Fortunately, you do not have to experience the negatives of creating 3D models from scratch. Instead, you can use free 3D CAD models. And Scan2CAD has compiled a list of 13 sites with free BricsCAD models, i.e., models that are compatible with BricsCAD straight away. So, let’s get into it. 

Top 13 Sites with Free BricsCAD Models

The availability of free BricsCAD models simply automates repetitive tasks such as drawing nuts, bolts, and standard parts, as well as adding or changing the position of holes in a 3D object.

BricsCAD Mechanical, BIM, and Shape packages come with an extensive library of parts. You can select a free 3D solid model from this library, which you can then import into your workspace on BricsCAD and edit as native components. 

But what if you want more than just what is available natively on BricsCAD? These 13 sites contain free BricsCAD models.

GrabCAD

We start our discussion off with GrabCAD. This site boasts the largest online ecosystem of manufacturers, software partners, professional engineers, and students, who, together, create the GrabCAD Community. The community has over 9.7 million members (engineers) with more than 4.9 million free CAD files that can be grouped according to category and software.

At its core, the site acts as an open and connected platform that offers software solutions allowing customers to work within the supply chain and IoT ecosystem, tap novel business models, and come up with effective and accurate additive manufacturing workflows. But that’s not why we have reviewed the site. Instead, the main reason is the access to the site’s community (clicking the link above takes you directly to this page).

Here, a search bar allows you to query the site’s database. Alternatively, you can also scroll down the entries across different categories. By default, GrabCAD Community displays models based on criteria such as popularity, recency, most commented, most downloaded, and so on. In addition, it shows the software each model’s creator used to create it or the software you could use to open the model seamlessly. As well, the site shows the file format(s) used to store each model.

Free3D

Free3D lets you access more than 17,000 models spread across different categories, including architecture, vehicles, characters, aircraft, furniture, electronics, animals, plants, and weapons. Notably, while the site’s name contains the word free, some models are available at a small fee.

Free3D lets you search for a particular model or browse through the various free BricsCAD models on display. Regardless of the approach you choose, the site has simplified the processes by including subcategories and tags that you can click on to narrow down on the category of models that appeal to you. For instance, there are several subgroups under the aircraft category, namely military aircraft, jet, fighter, drone, chopper, bomber, and more. And that’s not all. Free3D also categorizes the available models based on software. Finally, each entry shows the file format used to save the model.

Autodesk Online Gallery

As the name suggests, Autodesk Online Gallery is Autodesk’s official platform for engineers and designers to download or upload 3D and CAD models, CAD files, and pictures. In total, there are more than 70 categories.

To download a free BricsCAD model, scroll down the various categories and select your desired type. For instance, if you are looking for a machine design model, you could click on this entry, an action that would let you access hundreds of results. Or, you could use the search function on the site’s home page. 

The site also allows you to view all projects, sorted automatically according to popularity. However, you could select your own sorting criteria by clicking the funnel button on the top-right side of the screen.

CADnav

CADnav is an online library for CAD/CAM/CAE engineers and graphic designers that is home to over 50,000 free 3D and CAD models. By accessing the site, you can download high-quality 3D CAD solid objects, CAD drawings, textures, mesh 3D models, Vray materials, and more.

The website categorizes each of these elements according to categories, e.g., aircraft, architecture, furniture, structure, vehicle transport, and more. Additionally, you can sort the 3D models by file format or software.

3D Warehouse

3D Warehouse contains 3D models and CAD products. These components are displayed according to the uploader, some of whom are members of the site’s community while others are manufacturers/brands. For instance, from the curated category, you can download construction live components such as girders, windows, doors, furniture, and more. 

In addition, you can access models of the Sydney Opera House, London’s The Gherkin, Cathedral of Brasilia, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and more. However, you have to create an account to download the free BricsCAD models, products, or collections.

CADdetails

CADdetails lets you access thousands of 3D models, CAD drawings, product photographs, BIM objects, and more for free. Specifically, this site targets niche – manufacturer-approved components as well as manufacturer-specific building product information. Additionally, the site ensures that the products available therein meet current specifications, are accurate, and work in multiple formats. 

