creating, editing, optimizing, and representing geometric 3D models.

Features of Shapr3D

• 2D sketch suite
• Support for the Apple Pencil
• Shapr3D supports both direct modeling and history-based parametric modeling (although the latter is currently still in beta)
• All-around compatibility, letting you export to any CNC machine, 3D CAD software, or 3D printer
• Documentation capabilities

Pros of Shapr3D

• Shapr3D has a free tier (the basic package), which allows you to create a maximum of 2 projects, use all 3D modeling tools, and import and export files
• It is easy to learn and use
• The free package provides access to all the modeling tools, only limiting the color and materials options as well as the number of projects you can work on

Cons of Shapr3D

• Users have complained that Shapr3D lacks several export options, including the ability to export to 3DS, OBJ, and FBX
• Lack of an organization feature that lets users organize models into folders for easy retrieval through search later on
• Limited drawing and design options, including a less-detailed dimensioning tool and the lack of a quick measuring tool, according to some users

Shapr3D Customer Reviews

According to Shapr3D reviews posted on G2, the Shapr3D for iPad user interface is more intuitive and fluid than the desktop version. That said, some say that working with Apple Pencil needs some getting used to. However, users laud the flexibility and mobility that comes with using the iPad.

Users who have posted Shapr3D reviews on App Store say that Shapr3D is perfect for beginners, given that it is one of the easiest 3D modeling apps in the market. Moreover, the application makes prototyping easy, an attribute that makes it perfect for initial conceptual design. This is partly because of the clean user interface, which packages all the necessary tools in a way that does not visually overload the user.

At the same time, some users have faulted Shapr3D’s limited color, light, and texture options during rendering. According to one user, the available color options do not allow for a realistic representation of the model.

2. uMake

uMake Pricing

Every CAD user wishes to have a platform where their ideas and imaginations can be expressed seamlessly and quickly. uMake is a 2D and 3D modeling app that provides such a platform. The application offers a plethora of features that ensure that your designs are created to your desired quality. The first stage of 3D modeling in this app is sketching. You can put down your raw sketch using the apple pencil, then add precise lines to your model to enhance the sketch look, using the necessary commands. There’s a surfacing feature with which you can generate surfaces on your drawing either manually or automatically. You can add surfaces to sketches of a car, a house, robots, and other objects. 

uMake supports the importation of various CAD files and images from other CAD software to use as a reference, for modification or presentation. It supports SKP, IGES, STEP, OBJ, STP PNG, and JPG file types. You can export designs created to other CAD programs. In addition to all these, uMake features a content library, presentation tools, augmented reality views, and a rich library of video tutorials. 

Features of uMake

• Library of 3D and 2D elements
• Freestyle tool that lets you sketch 3D models
• Sketch Plane, which can be thought of as a 3D workspace in which you can place, rotate, and draw
• Workspace customization capabilities, including setting your preferred grid units, configuring the snap tool behavior
• 3D symmetry tool, which lets you create symmetrical drawings
• Precision drawing tools for drawing precise circles, arcs, and straight lines
• Measurement and dimensioning tools
• Multifunctional file import capabilities – uMake accepts STL, SKP, STEP, OBJ, STL, SVG, PNG, and JPG files
• On-device rendering, with support for textures, various lighting options, different environments (e.g., a studio setting or outdoors), colors, and materials
• Annotation and markup tools

Pros of uMake

• It promotes convenience by enabling you to drag and drop objects from a library
• uMake’s support for the Apple Pencil and the freestyle tool lets you freely sketch in 3D like you would using paper and a pen
• Its Basis package is available for free; it lets you use uMake to import, view, measure, and render 3D files
• It offers on-device rendering, meaning you can render your designs in real time without having to connect to the cloud

Cons of uMake

• Users have complained about a clunky/poor user interface

Customer Reviews

According to an App Store review of uMake, the Basic package does not offer access to design modeling tools. Instead, it only allows users to import, view, measure, and render 3D files. Other users have complained about a clunky user interface. Nonetheless, uMake’s developer is continuously releasing updates that address some of the challenges.

3. SketchUp for iPad

SketchUp Pricing

Trimble launched SketchUp for iPad in early 2022. The application has most of the features and functionality found in the desktop version of the software. However, its developer packaged these features in a brand new user interface that had/has been optimized for both the Apple Pencil and touch.

Given that SketchUp for iPad borrows heavily from the desktop versions for Windows and macOS, it shares the basic workflow (from a functionality perspective). To create 3D objects, you first have to sketch out their 2D geometry. Then, using the extrude (push and pull) tools or by keying in dimensions, convert the 2D geometry to a 3D model.

However, SketchUp for iPad does not have all the modeling features you would find in the desktop product. At the same time, given that fat fingers can greatly constrain modeling on tablets, you can connect your iPad to a keyboard and mouse, activating SketchUp for iPad’s desktop mode. The desktop mode lets you use common SketchUp keyboard shortcuts, simplifying certain workflows.

Features of SketchUp

• Support for Apple Pencil and multi-touch gestures
• SketchUp stores models either locally on the iPad or in the cloud (it supports a number of cloud services, including Dropbox, Google Drive, and more)
• The AutoShape feature transforms sketches into accurate 3D shapes
• Markup mode enables users to annotate 2D drawings and 3D models
• The 3D Warehouse is an online library with more than 600,000 real-world products and over 4 million models
• The augmented reality feature supports viewing at a 1:1 scale

Pros of SketchUp

• It syncs all changes made in the field to the cloud, keeping the 3D models and, by extension, stakeholders up to date
• The integration with Trimble Connect, the developer’s cloud-based collaboration platform, promotes collaboration
• SketchUp sports a clean UI that only displays the on-screen buttons as and when you need them, such as when you click on an icon in the main toolbar
• SketchUp’s AutoShape uses machine learning to transform rough sketches and primitives into 3D shapes
• Markup mode disappears the rest of the drawing and modeling tools, leaving markup tools such as the pencil kit (different pencils/pens and colors)
• SketchUp automatically saves each markup, complete with the date and time

Cons of SketchUp

• You need a subscription to add markups, although you can view the markups in the free version
• Users need an internet connection to access the pre-made models that form part of SketchUp’s 3D Warehouse
• The large repository of materials and models complicates the process of searching for the right object
• Some users have cautioned that the application only works well with small files; it cannot handle large models

Customer Reviews

Users prefer SketchUp for iPad to drawings presented on pieces of paper because the models on an iPad are more detailed. Moreover, the iPad offers more flexibility than a laptop. Plus, users have lauded SketchUp for iPad for providing easy-to-use tools that make sketching on the software akin to sketching on a physical piece of paper. They liken SketchUp for iPad to working on a digital piece of paper. That said, some users have cautioned that the application only works well with small files. It cannot handle large models.

4. AutoCAD Web

AutoCAD Pricing

A list of great CAD applications would not be complete without an application from the software giant, Autodesk. Autodesk introduced AutoCAD Web in 2022 to replace AutoCAD mobile apps and the AutoCAD Web App Program. AutoCAD Web is DWG editing, sharing, and viewing application. While it may not be as powerful as the desktop version, it possesses easy-to-use tools for basic drawing, drafting, and editing.

You can create, delete, rename, lock layers, add blocks to drawings, and annotate your drawings by adding comments and marking up the drawings. After creating your design, you can reveal your object’s requirements and add dimensions to your drawings with the tools provided. With AutoCAD Web, you can design and work offline, allowing you to take your design to the site or anywhere else for further inspection or client review. Later, the application will sync the changes to the cloud. The cloud integration, as well as collaboration features such as markup and annotation tools, help team members work on a design in real-time. 

Features of AutoCAD Web

• The Trace feature lets you add feedback and edits directly to the DWG file without changing the existing drawing
• Accessible command line
• Support for layers
• Support for external references such as DWG files and images
• Block creation and editing
• Annotation and markup tools
• Measurement tools for distance, angles, area, and radius

Pros of AutoCAD Web

• AutoCAD Web lets you access projects without an internet connection, later allowing you to sync them when you get to the office or home
• It supports a number of cloud services, including Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, Autodesk Drive, Dropbox, Box, and Autodesk Docs
• AutoCAD Web can save the drawings locally or on the web
• The application is available for free during a 30-day trial period

Cons of AutoCAD Web

• AutoCAD Web has limited capabilities, as it is meant for, among others, light editing, creating fundamental designs (that is, the most basic design elements), and viewing the designs
• AutoCAD Web is not optimized for iPad; it is designed for general mobile use via any mobile device, including a laptop

AutoCAD Web Customer Reviews

Some users have documented AutoCAD Web’s shortcomings, including the lack of numerous features that are found on the desktop software. AutoCAD Web is a lightweight solution for viewing, sharing, and editing DWG files.

5. Morpholio Trace

Morpholio Trace Pricing

If you’re a CAD user that likes to get handy with sketch designs and communicate through drawings, then Morpholio Trace is a perfect choice. It is utilized by architects, interior designers, landscape architects, urban planners, engineers, and any other CAD user that deals with the design and arrangement of environments. 

Morpholio Trace is part of the Morpholio Project. According to a WIRED review, the app is intended to help designers get their ideas down and rapidly iterate on them. Morpholio Trace adopts a tracing-paper style of doing things: it acts as a virtual tracing paper on which to build sketches. You can lay this paper atop an imported file, letting you draw (or, more accurately, trace) on top of the imported drawings or images. You can use it to add comments to a drawing or refine drawings and wireframe sketches.

Through the tracing-paper concept, and coupled with the use of the Apple Pencil, Morpholio Trace has digitalized analog elements, integrating them into a digital idea-making product. The application takes you through the journey of creating intelligent sketches and drawings. To enable you to create the perfect sketch, the program has a number of beautiful pens, smart rulers, and perfect layer control. Here you can adjust the line weight or opacity of the drawing instruments (pencil, pens, brushes, etc). You can customize your own entourage, household objects, landscape, and graphics, or use the premade ones in the library to bring the sketch to life. You can literally sketch with detail, a whole event center and walk through using the features provided for that.

Features of Morpholio Trace

• Virtual tracing paper with layers, which enables you to ideate in layers
• AR perspective finder, which lets you uncover virtual perspective grids to scale, thus simplifying otherwise complex sketching
• Instant scale, a tool that uses any two points to set a scale
• Smart fill, which calculates areas and fills as you draw
• Smart rulers
• Custom stencils, which let you create designs of landscapes, graphics, and objects that you can then add to your drawing
• Scaled drafting tools
• PDF markup tools
• Apple Pencil hover support
• Augmented Reality Sketchwalk, which lets you jump into and walk around your drawing

Pros of Morpholio Trace

• The application’s file management system enables you to recover deleted files
• The Apple Pencil hover feature allows you to preview strokes, promoting accuracy and precision
• Morpholio Trace facilitates easy importation of images from any location or third-party application via the copy-and-paste function
• The application is affordable/cheap

Cons of Morpholio Trace

• Users report that working with text is extremely time consuming, first because each text inserted is added into its own layer, and the app also makes it difficult to move, resize, or rotate the text
• Limited ability to scale PDF exports

Customer Reviews

Users praise Morpholio Trace for being a powerful conceptualization app. The application makes it easy for designers to quickly produce visual representations of their ideas to help communicate them to clients. It is ideal for making simple sketches that can be turned into 3D models. Moreover, users regard it as a worthy replacement for using pieces of paper, with one user noting that it has helped them easily transition to digital sketching after decades of hand drawing.

6. RoomSketcher

RoomSketcher Pricing

RoomSketcher is an application that lets users create floor plans and home designs. It is used by more than 6 million professional and personal users worldwide. And that is largely due to its features, capabilities, and ease of use, elements that catapulted RoomSketcher to our list of the Best Architectural CAD Software Choices.

It is a very user-friendly application for creating high-quality 2D and 3D floor plans, complete with room names, dimensions, fixtures, and materials. In addition to design, RoomSketcher facilitates design presentations through advanced visualization features such as Live 3D, which creates stunning 3D photos and 360º views.

Features of RoomSketcher

• 3D visualization and high-resolution rendering: RoomSketcher creates stunning, high-resolution 3D photos of projects as well as panoramic 360 views of the space
• A repository containing thousands of furniture and fixture options
• RoomSketcher Cloud stores all your projects in the cloud, enabling easy access using any device
• Trace feature, which lets you take a photo of a blueprint and use it as a template to draw a floor plan
• Automatic total area calculation tool
• Floor plan branding, which lets you include your company name, logo, and colors
• Measurement tool, which adds wall and room measurements with one click

Pros of RoomSketcher

• The free package offers access to basic features, such as tools you can use to draw floor plans
• RoomSketcher is easy to use
• The software is quite affordable
• Users can pay for premium features on a need-be basis by purchasing RoomSketcher Premium, which allows users to access the features for $2 per project per month

Cons of RoomSketcher

• RoomSketcher is limited to architectural drawings, as it is primarily designed to create floor plans
• It offers limited functionality and features to users in the free package; for instance, you cannot generate 3D photos of your projects – you can, however, view them in preview mode, but the application substantially lowers their resolution
• The application is not ideal for large and very detailed projects
• RoomSketcher does not support some designs, such as vaulted ceilings
• Its rendering tools and capabilities are quite basic; for instance, the software lacks advanced lighting and illumination options
• Some users report that some functions have a steep learning curve

Customer Reviews

According to RoomSketcher reviews on App Store, the application lacks modern fixtures and decorations. They further state that its finishes, especially wood grains, could be made to appear more realistic. To put it simply, the users call for better visualization. Moreover, the color options are limited, with one user recommending the addition of “more vibrant or true colors.” Other users have complained that “some functions have a steep learning curve” and that RoomSketcher charges extra to access certain features and tools.

7. Onshape CAD

Onshore Pricing

The well-known Onshape that provides solutions for CAD, CAM, and CAE through the cloud also has a mobile version, Onshape CAD. Onshape CAD is a cloud-based 3D mechanical modeling application that enables you to create, edit, and share models. One of the major selling points of this app is the secure online collaboration feature that enables multiple users to work on a model simultaneously via the cloud in real-time. Onshape’s CAD, data management, and collaboration tools give you the perfect design experience. 

Complete sets of tools for complete parametric design are available in the app. In the part design studio, you can create detailed parts and manufacturable mechanical assemblies to capture complex motions. The application supports the use of the Apple pen for more intuitive sketching, selection, and navigation. When designing you do not have to worry about ever losing your design data or having to start the design again as all the changes made on the models are automatically saved in the cloud. 

Onshape CAD helps achieve the main aim of designing on an iPad, which is the ease of use and mobility. You can start your design on a device, let’s say your computer, and continue on your iPad from anywhere, without having to export any files. All you need is to log in with the internet and carry on with the design. Onshape is free for educational purposes and for non-commercial projects. 

Features of Onshape CAD

• Support for Apple Pencil
• A full suite of parametric modeling tools
• Part Studio, which is a container used to create, define, design, and edit parts, surfaces, and sketches that share common references
• Feature list (displays the parametric history)
• Sketch tools that create 2D geometry
• Feature tools create 3D models from sketches
• Measure tool measures the distance/length/dimensions and angles of curves, sketches, parts, surfaces
• Cloud connectivity

Pros of Onshape

• Updates are reflected in real time, enabling teams to see the impact of design changes instantly
• Onshape for iOS and iPad can create mechanical assemblies that capture complex motion
• The software facilitates collaboration by allowing teams to share, edit, or monitor the design process
• With Onshape, you can design parts using a suite of parametric modeling tools
• Onshape for iPad supports keyboard shortcuts (if you connect a keyboard to the tablet)
• Onshape displays all open documents in separate tabs for easy navigation
• Users can create designs for free thanks to the Free package

Cons of Onshape

• Onshape for iOS and iPad lags behind the browser version of the product because it does not have some key features, such as auto-dimension
• The application does not have some features found in the PC version
• Onshape for iPad hides tools behind submenus to simplify the user interface and make it less clunky, but this can make the tools hard to find
• Onshape is quite expensive

Customer Reviews

Multiple users have complained that the browser version of Onshape is better than Onshape for iPad or iOS, according to Onshape reviews posted on the App Store. They even recommend using the application for viewing models only. However, others note that Onshape for iPad is perfect for creating good 3D models on mobile. But despite the application being good at this task, it lacks features that can be found in the PC version.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a CAD App for iPad

1. Customer Reviews

Customer reviews expose both the good and the bad. Only by going through the reviews will you read about the issues veteran users encountered as they used the app. You will also learn about the app’s appealing features, as well as their experience using the application. The latter lets you peer into the app’s user experience and whether or not it has a gentle or steep learning curve.

The customer reviews also hint at the developer’s support services. Some developers make a point of replying to some of the negative reviews. In their responses, the developers often notify the users of plans to address the issue as part of upcoming updates. Of course, such replies do not paint the complete picture of the developer’s support services, given the developer may be using other avenues to receive and address customer concerns. Still, they can demonstrate, at least to a certain degree, their commitment to customer service.

2. Purpose (Use)

Before going with a specific CAD app for iPad, ask yourself what you intend to use it for. Do you want to create 3D models? Do you want to use it to draw floor plans? Do you want an application that supports sketching? As discussed below, each app has distinct features and capabilities. Thus, by identifying the app’s intended use, you can now look into the supported features and capabilities. The features and capabilities should align with the intended use.

3. Features and Capabilities

Apps’ features and capabilities ensure you get particular things done. For instance, not all CAD apps for iPad support parametric modeling, even though they let you create 3D models. If you are looking for an app that supports parametric modeling, consider Shapr3D or Onshape. However, Shapr3D’s history-based parametric modeling was still in beta (as of October 2023).

Similarly, some apps, like AutoCAD Web, do not include tools for creating 3D models. AutoCAD Web only supports 2D drafting and design. Additionally, some applications support sketching while others do not. Thus, when choosing a CAD app for iPad, it is vital to consider an app’s features and capabilities vis-à-vis what you intend to use it for.

4. Pricing and Pricing Structure

Subscription prices vary from one app to another. These prices range from zero to several thousand dollars. This difference in prices means that some applications are more expensive than others. For instance, the most expensive package is Onshape’s: the Professional package will set you back $2,500 per year. The least expensive package among the 7 best CAD apps for iPad is Morpholio Trace. To use the app’s Pro features, you just have to pay $19.99 per year.

It is hard to justify an expenditure of $2,500 if you are just a hobbyist. But suppose you are a professional 3D modeler looking for a product that supports 3D modeling, simulation, built-in product data management (PDM), and product lifecycle management (PLM). In that case, spending that amount is a no-brainer. That said, there are multiple cheaper options from which to choose, with some available for free.

5. Support from the Developer and Regular Updates

Updates usually fix existing bugs and may introduce new features, improving functionality. Some updates address security vulnerabilities, while others bake in changes that accompany new versions of operating systems. Based on these reasons, outdated apps may predispose to attacks. New versions of iPadOS may also render them unusable. What’s more, they may be buggy and may still have unaddressed issues from yesteryears.

It is worth noting that an app that has not been updated for years may suggest that the developer closed shop. Thus, they may not be available to provide any support as and when needed. While the developers of most apps regularly release updates, the practice does not cut across all apps. You can encounter apps that were last updated as far back as six years ago.

6. Collaboration Tools

If you work as part of a larger team, it is important to consider your team members when selecting a CAD app for iPad. Your selection should support collaboration via a cluster of tools, such as support for various cloud computing services, annotation and markup tools, and more.

Tips for Optimizing CAD Performance on iPad

1. Install the Latest Version of iPadOS

A new operating system improves the performance of the iPad and applications. It introduces new features that enhance functionality. For instance, did you know you cannot use Apple Pencil with older versions of iPadOS? The Pencil can only work with iPadOS 15 or later. And given that most CAD apps for iPad do support the Pencil, installing the latest version of iPadOS is a no-brainer.  

2. Update the CAD App

As discussed, updates usually add new features and functionality and fix bugs that previously slowed down the application. They also ensure compatibility with the latest version of the operating system. Thus, the next step after updating the OS is to update the CAD app to the latest version.

3. Purchase/Use the Apple Pencil

The creators of CAD apps for iPad have tailored their applications to the Apple Pencil. To that end, the apps support workflows that combine both touch and Apple’s proprietary stylus. Following the release of Apple Pencil 1 in 2015, Onshape updated its iPadOS app, adding new features that took advantage of the stylus. With this new update, released in 2016, Onshape introduced the ‘Force Zoom’ feature, which allowed Onshape users to more accurately select detailed pieces of 3D objects than they could previously with their fingers. The update took advantage of the Pencil’s ability to isolate and select individual pixels.

In addition to Onshape, all the other CAD apps for iPad support Apple Pencil. The Pencil compliments the conventional two-handed workflow. For instance, by adding the Pencil to your workflow, you can easily use one or two fingers to pan or zoom into a drawing or model and use the Pencil to sketch, modify, or interact with the geometric objects or the model. Put simply, the Pencil simplifies the process of creating drawings and models, enhancing productivity.

4. Customize the Application

Some applications offer an array of customization options that let you tweak the interface to align with your unique workflow. Doing so helps improve productivity. SketchUp for iPad, for instance, lets you customize toolbars, appearance themes (Light Mode and Dark Mode), and shortcuts.

5. Use iPad’s Multitasking Feature

The iPad’s multitasking feature lets you work with more than one app at the same time. It allows you to switch back and forth between these apps. However, there is a prerequisite: the app must support multitasking for this feature to work as intended. If they meet this requirement, the apps will support three types of multitasking:

• Split View, which lets you view and use two apps side by side
• Slide Over, in which the iPadOS will display one app in a smaller floating window that you can drag to the right or left side of the screen
• Center window, which centers the app at the center of the screen, letting you focus on that particular item or application

6. Use Apple Magic Keyboard and/or Mouse

While connecting the iPad to a keyboard and mouse goes against the tablet’s touch-first environment, it has a few advantages. Chief among the various advantages is the ability to use keyboard shortcuts. Apps such as SketchUp and Onshape support keyboard shortcuts. These shortcuts let you perform tasks more quickly by eliminating unnecessary steps.

Moreover, if you are yet to purchase the Apple Pencil, using a keyboard for CAD or the Apple Magic Keyboard promotes accuracy and precision. The keyboard eliminates issues associated with fat fingers, i.e., the inability to press tiny buttons using the touch functionality. Overall, using a keyboard boosts productivity and efficiency.

7. Make Sure You Have Enough Storage

For best performance, Apple recommends maintaining at least 1GB of free space. Inadequate storage (<1GB) causes the device to slow down as the iPadOS repeatedly attempts to create room for more content. The OS removes files or items that can be downloaded again or are unnecessary. Of course, this removal uses up resources – such as the CPU and RAM – that the CAD application would have otherwise used, leading to a dip in performance. By saving your CAD files to the cloud, you can avoid depleting your iPad’s storage capacity.

8. Consider iPads with M-Series Processors

The M-series processors bring enhanced performance and capabilities to the iPad Pro. According to Apple, the M1 iPad Pro, launched in 2021, delivers up to 50% faster CPU performance than the A12Z-powered iPad (its predecessor). Its GPU is 40% faster. The next-generation M2 iPad Pro delivers 15% and 35% faster CPU and GPU performance, respectively, than the M1 iPad Pro. Thus, using the M-series chips, which, combined with the display, lets you create photorealistic 3D designs, is a surefire way to improve CAD performance.

Little wonder then that for optimal performance, SketchUp recommends using iPads with powerful M-series chips. According to the developer, such iPads can handle large, demanding files. Similarly, Shapr3D has optimized its app to support the M1 chips, taking advantage of Apple Silicon’s enhanced computing power.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the best free CAD app for iPad?

There are currently no free CAD apps for iPad. To legally use the available iPad CAD software, you will have to pay either a monthly/yearly subscription or a one-time payment. 

The above list gives the top seven best iPad CAD software and if you are on a tight budget, the AutoQ3DCAD could be a good choice since it only requires a one-time payment of $29.99.

2. How can I use CAD on my iPad?

Depending on the capabilities of the iPad CAD Software you have selected to use on your iPad, you can view, edit and even create 2D or 3D CAD files on your iPad. 

3. How can I view CAD files on an iPad?

There are applications you can use to view CAD files on your mobile. If you are using an iPad, you can use any of the above-mentioned CAD applications to view CAD files. It is therefore important to confirm that a CAD application can do what you want to do with it before deciding to pay for it and install it on your iPad.

4. Is there a FreeCAD app for iPad?

No, FreeCAD doesn’t have a mobile version, either on Android or iOS. You could consider going for an alternative CAD app from the list of iPad CAD software provided in this article. in fact, there are plenty with free tiers.

5. What is the learning curve for someone new to CAD on an iPad?

Using CAD on an iPad is markedly different from what you may have grown used to with a laptop or a desktop computer. The iPad does not come with a mouse or trackpad. That means that you have to use iPad-specific commands and gestures to control both the iPad and the CAD application.

For instance, depending on the application, a single tap on the screen selects an object, a double tap deselects a selection, and a two-finger tap displays the context menu. Moreover, pinching the screen helps you zoom in or out. Dragging a single finger across the screen rotates the object while dragging two fingers pans the object.

If you are unfamiliar with these commands, you may struggle to adjust your workflow to the new way of doing things. In such a situation, learning how to use CAD on an iPad and the commands that come with it may take some time.

6. How do these CAD apps handle 3D rendering and visualization on an iPad?

Most of the CAD apps in our list of the best CAD applications for iPad are capable of 3D rendering and visualization on iPad. For instance, Shapr3D can show in real time a 3D render of the model, complete with lighting, texture, varying depths of field, and a variety of materials. The software, therefore, lets you toggle between the 3D model and the 3D render.

Shapr3D, SketchUp, and Morpholio Trace enable you to instantly view your creation in augmented reality. Similarly, Onshape displays a photorealistic rendering of the part or assembly, while uMake handles on-device rendering.

That said, AutoCAD Web is incapable of rendering drawings. Instead, the application is intended to help you view 2D CAD drawings.

7. Are there any collaboration features in these apps for team projects?

AutoCAD Web, SketchUp, Onshape, Shapr3D, and RoomSketcher let you save files to the cloud for easy access by other team members. These applications automatically sync changes to the cloud, ensuring every team member is abreast with the edits. But some applications go the extra mile. SketchUp, for instance, is integrated with Trimble Connect, a robust cloud-based collaboration platform. This integration keeps files in sync across all devices, enabling you to switch between SketchUp for iPad, SketchUp Pro desktop software, and SketchUp for Web.

Similarly, Onshape is a purely cloud-based mechanical design and modeling software and product development platform. Therefore, it delivers a collaborative experience that infuses CAD capabilities with simulation, built-in product data management (PDM), and product lifecycle management (PLM).

Moreover, applications like AutoCAD Web, Morpholio Trace, uMake, and SketchUp also incorporate markup and annotation tools. Markup tools are collaboration features that enable teams to highlight sections within the drawing that have been updated or those that need to be edited. This aids in clear communication. On its part, SketchUp automatically saves the markup, complete with the date and time stamps.

8. How secure are these apps for professional projects?

To access most of these apps, you must first create an account. Access to the account thereafter is subject to a successful login. This setup safeguards your professional projects, ensuring unauthorized parties cannot access your CAD drawings, designs, and models. Furthermore, these apps support popular cloud services, which boast heightened security.

9. Is it possible to transition between desktop CAD software and these iPad apps?

This FAQ is layered. So, we will answer this question in two ways. Firstly, the developers of applications like SketchUp, Onshape, AutoCAD Web, and Shapr3D have integrated them with cloud services. Thus, you can easily access that file using its desktop CAD software even when you create a drawing or model on the iPad app. The cloud integration, therefore, makes the transition between desktop or web-based software and the iPad apps seamless.

Secondly, the iPad applications share most features and tools with their desktop counterparts. The only difference is that the developers often hide the tools behind menus and submenus to simplify the user interface. The act of hiding the tools does affect the ease of use, especially if you are more familiar with the desktop CAD software’s workflow. However, once you get the hang of how to quickly access the tools in the iPad app, you will realize that you can easily switch between the desktop software and the iPad apps. Nonetheless, it is worth remembering that some iPad apps cannot open large CAD files.

10. Can these apps manage large and complex CAD files?

Onshape can manage large and complex 3D models as well as CAD files. This is largely because it is a cloud-native platform, meaning powerful data center servers handle all the processing. But it is worth pointing out that Onshape’s capabilities are more of an exception than a rule. Most of the best CAD applications for CAD struggle with large and complex CAD files. SketchUp for iPad users have reported that the application struggles with large files. Similarly, RoomSketcher is not ideal for working with large and complex CAD files.

11. Are there any CAD-specific training or tutorial resources for iPad users?

Each developer provides video tutorials to help users learn how to use their CAD products. In addition to these tutorials, you can find educational videos created and published by enthusiasts and seasoned users.

Conclusion 

With a device as powerful as an iPad combined with one of the applications listed above, you have the power to effortlessly create a plethora of 2D and 3D designs; from basic sketches and drafts to complex manufacturable parts and assemblies. Just head to the Apple Store, download, and design without limitations. 

You may wonder why there is a need to download a model when you can just design it using the program. Well, these models save you a lot of design time and stress needed to make designs from scratch. Take for example, an architectural designer designing a building. Instead of having to design minor properties like doors and furniture, they can just download and face the main structural and architectural design. Also, with a program as complex as CATIA, beginners would surely have a hard time getting a grip of creating complex designs, and so may need a sample model for reference and practice. 

There are a lot of websites online where you can find CATIA 3D models for free or for sale. In this article, we would be listing 13 sites with free CATIA models for downloads. The models are in CATPart, CATProduct, and other native file formats in CATIA. You should note that this article is not a comparison article, and so the websites are not listed in any order.

TraceParts

Starting our list is one of the top 3D digital content providers in the world of engineering. TraceParts has a design library of over 100 million free models consisting of 2D drawings, 3D CAD models, and technical data for downloads in a variety of file formats for different software applications including  AutoCAD, BricsCAD, Inventor, Solidworks, and of course, CATIA. In the library, the parts are grouped into different classifications including mechanical, BIM components, manufacturing, materials handling, and civil engineering. To find your model, you can either select from the categories, or use the search bar at the top of the screen. When you find the model, there’s an option where you select the software which you would be importing it into; in this case, CATIA.

Cad Crowd

Cad Crowd is an online CAD service provider for hiring qualified freelance CAD designers, participating in design contests, creating models, rendering, and other services. In addition to these services, you will also find thousands of free models for downloading and a popular blog where helpful CAD articles are posted.

In the 3D model showcase, you can either select your models by categories such as 3D modeling design, architecture, product design, and patent services, or by selecting from a plethora of software formats including 3ds, Revit, AutoCAD, Inventor, and CATIA file formats. There’s also a search bar for the models and other web content.

GrabCAD

This website is considered as one of the largest CAD communities with over 7.5 million members comprising engineers, professional designers, manufacturers, students, and other CAD users alike. GrabCAD has a library of over 4 million free CAD files for downloads. Asides from the free models, they also offer 3D printing services, a few CAD collaboration solutions (GrabCAD workbench), CAD challenges where you can win awards showcasing your design skills, and an online resource with tutorials. In terms of making navigation easy, GrabCAD did a perfect job. You can make findings from categories like agriculture, aerospace, computer, technology, and others or by software format. There are over 40 formats for you to select from including CATIA’s formats. Registration is needed to begin downloading.

CGTrader

CGTrader is a virtual market place with 3,000,000+ members in their community and over 1 million models in the display. Here you can buy and sell professional 3D models, find 3D design jobs, and hire freelancers, and find 3D print models. They also feature CGTrader enterprise, where members can transform their 2D product images into photo-realistic 3D models for AR and other 3D customer experiences. In this website, the 3D models are divided into 3D print models, PBR models, low-poly models, discounted models, and importantly, free 3D models. The models are available in IGES, IDW, STEP, CATPart, CATProduct, and many others. To gain from the collection of models, you just have to join the community by registering first.

PARTcommunity

The next website on our list, PARTcommunity, is one with a very straightforward, easy-to-use interface. The 3D models there are both user-contributed and supplier catalogs. From the home screen, you would find tabs namely community, 3D CAD catalogs, 3D share, make or buy, news, contact, and support. Under the community a plethora of party designs, both user-contributed and supplier contributed, are displayed for download for different platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Solidworks, CATIA, and others.

You would have to be a member of the community to start downloads by registering for free. As there are a lot of supplier catalogs, users can search for models by either their product name or order number in the search tab. PARTcommunity further features filters such as by standards and catalogs and is classified in categories like architecture assembling equipment, automotive, and others.

Thomas Network

Thomas Network is a 3D content provider with a database of 500,000+ supplier profiles, thousands of useful articles, tutorials, and industrial products. They also offer a file CAD collection of over 10 million models of industrial parts.

To find the collection, select CAD models under the supplier tab to view the models. There, you will find a plethora of models that are compatible with all major CAD applications including CATIA. In the search bar provided, you can either search models by post name or even by the catalog company name. The models are further displayed under categories.

3D ContentCentral

With a simple aesthetic interface and offering a high number of services for free, 3D ContentCentral has amassed over 2 million CAD users in its community. These users can upload models, download free 3D models (user-contributed and supplier certified parts and assemblies), 2D blocks, and use the other library features. For the easy location of 3D models, the website provided a find tab where you can search categories (bearings, hammers, automotive, fans) and search by their suppliers. The models in this library are in Solidworks, AutoCAD, Inventor, CATIA, and other file formats. All you need is to head to the site, register, and start downloading.

Sketchfab

Sketchfab is an all-in-one online 3D content service provider with over 3 million members for the buying and selling of models. This website offers a universal 3D/virtual reality viewer which works in all browsers and operating systems, a powerful 3D editor with standard features, and a library of millions of models for sale and free. In the library, you can choose models from plenty of categories and apply filters like featured, where you see downloadable, animated, staff picks, and, sound; sort by; and dates. These models have formats for 3ds, blender, unity, CATIA, and other software. Also, you would have to be a member to download from their free models’ library.

3DExport

The next website, 3DExport, is basically an online market for buying and selling 3D CAD models, print models, and textures. They have about 238,000 models with over 5,000 of them being free. Asides from the sale of models, the website also offers tutorials in game dev, 3D designing, and CAD. There is a search tab provided at the top. Furthermore, the models are categorized into buildings, jewelry, miscellaneous, cookware, and others. The models are available for download in CATPart, CATProduct, and other file formats.

3DCADbrowser

This is another website that has a deceptively simple interface. 3DCADbrowser is a 3D model exchange resource where you can download polygon mesh models and 3D CAD solid objects. Surfing through the 3D models’ library, you would find 21000+ models with over 850 of them being free. The models are in different popular software formats such as Solidworks, AutoCAD, SLT format, and most importantly, CATIA. They are also grouped in various categories like aircraft and automotive. For the seamless location of models, there is a search tab provided. Something specific about this website is that you have to upload a model before you are able to download it. This is to help increase the number of available models.

Autodesk Online Gallery

No doubts that the industry-acclaimed computer-aided design giants-Autodesk would have something for this list. Autodesk Online Gallery is a platform where the user community comes to share their models for viewing, reviewing, and downloading. In the gallery, you would find over 18000 free mussels. It also features a wide selection of filters to aid more refined search results. Such filters are by industry, by category, and used products. You would have to register (for free) with Autodesk’s community. When this is done, just hit the download button, after which you would be given various file types, including CATIA’s to choose from.

Thingiverse

Thingiverse has one of the largest communities for the sharing of user-created CAD designs. It has over 1.5 million models in various formats compatible with different programs, including CATIA uploaded by the community users for free downloads. The models include both general 3D models and 3D print models. 

Before being granted access to the downloads, you would have to register with Thingiverse. As a member, you can also upload your own model, create remix or old designs, share design ideas, and many others. The models in the library are categorized into art, gadget, 3D printing, going, household, and others. There is a search bar for easy location of models where you can also search by collection created by particular designers.

CADdetails

This website offers design industry professionals such as architects and engineers with high-quality building product documents to help in their design. There you will find 3D models, BIM objects, i-drop-enabled CAD drawings, product photographs, PDF product brochures, and others. CADdetails has a very straightforward interface with easily accessible tools. To find the free 3d model library, go to the navigation tab at the top of the screen where you’d see five tabs; CAD drawings, BIM models, project gallery, spec green, and blog. Click on BIM models. There, you will find over a thousand free 3D models for download in a plethora of CAD formats including the CATIA format. To locate models, you can use the search bar provided or check the models from a plethora of categories. In order to gain access to all of CADdetails contents, you would need to register and log in.

Solid Edge capabilities

The primary step in learning a program is knowing what it can do. Solid Edge’s capabilities/features are divided into mechanical design, electrical design, simulation, data management, technical publications, cloud-based collaboration, and CAM. 

Mechanical design

The software’s mechanical design features enable you to create various 3D mechanical designs in a flexible user interface. This improves users’ product design using the adaptive user interface capabilities that utilize AI technology to predict the next design step. 

Electrical design 

Solid Edge offers solutions for electrical design. It enables you to design and simulate different electrical systems, route wiring and place their corresponding components, and create 2D industrial control panel layouts. You can also examine your models to ensure accurate wire lengths and harness design, and use virtual simulation to make sure the circuitry performs correctly. The program facilitates users to visualize the electrical aspect of their designs and collaborate between MCAD and ECAD domains. 

Simulation 

The simulation feature allows the simulation of assembly analysis and definition and analysis of complete systems. This feature also saves you a lot of money and design time as there is no need for a physical prototype. 

Data management 

The data management solution is for both large and small projects. It ensures secure storage of data and effortless retrieval and sharing of the data.

Technical illustrations 

This capability enables users to generate high-quality illustrations from 3D models, open, save, and revise data from the developer’s PLM solution. You can make use of the digital twin, to make sure that all the changes made in the original design are seamlessly incorporated into the existing publications. 

Cloud-based collaboration 

Solid edge cloud collaboration enhances communication among team members and customers. Team members are able to work on a design simultaneously as changes made on the design are synchronized in the cloud. You can also review your designs in augmented reality on your mobile device. 

CAM

With Solid Edge, manufacturers can prepare their models for different manufacturing processes such as welding, CNC manufacturing, bending, assembling, nesting, and additive manufacturing. You acquire a high level of quality in designs in a short time. 