In total, there are over 9,750 BIM models, more than 500,000 CAD drawings available in various formats, and thousands of architectural products from some of North America’s best product manufacturers. Some of the models you can access via CADdetails include retaining walls, furniture, railings, windows, doors, and so on.

Syncronia

Syncronia offers access to 3D CAD models, 3D textures, catalogs, BIM objects, and other components you need for your decorative and architectural projects. Some of the products available for download include ceramic flooring, ceramic tiles, marble, bathroom fittings, furniture (chairs, sofas, tables, stools), walling, and more.

The site allows you to filter out unwanted 3D models and BIM objects by file type, manufacturer, or product category. However, the website is not intuitive enough, meaning navigation may be a problem for someone who is not conversant with some of the architectural products available via Syncronia.

TraceParts

TraceParts regards itself as one of the leading CAD-content platforms in the world. It offers free products for engineering, industrial equipment, and machine design. What’s more, TraceParts is a library that offers access to more than 1,300 manufacturer-certified product catalogs as well as billions of 2D drawings and 3D CAD models. 

The site’s homepage features a search bar with which you can search for specific products. Alternatively, you can choose one of the many categories listed further down the page. Clicking one of these categories, e.g., mechanical components, pneumatics, manufacturing engineering, electrical, heat transmission, and more, redirects you to another page that allows you to view images of the models. You can filter out unwanted products using the site’s sort by feature.

3D CAD Browser

3D CAD Browser is a library of polygonal mesh models and 3D CAD solid objects. It supports a bevy of file formats, including .max, .obj, .dxf, .dwg, .fbx, .blend, .stl, .dae, .step, .iges, .sldasm, .sldprt, .iam, .opt, .asm, and .prt. This means that downloaded 3D models and objects can be imported into a number of software programs, including BricsCAD, Maya, Lightwave, CATIA, Solidworks, ACIS, Cinema 4D, among other 3D modeling software and CAD/CAM/CAE packages.

The site allows you to choose between downloading 3D CAD models or polygonal 3D meshes. In addition, 3D CAD Browser allows you to use the search function or filter out certain unwanted models using criteria such as Free only, CAD only, Polygon only, or All 3D models. You can also sort the components by name.

Thingiverse

Thingiverse boasts a collection of more than 2.1 million 3D models, a number that is growing every day. The site is essentially a design community that allows designers, engineers, and architects to discover, create, and share 3D models, primarily for printing. Nonetheless, the designs and objects can be downloaded and edited using CAD/CAE/CAM software as well as 3D modeling software. This makes the site an ideal source for 3D models that can be imported into BricsCAD.

The site contains a search tool. As well, you can filter the displayed entries using several available criteria. 

AEC Data

AEC Data is more of a specialist site that provides access to a variety of household models. By using the site, you can mostly access 3D models of bathtubs and trees. Faucets, showers and showerheads, office furniture, couches, beds, countertops, kitchen equipment, and household accessories. 

In all, the site offers over 35,000 models saved using different formats. This means that there are more than 110,000 downloadable files on the site stored using formats such as .dwg, .max, .3ds, .obj, .skp, .rfa, .ifc, .gsm, and more. AEC Data allows you to filter the free BricsCAD models based on format or recency. Additionally, you can sort the results based on the manufacturer.

Free 3D Base

Like the AEC Data site before it, Free 3D Base is also a specialist site that lets you access 3D models of indoor and outdoor components. As such, you can find models of chairs, kitchen accessories and equipment, showerheads, faucets, and other bathroom accessories, office furniture, outdoor vegetation such as grass and trees, indoor lighting accessories, and more.

The site groups each model according to type to allow customers to get to the products as easily as possible. However, you can also use the site’s search function. Furthermore, you can sort the displayed products based on the date added or the model name. 

Notably, if you wish to download less than 15 models within 24 hours, the site does not require you to create an account or log in to your account. But if you wish to download between 15 and 30 3D models, you have to log in to your Free 3D Base account. The site limits you to only 30 models every 24 hours.

Polantis BIMObject

Polantis is a catalog of CAD and BIM components compatible with 100% of existing architectural software, including BricsCAD BIM. The extensive library is aimed at aiding architects in integrating design products into their projects. 