Before you get started 

There are some important things you need to know about Solid Edge before we head to the interface. Solid edge has various file types depending on what you want to design. There is the par file format for the creation of parts, with the .par extension; asm file format, which used when designing assemblies with the .asm file extension; psm file format, for sheet metal design with the .psm file format; and pwd file format, used in the creation of weldments with the .pwd extension. 

Launch screen

Immediately after you launch the program, you are welcomed with its launch screen. The launch screen may appear either almost blank with the application menu icon at the top (though rarely) or with the application menu already open.

At the top left corner of the screen is the application menu icon which is already open at launch. The application menu contains various options such as Learn, through which you can watch some tutorials videos; New Menu, a toolbar that is used to when you want to start a new document; Open, to open existing documents; the Print toolbar, used when you want to do basic printing of samples or printing or 3D models; the Share toolbar; Settings, for making basic or customized settings in the software; the Tools toolbar, for customization of your tools; the Info toolbar; and finally, exit. 

In the middle of the screen are the various workbenches opened from the new option. There is the new workbench, where you use the traditional design templates to create your designs; ISO metric Part workbench, for creating of parts; ISO metric sheet metal, for sheet metal design; ISO metric assembly, for the creation of machine assemblies; ISO metric draft, for generating drafts from 3D models; and ISO metric weldments, a special feature that shows the weldments of parts and assemblies. 

Solid Edge launch screen (Source)

Getting started 

As mentioned earlier, Solid Edge has different workbenches such as ISO metric part, ISO metric draft, ISO metric assembly, and others. We would be using the ISO metric part design template for this tutorial. You should note that the interfaces of the workbenches are somewhat similar to each other. Before starting your design you would need to set your units. To do this, go to the application menu. Go to settings and then, options. Click on units to make various changes to your specifications. 

The unit settings interface (Source)

To start a new project, click on the application menu icon at the top of the screen, if it’s not already open, then go to new. You would be presented with the various workbenches. Select the ISO metric part design. The part design GUI (graphical user interface) would be open and displayed on your screen.

Part design interface 

At the top of the screen is the quick access toolbar, which contains commands such as save and redo and the name of the environment opened. Just below the name of the environment opened, which is part of this case, is the ribbon. This is where the tools required for modeling, visualizing, editing, and simulating are located. The ribbon is divided into different menus and the menus into tabs. The first is the home menu.

Under the home menu from the left is the clipboard. The clipboard is used for copying, cutting, pasting, and other basic editings. Then the select tool, which is for the easy selection of elements for modifications. The plane toolbar is for inserting planes such as parallel or perpendicular planes. 

The sketch tab is for the creation of 2D and 3D drawings. You can create sketches using commands such as lines, arcs, tangent, rectangle, circle, polygon, ellipse, spline, and many others. 

The Solids toolbar. This toolbar helps in the transformation of 2D drawings to 3D models. It has various options such as extrude, cut, changer, resolve, resolved cut, hole, round, draft, and thin wall. 

Others from home are the pattern toolbar, used for creating various patterns and for mirroring; dimensions, for the dimensioning of your drawings and application of constraints; and the switch window option for easy transition between workspaces.

Other menus on the Ribbon are surfacing, PMI, simulation,  generative design, 3D print, inspect, tools, view, and data management. 

The middle of the screen is the drawing area where all the sketches, 3D modeling, and other processes are done. This occupies the highest percentage of the screen. 

The left side of the screen is the pathfinder. The pathfinder displays all the elements and the history of your design. It transitions between the synchronous and ordered environment when designing a part. 

On the right side of the screen, you’d find the featured library tab, solid edge community link, help, featured library, and engineering reference where you can get standard engineering parts such as gears.

At the bottom of the screen is the prompt bar that displays messages and prompts related to the commands selected. Beside the bar is the command bar with which you can locate commands on the windows. This toolbar is very useful for users who are not totally familiar with the interface. Beside this is the view toolbar which contains various commands such as zoom area, zoom, fit, pan rotate, sketch view for changing the views of your design, and a scroll wheel for zooming in and out. There is also a record button provided if you want to record your design process and a direct link to YouTube for uploading. Just above the view toolbar is the quick view cube. For easily navigating all the views of a 3D design. 

Part design interface (Source)

Design and modeling

Now that you have familiarized yourself with the various tools and commands on the interface, let’s go over some basic modeling. The first stage of the design of any model, no matter how basic or complex, is sketching.

To start the sketch, go to the home menu and click on the sketch icon in the sketch tab. Select a plane for your design. As soon as you select the plane, the sketch tab opens displaying tools like lines, rectangles, circles, splines, and others. Select the command you desire, let’s say a rectangle, then go ahead to the drawing area, click then drag to a length. Go to the dimensions toolbar to add constraints to the sketch. When you are done sketching, close the sketch tab then head to the solids toolbar to make your sketch 3D and edit it using commands such as extrude, hole, chamfer, and many others. Viola! you now know the basics. 

Conclusion

While this article doesn’t transform you into a Solid Edge guru, it gives you the very solid foundation you need to go on to become one. After you’ve learned the basics, there are other functions and processes you’ll need to learn to be able to design a completely functional part or assembly. We have provided some links to further your learning. 

• This Solid Edge tutorial is from Siemens. They teach you according to your selected level of experience, whether beginner, intermediate or higher. 
• You can also take courses on Solid Edge from Udemy. 
• Solid Edge tutorial videos and files provided by Solid Mastermind.

It is not uncommon for beginners to find it difficult to navigate the program to create models. Also, beginners often need a sample model in the course of their learning for practice. Furthermore, professionals may find themselves on a tight schedule and without the time to start designing complex models from the scratch. It is also possible that a designer requires the CAD model of an existing product but may not want to design it from scratch.

Coming to the rescue in all these cases are websites where you can download fully designed Inventor models for use or to edit to your specifications. Most of these sites charge for their models, but would it not be nice to get some of such models for free. 

In this article, we would be reviewing 13 sites where you can find free Autodesk Inventor models for download. The models are in ipt part, iam assembly, and other native Inventor file formats. Note that this is not a ranking article, so we won’t be comparing or listing the sites in any particular order.

1. 3D CAD Browser

The first site on the list is 3D CAD browser. It has a very simple interface with over 21,400 models. Though most of the models are for sale, the site offers 800+ free models in different file formats such as .max, .fbx, .3ds, and most importantly, Inventor’s ipt and iam file formats. Registration with the website is mandatory and you also have to upload a design first before you can begin download. This helps grow the number of models available on the site. 

2. 3D Content Central

3D content central has a community of 2 million-plus members. The members can upload and download  2D and 3D model parts, blocks, assemblies, and macros models. The models in the site are either user-contributed or from suppliers. You can download 2D or 3D parts and assemblies seamlessly in different industry-standard CAD formats for CAD systems such as CATIA, Solidworks, DraftSite, Pro/Engineer, Solidedge, AutoCAD, and most importantly, Autodesk Inventor. 

Regarding the search features, you can either search for supplier components product name, description, and others or navigate the hundreds of model categories. Even if you don’t find the model you are looking for, you can request the model to be designed by the user community. You would need to register before downloading or requesting.

3. PapaCAD

PapaCAD is an impressive site but has an unappealing interface. This can be deceiving as the website provides detailed products such as 3D models, assemblies, and 2D drawings. All the models on this site are created by papaCAD’s team of experienced engineers and designers. There are both free and paid models. 

An interesting fact about the designs is that they were all created using Autodesk Inventor. You can download the models in ipt, iam, stp, and other file formats. The models are divided into 2D CAD drawings, 3D Inventor models, free CAD designs, and 3D CAD engineering designs. There is a search bar for easy location of models. 

4. TurboSquid

Turbosquid has 70,000+ models with over 20,000 of them being free. The website features 3D models, stock media, sound effects, and many others. The models are in various categories such as cars, furniture, landscape, architecture, animals, vehicles, and anatomy. They are available for download into different CAD programs such as AutoCAD, Solidworks, CATIA, Inventor, and many other programs. 

The models are also divided into 3D models, free models, unity models, animated models, blender models, and others. It has a search bar and filter options to narrow down the search results. You are required to register first before downloading. 

5. GrabCAD

GrabCad is one of the biggest communities of CAD users for sharing and downloading models. Its 6 million members consist of engineers, manufacturers, and designers. The site offers tutorials, news, blog, design competitions, Grabcad applications, 3D printing services, and our main focus, free CAD models. GrabCAD has a vast library with millions of free CAD models of over 50 different CAD programs including Inventor. In the library, the models are arranged categorically under construction, educational, household, aerospace, components, medical, technology, and a lot more. Finding models is so easy as you can just input the name of the model you need, the file format, or the software you are inputting it into in the search bar.

6. CADblocks Free

CADblock, as some other sites mentioned, has both paid and free models. The site features in its menu; store, forum, free 3D CAD models, free 2D CAD models, manufacturer CAD models, sell/upload models, membership, contact, and CGI services. The models are grouped into architecture, animals, electrical, mechanical, landscaping, sports, and other categories. You can find models in max, STEP, IGES, STL, and Inventor’s ipt and iam CAD formats. In CADblocks free, you don’t have to register to download the free models. Just visit the site and start downloading. 

7. CGtrader

CGtrader is basically a virtual market place with over a million models, where you can buy and sell 3D models, find 3D modeling jobs, and get designers. In this site, you can also get free models for download including 1000+ Inventor models in ipt, iam, and idw file formats. The 3D models are arranged into architecture, interior, exterior, and others. To download any of the models, you have to create an account first with the website. CGTrader also has a search bar and various filter options to add precision to your search results. 

8. 3D Sky

3D Sky has a very plain look. It grants both free and paid models, modeling and rendering services. The site has a search bar and you can use the categories to filter down your search. The models are categorized into technology, furniture, lighting, plants, and other classes. You would find a lot of Inventor compatible models, alongside other modeling software. The models are further categorized in all, pro, om and free. To access these free models, you must have at least uploaded one model. After you’ve done that, you would be able to download 3 models per day. Registration is required. 

9. CADForum

CADForum offers a lot of helpful CAD services such as CAD discussions forum, tips and tricks in various CAD programs, downloads of CAD tools and applications, converters, CAD videos, weblinks, CAD shop, and the main reason why this site was mentioned, CAD/BIM block. CAD/BIM block is a library with over 40,000 models where you can upload or download free models in different file formats including Autodesk Inventor’s. There is even a special category for the download of Inventor ipt parts. A search bar is provided, together with the different categories of models. All models are available for unlimited downloads to only registered members, so you will need to register. 

10. 3D Export

3D export is a web platform for buying and selling 3D models. It features 3D printing services, a forum for CAD discussions, and different CAD tutorials. Asides all these, you can find over 2000+ models for free downloads in various file formats. The location of models is seamless as there is a tab where you can select from over 30 different file formats including Inventor’s ipt and iam file formats. You just have to select the Inventor format and view the various available models.

11. Part Community

Part community as the name implies is a community of CAD personnel and users with over 500,000 members. The manufacturers and suppliers are the majority members and are the ones that provide most of the models. The website features 3D CAD catalog; 3D share, users contributed models. Apart from the models, they offer news, PDF catalogs, sorta, contact, and community. Part community gives thousands of free models, including Autodesk Inventor models.  You have to be a registered member to access these models. The site also has a search bar for easier navigation.

12. CADNav

CADNav’s deceptively plain-looking user interface makes it very easy to navigate. This is especially useful as the site does not have a search bar. CADNav also offers free Vray materials, textures, and tools, in addition to over 4000 free 3D models. These CAD models are categorized in two ways, by file format and by model category. Categories include military, household, human & character, animals, architecture, industrial, and many more. On the other hand, 3D formats include different file formats of various CAD software.

13. Autodesk Online Gallery

The last on our list is Autodesk’s online gallery. It is run by Inventor’s developers and owners, Autodesk. This is just like a platform where Autodesk community members come to share their models for either download or review. The website has thousands of free models for download.

To get started, you would have to create an account with Autodesk, then search for the models of choice using filters such as by industry, categories (AEC, electronics, entertainment), and used products. As soon as you click on download, you would be given various file formats to choose from including Inventor file formats. 

Designing in Revit (source)

While Revit is highly capable and functional, creating structures can be very time-consuming. This is because most tasks, both modeling and non-modeling, require a series of actions to be accompanied. For example, a task as simple as drawing a line will require you to move your cursor to the sketch bar, click on the line icon, move the cursor back to the drawing area, and click and move the cursor till you get your desired size. Imagine how tedious it would be repeating similar processes numerous times until a structure is complete.

Fortunately, Revit, like many other CAD software features keyboard shortcuts that allow you to activate various commands and complete tasks with just the touch of a few keyboard keys. There are over 190 Revit keyboard shortcuts that cover various tasks in the software application.

In this article, we will be exploring the numerous Revit keyboard shortcuts, how to activate them, the command behind each shortcut, and the tasks they accomplish.

Revit Keyboard Shortcut Commands

The various keyboard shortcuts in Revit can be categorized according to their function and the window in which they can be activated. They are categorized under the following headings: Annotate, Analyze, Architecture,  Collaborate, Context Menu, Contextual Tabs, Create, Manage, Modify, Navigation Bar, Snaps, Structure, System, View, and View Control Bar.

Annotate

Analyze

Architecture

Collaborate

Context Menu

Contextual Tabs

Create

Manage

Modify

Navigation Bar

Snaps

Structure

System

View

View Control Bar

Conclusion

By utilizing these shortcuts, users of Revit can greatly reduce their design time and effort. It may seem that they are too many to memorize. However, with continuous use, the Revit keyboard shortcuts eventually become very natural when designing with Revit.

In this article, we would be comparing two general-purpose CAD programs, AutoCAD and BricsCAD. A brief history of their development would first be given, then their various capabilities and uses. Lastly, the two software applications would be compared head-to-head.

AutoCAD 

AutoCAD’s first version was released in December 1982 by Autodesk. The company was founded by John Walker, alongside 12 professional programmers. Before the release, CAD programs only ran on mainframe and minicomputers, and designers had to go to workstations to design. At its release, AutoCAD was the first CAD software to run on personal computers. It is also the proprietor of the widely accepted DWG file format. 

The program has seen a lot of enhancements in its various version releases through the years. AutoCAD, which has become well known for its plethora of tools that cater to different industries, was initially created for mechanical engineers for 2D drafting. The software’s supplies for APIs, such as Object APX, led to the development of other AutoCAD products. On March 25, 2020, Autodesk released the latest version AutoCAD 2021, making it the 35th  version. It is compatible with Windows and Mac operating systems and mobile devices. 

What does AutoCAD do?

Designing in AutoCAD Architecture

AutoCAD is CAD software utilized by engineers, drafters, architects, and building professionals for designing in 2D and 3D. It comprises powerful industry-specific toolsets that enhance the design process and workflow across the web, desktop, and mobile devices. The toolsets are AutoCAD classic, AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD Mechanical, AutoCAD MEP, AutoCAD Electrical, AutoCAD Map 3D, AutoCAD Plant 3D, and the web and mobile version, AutoCAD 360.

AutoCAD Classic 

This has features for basic 2D drafting, creation, annotation, and sharing of 3D models. 

AutoCAD Architecture 

With the provided tools, you can seamlessly create floor plans, generate their elevations, sections, and other building drawings. You can either customize your elements or use the custom made ones. In addition, you have access to over 8000 architectural objects to modify your design from the library. 

AutoCAD Electrical

AutoCAD electrical facilitates the creation, modification, and documentation of various electrical systems. Users can design different electrical systems like panel layouts and schematic diagrams with consistent project standards using the specialized tools provided. Your designs are also made precise with the availability of 65000 plus electrical symbols in the library.

AutoCAD Mechanical 

Mechanical engineers use the features in this toolset to automate mechanical engineering manufacturing processes such as the creation and dimensioning of machining components and creating their bill of materials. The toolset also has a library of standard manufacturing parts for the easy design and documentation parts and assemblies.

AutoCAD MEP

This toolset is used for the complete design process of the MEP (Mechanical Electrical and Plumbing) building system. It improves your workflow with the advanced and easily accessible tools in the work environment. It also has a library of intelligent MEP objects to enhance the quality of your design.

AutoCAD Plant 3D 

With this toolset, you can easily create various piping and instrumentation diagrams and integrate them into a 3D plant model. The specialized tools provided facilitates users to create several drawings like schematic diagrams. It also generates isometric views and material reports of you pulling design. 

AutoCAD Map 3D 

Map 3D has features that enable you to create and communicate GIS (Geographic Information System) information effectively within the AutoCAD environment. This can be effortlessly as the toolset allows the incorporation of GIS typology. 

Who uses AutoCAD

AutoCAD’s impressive capabilities and advanced functionality make it indispensable to users of different professionals across various industries. It is used by designers, architects, structural engineers, automobile engineers, manufacturers, mechanical engineers, electrical, plant engineers, cartographers, geographers, plumbers, chemical engineers, plant engineers, industrial engineers, and production engineers.

BricsCAD

BricsCAD is a recent CAD software compared to AutoCAD. Bricsys NV developed the program in 2002. The company was founded that same year by CAD entrepreneur, Erik de Keyser in Ghent, Belgium. The software has seen many developments and additions throughout the years. Some of the developments are the release of Bricsys 24/7, the introduction of 3D parametric modeling, BricsCAD Communicator, and many others. The latest version, BricsCAD V20, was released on March 27, 2020, and is compatible with the Windows operating system, Linux, and Mac operating system. BricsCAD has various licensing options and is relatively cheaper than AutoCAD. One of the software’s major pros is that it has a perpetual license option, which most CAD software applications do not have. They also offer subscription-based licenses and a free version for educational purposes. 

What does BricsCAD do?

Designing in BricsCAD BIM

BricsCAD is an integrated CAD solution for 2D and 3D modeling. The software is well appraised for its highly functional tools for different industries and its cost-efficiency. It is based on the widely accepted DWG file format and supports 100’s of third-party applications. BricsCAD has AI tools that improve your workflow and helps save time by acknowledging your intent and optimizing your 2D drawings and 3D models. The different products are BricsCAD Shape, BricsCAD BIM, BricsCAD Mechanical, and BricsCAD 24/7.

BricsCAD Shape 

This is a license-free 3D modeler that helps users conceptualize their ideas and imagination using easily accessible tools in a very friendly interface. It is ideal for beginners to familiarize themselves with the BricsCAD environment. You also have access to their library of different 3D components such as vehicles, trees, human beings, etc. Components can also be customized and saved in the library. The toolset’s visual style panel aids in shaping your model. The models are stored in the DWG file format and can be opened directly in BricsCAD BIM. 

BricsCAD BIM

This product offers BIM (Building Information Modeling) solutions to architects and designers. It helps in the design of buildings using pre-designed elements like walls, furniture, and slabs. When done with the design, you can simply “bimify” the model with BricsCAD’s artificial intelligence, which automatically searches for your different building elements and install their BIM data. This toolset helps users express their creativity satisfactorily in their designs. 

BricsCAD Mechanical

This was created for mechanical engineers. The toolset enables you to easily turn 3D models into manufacturing documentation. With the direct 3D modeling feature, your designs have no limitations. It helps in the creation of different machine parts and assemblies. You can either create your custom parts from scratch or utilize the BricsCAD mechanical library, which has over 10000 standard parts. After completing your 3D model, you can generate orthographic and isometric views, sections, exploded views, and bill of materials. The views update automatically when changes are made to the design. 

BricsCAD 24/7

This is a cloud-based team collaboration solution. This solution comes in two editions; for design teams and project collaboration. It enables collaboration across the AEC (Architecture Engineering Construction) industry effectively. Team members can simultaneously work on building projects from any part of the world in a secure environment. Mistakes are avoided as you view, edit, and share data interactively. You can also share your projects with your employees, partners, contractors, and clients using role-based access control.

Who uses BricsCAD 

With the software’s plethora of capabilities and cost efficiency, BricsCAD is used by both small scale and large enterprises. In fact, BricsCAD has a tool for your design as long as you build things. It is used by engineers, architects, drafters, designers, manufacturers, and inventors. The software is used by various known companies including the following: Mazda Motors, Hiroshima depends on the software for the layout of factory assembly lines for the design of various tools; Stageco, Netherlands use the software for the design of stages for large events; Studio Mouton, a construction office, uses BricsCAD for their structural designs; and so many others.

AutoCAD vs. BricsCAD 

Conclusion 

AutoCAD and BricsCAD are two standard CAD programs with a plethora of capabilities that users can utilize from a wide range of professions and industries. Even though AutoCAD is older and is one of the most used CAD software, BricsCAD offers more modern solutions. All CAD users, from hobbyists, students, to professionals, look for a CAD program that possesses mission-critical tools and is cost-effective; BricsCAD gives you that. 

Since the advent, several CAD software applications have been created with varying impressive capabilities for use in different industries. With the vast number of available applications, selecting the right software for your design can be difficult. For this reason, Scan2CAD provides you with articles comparing various CAD software in order to make your selection process easier.

In this article, we will be giving a concise comparative analysis between ArchiCAD from Graphisoft and AutoCAD from Autodesk. We would start by giving brief histories of the applications, then their various capabilities and users. Finally, outlined differences between them would be given.

ArchiCAD

The development of ArchiCAD started in 1982 when a Hungarian software developer, Gabor Bajor alongside a group of skilled 3D mathematical modeling experts founded Graphisoft. Partnering with Apple Incorporation, Graphisoft released ArchiCAD officially in 1987. Its virtual concept made it one of the first implementations of BIM and the first software that can be used in generating two-dimensional and three-dimensional geometries on a personal computer. Over 30 years after release, ArchiCAD is one of the best architectural software in the market and has had various versions with notable modifications. Graphisoft released it’s latest version ArchiCAD 24 in 2020. It is compatible with both Mac and Windows operating systems. 

What does ArchiCAD do?

Designing in ArchiCAD (Source)

ArchiCAD is an architectural BIM CAD software package that offers tools to architects and designers for the generation of models in 2D and 3D. Using this, users can create complex building models using structural parts like windows, doors, walls, slabs, furniture, and many others. The software comes with a plethora of features that allows users to design in a very friendly interface and produce detailed designs. 

The various capabilities are divided into design, collaboration, visualization and rendering, and data management.

Design

The design tools offer solutions for the creation of detailed architectural 2D and 3D designs. You can seamlessly create models with their construction details and accurate building materials estimations for materials such as reinforced concrete, timber, steel, and composite beams and columns. You can also design with both 2D and 3D representations on your screen. Also, ArchiCAD supports the importation and exportation of DWG,  DXF, IFC, and BFC file formats. 

Collaboration and Data Management 

ArchiCAD provides collaboration solutions to their users in different forms. 

• Team members are able to work on a design simultaneously with the Graphisoft BIM cloud.
• Combined BIM/architectural design and structural analysis provided in the Integrated structural analytical model by ArchiCAD. 
• Model comparison 

A lot of design time is saved by collaborating on a design. Also, the BIMx facilitates the presentation of your design from your mobile device or computer without having to install ArchiCAD. 

Visualization and rendering 

ArchiCAD has high-profile tools for the production of quality photo-realistic design models. With the embedded Cine-render engine, cleaner rendering results are gotten in no time. You can also enhance your model visualization output with the use of dynamic content like fly-trays, sun study, and align tools.

Who uses ArchiCAD?

Through years of increasing popularity and dominance in BIM, ArchiCAD has amassed over 120,000 users worldwide. It is primarily used by Architects and other workers in the AEC industry. The program’s friendly interface and the availability of the student’s version make it the right choice for student architects in higher institutions and for educators.

AutoCAD

The story of AutoCAD started in 1977 from the development of Interact CAD, a CAD software that was also known as MicroCAD. This preceded the founding of Autodesk in 1982 by Michael Riddle. Later that year in December, Michael, alongside 15 co-founders, released AutoCAD, their flagship product. 

The release of AutoCAD revolutionized the CAD industry. Before the release, most designs were done on board and paper with different drawing instruments as the available commercial CAD software ran only on mainframe and minicomputers. AutoCAD was one of the first CAD programs to run on personal computers and was also the proprietor of the widely used DWG file format. AutoCAD 2020, the latest version, is the 34th version to be released by Autodesk. It is compatible with Windows and Mac operating systems. Versions are also available for mobile devices. AutoCAD is available in 14 different languages. 

What does AutoCAD do?

Designing in AutoCAD Architecture (Source)

AutoCAD is software consisting of various industry-specific tools that cover most design and modeling processes. It was initially created for only 2D drafting for Mechanical Engineers. Today, however, AutoCAD includes various powerful toolsets that cater to the design needs of various industries.

The toolsets are AutoCAD Classic, AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD Electrical, AutoCAD Mechanical, AutoCAD Plant 3D, and AutoCAD.

AutoCAD Classic 

As the name implies, this has the traditional AutoCAD interface which facilitates users to design 2D drafts, create 3D models, annotate designs, and interchange file data.

AutoCAD Architecture

The architectural toolset offers features for architectural design. With this, you can create floor plans, generate elevations, and produce sections. It also contains building features such as walls, windows, and doors. In addition to all these, it comes with a library of over 8000 architectural objects for use in design. 

AutoCAD Electrical

The toolset’s capabilities help in the creation, modification, and documentation of electrical systems. Electrical drawings like schematic diagrams and panel layout can be made with the specialized tools provided. Also, all drawings are arranged in a project-based structure following project standards. The package has a library of 65000+ electrical symbols that support different standards.

AutoCAD Mechanical

This toolset is specifically designed for DFM (Design for manufacturing). The features are  utilized for creating, modifying, and documenting mechanical designs for manufacturing. AutoCAD mechanical facilitates you to automate mechanical objectives such as dimensioning of models, creating of machine components and estimating bills of materials 

AutoCAD Plant 3D

With the tools provided, diagrams of piping and instrumentation can be produced and integrated into a 3D plant model. You can easily design a sophisticated pipe and plant routing system in 2D and 3D. The AutoCAD Plant 3D library offers over 400 plant components like equipment templates, structural members, and support templates to choose from.

AutoCAD MEP

In building construction, the MEP system is a very crucial part. AutoCAD MEP assists users to draft both in 2D and 3D, design, and document MEP models for buildings. These are made easy with the availability of 10,500+ MEP components in the library. 

In addition to these AutoCAD toolsets, AutoCAD has mobile and web-based versions, AutoCAD 360 to enhance users’ flexibility of usage. This enables users to view, edit, and share their designs at any convenient time on their mobile devices or computer. They also have a cheaper version with lesser features, for users with a lower budget to experience the software. This version is AutoCAD LT.

Who uses AutoCAD?

AutoCAD’s vast number of industry-specific tools within a single software makes it sought after by a variety of fields and different industries.

Listed below are the users under various fields that utilize AutoCAD for their designs; 

• Architecture; Interior and urban designers, architects, Structural Engineers.
• Mechanical; Automobile engineers, manufacturers, mechanical engineers, and production engineers
• Electrical; Electrical engineering, electricians, and plant engineers.
• Map 3D; Surveyors, cartographers, geographers, and mapping and topology experts. 
• MEP; Plumbers, mechanical and electrical engineers. 
• Plant 3D; Chemical engineers, plant engineers, industrial engineers, and production engineers. 

ArchiCAD vs. AutoCAD 

Conclusion 

Both applications have distinctive capabilities and are effective CAD programs, useful in their corresponding genres. AutoCAD has more industry-specific tools making it utilizable by professionals from various industries. On the other hand, ArchiCAD is a BIM software for the creation of virtual buildings.

AutoCAD is better used by professionals who are able to utilize the powerful tools provided and by large scale businesses. ArchiCAD has a free educational version, which makes it very useful for students, researchers, and educators.

Origin of ArchiCAD

The evolution of ArchiCAD started in Hungary, 1982 when Gabor Bajor launched Graphisoft. Bajor was a Hungarian software developer who, at that time, developed terrain modeling software on micro-computers and was working as the head of the mathematical department at the Geophysical Institute, Budapest. The allowance of private companies, following the end of the communist party of Hungary, encouraged Gabor Bajor to leave his job at the institute to found Graphisoft alongside a skilled team of three-dimensional mathematical modeling experts. Their lack of access to modern efficient computers emboldened them to create 3D modeling applications that were compatible with small inexpensive personal computers. These modeling software applications were offered to the architects.

The interface of ArchiCAD v1 on Apple Macintosh (Source)

Initially, finding a hardware partner was quite difficult as companies already had mainframe computers running CAD and were not interested in having 3D modeling on a PC. Finally, Graphisoft’s impressive capacity and their development of Architectural CAD in 2D and 3D technology attracted Apple Inc. as partners. Steve Jobs himself, the founder of Apple, sent them an Apple computer. This made it possible for Graphisoft to create ArchiCAD for Macintosh, officially released  in 1987. It was first introduced first as a virtual building concept and later as a building information modeling software, making ArchiCAD the first implementation of BIM on a personal computer.

The ArchiCAD Timeline

Through the years, ArchiCAD has grown from a simple architectural 3D design software to an industry-acclaimed BIM CAD software with about 120,000 users worldwide. At release, the program had separate 2D and 3D modules, then later integrated in 1993. Since that time, various new features such as colors, camera tools, elevations and sections gotten from the floor plan, rendering tools, and others have been added. The software was only for Apple Macintosh until 1993 when Graphisoft released a version for Windows 3.1. ArchiCAD 4.55  was the first version to be compatible with both Windows and Apple. Some other notable additions were the addition of collaboration tools (in 1998), beam tools, ArchiCAD library, BIM cloud features, and so many others which would be mentioned later. 

Latest Version and Application 

30 years after its release, ArchiCAD has grown to be one of the best Architectural BIM design software. ArchiCAD 24, the latest version, has a plethora of capabilities that enable Architects and Designers to create virtual buildings with their complete properties, visualize, render, and present the design effectively to their clients or company. ArchiCAD 24 facilitates users to create models more efficiently with precise construction details and proper estimation of construction materials such as complex steel, reinforced concrete, composite beams and columns, and timber. The software application comes with  Graphisoft’s BIM server that encourages collaboration and BIMx for convenient model viewing and presentation. 

Some of the enhancements are in:

• Performance. Users experience fast workflow in the program starting from the quick launch to the easy and quick access to your project, faster importation and exportation of files, and seamless navigation through the software.
• Collaboration. Connections such as Solibri, dRofus, and IFC4 have been added to improve teamwork designs and client presentations.
• Productivity. Productivity enhancements such as updated library contents, refined polyline editing functions, ability to import DGN v8, and a new pull-down menu for ArchiCAD option set values; Integrated collaborative design, new integration between BIM and structural analysis, teamwork collaboration, and coordination through BIMcloud.

ArchiCAD plays a vital role in the world of construction and is the obvious choice for workers in the AEC industry. 

In this article, we are going to provide you with a comprehensive explanation of ArchiCAD vs. Revit, two BIM software packages. A concise history of the programs would first be given, then their different features and users. Finally, we will be giving a comparative analysis of the applications based on their features, users, operating system compatibilities, licensing options, and so on. 

ArchiCAD

The evolution of the software ArchiCAD began in 1982 when it was created for Apple Macintosh. It was then launched in 1987 by a Hungarian software company, Graphisoft using Graphisoft’s virtual building concept. ArchiCAD is the first execution of BIM (Building Information Modeling) and also the one of the first CAD software capable of creating two and three-dimensional geometry on a personal computer. ArchiCAD’s capacity to store huge amounts of data within a 3D model was considered revolutionary. Since its launch, there have been various releases of ArchiCAD versions almost every year with different modifications. ArchiCAD 23, the latest version, was released in 2019. ArchiCAD has grown into a more refined software allowing users to be more intuitive with their designs. 

What does ArchiCAD do?

ArchiCAD is an industry-acclaimed architectural BIM software used by Architects, Drafters, and Interior designers for architectural 2D and 3D designs. It helps users to create virtual buildings using structural parts like windows, slabs, rods, doors, walls, and others. You can virtually create models of exactly how you want the building and its surroundings to look. The software is compatible with Microsoft Windows, Mac OSX, and mobile devices (android and iOS) and is available in 27 different languages. 

ArchiCAD has various features which are divided into design, visualization and rendering, collaboration, and data management. 

Design 

ArchiCAD has different tools that facilitate users to create models faster and with more detail. You can work with a 2D or 3D representation on your screen. Although the database stores your data in three-dimension, you can easily generate your plans, elevations, and sections from the virtual building. The program also allows the importation and exportation of the DXF, DWG, and IFC and BCF file formats. It also allows you to upload your 3D models and their 2D drawings to BIMx, enabling you to view them at any time on your mobile or computer devices.  

Visualization and rendering

This ArchiCAD feature has helped users transform their models into high-quality photo-realistic pictures and videos. With this feature, design decisions and client presentations are made easy as they are allowed to see how the model and its environment would appear in real life. 

Collaboration 

This capability enables several team members to work on a building model simultaneously. This is made possible by the BIM cloud as edits made on the model by the members are synchronized with the cloud, helping them see the changes in real-time and design simultaneously over the team leader’s network. The collaboration feature helps your team work on models from anywhere in the world.

Who uses ArchiCAD?

ArchiCAD comes with various capabilities that ease the design process and make teamwork possible. It covers the aesthetics and technical design of a building. It is widely used by Architects, Drafters Engineers, and Designers (landscape or interior). Some companies that use ArchiCAD are RIBA Enterprise, Retail Food Group Limited, Treeline, Root Incorporated, USA, and many others. 

Revit

The journey of Revit started on October 31,1997 when Charles Rivers Software was founded by Irwin Jungreis and Leonid Raiz who were, at that time, developers of PTC’s Pro/Engineer software for Mechanical Design. The software was renamed Revit in January 2000 and thereafter Revit 1 was released. In 2002, Autodesk, makers of AutoCAD, bought Revit Technology Corporation for 133 million US dollars. This purchase led to intensive research, development, and improvement of the program. At that time, Revit was released as different versions based on disciplines. There were Revit Structure, Revit MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing), and Revit Building which was later renamed Revit Architecture. Later on, all these versions for different disciplines were brought together into one package simply called Revit. Several improvements have been made on the software since then. Revit 2021 is the latest version. 

What does Revit do?

Revit is a BIM software package that has complex design and collaboration tools suitable for Structural design, Architectural design, Landscape design, and MEP Engineering. The software covers the complete construction process, which is from the structural design to plumbing to electrical design. Revit is compatible with only Microsoft 64-bits Windows operating system and is available in English, German, French, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese and some other languages.

There are several capabilities offered by Revit that produce well-detailed designs efficiently. These capabilities are divided into design, collaboration and data management, and visualization and rendering.

Revit has made the design process so easy and efficient with its design capabilities. The software comes with a user-friendly interface and you can easily make use of the tools to produce 2D drawings and their respective 3D models. There are also existing relationships between the views and the families. For example, when you edit an elevation of your model, the plan changes immediately, helping you avoid confusion and mistakes. This feature allows the importation and exportation of DWG, DGN, IFC, and other widely used file formats. 

The collaboration and data management tools provided by Revit enable multiple workers to work on a single project easily. This is done by using the BIM 360 design, a highly secure cloud-based collaboration and data management solution where design and construction teams can co-design models. With this feature, designs are done more efficiently as corrections can be made by team members, and feedback is gotten immediately from the client or company. Members can work on a design simultaneously from anywhere at any time. Collaboration can also be done through sharing, where users can work on a model simultaneously via a local area network. 

Revit offers high tools for high-level visualization and rendering. Design Presentation is a very important phase of the design process. With these tools, communicating designs with either the client, team members, or companies have been made easy as you can give a more realistic ending presentation. 

Who uses Revit

With Revit’s properties and capabilities, and usability in different construction disciplines, it is used by Architects, construction firms, Structural Engineers, MEP (Mechanical Electrical Plumbing) Engineers, and Interior/Landscape Designers. 

ArchiCAD vs. Revit

Conclusion 

ArchiCAD and Revit are two highly-rated BIM software applications that have sophisticated capabilities that make the design process efficient. Choosing which software now depends on the job at hand. ArchiCAD is the one for you if your design is fully architectural based and you plan on working as a team. However, if your application is more sophisticated, Revit is the right choice.

In this article, we would be reviewing CATIA (Computer-Aided Three-dimensional Interactive Application) by Dassault Systemes, a software suite for CAD, CAM, CAE, and PLM across multiple platforms. However, because of the nature of CATIA, which we would be explaining later, there are no set prices for any of the software’s products. Pricing depends on various factors and is therefore quote-based. You would have to contact CATIA’s sales team.

Knowing what factors determine the pricing you would receive is crucial to hastening the quoting processes. In this article, we will be going through the various factors that influence CATIA pricing.

Package/Configuration

CATIA has a very fast range of capabilities offered through many different products. A configuration or package in CATIA contains a number of products. The quote you receive depends on your package which in turn depends on your discipline. The disciplines CATIA covers include design and styling, construction, engineering, and systems engineering.

There are two basic types of CATIA configurations; standard configurations and custom configurations 

Standard configurations contain a preset list of products that are most relevant to a field.

Custom configurations, one the other hand, are created by the customer during ordering. You can create a custom configuration by adding your desired products from the CATIA portfolio to an existing standard configuration. This means that a custom configuration is not built from scratch. Rather, products are added to a standard configuration to get a custom configuration.

Products

Products in CATIA refer to any fixed unit. The following are some of the types of products offered.

• Standard configurations. Going by the definition of products, standard configurations, although made up of products, are considered as products themselves.
• Add-on products. These are products that can be added to a standard configuration to create a custom configuration.
• Shareable products. When you procure a configuration, all products within the configuration are bound under one license. Shareable products, however, come with their license keys separate from the configuration. This allows the product to be shared with multiple users.
• Extra products. Extra products are products that come along with certain configurations or products. Not all configurations come with extra products. Extra products are neither licensed or standalone. They are free of charge and are installed along with the associated configuration or product.

License type

Every purchase CATIA configuration and product, except shareable products, come with non-sharable licenses. There are two major licensing schemes used in CATIA; Node Locked/Machine-based licensing and Concurrent licensing.

Node-locked licensing, also known as machine-based licensing, allows a product or configuration to be installed and used on one machine by a single user. A variation of this scheme known as Named user licensing allows the installation on more than one personal device. However, they can only be used by one user.

Concurrent licensing allows CATIA to be installed on multiple devices for use by multiple users. However, only the number of seats purchased can be used concurrently. For example, you install CATIA on 15 devices using a concurrent license. If you only purchased five seats, only five of these computers would be able to run CATIA simultaneously.