The site offers access to free CAD and BIM objects such as building materials, construction elements, and fittings, doors and windows, electrical components, electronics, engineering models such as road accessories, bridges, and tunnels, flooring and walls, fire products, furniture, HVAC systems, kitchen fittings and appliances, landscaping, lighting, plants, and more.

Parting Shot

These 13 sites offer access to free BricsCAD models. They greatly save time by ensuring that you concentrate on the more essential aspects of your design pipeline instead of designing common models and design components from scratch. Since BricsCAD supports different file formats, you can download 3D models and CAD products initially meant for software programs such as CATIA and Solidworks. You can then edit these components and save the drawing as a .dwg file.

In this article, we’ll outline BricsCAD keyboard shortcuts as well as inform you about how you can customize the software by adding your own easy-to-remember BricsCAD keyboard shortcuts. 

Keyboard Shortcuts

Developers often package keyboard shortcuts in two main ways. The first involves just a single key, with a perfect example being the function keys on your keyboard. On Windows, for example, the F1 function key opens the help screen while F2  enables you to rename the file or folder you have selected. Likewise, on macOS, F1 decreases screen brightness, while F2 increases the brightness.

The second approach entails hitting several keys simultaneously. Typically, this second and more common option utilizes modifier keys such as Alt, Ctrl, and Shift in combination with other keys. The aforementioned copy and paste combinations fall in this category. Others include Alt+F4 on Windows, which opens the shutdown menu.

Importantly, the modifier keys help the software distinguish between normal keyboard input and a special keyboard shortcut input. Simply, they modify the general keys.

Another important point to note is that while the operating system might have its own default shortcuts, they become obsolete when a software application is opened. For instance, if you click F2 while on Windows file explorer, it will enable you to rename a particular file or folder. However, when you click the same key while using BricsCAD, this action will prompt the history window. This is because F2 is a default BricsCAD keyboard shortcut, as we will discuss later. Firstly, though, let’s define what a keyboard shortcut is.

Keyboard shortcuts prompt a software program to execute a preprogrammed task that would otherwise have been completed only via a mouse or trackpad click, menu, command-line interface, or tabs, ribbons, and icons within the user interface. This, therefore, means that these hotkeys help save time by simplifying/condensing long human-dependent computing processes.

BricsCAD Keyboard Shortcuts

BricsCAD is a leading engineering design software that rivals AutoCAD, thanks to its capabilities and pricing. In fact, its developer, Bricsys, markets it as ‘more than an AutoCAD alternative.’ This is because the software offers 100% .DWG compatibility, superior performance, and flexible licensing, all at a fraction of the cost of AutoCAD’s least expensive subscription plan (see our AutoCAD pricing explained article).

In providing superior performance, BricsCAD also promotes simplicity in a bid to boost users’ productivity. This is why BricsCAD keyboard shortcuts exist. They shorten the number of steps you would have taken had you opted to use menus or resultant popup windows. In addition, by ensuring commonly used commands are available at the simultaneous press of one or more keys, BricsCAD enhances your overall performance and helps you speed up processes and workflows.

BricsCAD stands out even further because it enables users to customize the hotkeys to their liking. What’s more, this function also allows them to introduce additional actions beyond those supported by default keyboard shortcuts. We will detail how you can customize shortcuts right after outlining default BricsCAD keyboard shortcuts.

Default BricsCAD Keyboard Shortcuts

BricsCAD default keystroke shortcuts can be categorized into:

• General features 
• Drawing modes
• Screen management 
• Workflow management
• Drawing management

The hotkeys associated with each category are summarized in the tables below. 

Table 1: General Features Shortcuts

Table 2: Drawing Modes Shortcuts

Table 3: Screen Management Shortcuts

Table 4: Workflow Management Shortcuts

Table 5: Drawing management shortcuts

Custom BricsCAD Keyboard Shortcuts

From the listed BricsCAD keyboard shortcuts, it is clear that a few keys have not been utilized. Some of the unused keys include letters U, W, and D, numbers 3 through 8, and a few special alphanumeric keys. As such, you can create associate your commonly used commands with these keys, creating custom keyboard shortcuts. But how do you accomplish this? Well, here’s the procedure. 