License term

Dassault Systemes offers various licensing terms for CATIA. You can purchase a perpetual license with annual maintenance. You can also purchase yearly, quarterly, 2-year, and 3-year licenses.

Conclusion

The complex pricing of CATIA is as a result of the numerous variables involved. Now that you have been armed with the prerequisite knowledge for a smooth quoting process, simply contact the CATIA sales team for a quote based on your requirements.

Getting to understand how to effectively navigate and use CAD software applications with a plethora of features and tools such as CATIA is quite difficult. To make the learning curve easier, Scan2CAD creates comprehensive guides that would help acquaint you with the basics of CAD software applications in just one hour. 

In this article, we would be looking at CATIA’s capabilities, features, and tools available. We will also talk about its graphical user interface (GUI) and the basics of modeling. 

CATIA’S CAPABILITIES 

To understand a software application, the first thing you must know is what the software can do, that is, its capabilities. These capabilities can be classified under Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Systems, Fluid Systems, and Design. 

Mechanical Engineering 

The design of parts of assemblies has been made so easy by CATIA as it provides tools for the formation of 3-dimensional elements, 2D drawings, and sheet metal.

Systems 

CATIA’s engineering solution gives a detailed open development platform that covers various disciplines. Disciplines like simulation, modeling, verification, and business process support. 

Electrical Systems 

The software’s V5 version offers electrical schematic definitions, requirement capture, and also interactive 3D routing of wire harness and industrial cables. With this capability, there is no longer the use of physical prototypes as designs are done in the context of full production, therefore reducing the cost of production. 

Fluid Systems 

The manufacture and design of routed systems like piping, tubing, and HVAC have been made easier with CATIA V5. The software offers a platform for specification-driven design tools that make them up to industry standards. 

Design

With the ICEM surfacing technologies embedded in CATIA, the design toolset offers solutions for designing various shapes, styling, visualization, and for surfacing workflow.

Before You Get Started

As we now know what Catia can do, we would need to get familiar with some things before going to the Graphical User Interface. CATIA has 5 main file formats; CATPart used for the design of parts with the .CATPart extension; CATProduct, used in assembly design with the .CATProduct extension; CATDrawing with the .CATDrawing extension; cgr (for faceted representation) with the .cgr extension; and 3dxml (lightened representation) with the .3dxml file extension.

Launchscreen 

After launching CATIA, you first come in contact with the launchscreen. The launchscreen is relatively straightforward compared to other CAD software. 

At the top left corner of the screen is the menu bar. The menu bar contains the start menu, which is used for selecting applications such as part design, product structure, assembly design, and others; the file menu, used for the creating, opening, saving, and printing of files; the view menu, for displaying workbench specific toolbars and list of commands which would be mentioned later in the article. You can also find the windows menu used in changing to your desired windows; the help menu is very useful in understanding CATIA. It provides a ‘getting started’ guide with different informations on workbenches, products, and solutions. 

CATIA’s Launchscreen

Getting Started

CATIA offers several applications/workbenches such as part design, assembly design, drafting, sketcher, wide frame and surface, and others. The interfaces of these applications are somewhat similar to each other. For the tutorial, we are going to be using the party design application. The part design application is used in the creation of precise 3D models of machine parts. 

Now we are going to open a new part document. To do this, we go to the menu bar and click on the file menu. You then see different options like new, open, close; click on new. This opens a dialogue box showing different document types (drawing, part, product, assembly). Select the part document type and click OK to confirm your selection. After this is done you should enter the part name that you want to be displayed, in this case, part 1. Enter OK again to confirm the part creation. Another way of creating a new document is by going to the start menu. Select the mechanical design then click on the part design to create the part document. As these have been done, the next thing to do is to set the units. To set the units, click on the view menu and select options. After that, click on general. Then parameters and measurements. Your units can be set there. 

Units dialogue box

Part Creation Window

The part creation window is somewhat similar to that of the launchscreen. At the top of the window the name of the part that you imputed. Directly below the part name are drop-down menus. The drop-down menus contain all the application controls that would help you in performing tasks such as modifying options, file manipulation, changing windows, editing, getting help, and so on. 

Below this menu bar is the specification tree. Also called the history tree, it helps you neatly organize and record every part you create using the parent-child relationship. It eases future modification of parts. 

The mid-section of the screen is the drawing area. This area occupies about 60% of the part creation window and is where the main modeling is done.  Below the drawing area are some shortcuts to various tools such as save, new file, view tools and others. You will also find a tooltip bar that displays messages whenever the cursor is above a tool. 

At the right hand of the screen are various toolbars. These workbenches are given in accordance with the current application chosen. At the top right is an icon of the application opened (part). 

Then there is the sketcher toolbar, used for the creation and constraining of 2-dimensional geometries. This toolbar has sub-tools under, they are: profile toolbar, used in the creation of geometries like rectangles, circles, lines, splines, and others; the constraint toolbar, used when constraining your with dimensional or geometrical constraints such as distance, length, angles, tendency coincidence, parallelism, and perpendicularity; operation toolbar, used in modifying the profiles created with commands such as trim, mirror, and other commands; sketch tools toolbar, used when you want to work in different modes like shape to point and construction geometry.

The pad toolbar. This is used for adding material in the third direction asides that of the sketch. The creation can be done by extruding an open or closed profile. Specified data can also be added to modify the pad. 

Below that is the pocket toolbar. The pocket toolbar somewhat has an opposite function to that of the pad. It is used in removing the material of an already created part. 

The shaft toolbar is for making shaft-like parts like an Axel or a drive shaft. In the creation, an axis around which the sketch will revolve is needed. 

After that is the rib toolbar. This toolbar adds material alongside a guide curve already created by you. Used in the making of parts such as springs and pipes. 

Then there is an advanced extrusion toolbar having sub toolbars, stiffener, and solid combine. 

It should be noted that these toolbars can be selected and edited from the view menu in the menu bar at the top of the screen. 

Part creation window 

Drawing and modeling 

Now that you are acquainted with CATIA’s interface and how to open a new document, let’s go to the drawing proper. Modeling of any part on the software must start with a sketch, no matter how complex the part may be. For the sake of this tutorial, we are going to model a pipe. To begin, you click on the sketcher toolbar. Then you choose the plane at the drawing area on which you want the sketch to be. As soon as you select your plane, the different sketcher toolbars are displayed. Click on the profile toolbar and select the circle. You then click on the center point of the plane and drag out to form the circle then click again. After that, click on the constraint toolbar. A constraint dialogue box appears. Set a diameter 80mm then click OK to confirm the selection. When this has been done, exit the workbench and go ahead to click the pad toolbar. Set your depth (90mm) in the pad definition dialogue box that appears on the screen. Since it’s a pipe we are modeling, we would need to have a smaller circle for the hollow. Go back to sketch and follow the same process for creating the circle but with a smaller diameter of 60mm. With this done, click on the pocket command and set the depth which should be the same as the pad depth. 

Recommended resources 

Being a highly advanced software with numerous packages and capabilities, CATIA is mostly used by professionals. You have now been acquainted with the basics of the software which is a solid foundation to becoming a professional user. To further your learning and mastering of CATIA, we have provided you the following links.

Tutorials Engineer YouTube channel 

CATIA V5 basics

Ignitecast

Solid professor CATIA tutorial 

Designing 3D models on SketchUp can be time-consuming, especially when it comes to large projects. In this case, many designers and professionals prefer to incorporate ready-made models into their projects. 

There are numerous sites that offer ready-made SketchUp models. However, not all these sites offer free SketchUp models. After exhaustive research, we at Scan2CAD have created this article featuring 13 sites where you can download SketchUp models for free

Table of Contents

Sites with free SketchUp models

1. 1. TurboSquid
   2. 3D Warehouse
   3. CGTips
   4. CADdetails
   5. CGTrader
   6. SketchUp Texture Club
   7. Open3Dmodel
   8. Free 3D
   9. GrabCAD
   10. CADnav
   11. 3Dexport
   12. CADblocksfree
   13. Sketchfab

Conclusion

Sites with free SketchUp models

Now there are more than 13 sites with free SketchUp models but we have put together a list of trusted sites where you can access models for free.

Here is a list of the top 13 websites with free SketchUp models:

1. TurboSquid

The first site on our list is TurboSquid. This site welcomes you with a nice and beautiful-looking landing page, with an easy-to-navigate interface. You can scroll down to find categories and subcategories where you would find a lot of free SketchUp models.

TurboSquid also offers premium SketchUp models, therefore if you don’t find what you are looking for in the free section, you have more options in the premium section. There are more premium SketchUp models than free SketchUp models on this site. 

Your journey to a reservoir of free SketchUp models on this site is pretty straightforward. You may go for the very first option on the TurboSquid homepage, which is the search option. Or you can scroll down to find the categories that interest you. 

To download a free SketchUp model, you’ll have to sign up if you don’t already own a TurboSquid account. The models you download will be sent to your TurboSquid account, and you can access it from there. 

2. 3D Warehouse

The next site on this list is 3Dwarehouse. This site is directly connected to the SketchUp application. It provides a repository of both 2D and 3D models This repository.

3Dwarehouse comes with a simple and direct interface. There is a search bar at the top of its homepage to make your search easier. Also, at the left of the search bar is a categories tab, here, you can select your category of interest. The  3Dwarehouse is basically simple to use.

Like TurboSquid, to download a free SketchUp model from this site, you’ll need to sign in, if you don’t already own an account. Click on the user logo on the top right hand on the 3Dwarehouse homepage to sign in, or after selecting a model of interest, you will be automatically directed to a Trimble sign-in page to be able to download the model you want. 

3. CGTips

Architects and designers would find CGTips very interesting. This is because, not only do you have access to free SketchUp models, there are a host of other useful resources on this site, such as tutorials and design tips and tricks. 

The CGTips homepage has a lot of options on its navigation tab, one of which is the boldly written free download tab. To access free SketchUp models, all you need to do is hover over the free download tab and select the SketchUp models option. Here, you’ll find a host of free SketchUp models. 

To download your model of interest, you have to sign in with a Google account. The file you download would be in a zip format, and you’ll need to unzip it with the password the site provides. 

4. CADdetails

CADdetails provides architects and designers with 3D models of specific products, this way, visualizing products in 3D environments is possible. This site comes with a straightforward and easy-to-navigate website.

At the top of the CADdetails homepage, there is a navigation tab that contains five tabs, one of which is the BIM models tab. For accessing free SketchUp models, the BIM models tab is our tab of interest. 

Click on the BIM models tab, search for the SketchUp model of your desire and click on the model to download. However, like most sites on this list, you need to sign up and log in to be able to download free SketchUp models. 

5. CGTrader

CGTrader is a site I like to refer to as a reservoir of 3D models. Although a bulk of the models on this site are not free, there are still a host of quality free SketchUp models you can find on this site. 

This site welcomes you with a simple user interface. All you need to do to access free SketchUp models is, enter the search for SketchUp models in the search bar on the CGTrader’s homepage. You’ll see a lot of 3D models, both the free models and models with price tags. You see only free SketchUp models, click on the free option on this page. 

6. SketchUp Texture Club

SketchUp Texture club, as the name implies is a club for SketchUp textures. However, there is a 3D model section where you can access free SketchUp models. According to its about page, this site is centered on education, information, and 3D visualization. 

To access free SketchUp models, you need to sign up for a free account. However, for premium 3D models, you can sign up for a premium account, which you need to pay a yearly fee. With the premium account, you can have a vast number of options to choose from. 

Click on the 3D models tab at the top of the Sketchup Texture Club homepage. Here, you can find numerous categories, you can either select a category of your choice or search for the free SketchUp model of your interest. 

7. Open3Dmodel

Open3Dmodel, as the name suggests, is open to everyone. It is an open resource for free 3D models. This site welcomes you with a very simple interface. You can find numerous categories available on its homepage, you can either use the search bar, click on the .skp file type or click on any category of your choice.

Unlike most sites on this list, you do not need to register to access and download free SketchUp models. All you need to do is click on the model you want, click on the download link, and voila, you’ve got your free SketchUp model. 

With over 73845 free 3D models, this site is almost overwhelming and can leave you spoilt for choices. 

8. Free 3D

Free 3D comes with a very beautiful, easy-to-navigate user interface, and a well-structured category section. It is also a site where freelance designers can showcase their designs and get jobs. 

To access free SketchUp models, you could either make use of the search bar or click on any category of your choice. Like the Open3Dmodel, you can download the model of your choice directly, with no need for registration or sign-ins. Just click on the desired model and click on the download button, and that’s it. 

Free3D is a mixture of free 3d models and premium models. And to access the not-free models you can click on the model, add to cart, sign up, pay and download easily. 

9. GrabCAD

GrabCAD is a very popular platform, especially for CAD designers and architects. As it is boldly written on its homepage, GrabCAD is the largest online community, boasting a very large number of engineers, designers, and manufacturers. With an online community of over 7 million members and over 4 million free files, GrabCAD is indeed the largest online engineering community. 

GrabCAD has a very simple and easy-to-navigate user interface, making it easy for you to browse through its large library. To access free SketchUp models, click on the library option at the top left-hand corner of the GrabCAD homepage, search for the SketchUp model of your choice and click to download.

However, like most sites on this list, you need to sign up, to have access to the download link of the free SketchUp models. 

10. CADnav

CADnav comes with a pretty straightforward and easy-to-navigate user interface. Its homepage tells you a lot about the vast amount of options available to designers or design enthusiasts. According to the CADnav About page, CADnav is an online 3D library. 

With over 50,000 free models, designers and CAD enthusiasts are sure to spend time on this website. To access free SketchUp models, you can either select from a large number of categories under the 3D model section, or click on the SketchUp(.skp) file type under the “Sort by 3D format” at the right hand of the homepage.

Like a few sites on this list, you can download free SketchUp models directly, without registrations and sign-ins, all you need to do is click on the model of your choice, agree to CADnav T&C and you’re good to go. 

11. 3Dexport

3D export welcomes you with a beautiful user interface. The color mixture on this homepage is pretty awesome. Although 3Dexport is a marketplace for 3D models, you can also get free SketchUp models from this site. 

In addition to free 3D models, this site offers CG textures and tutorials. To access free SketchUp models on this site, click on the free 3D model’s section at the top of the homepage. Search for the model of your choice, select the “free products only” option, click on the model, and click on the download button to download.

However, to get access to the download link you need to sign up. 

12. CADblocksfree

With a wide range of free 2D and 3D models, CADblocksfree is a good option for SketchUp enthusiasts. This site offers a large number of 3D models categories to pick from. Additionally, it is basic and easy to navigate. 

To access free SketchUp models, click on the free 3D models at the top of the CADblocksfree homepage. Select the category you want, or you can go directly to .skp files by clicking on the .skp file format option, under the file format category. 

And like a few sites on this list, you can download free SketchUp models without having to register or sign in. 

13. Sketchfab

With a plain, simple, and interactive interface, Sketchfab is the last site on this list. With a large community of creators and designers, Sketchfab boasts a large number of 3D models. Although it is renowned for selling 3D models, it also boasts of a large number of free 3D models. 

To access free SketchUp models, you can hover over the explore tab, click on the downloadable option, this way, you can view all the downloadable models. Search for the model of your choice or select from a long list of categories. 

It is important to note that you will require to create an account for you to download any model on this site. 

Conclusion

With the above list of websites, it should be easy to locate and download free SketchUp models, either for construction, electrical, or electrical engineering fields. 3D Warehouse and CADdetails websites are perfect for architects and designers while CGTrader is a good choice for furniture models and GrabCAD is a good choice for mechanical engineering models.

Downloading an already done 3d model allows you to complete large projects faster and also saves you the cost of probably having more drafters and designers working on the models. Also, if you wanted to create a SketchUp model to use in another CAD software, you don’t have to add a subscription cost for SketchUp software; you just download the model and that’s it.

In this article, critical information on Onshape Vs SketchUp would be provided. We would first give a brief history and explain the two software’s capabilities and users. Then finally, give you annotated differences.

Onshape 

Onshape was brought into existence in 2012 by Jon Hirschtick and John McEleny, both former CEOs of Solidworks alongside a team of Engineers of Belmont Technology. The company name, Belmont Technology, was later changed to Onshape. North Bridge Venture Partners and Commonwealth Capital were the first to fund the company with 9 million USD.

With the successful testing by a thousand CAD professionals in various countries, Onshape released its cloud-based software, alongside a version for iPhone users in March 2015. By September that same year, they released a version for android users. Onshape announced its full commercial release and launched an Onshape App Store featuring CAM,  simulation, and other cloud-based engineering tools. In April 2016, the company released its educational plan with a free version for students and educators. They also released a new open-source programming language, FeatureScript, used creating and customizing CAD features.

The creators of Creo, PTC, acquired Onshape in September 2019 for approximately 470 million USD.

What does Onshape do? 

Onshape is a computer-aided design software that offers Software as a Service (SaaS) model over the internet. The software’s SaaS model makes the design process easy and convenient for users as they can work on their design at any location at any time. Provided there is a compatible web browser and a good internet connection. The users don’t need to worry about maintenance as the software updates are released directly to the web interface. Onshape is compatible with Android, OSX, Linux, iOS, and Windows Operating systems. 

Several notable capabilities make Onshape the right choice for your design. These capabilities are grouped into CAD,  Data management, collaboration, security and audit controls, analytics and reporting, and integration and partners.  

Onshape’s CAD features facilitate you to create models of different parts and assemblies. Detailed 2-dimensional drawings containing tables, dimensions, annotations, and part lists can be made with this. You can add dimensions, broken out sections, hole callouts, notes, tables, weld and surface finish symbols, and images to your drawings. The CAD feature also allows the importation and exportation of DWG and DXF file formats. 

The Collaboration feature is the feature that makes Onshape one of the outstanding CAD software. It allows multiple users to edit and view changes made on a design at the same time. Designs are done more effectively as you can share your design with your company, team, or even clients at different stages of the design for feedback. 

Data management. Most times, Engineers lose at least 25% of their design time to data management. Onshape’s PDM (Product Data Management) feature saves users time in many ways. Engineers can be more intuitive with their ideas as they can make changes in their design at any time as often as they want. The feature’s advanced search tool makes searching for design data easy and fast. Even when designs are worked on by a team simultaneously, the editings made are captured and recorded immediately by Onshape in real-time.

When it comes to security and audit control, Onshape is one of the prominent CAD software. To start, all files you’ve worked on are saved on the cloud. Also to secure your design data from unauthorized access, AES-256 and TLS v 1.2, two-factor authentication, and comprehensive audit logs are available. All modifications and editing done on your design are recorded for review, and if necessary, reveal. 

Analytics and reporting. Onshape doesn’t just only help track your document history, it also keeps a record of every interaction with your company or external suppliers. The monitoring of these can be done with the help of the following dashboards: Activity overview, Release dashboard, Project dashboard, User dashboard, Document access, and many more.

3D modeling in Onshape. (Source)

Who uses Onshape? 

Onshape is primarily used by Mechanical Engineers, design, and industries for the design of products and machine parts as it focuses on Mechanical Computer-aided design (MCAD). Onshape’s SaaS model and collaboration feature make it the right choice for users who need to work as a team or with customers. Some notable companies that employ Onshape in their design process are. XING Mobility and Voxel Innovations.

SketchUp

The journey of SketchUp began in 1999 when it was co-founded by Brad Schell and Joe Esch of @Last Software company in Boulder, Colorado. The next year, they emerged for the first time as a general-purpose 3D content creation tool. It enabled designers to have the feeling of drawing with a pen and paper. This increased their creativity. @Last Software was acquired by Google on March 14, 2006, after the software’s work in developing a plugin for Google Earth. 

In 2007, Google announced the release of a free downloadable version for SketchUp, Google SketchUp 6. Though the free version was not as functional as SketchUp Pro, it included integrated tools that can be used to upload content to Google Earth and to the Google 3D warehouse. 

From then, other versions have been released featuring the addition of features like toolbox, which allows users to view the design from different angles, layout, and many others. SketchUp was bought from Google by Trimble Inc on the first June 2012.

What does SketchUp do? 

Being one of the most commonly used, SketchUp is a 3D modeling software used in different drawing applications. It is used in interior design, film and video game design, Mechanical Engineering, Architecture, and Civil Engineering. The program is available as a professional version, SketchUp Pro and has free versions, SketchUp Make and SketchUp Free. It is compatible with Windows operating system and OSX 10.9 and is available in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Korean, Japanese, Portuguese, and Chinese. 

The professional versions of SketchUp are SketchUp Pro for 3D modeling and SketchUp Studio for designing buildings. These versions permit you to generate models via a variety of means such as drafting, programming, and design development. Drawing of details, plans, and elevations can be done. SketchUp’s advanced camera and animation features allow users to transform their models into animated walk-throughs. 

SketchUp grants you free access to 3D warehouse, a large online open library where designers around the world can either download free 3D models or upload theirs for downloads, comments, or feedback. This opens designers to more creative ideas of designs as you can use the models to customize your work. 

Design process cannot be completed without a proper presentation. SketchUp provides the layout feature which makes the presentation of your design. It changes your model into drawings, diagrams, scales prints, and even presentations. Labels and dimensions can also be added for an easy explanation of the design. There are also SketchUp shortcuts which can help you navigate the app easily.

Onshape’s style builder helps users to create their own unique features in their design. The feature facilitates users to add sketches they have drawn right on paper or image editing app. Designers are allowed to not just make designs with common properties but to create their own style.

3D modeling in SketchUp. (Source)

Who uses SketchUp? 

The primary users of SketchUpare Civil Engineers, landscape designers, video game designers, architects, interior designers, and architects. With the software, bringing architectural plans to life hasn’t been easier. Onshape is the perfect choice for interior designers as you’re granted access to detailed models such as chairs, light bulbs, television, wood design, and many others. Compared to other 3D modeling software, Onshape is a cheaper choice. 

Onshape  vs. SketchUp

Here are the key differences between Onshape vs. SketchUp

In this article, we would be giving a comparative description of two CAD applications; Creo by PTC Inc and CATIA by Dassault Systèmes. We would start by giving a brief history, then we would explore their various capabilities, users, and differences.

Creo

This release of Creo is for sure one of the notable landmarks in the development of CAD. The journey of Creo started as far back as 1987 when PTC released Pro/Engineer which at that time was one of the first 3D CAD modeling applications. After years of improvement, Pro/Engineer was reborn in 2011 as Creo. Since the initial release date, there have been several versions. The latest, Creo 7.0, was released on the 20th of April, 2020.

3D modeling in Creo (source) 

What Does Creo Do?

Simply put, Creo is a collection of CAD design applications that offers features to help create designs for different industries. The software provides product design, manufacturing, and development capabilities. It offers modeling features for CAD, CAM, and CAE. Creo is compatible with Windows OS and is available in different languages. The software provides applications for 3D parametric feature-solid modeling, 3D direct modeling, 2D orthographic views, finished elementary analysis and simulation.

Creo has an impressive number of crucial capabilities. These features can be grouped into simulation and analysis, modeling and design, CAM, product data management, performance advisor, and technical illustrations.

Modeling and design

This feature enables you to create 3D models in a virtual environment. This is done using a direct modeling approach and the parametric modeling approach. In the direct modeling approach, you can pull and push directly on geometry, while in the parametric modeling application, where all the components are related, a change in one would lead to change in all.

Simulation and analysis

Creo comes with an interesting portfolio of simulation and analysis features. It helps in the analysis and validation of performances of 3D models The feature helps in; 

• Thermal analysis
• Structural analysis
• Motion analysis
• Mold fill analysis
• Fatigue analysis
• Creepage and clearance analysis

Simulation and analysis features help avoid physical testing. Therefore, saving 30-50% of your design time.

CAM 

Design for 3D printing can now be done without errors. Validation and optimization of your design, and carrying out a print check can all be done in one environment. With this feature, time, effort, and errors are substantially reduced. Creo has a great deal for designing machine parts for CNC manufacturing. The software’s effective tooling application can help you accomplish a great level of quality in a very short time. Creo CAM features can be classified as follows:

• Additive manufacturing
• Tool and die design
• Productive machining

Product Data Management

25% of most engineers’ time is lost due to their design’s data management. Time is wasted in the recreation of data, updating of systems, sharing of data and searching for files. Creo offers a cloud-based PDM feature that helps you manage, review and share data effortlessly.

Technical illustrations

This software’s feature permits you to create detailed 3D technical illustrations, animations, and 2D drawings. It also offers isometric viewings, CAD data re-use and CAD file conversations.

Who uses Creo?

Creo’s spectacular capabilities that answer to many aspects of product development makes Creo useful to many diverse industries. As Creo is a 3D modeling software for CAD, CAM, and CAE, mechanical engineers use it for modeling and analysis, civil Engineers use it’s simulation and analysis features for structural analysis, Designers in industries that provide information technology and services also make use of the software. Renowned companies have been known to use Creo. Few of many; Draper Inc, Astronics corps, Sterling Engineering Inc, Rheem Manufacturing Company, and FN America LLC.

CATIA

Previously known as CATI- Conception Assisté Tridimensionnelle interactive, french for interactive aided three- dimensional design, CATIA was founded by French manufacturer- Avions Marcel Dassault in 1977. Since the date of release, there have been significant modifications like the 3D market place that enables users of CATIA to connect with manufacturers. These improvements have continued until the release of its latest version, CATIA V5-6 released in 2019.

Modeling in CATIA (Source) 

What does CATIA do?

CATIA is a collection of CAD applications for computer-aided design, CAD, CAE, and product life management. 

CATIA has been able to provide tools to ease design in different engineering and design industries. The capabilities can be classified under Electrical systems, System Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Fluid Engineering, and Design.

Electrical Systems

CATIA has provided electrical schematic definitions, requirement capture, and interactive 3D routing of both wire harness and industrial cable solutions in its CATIA V5 version. Proper synchronization of electrical schematics into 3D designs helps improve consistency and quality. Cost is also reduced as physical prototypes are avoided. This is because the design is done in the context of the full product.

Systems engineering

The software’s systems engineering solution offers an elaborate open development platform that wholly covers a wide range of disciplines. In modeling, simulation, verification and business process support. 

Mechanical Engineering

The software supports the generation of 3-dimensional elements, 2D drawings, and sheet metal. Even in the world of aerospace, CATIA has a great deal for design.

Fluid Systems 

Designing and manufacturing of routed systems such as tubing, piping, heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) have been made easy in CATIA V5. CATIA offers an environment for specification-driven design tools that make sure they are up to industry standard.

Design

The design tools in CATIA offer solutions for the design of complex shapes, surfacing workflow, styling, and visualization. These are done with the embedded ICEM surfacing technologies. Designers have been able to boost their creativity to produce designs of high quality and sophistication with CATIA.

Who uses CATIA?

CATIA’s myriad of exclusive capabilities makes the software useful to a wide range of diverse industries.

Mechanical engineers use it in the design of mechanical elements with a wide range of applications for tooling design.

CATIA has been able to help designers increase the quality of their designs using the proper tools provided by the software.

With CATIA Electrical, engineers use a 3D electrical development environment for the design of wire harness and cabling and also to acquire the exact diameters and cable lengths.

Fluid Engineers take advantage of CATIA’s generative and specification driven capabilities in the design of tubing, piping and HVAC systems.

CATIA is widely used in various industries such as aerospace, architecture, industrial equipment, shipbuilding, automotive, high tech, consumer packaged goods, energy process and utilities, and construction.

CREO VS CATIA

We have given an annotated description of Creo and CATIA. Now let’s compare the two software.

Some designers tend to be on the move and they love their work to go with them sometimes to beat deadlines, other times so as not to interrupt the flow of design creativity, and other times to be ready for a “Eureka” moment. As compact as laptops are, they don’t always solve the work-on-the-go issue as they are still considered a bit bulky for this purpose by many engineers and designers. So how does one get handheld mobility combined with the computing power required for CAD? The answer is Tablet Computers. Many CAD software developers, recognizing the need to work on the go, have fully functional versions of their products for tablets.

Now, there are thousands of tablets available in the market today. From play tabs for kids to mobile cinemas to powerful computers. How does one know which one of these would be perfect for running CAD applications? To help answer this question, we at Scan2CAD, after a lot of research, have come up with a list of the best tablets for CAD. 

In this article, we will be reviewing the top 5 tablet computers for CAD, what makes them great, their features, their prices, where to buy them, and much more. Note that some of the products on our list are 2-in-1 laptops and tablets known as convertibles. 

Choosing the Right CAD Tablet: Key Features to Consider

With the market filled with plenty of tablet models and brands, choosing the best tablet for CAD applications can be difficult. Selecting the best from even a shortlist of options can remain challenging. Nonetheless, the ‘best tablet for CAD’ status is not dependent on the manufacturer. Rather, it depends on the tablets’ capabilities and features, which are directly influenced by the following:

1. Central Processing Unit (CPU)
2. Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
3. RAM and storage
4. Display
5. Battery life
6. Connectivity and ports
7. Accessories
8. Build quality and durability
9. Operating system and software
10. Price and value for money

1. CPU

The CPU of a device is considered as its brain. It is where the majority of tasks are processed. An insufficiently powerful CPU would lead to a lot of lagging during basic activities such as launching CAD software; creating, saving, importing, and exporting files; switching between interfaces; and applying general instructions. Thus, the CPU determines the tablet’s speed and the types of applications it can run. 

CAD applications, especially those with 3D modeling capabilities, consume significant CPU resources. This is because of the mathematical calculations the CPU needs to complete to help the CAD software define complex geometry or represent boundaries.

The processor also promotes multitasking, which is why most processors on the market have multiple cores. But most CAD applications do not take advantage of the higher core count, as they are designed to utilize just a single core. Still, it is necessary to choose a tablet that is supercharged by a multi-core processor because you are bound to use it to run multiple applications simultaneously.

2. GPU

The primary function of the GPU is to render high-resolution graphics. The GPU handles CAD tasks such as simulation, rendering, visualization, presentation, and animation. A powerful GPU is required to perform these tasks properly. But keep in mind that not all graphics cards are ideal for CAD work. In fact, it is crucial to avoid gaming GPUs and instead go with CAD tablets that are equipped with professional GPUs. 

Why are gaming GPUs not appropriate for professional work? The answer boils down to the GPU drivers, which have not been extensively tested and optimized for professional tasks. Professional GPUs come with drivers that have been tested and optimized for professional work. Moreover, their BIOS and other firmware are configured to ensure compatibility with CAD applications and other professional software, as well as stability and reliability. They are, therefore, suited for tasks like CAD, 3D modeling, scientific simulations, animation, video editing, and more. Professional GPUs typically offer higher memory capacities compared to gaming GPUs.

While it may not be practical for tablet manufacturers to include professional GPUs because of the thin frames, you could consider choosing a 2-in-1 laptop. Such laptops have the space to accommodate mobile pro GPUs.

3. RAM and Storage

The minimum recommended RAM and storage for Windows tablets is 16GB and 256GB, respectively. When it comes to iPads, however, Apple does not allow you to choose the iPad’s RAM, even though it offers two options (8GB and 16GB). Instead, you can only choose the storage. And given that the iPad is optimized for mobile use, the minimum 128GB storage can suffice. But if your workflow demands higher storage, purchasing an iPad with higher storage won’t hurt. 

Device manufacturers that sell Android tablets offer various RAM and storage options. For instance, Samsung, which manufactures and sells the Samsung Tab, allows you to choose among three RAM options – 8GB, 12GB, and 16GB – while OnePlus, which manufactures the OnePlus Pad, lets you choose between two options – 8GB and 12GB. The Android tablets are optimized for mobile use, so a minimum storage of 128GB is sufficient. But keep in mind that these tablets can support up to 1TB of storage.

A high RAM and storage capacity provides a lot of legroom to productively complete demanding tasks. For example, a tablet with ample storage space eliminates concerns about the size of files you create or import. Similarly, a RAM that meets the minimum threshold provides enough resources to run even the most demanding CAD programs. Such RAM does not rapidly or easily fill up. Put simply, RAM and storage impact tablet performance.  

4. Display

Most tablets, including high-end devices, do not have 4K displays. This is mainly because of their smaller sizes compared to monitors’ and laptops’ screens. However, most tablets feature high-resolution screens with Full HD (1080p) or better. High-resolution displays are perfect for CAD applications because they provide a greater sense of precision when working with complex geometry and shapes. They also enable users to visually describe the ideated beauty and aesthetics of their creations.

In addition to offering tablets with high-resolution displays, some manufacturers go the extra mile by including technologies that improve such display characteristics as brightness and contrast. The 12.9-inch iPad, for instance, uses Apple’s mini LED display backlight technology. Although it is an LCD screen, it includes thousands of LEDs, which better illuminate the overlying LCD panel, thus delivering higher brightness and better dynamic range and contrast. 

In summary, it is essential to purchase a tablet whose display has a high resolution (a minimum of 1080p) and delivers high brightness, contrast, and dynamic range.

5. Battery Life

Generally, the bigger the device, the higher the battery capacity. This logically also leads to better battery life. However, the battery life also depends on software optimization and hardware components. For instance, devices with ARM-based processors generally offer better battery efficiency compared to those with x86 architecture processors. For context, Android tablets, iPads, and the Surface Pro 11 with 5G are supercharged by ARM-based processors, while x86 processors power most other Windows tablets and 2-in-1 laptops.

Nonetheless, a great tablet for CAD should last for a full day of work on battery power. Tablet manufacturers know this, which is why they often market their devices as having a long battery life. Of course, this is not always true for all tablets, so some manufacturers include indemnities, claiming the battery life depends on usage. To be safe, however, you could choose a device with a larger battery, as indicated by the Wh or mAh. 

6. Connectivity and Ports

Although designed for portability, tablets often require connectivity with other devices. At some point, you will have to plug something in, perhaps to transfer files, listen to music, or charge. Tablets with multiple ports allow you to perform two or more of these activities simultaneously. Most modern tablets have at least one USB-C port. 

The most advanced tablets feature multiple Thunderbolt ports (Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4). (Thunderbolt is a proprietary technology that is compatible with most USB-C ports. It supports twice as much bandwidth (up to 40 GB per second) as USB-C. This capability enables Thunderbolt cables to be used to connect tablets to monitors.) Such tablets will also feature a headphone jack and an SD card slot, although the latter is rare in most modern tablets, as not all apps utilize external storage.

If you need additional ports like USB-B, Ethernet, or HDMI, a 2-in-1 laptop might be a better choice.

7. Accessories

Accessories often increase productivity when using CAD applications. While you may not always require them, it is a good idea for tablets to have accessories, and good ones at that. Examples of accessories that are handy in CAD work are keyboards and smart input devices such as stylus pens. While tablets can be used without these additional devices, the workflow and tasks will not be as seamless as in cases where they are in use. 

The stylus pens, for instance, can be used for interacting with CAD applications’ interfaces as you would with a mouse and the mouse pointer. The pens improve the accuracy of selections, reduce wrist strain, and keep the screen smudge-free because they eliminate the need to touch the screen. 

Besides the stylus pens, some tablets, like the Surface Pro 10 and 11, support proprietary accessories like the Surface Slim Pen. The Dial allows for interactive application control. CAD software that supports the Surface Dial enables you to use the tool to rotate, zoom, pan, and manipulate view attributes of 3D models. 

To boost productivity, consider investing in a good keyboard. Pairing a tablet costing over $1,000 with a subpar, inexpensive keyboard may not be advisable. You need a tablet keyboard that has well-spaced keys and one that does not flex when typing. A good keyboard will stay connected to the tablet when you lift it, behaving like a conventional laptop. They should have a sturdy kickstand to support the tablet’s weight at any angle without sliding or falling.

8. Build Quality and Durability

If you have handled both high-end and budget mobile devices, including phones, you have likely observed the different materials used to manufacture their frames. The former category tends to be built using metallic materials, while the latter group comprises devices that are made using hard plastic. Moreover, the build quality of the former is far superior to the latter. One obvious result is the extended durability of high-end devices compared to their budget counterparts. These characteristics apply to tablets, as well.

High-end tablets like the iPad, Microsoft Surface Pro 11, and the Samsung Tab S series are sturdy, lightweight, and boast excellent build quality. Such properties are due to the use of aluminum. To create the tablet’s frame, CNC machines carve out the shape from an extruded block of aluminum using a variety of CNC machining processes. Aluminum gives impeccable structural integrity and rigidity, boosting durability. 

Compared to tablets with a plastic frame, tablets whose frame is curved out of aluminum blocks do not bend easily. So, if you are looking for a tablet that will last long, look no further than one with an aluminum frame. Since aluminum is lighter than many metals while retaining key metallic characteristics, these high-end tablets are usually as lightweight as they are sturdy. A sturdy tablet comes in handy during fieldwork.

9. Operating System and Software

There are three main operating systems to choose from: iPadOS, Android, and Windows. iPadOS came about when Apple expanded the iOS, which was initially designed for iPhones. (The first iPad was released in 2010, but it wasn’t until 2019 that Apple introduced iPadOS.) Within the interim period, iPads ran on iOS. The iPadOS sports numerous features that Apple has improved upon since its first release. For instance, it supports the Apple Pencil, which makes the iPad ideal for sketching and drafting. Do note, however, that iPads cannot access and run macOS applications despite the newer versions of iPads sporting the M-series chips. This means that iPads cannot run popular CAD software, including CAD software packages for macOS.

In 2022, Google announced Android 12L, a version of Android designed for tablets and foldable devices. This mobile operating system is meant to take advantage of tablets’ larger screens, solving a bothersome problem that plagued the preceding smartphone-optimized versions of Android. However, Android 13 incorporates all the features of Android 12L, including better optimization for large screens. Other essential capabilities that can be used in CAD workflows include support for a stylus pen. Thus, you can use an Android tablet to create sketches. However, being a mobile OS, Android cannot run traditional desktop applications. Android tabs cannot run popular CAD tools.

The Windows operating system was originally made for personal computers. Many years later, it is still primarily used to power desktop computers and laptops. However, the OS is also designed to work on tablets, a capability that makes Windows tablets perfect for CAD. Windows tablets can access and run traditional desktop applications like AutoCAD, provided they meet the minimum system requirements. Put simply, Windows tablets can run popular CAD software. Moreover, like iPad and Android tablets, Windows tablets support stylus pens, which is a plus, as you can use them for sketching.