1. Open BricsCAD.
2. Right-click any blank section of the user interface that is not part of the drawing area. This will display a menu. Click Customize, the last option on the menu.
3. A Customize window will pop up, featuring different tabs, including Menus, Toolbars, Ribbon, Keyboard, Mouse, and more. Select the Keyboard tab.
4. On the RHS pane under the Keyboard selection, you will see all the default shortcuts, while the LHS pane features all available commands, i.e., unused commands. To create a custom BricsCAD keyboard shortcut, simply right-click one of the existing shortcuts and choose Insert shortcut.

Customize Window on BricsCAD (source)

5. Under the resultant Add keyboard shortcut window, ensure the Select available tool is checked. Next, select the toolbox under which the command falls. For instance, if you wish to associate the zoom extents command with the shortcut Ctrl+U, you will choose the View toolbox. Next, scroll down the available options and select Zoom extents, which populates all the fields of the popup window. Finally, click Ok to add the new custom BricsCAD keyboard shortcut.

Add Custom Keyboard Shortcut Window on BricsCAD (source)

Parting Shot

With the default BricsCAD keyboard shortcuts, the developer has indeed promoted productivity, speeding workflows as a result. However, it is worth pointing out that you can customize the keystrokes by including some of the commands you use most frequently. In this article, we have provided a detailed procedure for customizing keystrokes. This, coupled with the listed default BricsCAD keyboard shortcuts, is bound to promote your performance.

BricsCAD boosts users’ productivity through a host of default BricsCAD keyboard shortcuts. Also, you can create custom hotkeys based on your preferences.

Quoting a 2015 analysis exploring whether BricsCAD is a real alternative to AutoCAD, the US Library of Congress’ (LOC) Sustainability of Digital Formats website, which offers information about digital content formats, pointed out that 100% .DWG compatibility is the single most crucial factor in considering alternative CAD products. Boasting this capability and more, BricsCAD, which was first released in 2005 by Bricsys, now an affiliate of Hexagon AB, has grown to become a formidable CAD software comparable to or perhaps even better than other CAD programs. 

Yet, the 100% compatibility attribute is not even the main differentiator. What sets BricsCAD apart from the likes of AutoCAD is its cost. Bricsys even states that its product is “the most cost-effective CAD software with .dwg compatibility, flexible licensing, and superior performance.” 

About BricsCAD

BricsCAD is a modern CAD software built for designers and engineers. Available in several packages, BricsCAD offers distinct capabilities to different users. 

For instance, if you choose BricsCAD Lite, you will access a powerful 2D drafting software program. On the other hand, the BricsCAD Pro package provides access to 2D drafting and 3D modeling software. 

The third package, BricsCAD BIM, offers AI-powered building information modeling (BIM) capabilities needed by designers, architects, and engineers working in the construction industry. Lastly, the BricsCAD Mechanical package provides mechanical engineers and product designers access to advanced mechanical design tools. 

Simply, BricsCAD offers a complete and comprehensive suite of design products anchored in a rich history that traces back to the early aughts. Version 1 of BricsCAD was first released in 2005 but had been in development since 2002 when Bricsys was established. 

The release of V1 indeed set a robust foundation for a product that has survived constraints occasioned by AutoCAD’s dominance as well as the fact that .DWG is Autodesk’s proprietary file format that contains copyrighted objects. For instance, you are likely to see a warning message when you use AutoCAD to open a .DWG file created using BricsCAD. The message will warn that the DWG file was saved by a software program that was not developed or licensed by Autodesk, BricsCAD’s 100% .DWG compatibility notwithstanding. 

Despite such setbacks, which may put off users who may not be familiar with the fact that the warning message is absolutely harmless, BricsCAD has continued to thrive owing to its powerful tools and, more importantly, pricing. In fact, you can use BricsCAD for free. But we’ll get to the pricing comparison in a bit. First, though, let’s talk about BricsCAD’s tools.