10 Price and Value for Money

While professional tablets are expensive, they are comparably priced to laptops for CAD and working professionals. The cheapest iPad Pro starts at $999, lower than the base-spec Samsung Tab 10 Plus. The most basic configuration of the Microsoft Surface Pro 10 has a buying price of $1,199.99. In comparison, business laptops for CAD with the same memory and storage capacity, dedicated graphics cards for CAD, and a processor with the same number of cores cost more than $1,500. So, despite the price, professional tablets offer value for money. They are as capable as business laptops; they sport powerful specs that are comparable to laptops.

Top 6 Tablets for CAD

1. iPad Pro

First on our list is the iPad Pro. Considering it’s manufactured by Apple, you’re probably expecting great things. And the latest versions of the popular tablet computer, powered by the company’s own ARM-based chip, don’t disappoint. They continue Apple’s grasp of the tablet market.

The latest versions, unveiled on May 7, 2024, the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro tablets are powered by the M4 chip. Apple claims that the M4-powered tablets deliver up to 1.5x faster CPU performance than the previous generation of iPad Pros, which were powered by the M2 chip. Its GPU offers up to 4x faster performance in some pro rendering apps. In addition, the M4 can deliver the same performance as the M2 using just 50% of the power, according to Apple.

They both feature a new thin and light design – the 11-inch weighs in at between 446 and 446 grams and has a thickness of 0.21 inches (5.3 mm), while the larger tablet weighs in at between 579 and 582 grams and has a thickness of 0.20 inches (5.1 mm). This thickness makes the new iPad Pro the thinnest Apple product ever, according to the company.

Available in silver and space black finishes, the new iPad Pro features a recycled aluminum enclosure and an Ultra Retina XDR display. And for enhanced functionality, this tablet computer has a few accessories. These include the Apple Pencil, the Apple Pencil Pro, and an all-new Magic Keyboard and Smart Folio. (These accessories are sold separately.) In terms of connectivity, the iPad Pro includes a USB-C port that delivers fast wired connectivity of up to 40Gb/s.

These performance and power make the iPad Pro ideal for even the most demanding workflows, including the design of architectural and engineering drawings. In fact, there are a number of CAD applications available for iPad, including ARES Commander, Fusion 360, Tinkercad, Shapr3d, AutoCAD, Onshape CAD, and more.

2. Microsoft Surface Pro 

Product Description

The Surface Pro is a tablet that can still serve as or even replace a laptop. It offers touch capabilities, a full-size precision touchpad, and a productive keyboard, with the keyboard sold separately. In that regard, it’s a 2-in-1 device that also functions as one of the best tablets for CAD.

In early 2025, Microsoft introduced new Surface Pro devices, the 11^th edition specifically designed for businesses. The Surface Pro 11 for Business is powered by Intel Core Ultra processors (series 2) and Intel Arc Graphics. You can choose from a lineup of four CPUs, with the Intel Arc graphics responsible for image processing and accelerating computer graphics.

Microsoft also offers a version of the Surface Pro 11^th edition, powered by Snapdragon chips (the Snapdragon X Plus and Snapdragon X Elite). The Snapdragon-powered Surface Pro 11 starts at $898.54. The Surface Pro powered by the X Plus chip is cheaper and can be configured with only 16GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage. The one powered by the X Elite chip has a higher battery capacity and can be configured with up to 32GB RAM and up to 1TB of storage. It’s also more expensive, starting at $1,199.99.

Alternatively, you can choose to purchase the equally formidable Surface Pro 10. Released in 2024, the Surface Pro 10 is powered by Intel Core Ultra Processors (Series 1). Like the Surface Pro 11, the Surface Pro 10 is designed for businesses and features the same dimensions. However, it is a bit lighter and can be configured with more RAM (up to 64GB). The Surface Pro 11 can be configured with 16GB or 32GB RAM. That said, both versions support the same storage capacities of 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB SSD storage.

3. Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Series

Product Description

For hardcore fans of the Android OS who require the power of a laptop computer and the larger screen of a tablet, look no further than the Galaxy Tab S10 family. The family now comprises two variants – the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus and Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra – down from three variants that were part of the Galaxy Tab S9 series.

Announced in September 2024, the Galaxy Tab S10 series tablets are the first tablets purposefully built for AI, according to the Samsung news release. The Galaxy Tap S10 Ultra delivers performance upgrades over the Galaxy Tab S9, boasting 18% more CPU and 28% more GPU performance. And given that both the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus and Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra share the same CPU and GPU, this performance extends to both variants.

Other key features include a glare-less display that uses the Dynamic AMOLED 2X technology to deliver sharp visuals. The Galaxy Tab S10 series is unique because the S Pen is bundled with both models. You don’t have to purchase it separately, as is the case with other tablets. You can connect the tablets to an Android-compatible external keyboard for CAD (like the Logitech K780, which has a tablet stand) or the Samsung Book Cover keyboard (sold separately).

The two models have different battery capacities: 10,090mAh and 11,200mAh. The Galaxy Tab S10 Plus can be configured with up to 512GB storage and 12GB RAM, while the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra can be fitted with up to 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage. The tablet’s storage can be extended by inserting a microSD card (up to 1.5TB).

4. HP Spectre X360 (2-in-1)

Product Description

The HP Spectre x360 comes in two sizes: the 14-inch model and the 16-inch model. While both models are quite capable, the latter laptop’s size might have influenced the inclusion of a dedicated graphics card, which is not present in the smaller version. This particular model can be configured with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 laptop GPU, a gaming GPU. But as we highlighted in our article on the best graphics card for CAD, gaming cards aren’t well optimized for CAD use.

14-Inch Spectre x360

The 14-inch Spectre x360 is powered by the Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processors: the Intel Cor Ultra 5 125H or the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H. With 14 cores and 18 threads, the 125H has a maximum boosted clock speed of up to 4.5 GHz. The 155H, on the other hand, is architected with 16 cores and 22 threads and is capable of boosting to 4.8 GHz. The 14-inch Spectre x360’s image processing and accelerated graphics are handled by integrated Intel Arc Graphics.

16-Inch Spectre x360

The 16-inch model is powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H only, which can be boosted to up to 4.8 GHz. It can be configured with a dedicated graphics card, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 laptop GPU. The dedicated mobile GPU is paired with dedicated 6GB video RAM.

However, this GPU isn’t certified by most CAD developers, meaning this 2-in-1 laptop is best suited for gaming rather than CAD use. It’s, therefore, advisable to use the one powered by the Intel Arc Graphics GPU, especially if you don’t typically create large assemblies or complicated parts. If you work on large assemblies, you can purchase a laptop for CAD.

The bigger model has a bigger battery and one additional port, a HDMI port. The other features – the memory and storage capacities – are nonetheless the same for both models.

5. Lenovo Yoga 2-in-1 Series

Product Description

The Lenovo Yoga 2-in-1 Series is an extensive lineup of convertible laptops. The laptops are multi-modal – they can be used in laptop, tent, stand, and tablet modes. They also come in different sizes and can be configured with Intel or AMD chips. You can choose between the 14-inch and the 16-inch models. The entire lineup includes the 14-inch Yoga 7i (Intel-powered), the 14-inch Yoga 7 (AMD-powered), the 14-inch Yoga 9i (Intel-powered), the 16-inch Yoga 7i (Intel-powered), and the 16-inch Yoga 7 (AMD-powered).

Encased in aluminum, these laptops do have a study frame aluminum case. They also support touch and can be operated using the Lenovo Digital Pen or the Yoga Pen. And like any other laptop, they can be connected to an external mouse or keyboard. In terms of connectivity, the Yoga 2-in-1 series laptops sport plenty of ports, per the table above.

6. Samsung Galaxy Tab A Series

Product Description

Given the numerous CAD software specifically developed to run seamlessly on Android, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A series makes for the best budget tablet. In October 2023, Samsung launched the new lightweight budget tablets, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 and Tab A9+, starting with select markets. The new tablets are meant to replace the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8, released in 2021. The inclusion of the Tab A8 in the table above stems from the fact that the Tab A9 and Tab A9+ have yet to be made available globally. 

Galaxy Tab A8

The Galaxy Tab A8 is powered by the ARM-based Unisoc Tiger T618 octa-core CPU capable of clocking about 2GHz. A dedicated GPU, the Mali G52 MP2, handles the graphics processing. The Galaxy Tab A8’s memory ranges from 2GB to 4GB, with internal storage ranging from 32GB to a maximum of 128GB, depending on the configuration you choose. It has a 7,040mAh battery and a 10.5-inch screen that offers brilliant clarity thanks to its HD resolution. The Galaxy Tab A8 runs Android 11, which can be upgraded to the latest version, Android 13.

Galaxy Tab A9 Series

But if you want to buy the latest in Samsung’s budget tablet lineup, consider the Tab A9 or Tab A9+, which are formidable replacements for the Tab A8. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 is powered by the Mediatek Helio G99, which has eight cores; two of these cores can clock 2.2GHz, with six of them clocking 2.0GHz. It relies on the Mali-G57 MC2 GPU to process the graphics displayed on the 8.7-inch screen with a 1340 x 800 resolution. But compared to the A8, the A9 has a smaller battery, which will likely impact the battery life.

Thus, if you want a budget tablet with a bigger battery, the Samsung Tab A9+ fits the description. It has a 7,040mAh battery, similar to its predecessor, the Tab A8. But it has improved features, including the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 octa-core CPU that can clock 2.2GHz, the Adreno 619 GPU, and a bigger 11-inch screen. Compared to the Tab A9, the Tab A9+ has a better screen resolution – 1920 x 1200 – meaning it boasts better clarity. That said, the A9 and A9+ share the same memory and storage capacities, much higher than the Tab A8. In addition to the built-in storage, the lightweight tablets have a microSD card slot that lets you add up to 1TB of storage.

In terms of connectivity, the Tab A8, A9, and A9+ each have a 3.55mm headphone jack and a USB-C 2.0 port. The latter supports fast charging. However, the port does not support DisplayPort over USB-C or MHL. This, therefore, means that you cannot connect these tablets to an external monitor.

Tablets vs 2-in-1 Laptops for CAD

Tablets and 2-in-1 laptops are both capable devices, each with its advantages and its fair share of disadvantages. Therefore, when choosing between tablets and 2-in-1 laptops, there are plenty of considerations you should make, from pricing and portability to performance, connectivity, and functionality.

Tablets

While tablets lack a permanently attached keyboard or trackpad and have fewer ports, they are not necessarily cheap. Professional-grade tablets can be as costly as, or even surpass the price of, some business laptops. Of course, there are budget tablets; however, they cannot handle demanding CAD-related tasks as excellently as pro tablets can.

Pros of Tablets

1. Tablets are easy to handle thanks to their thin form factor and compactness
2. They are extremely portable because they are lighter
3. Tablets can offer the laptop form factor by adding a keyboard with a built-in trackpad
4. The latest tablet offerings from Apple and Samsung are equipped with the fastest processors, which make them powerful enough to handle demanding CAD tasks

Cons of Tablets

1. Tablets have more limited functionality compared to 2-in-1 laptops
2. They are expensive despite being smaller and lacking traditional input tools
3. Despite supporting a keyboard, trackpad, and mouse, these peripheral devices are not as seamless to use on the tablets as on the 2-in-1 laptops
4. They cannot run desktop applications; on their part, iPads cannot access or run macOS software

2-in-1 Laptops

2-in-1 devices are laptops whose hinge(s) support(s) a 360° rotation. They have permanently attached keyboards and touchpads. Such laptops can be used in laptop, tent, stand, or tablet mode. In tablet mode, the base panel containing the keyboard, motherboard, and battery rotates around the hinge such that the panel’s cover rests behind the top panel, which covers the back of the screen. 

The 2-in-1 laptops are much thicker than tablets, a factor that, though makes them bulkier and heavier, provides enough room to pack in beefier internal components. For this reason, these laptops beat most, if not all, tablets in terms of performance. This means that 2-in-1 laptops are essentially a case of the performance vs. handling trade-off. 

Pros of 2-in-1 Laptops

1. They provide access to full-featured desktop applications
2. 2-in-1 laptops have a wider selection of ports
3. These laptops have more real estate for expansion, including additional RAM slots or SSD
4. They are generally bigger, meaning they can be equipped with more powerful CPUs and dedicated GPUs
5. Their displays can support higher resolutions than tablets, including 4K

Cons of 2-in-1 Laptops

1.  2-in-1 laptops are bulkier and thicker than tablets, especially when in tablet mode, making them less comfortable
2. In tablet mode, the keyboard and touchpad of 2-in-1 laptops are hidden, affecting the user experience. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What’s the minimum RAM and storage requirement to run CAD software smoothly on a tablet?
   For most CAD software to work smoothly on a tablet, you require, at the very minimum, 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. However, the recommended specs are much higher. Larger memory and storage capacity boost performance, enabling the device to handle the demanding requirements of CAD applications.
2. Are tablets as effective as desktop devices for CAD tasks?
   No. There are several reasons why tablets are not as effective as desktop devices for CAD tasks. These reasons can broadly be grouped into hardware-related bottlenecks and tablets’ unfavorable user experience. First, tablets have fixed, unupgradable hardware. As expected, fixed hardware can limit performance due to potential bottlenecks.
   Another factor that hinders the effectiveness of tablets compared with desktop devices is the lack of keyboard shortcuts. Multiple applications support shortcuts, which aim to ease and quicken the workflow. Examples include SolidWorks keyboard shortcuts, FreeCAD keyboard shortcuts, BricsCAD keyboard shortcuts, LibreCAD keyboard shortcuts, and SketchUp keyboard shortcuts, just to mention a few.
   That said, some developers have optimized their CAD applications for tablets. As a result, such applications support multi-touch gestures, the stylus pen, keyboard, mouse, and more. Still, the workflow on desktop computers is smoother because most CAD applications were originally designed for desktop use.
3. Is there a difference in performance between Windows, iPadOS, and Android for CAD applications?
   Yes. Most powerful CAD software applications are biased towards the Windows OS, i.e., they are created to run only on Windows devices. In essence, many CAD applications are specifically optimized for Windows. Given that Windows tablets, often 2-in-1 laptops, support styluses, touch functions, mice, and multiple monitors, along with having a permanently attached keyboard, they are better than iPadOS or Android tablets for CAD applications. With Windows tablets, you can enjoy seamless workflow and user experience because of the bigger screens, better multitasking capabilities, the ability to use keyboard shortcuts, and more.
4. Are there CAD-specific apps optimized for tablet use?
   Yes. There are several CAD apps for iPad, that is, apps that can only run on iPadOS; these include SketchUp, uMake, Shapr3d, and Morpholio Trace. Similarly, there are a few CAD apps for Android tablets, namely SketchUp Viewer. Others like Tinkercad, Fusion 360, uMake, Onshape, CorelCAD Mobile, and Roomsketcher are supported by both iPads and Android tablets. This is because they are available as native applications on both iPadOS and Android. Moreover, tablets can easily run web-based CAD software like Onshape and AutoCAD Web.
   Additionally, some desktop CAD applications, such as Bluebeam Revu, SolidWorks, and Siemens NX, are optimized for Windows tablets running the latest version of the OS. This is because they support the Surface Dial and the stylus pens, delivering an immersive CAD experience. The Surface Dial optimizes CAD workflow by bringing the most-used tools and shortcuts directly onto the screen with simple turns and presses of the Dial. Generally, the various software applications let you use the Surface Dial to pan, zoom, rotate, and manipulate view attributes of 3D models. All you have to do is place the Dial directly on the screen and rotate or press the dial.
5. How essential is a stylus or pen for CAD work on a tablet?
   While styluses are not necessary, they have numerous advantages, especially in CAD-related applications. This somewhat speaks to how essential they are, but it sometimes boils down to personal preferences and what you intend to use the tablet for. Styluses or pens offer flexibility by adding a new way of interacting with the CAD software as well as designs and models therein beyond the traditional inputs and the touch screen. They improve comfort by reducing wrist strain. They also reduce unnecessary fingerprint smudges and enhance the accuracy of touch actions and the precision of sketches. By using a stylus, you do not have to worry about using the undo button because of cases of fat fingers, such as pressing the wrong button.
6. What screen resolution and size are optimal for CAD work?
   A minimum resolution of 1080p, also known as full HD, is optimal for CAD work on a tablet. Generally, a high screen resolution is desirable because it gives you a greater sense of precision when looking at or working on objects with complex geometry. Additionally, a high resolution enables you to better understand the aesthetics of your design during the creation process.
   Although a higher resolution like 4K is appealing, it may not be practical for tablets due to limited screen size and the shorter viewing distance compared to, say, a TV screen or computer monitor. As a result of these factors, 4K tablets would lose the details that 4K screens are supposed to afford you. This is why most tablets – including 100% of those in our list – do not have 4K screens. The clear exception is some 2-in-1 devices.
7. Is it possible to connect my tablet to an external monitor for a larger workspace?
   Yes, it is possible, albeit with a few caveats. Modern tablets have a USB-C port, which can transmit data at 20GBps, or a Thunderbolt port, which has a bandwidth of 40GBps. The ability to transmit data at high speed enables them to send video signals, meaning you can use the ports to connect your tablet to an external monitor. But there are a few factors you should take into account.
   For USB-C ports to send audio and video signals to a monitor, they must support DisplayPort over USB-C or MHL. This means that not all tablets can be connected to an external monitor. However, if your tablet has a Thunderbolt-3 port, it can connect – and send video signals – to one 4K monitor. If it has a Thunderbolt-4 port, it can send video signals to two 4K displays or one 8K monitor. It is necessary to keep in mind that you must use Thunderbolt cables with the Thunderbolt ports to enjoy this capability.
8. Is investing in the latest tablet model worth it or will older models suffice for CAD work?
   You do not need to purchase the latest tablet model, as the older model will still get the CAD work done. This is primarily because CAD applications for tablets are meant to run universally on most of the latest tablets. Trimble recommends using the most powerful M1 iPad. In fact, the iPad system requirements for Shapr3D, for instance, show that the application can run on all generations of the iPad Pro, the 4th and later generations of the iPad Air and iPad mini, and the 6th and later generations of the iPad. Similarly, Sketchup for iPad works with various iPad models, including iPad, iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad Mini.
   However, if your work involves working with large, demanding CAD models that your current tablet cannot handle, you could consider investing in the latest tablet model, such as the M1 or M2 iPad.

Conclusion

Tablets are known to offer a few advantages over conventional laptops. For example, they are thin and lightweight, and boast a longer battery life because they have less hardware. At the same time, however, 2-in-1 laptops exist. These convertibles combine some of the benefits of tablets with the advantages of laptops. These facts informed our list of the best tablets for CAD as it contains both tablets, such as the iPad Pro, Samsung Galaxy Tab S8, and Microsoft Surface Pro 8 and 9, as well as 2-in-1 laptops, namely HP Spectre x360 and Lenovo Yoga 2-in-1 series. These tablets further stand out in different categories as follows:

• Best Windows tablet: Microsoft Surface Pro 11 for Business
• Best Android tablet: Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+
• Best Apple tablet: iPad Pro (2024)
• Best tablet below $500: Samsung Galaxy Tab A9
• Best tablet above $1,000: Microsoft Surface Pro 11 for Business (fully specced out)
• Best 2-in-1 laptop: Lenovo Yoga 2-in-1 Series laptops 
• Best overall tablet: Microsoft Surface Pro 11 for Business

Onshape’s SaaS model makes it different from traditional CAD software. This can make navigating the software a problem, even for experienced CAD users. For this reason, we at Scan2CAD have created this compact guide that would intimate you about Onshape’s capabilities, basic concepts, how to navigate the software’s GUI, designing and many more, in as little as one hour.