BricsCAD Capabilities and Features

BricsCAD has emerged as a powerful and comprehensive alternative to AutoCAD. For instance, BricsCAD offers the following features and tools:

• Full Locator/Identifier Separation Protocol (LISP) support
• 2D constraint management
• 3D modeling (BricsCAD Pro and higher) and 3D auto-parametrization
• 3D constraint management
• Deformable modeling
• Support for third-party applications
• Rendering capabilities
• AI-based modeling (BricsCAD BIM and BricsCAD Ultimate)
• Structural and HVAC toolsets (BricsCAD BIM)
• Assembly modeling (BricsCAD Mechanical and higher)
• Sheet metal design
• Bill of materials

Notably, these features are tools are restricted to specific pricing tiers. However, they are still available when using BricsCAD for free. With this in mind, let’s delve into the pricing aspect of BricsCAD.

In addition to its capabilities, BricsCAD’s status as a powerful alternative to AutoCAD is also born from the following factors:

• BricsCAD is easy to use, meaning that it does not have a steep learning curve
• It requires low transition cost, given that it is cheaper; you can even use BricsCAD for free – this pricing aspect makes it an attractive option for users looking for AutoCAD’s functionalities but at a lower cost
• With V19, BricsCAD became available to Mac users
• It has a community of over 1,200 registered application developers, partnerships in over 80 countries, and authorized resellers
• Bricsys has embraced web-based technology (cloud services) and even offers BricsCAD 24/7, which enables users to access designs and documents from any device and location, thus facilitating collaboration
• BricsCAD offers comprehensive product and developer documentation, release notes, and educational material – this helps those who wish to learn more about the software and how to use its many features
• BricsCAD offers support services
• Its user interface is somewhat similar to other CAD software programs, including AutoCAD
• It is said to be 2.7x faster than AutoCAD at the opening .DWG files

BricsCAD’s Familiar User Interface (source)

BricsCAD vs. AutoCAD: Pricing

AutoCAD

Autodesk slowly phased out perpetual licensing in favor of subscription plans. Starting January 2016, new users of most individual Autodesk products could no longer purchase the software using the traditional perpetual licensing format. Notably, existing perpetual license holders would still retain these licenses but would need to keep their software up-to-date by using the newly introduced Maintenance subscription.

Over the next two years, Autodesk gradually transitioned software purchases to the subscription-based options currently available today. As a result, the cost of its products, including AutoCAD, has soared. 

Previously, under the perpetual licensing format, users could purchase an AutoCAD program for a one-time price of $4,000. Today, however, the same program is available at a monthly subscription cost of $220 or an annual subscription of $1,775 (as of December 2021). 

Comparatively, the new model is more expensive for users than the older pricing format, particularly over the long term. This cost makes it difficult for would-be one-time users of AutoCAD to pay for the subscription. Instead, they opt for free DWG/DXF editors. 

The pricing may also compel users to look for alternatives, and this is where BricsCAD comes in. 

BricsCAD

Unlike AutoCAD, BricsCAD has retained a perpetual licensing offering for its users. Its pricing structure (one-time fee as of December 1, 2021) for each tier is as follows:

• BricsCAD Lite at US$590
• BricsCAD Pro at US$1,150
• BricsCAD BIM at US$1,890
• BricsCAD Mechanical at $1,780
• BricsCAD Ultimate at $2,100

In addition to perpetual licensing, Bricsys also offers a subscription package for BricsCAD users. The pricing structure for a 1-year and 3-year subscription plan are summarized in the table below:

BricsCAD is clearly cheaper and more cost-effective than AutoCAD, yet it offers equally powerful and reliable tools and features. At the same time, you can also use BricsCAD for free.

Using BricsCAD for Free

You can use BricsCAD for free, either during a 30-day free trial or if you are a student or educator. Under the free trial offer, Bricsys offers you full access to BricsCAD Ultimate, meaning that all the features of BricsCAD Lite, Shape, Pro, BIM, and Mechanical are available for use at no cost. 

After the thirty days elapse, you can continue using BricsCAD for free. Specifically, Bricsys offers BricsCAD Shape, its free solid modeling platform, at zero cost.

Additionally, if you are a student or educator, you can also use BricsCAD for free for one year. The academic license, which is renewable upon fulfillment of certain conditions, offers a one-year BricsCAD Ultimate license at no charge.

Parting Shot

BricsCAD is a powerful yet cost-effective alternative to AutoCAD. It is a recommended option if you want to enjoy the capabilities of AutoCAD at a more affordable price point. And if you are a student or teacher, you can use BricsCAD for free as Bricsys offers a one-year academic license at no charge. Notably, other users can also enjoy the many features and capabilities packed into BricsCAD for free by simply starting a 30-day free trial.

Most architects, landscape architects, mechanical engineers, plumbing engineers, electrical engineers, and structural engineers would prefer having a CAD application that can support almost everything since all these fields depend on each other during projects. For example, an electrical engineer will use architectural, civil, mechanical, plumbing, and structural drawings to produce his or her electrical drawings to ensure that the drawings do not conflict.

By being all-in-one CAD programs, BricsCAD and Revit provide drafters, engineers, and architects with all the available options for drawing or opening any drawing they get from the team during projects. But there are a few differences between the two programs that we shall look at in this post.

BricsCAD

Figure 1. Building Modeling was done using BricsCAD BIM (source)

BricsCAD is an all-in-one CAD program for drawing .DWG files ranging from 2D drafting, 3D modeling, and mechanical designs to Building Information Modelling (BIM).

It offers cost-effective and multi-platform CAD solutions for Linux, macOS, and Windows.

There are different BricsCAD editions tailored for different functionalities. These editions include:

• BricsCAD Shape 
• BricsCAD 30-day Free Trial Download
• BricsCAD Lite
• BricsCAD Pro
• BricsCAD BIM
• BricsCAD Mechanical
• BricsCAD Ultimate

The BricsCAD Ultimate combines the functionalities of all the other BricsCAD editions.

What can BricsCAD do?

As indicated in the above section BricsCAD is an all-in-one CAD application meaning it can be used to do any computer-aided design task. One just has to choose the right BricsCAD edition depending on the tasks he or she wants to undertake.

In a nutshell, BricCAD can perform the following:

• Viewing and managing DWG CAD drawings
• 2D drafting
• Annotation
• 3D modeling
• Parametric modeling
• Documentation
• Data Extraction
• File import and export in different formats
• Printing and plotting
• Rendering

Who can use BricsCAD?

BricsCAD is a CAD program that can be used by anyone looking for a computer-aided design program. They just have to choose the right BricsCAD edition depending on their field or the tasks they want to undertake.

If one does not have enough funds to subscribe for the BricsCAD Ultimate, which combines all the functionalities into one application, then he or she can choose an edition that best suits the tasks he or she wants to undertake. 

If you are a mechanical engineer, designer, or CAD drafter looking to just produce some 2D drawings, you can use the BricsCAD Shape which is free. You could also opt for the BricsCAD Lite, which requires a subscription and offers more functionalities than the BricsCAD shape.

If you are a mechanical engineer, designer, or CAD drafter looking to produce 3D models, you could subscribe for the BricsCAD mechanical or BricsCAD Pro depending on your budget.

Figure 2. A Mechanical assembly is done using BricsCAD mechanical (source)

Structural engineers, civil engineers, and architects can use the BricaCAD BIM which allows them to draw and model building structures.

Revit 

Figure 3. An Architectural drawing was done using Revit (source)

Autodesk Revit, commonly referred to as just Revit, is a Building Information modeling (BIM) CAD software. 

There is also a lighter version called Revit LT, which is more cost-effective compared to Revit though with reduced functionalities.

The original version was developed by Charles River Software, which was founded in 1997. Later on, in 2000, the company was renamed Revit Technology Corporation before being acquired by Autodesk in 2002.

What can Autodesk Revit do?

Revit is a fully developed BIM CAD program. It is 4D BIM capable and it has added tools for planning and tracking the various stages of the building process from conceptualization, construction to maintenance or demolition.

It allows users to design a building together with its structure and components in 2D and then go ahead and do 3D modeling and annotation.