Onshape capabilities

The first things to learn about software are its capabilities and features. The main features of Onshape can be broadly classified into the following. CAD, Data management, Collaboration tools, Security and Audit controls, Analytics and Reporting, and Integration and Partners.

Using the CAD features, you can model complex parts, create well-structured assemblies, and produce highly detailed working drawings. You can also import and export data of various formats. In addition to these, the CAD features include standard content libraries.

Data management is very important in design as it can save a lot of design time. The Data management features of Onshape are so comprehensive that you don’t need a separate PDM (Product Data Management) software. These features enable you to handle release management, version control, advanced flow works, bill of materials, branching and merging and product data with ease.

Collaboration is a core aspect of Onshape and this is evident in its Collaboration tools. These tools allow several stakeholders in a project to collaborate with the lead designer in real-time. You can grant real-time access to design files to customers, design teams, business associates, and vendors. You can also share your finished designs with stakeholders or the general public for viewing, commenting, or editing. 

Security and audit control. With Onshape, every step of your design process is saved and logged. Whether it is an edit, a modification, or an alteration, the activity is tracked and recorded for review or reversal. Onshape does not store data as files, but as virtual documents in databases (cloud-hosted databases); therefore greater monitoring and control are guaranteed.

Onshape recognizes its limitations in certain aspects of design. This way, the software allows you to make up for these limitations using Integration and Partners. Using partner apps from the Onshape App Store, you can increase the functionality of Onshape to include simulation, CAM, and many other features.

Before You Get Started (Basic Concepts)

In Onshape, all data is stored in the cloud and so the software does not make use of files. Thus, Onshape has no native file format. All design data is stored in Documents. A Document is not a CAD file, rather it’s a project-level container that can contain any type of information related to one or more projects, such as assemblies, subassemblies, parts, drawings, imported parts and any other project-related data such as PDFs, images, and videos. When you open a document, all related data are arranged as tabs within the document window. If for example, you have a project to design a bicycle, you don’t need to open separate files for parts, assemblies, drawings, etc. All you need to do is open a document and utilize the different tabs to switch between interfaces.

Documents keep all your data together in one place to make projects easier for you to manage. There’s also what is known as Folders. A folder can contain more than one document. It helps to keep individual documents organized and clutter-free.

While Onshape has no native file format, the software allows you to import and export files in various industry-standard file formats. Since Onshape is cloud-based, you need to sign in on a compatible browser to start using the software.

The launch screen

The first page you see after signing in to Onshape is the Documents Page. Whatever page you are in Onshape, just click the Onshape logo (1) in the top left corner to return to the Documents page at any time. The Documents Page is where you view and manage all your Documents.  These include both documents created by you and documents shared with you by other users. Note that for documents not created by you, access may be limited by permissions as set by the creator. The Document Page layout is customizable and would remain in the last setup until it is changed.

In the middle portion (2) of the screen is displayed the Document list. This area can be collapsed or expanded if you wish. Folders can be used as one method of managing Documents. Any other Documents that are not in a Folder are displayed at the bottom, with the most recently modified appearing at the top. The Document list includes all the Documents you have access to. If you want to filter this list to show only Documents created by you, shared with you or recently opened you can use the filters explained below.

Down the left-hand side of the page, under the create icon, are your Document filters (3) with which you can limit and group the number of documents displayed at a time.

• When the “My Onshape” filter is active, every Document and Folder that you have access to (whether created by you or shared with you) is listed and divided into three sections.
• The “Recently Opened” filter makes it easy to find and open a recent Document so you carry on where you left off.
• “Created by me” lists only documents that you created yourself.
• “Shared with me” displays only documents that were created by others and shared with you.
• “Public” lists all documents that have been shared publicly by other Onshape users.
• “Trash” displays your deleted documents.

Other filters such as “Teams”, “Labels”,  “Google Drive”, and “Dropbox” would be available if/when you: are part of a team, create labels, integrate Google Drive, and Integrate DropBox respectively. In addition to the filters, there are also Sort buttons (4) that allow you to arrange the displayed documents by name, date modified, and modifier.

Each Document listing shows you a thumbnail image, the Document name, and last opened Workspace, any labels that have been added, when the Document was last modified and by whom, and the Document owner. To interact with a document, click on the document to highlight it. Once highlighted, you can share, trash, or label a document using the appropriate buttons at the top right corner (5)

Clicking a Document will also display more information in the Details panel (7) (also known as the Details flyout, as it can be toggled on or off, and can be resized) on the right, including a description and a detailed list of who the Document has been shared with and their access permissions. The Details panel also contains the Share details icon and the Versions and history icon (8).

If you right-click on a Document a menu appears allowing you to open, rename, copy, move, transfer ownership, copy workspace, or trash that Document. You can also select multiple Documents at the same time by holding down either the Control key on Windows or the Command key on Mac or the Shift key to select many at once. The right-click context menu now only allows you to set labels, move the Documents to a folder or send them to Trash

To open a Document, left-click the Document name or double-click the thumbnail image or anywhere within the highlighted area. 

You can change the way Documents are displayed in the Documents page, switching between list view and grid view using the appropriate icons (6) in the top right corner. Each tile displays the same information but in a larger format to make it easier to browse your Documents. 

At the top of the Document page is the Document search bar (9). This feature makes it very easy to find things in Onshape. To search,  type in a partial name and press enter. Search will find Documents, Parts, Assemblies, and Drawings or any file that matches the name you typed in. To streamline the search, click on the small arrow in the search bar to drop down the search menu. Here you can further limit your search by type, name, description, etc.

Note that if a filter is activated, only documents, parts, assemblies, or any other files that fall under the filter category will be displayed in the search results. For example, if you only want to search Documents that were created by you, click the filter first before entering a search term.

In the top left corner is the Create button with 4 options (10). One to create a new Document, one to upload either a 3D model from another CAD system or any of the other file types we saw earlier, one to create a new Folder and one to create a new Label.

Finally, in the top right corner, there are buttons in the title bar to access the Onshape App Store (for complementary applications such as rendering, simulation, and CAM), and the Onshape Learning Center (11). A bell icon that indicates notifications can be found on the title bar. There is also the help menu and then your profile picture and account preferences menu. These last two options may look different depending upon which level of Onshape subscription you have.

Getting started

Completing your profile and setting your default units and mouse controls is an important first step.

To set your preferences, click your name in the top right corner of the screen and select Manage Account. Here you can set your name, forum name, and nickname which is your name as it will appear in the top right corner. If you share a document or are working on the same document as someone else at the same time, then this is how your name will be seen by them. The Bio section displays more information about yourself in the forum and is optional. If you make a change and press Update profile, then those changes take effect immediately.

You can also add an image of yourself by clicking the change button under the avatar at the top of the page. Using a picture is very useful if you are collaborating on a Document with several other users at the same time.

Under the preferences menu down the left-hand side, you can set your default units and view manipulation preferences.

The unit settings here apply to new documents only, any existing documents or documents that have been shared with you will not be affected by these settings. You can also select the number of decimal places you want to see when creating sketches, features, parts, and assemblies.

The view manipulation settings alter the way you interact with a 3D model in Onshape. In Onshape, you rotate a model using the 3rd mouse button, pan a model using the middle mouse button, and zoom in by scrolling the mouse wheel up and zoom out by scrolling it down.

If you’re a seasoned user of a traditional CAD system, you can change these settings by selecting the CAD system you would like to mimic and all the mouse controls will be set to these preferences every time you use Onshape. Press save view manipulation settings when done.

All these settings apply to your account, so every time you log in to Onshape, from any device, these settings will remain until you decide to change them.

The Creation Graphical User Interfaces

To begin working in Onshape, create a Document or open an existing one. For this guide, we’ll be opening an existing document. The first interface you come across after opening a document is the Part Studio.

One of the fundamental differences between Onshape and other CAD systems is the Part Studio. It’s called a Part Studio because you can create more than one part at a time and add robust relationships between them. When there are more than part in a Part Studio, it’s called a subassembly and all the parts are fixed relative to each other. To add motion, you need to create an actual assembly.

When you open a new Part Studio, it will contain just an origin and three orthogonal planes (12)  labeled top, front, and right. In a finished design, you will see more features below these that are the building blocks or the recipe that was used to create each part. Each feature is built in order and listed in the Feature List (13).

The origin and the planes should be used to help you add design intent to your parts. The origin can be used to locate the center of an important feature, like a bore, and the planes can be used to infer symmetry.

These features can be hidden at any time by clicking the eye icon (14) in the feature list. To hide or show all planes at once, use the keyboard shortcut, P.

Above the Feature list is the Feature toolbar (15). This shows you the available commands and is context-sensitive, so in a Part Studio it will show you feature creation tools, and in a sketch, assembly, or drawing, it will show you tools applicable to the task at hand. The wider your screen, the more tools will be shown at once. If your browser window is narrower the tools will be collapsed into groups with pull-down menus.

In the center of course is the large graphics area (16). This is where all your design work is done.

The View Cube (17) in the top right corner of the graphics area can be used to help you understand your current orientation and help you manipulate your model. First, you can see the orientation of the XYZ coordinate system, which is useful when taking measurements from your model. If you click on one of the named faces of the cube, your view will be oriented with the selected face normal to the screen. Clicking around the outside of a face selects the face behind it, so it’s a quick and easy way to rotate your model 180 degrees. Clicking one of the corners of the cube will take you to an isometric view, clicking the small arrows at the top, bottom, left, and right will rotate your model in those directions, and the two curved arrows rotate your model normal to the screen.

Below the View Cube is the View Tools icon (18). Here you can rotate your model to an isometric, dimetric or trimetric view, save a named view, zoom your model to fit the screen or zoom in, turn Perspective view on or off, and choose from a selection of shading modes.

The Part Studio is where you create parts, create assemblies, produce 2D working drawings, create folders to organize your tabs, and import files such as images and videos or 3D files from other CAD systems. The interfaces to do all these are different. To access these interfaces, all you need to do is add tabs, also known as elements, by clicking on the + icon (19) in the bottom left corner of the studio. This way, you can easily switch between interfaces using the tabs (20)  at the bottom of the screen. The Part Studio is itself a tab; the first that is encountered when a document is opened.

Learn Further

Now that you have mastered the basics of Onshape as well as how to navigate the software, your foundation is strong. Continue your journey to Onshape mastery via any of the following learning platforms.

• Onshape learning center
• Lynda
• Plural sight

Freelancing is a fast-rising job trend in several industries and the CAD industry is no exception. Most companies that require CAD services now post jobs online, preferring the hiring of freelance CAD designers or engineers, to traditional hiring. If you intentionally clicked on this article, chances are you are a CAD designer or CAD engineer, looking to find freelance CAD jobs. 

In a world where freelancing is rapidly becoming the norm, you’d expect there to be numerous freelance sites. And of course, there are over 200 freelance sites all over the internet. However, most of these freelance sites are guilty of lacking freelance CAD jobs. But not to worry, there are quite a number of sites offering freelance CAD jobs. This article features 13 freelance sites where you can find freelance CAD jobs. 

Bear in mind that freelance sites offering freelance CAD jobs are more than the 13 we will cover in this article. However, following intensive research, we at Scan2CAD have come up with this list of trusted sites with easy to navigate interfaces and support services. Note that this article is for informative purposes, and as such, we will not be comparing the services of these sites. Also, the list is in no particular order. Without further ado, let’s dive right in.

13 Sites for Finding Freelance CAD Jobs

1). Upwork

Upwork homepage

Although this list is in no particular order, I’ll start with the site I consider the most competitive. Driven by the sole mission to create economic opportunities for talent, Upwork has always been one of the leading freelance sites on the internet. President and CEO Hayden Brown, the face of Upwork, is responsible for its overall success.

Upwork offers a host of freelance opportunities to freelancers, including freelance CAD jobs. To put the cherry on top, it also has a very friendly user interface and is easy to navigate. On the Upwork homepage, after signing in, you can find the Find work, My jobs, Report, Messages, and Notification sections on the top of the page. 

If you don’t already own an Upwork freelancer account, all you have to do is sign up and fill in the necessary details. To make job searching easier, Upwork provides you options to select your skills in the signup process. Hence, making your Job feed contains only Jobs related to the skills you select. For example, if you select CAD design or CAD engineer in the skill section, only freelance CAD jobs will appear on your feed. 

To make bidding for Jobs even more comfortable, there is a search bar at the top of the page with the option to filter your search results. You only need to click on a job you are interested in and submit a proposal, according to the client’s specifications and wait to get hired. 

2). LinkedIn

LinkedIn Homepage

Marketed as the world’s largest professional network, LinkedIn is a shared platform that brings together organizations and professionals. It currently has over 1 billion members in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. LinkedIn allows professionals to connect and network with like-minded business folk. It is also an avenue organizations use to share the latest news and, perhaps most importantly, recruit for jobs.

According to LinkedIn’s statistics, more than 67 million companies were listed as of December 2023, providing members with a wide range of options for finding their next employer or client. Little wonder then that 61 million people are using the platform to search for jobs each week. LinkedIn is the perfect place for anyone in search of jobs. While the platform may not be exclusively dedicated to freelancing as Upwork is, it is not short of freelance jobs – it has a mix of freelance and employment opportunities.

Technically, freelancers are independent contractors and, in most cases, temporary workers, and LinkedIn is not short of contracting or temporary jobs. Companies looking to engage experts in certain fields for a short duration without necessarily onboarding them as employees often post contract-based or temporary jobs on LinkedIn. Thus, if you are looking for freelance CAD jobs, then the platform’s built-in search function should help you narrow down the options.

The search function has filters that let you specify the exact characteristics of the CAD job you want. To find the freelance CAD jobs, you might consider toggling the ‘Remote,’ ‘Contract,’ or ‘Temporary’ filters. The filters also enable you to specify the location of the company or client, a handy tool that helps you avoid time zone-borne misalignments in work schedules.

3). Cadcrowd

CADCrowd homepage

Cadcrowd is a unique freelance website. Unlike other sites on our list, this site operates strictly on freelance CAD jobs. Cadcrowd welcomes you with a beautiful landing page that speaks fully of freelance CAD jobs. Here, you can find work as a CAD designer, engineer, and drafter as it says boldly on its homepage.

Another unique feature Cadcrowd offers is its qualification credentials. Unlike other freelance sites where freelancers need to upload credentials, Cadcrowd qualifies its CAD designers and engineers through CAD contests. These contests are options for companies or businesses to find the best CAD personnel for their jobs. In this case, the company creates a contest and freelancers enter into the contest by sending their designs. The company picks the designer they feel suits what they need. Cadcrowd also has a ranking system for its designers based on these contests. The more contests you win, the higher your rank on the site.

4). Freelancer

Freelancer homepage

This is one of the largest freelance networks. It prides itself as a place where companies and businesses can hire labor easier and cheaper. Like most freelance sites, Freelancer offers a large variety of freelance jobs. However, our main concern is its proficiency in freelance CAD jobs, with this site housing quite a number of those. 

As long as you have the necessary skills of a CAD designer, engineer, or drafter, you are eligible to work on this platform. You only need to click on the signup button on the Freelancer homepage, fill the necessary forms, and you’re good to go. To search for a job, click on the browse projects button on your dashboard and it will direct you to the projects page. Here, you can select jobs according to your preselected skills.

Freelancer is free to use. However, the platform includes four plans – Basic, Plus, Professional, and Premier. These plans are priced between $4.99 and $99.00 per month. Each plan offers individual benefits, with the most expensive plan including the most benefits and the cheapest option the least.

5). Peopleperhour

Peopleperhour homepage

The next site on this list is Peopleperhour. Similar to Freelancer, it is one of the largest freelance networks. And like most freelance sites on this list, Peopleperhour offers freelance CAD jobs together with other freelance programs. 

Here, you can offer your CAD services and earn money without any cost. To work on this platform, you need to sign up, which is a very straightforward process. Click on the signup button on the top right corner of the Peopleperhour homepage, fill in your details and create a profile to start applying for jobs. To make your search for jobs easier, this site features a search bar on the projects page. Enter CAD as the search query and select jobs that match your skills. 

6). Guru

Guru homepage

According to the its About page, Guru’s mission is to bring freelancers and employers across the globe together in a single platform. 

With its large freelancer base, Guru, to a very large extent has achieved its mission.

Like most websites on this list, and in addition to freelance CAD jobs, Guru offers a host of other freelance opportunities, ranging from writing to web designing. Guru operates in a manner that allows freelancers to directly interact with clients or companies looking to higher them, making the process of applying for jobs on this platform quite easy. 

To search for jobs, click on the Find work option on the top of the dashboard page, there, you’ll find jobs that match your skills. Companies or clients then compare quotes between freelancers and hire the best freelancer. 

7). SimplyHired

Simplyhired

With over 3 million employers trusting SimplyHired for the best freelancers, it is fair to say, SimplyHired is the best site to “simply get hired”. This site offers numerous freelance opportunities, including freelance CAD jobs. What we like most about this site are its user interface and structure. Its structure allows for easy understanding and navigation of the site, thus, offering great user experience for freelancers and employers alike. 

Signing up is easy. All you need to do is click on the sign-in button at the top right corner of the page. Select the “Job Seeker” option. Lastly, upload your resume and fill the necessary forms, and you’re ready to begin applying for jobs. To make a job search easier, this site features a search bar. Enter CAD jobs or freelance CAD jobs as your search query and select the job that interests you. 

8). Aquent

Aquent homepage

9). Nexxt

Nexxt homepage

Nexxt , the next site on our list has 25 million professional freelancers. Like most sites on this list, it offers a host of freelance opportunities, including freelance CAD. Here, companies and businesses post jobs with links to their site. Clicking on a job on this site will direct you to the company’s or clients’ site. 

Signing up for this site is pretty basic. Click on the Sign-up button on the top right corner of the page and fill the necessary forms, and you’re ready to start applying for jobs. To make job search easier, this site features a search bar and a location bar, this way you can search for jobs in specific locations.  

10). Glassdoor

Glassdoor Jobs Homepage

Glassdoor is a sister company to Indeed. While Indeed is a job search engine, Glassdoor offers more than just the ability to search for jobs. To job seekers, it enables them to read reviews of companies. As such, Glassdoor is a reliable platform that visitors can use to research and gain more insights about potential clients and employers, helping them make crucial decisions.

Nonetheless, Glassdoor has a job board that lists job opportunities. In addition, it features a search function that lets you type the exact specifications of the job you are looking for. Given its status as a leading jobs site, Glassdoor is not short of freelance CAD jobs and other freelance opportunities. To get to them, simply type the job you want and remember to include the keyword ‘freelance.’ You can also use the filter feature to find job posts that do not have this keyword. For instance, you could use the ‘Job types’ filter to instruct the search engine to display only ‘Freelance’ jobs.

It is worth pointing out that clicking ‘Apply’ or ‘Easy Apply’ on Glassdoor redirects you to Indeed, where you will fill out the requisite information.

11). Flexjobs

Flexjobs homepage

12). Indeed

Indeed homepage

13). Fiverr

Fiverr homepage

Conclusion