In a nutshell, Autodesk Revit can be used for the following in BIM:

• 2D drafting
• 3D modeling
• Parametric Modeling. 
• Automation.
• Collaboration
• Coordination
• Scheduling
• Energy Analysis
• Rendering Presentation.
• Construction Documentation

If you choose to go for the Revit LT, it does not have several functionalities like work sharing (collaboration), analysis, and in-product rendering.

Who can use Revit?

As a building information modeling (BIM) CAD software, Autodesk Revit can be used by landscape architects, structural engineers, architects, electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, plumbing (MEP) engineers, as well as civil construction companies.

It is a good choice for all those involved with building construction or civil construction.

BricsCAD vs Revit

Below is a comparison table of BricsCAD vs Revit to help engineers, architects, and CAD drafters in selecting the right software between the two depending on their functionalities.

Conclusion

The above BricsCAD vs Revit CAD software comparison should help you identify the best CAD software between the two depending on what you want to draw or model.

Besides the tasks that you want to undertake, you should also consider the subscription fees, the availability of a free trial, and the functionalities offered by the free trial.

In a nutshell, just to assist you to choose between the two, BricsCAD has different editions that can be used for different fields including mechanical engineering, civil engineering, structural engineering, electrical engineering, and architecture. On the other hand, Revit is solely designed for BIM CAD operations and would not be a good choice for a mechanical engineer looking to design complex mechanical assemblies.

In this guide, we shall take a deeper dive into how to use BricsCAD to help you learn the basics in one hour.  

What Can BricsCAD be Used for?

In the beginning, BricsCAD had been designed to be an AutoCAD alternative. However, it has evolved to become a much more capable CAD program with many unique features. 

Besides being a great 2D drafting CAD program, BricsCAD fully integrates Parabuild, a detailing package for drawing parametric 3D steel structure models, to automate the process of drawing 3D structural steel models and automatically generate various outputs like CNC data and shop drawings.

Various BricsCAD editions are offering various functionalities. If you are a mechanical CAD drafter or engineer looking to make 2D drawings, you should use the BricsCAD shape, which is free, or the BricsCAD Lite which offers more functionalities compared to the BricsCAD shape. 

If you are a mechanical CAD drafter or engineer looking to create 3D models, you should go for the BircsCAD Pro or BricsCAD mechanical.

If you are a civil engineer, structural engineer, or architect, you should go for the BricsCAD BIM.

BricsCAD offers the following functionalities:

• Viewing and managing DWG CAD drawings
• 2D drafting
• 3D modeling
• Parametric modeling
• Annotation
• Printing and plotting
• Rendering

Key Elements of BricsCAD User Interface

To learn BricsCAD basics, you have to first understand the key elements of its user interface. 

In this guide, we shall use the user interface of the BricsCAD ultimate, which combines the functionalities of all the other BricsCAD editions.

Figure 1. BricsCAD Ultimate user interface elements

The above screenshot shows the user interface of BricsCAD Ultimate and the various sections of the interface have been numbered. Let us take a look at what each of these sections is used for.

Toolbar 

This shows the collections of buttons of the most used tools. BricsCAD Ultimate has several toolbars since the edition contains all the functionalities of all BricsCAD editions. 

The “Access 3D” is the toolbar that is selected by default.

Figure 2. The Access 3D Toolbar

To choose a different toolbar, you should right-click in the drawing area, then click on choose toolbars to select the toolbar and the related topics you want to use.

Figure 3. Process of choosing a different toolbar

Ribbon

This shows several tabs containing a series of panels containing organized tools

Figure 4. Tabs

Figure 5. Series of panels

By default, the home tab is selected and the create panel is open. To select any other tab, simply click on the tab to use the series of panels therein.

Customizing the Ribbon

You can customize your ribbon to add custom-made tabs with a label, title, and ID of your choice, edit or expand the existing tabs, create a new panel and also edit or expand the already existing panel. To do so, simply right-click, click on customize and click on “Ribbon Tab”.

It is important to note that the tabs and tools contained in the panels depend on the selected workspace. The workspaces are the ones that define the settings and preferences of the specific working environment.

Selecting a Workspace

BricsCAD has six workspaces which include drafting, drafting (toolbars), modeling, modeling (toolbars), mechanical, and BIM.

To select your preferred workspace, simply right-click, click on Workspaces, and select your workspace of choice. 

Figure 6. Choosing a workspace by right-clicking

Similarly, you can go to the status bar (labeled 9) and click on the current workspace (in our interface screenshot the current workspace is “BIM”), and select your preferred workspace from the dropdown list. 

Document Tabs

This shows the documents that you are working on and it allows you to easily switch between the documents, close a document or even add a document. 

Figure 7. Document tabs

To add a new document, simply click on the + sign at the end to the right. 

To close a document, click on the X.

The “Look From” Widget

Figure 8. The Look From Widget with no 3D model selected

This appears at the top right corner of the drawing area.

It is used to see how your 3D model would look like when looked at from different angles. 

It has seven small triangles and one rectangle along its circumference. 

The rectangle shows the side from which your selected 3D model is being viewed in the drawing area. (If there is no selected model, then there will be eight small triangles)

To view the 3D model from a different angle, simply click on a triangle on the angle you want to view from. It also displays the name of the view at the bottom of the widget. For example, “Top Back Left”.

User-defined Coordinate System (UCS) icon

Figure 9. The UCS icon

This shows the nature of the coordinate system that you are using. If you are doing 2D drafting, a two-dimensional coordinate system is shown and when you are doing 3D modeling a three-dimensional coordinate system is shown.

Model Tab

This shows your initial working area, called Model Space. This is where you create your 2D or 3D drawings. If you select to use the Model Tab, you view and work in the model space.

Layout Tab

Every drawing has at least one layout, which comprises one or more viewports. It is mainly used for ensuring that your drawing is ready for presentation or printing.

Every viewport shows a different part of the drawing at a different scale. 

If you click on the “Layout Tab’, you can add the entities required for producing a print copy of your drawing. These entities include title blocks, frames, and legends among others.

It is important to note that the layout tab uses the World Coordinate System. (WCS), which is shown by a W that appears at the coordinate system icon. 

Figure 10. WCS appears when in the layout mode

Command Bar

This area has two fields separated by a thin dark line. The upper section shows the previously typed commands and is, therefore, wider while the lower section is where you type the commands and command options (which once executed goes to the field above as previously typed commands).

Figure 11. The command bar

Status Bar

It is normally along the bottom edge of the application window and contains information about the settings being used for the current drawing. 

It has a total of 16 fields. You can see the list of these fields by clicking the arrow at the right end of the bar.

It is important to note that one of the fields is the workspaces which determine the tools displayed on the ribbon (before customizing the ribbon).

The Tool Panel

This is displayed on the right and left sides of the application window. 

Let us look at the functions of each of the displayed icons on the “Tool Panel”.

Figure 12. Various panels contained in the Tool Panel and their functions

Learn BricsCAD 2D Drafting Basics 

This is the first step in any CAD drawing. 

To draw 2D drawings using BricsCAD, you will need to set the toolbar to 2D constraints.

Figure 13. Choosing 2D constraints toolbar

Then change the “Workspace” to drafting or drafting (toolbar). 

Once everything is set, you can go ahead and select the tool to use in the “Draw” panel of the Home tab in the ribbon. You can also go ahead to add text, hatching, and dimensions using their corresponding tools from the ribbon.

When you select to use any of the drawing tools or input a drawing command, BricsCAD prompts you to enter the coordinate points in the “Command Bar”. You can choose to use the mouse (clicking on the drawing area and moving to the endpoint) or choose to type the insertion and endpoints.

It is easy to learn BricsCAD since it also displays a context-sensitive prompt menu showing additional command options for the type of entity you are drawing.

Learn BricsCAD 3D Modeling Basics

By default, the BricsCAD Ultimate toolbar is set to Access 3D, which is ideal for 3D modeling. You can also choose to use the 3D toolbar.

Once your toolbar is set to 3D, you should go ahead and select the modeling, modeling (toolbars), mechanical, or BIM workspace depending on the type of 3D modeling you intend to do.

The modeling and modeling (toolbars) workspaces are used for standard 3D models while the mechanical workspace is used for complex mechanical components and assemblies.

The BIM workspace on the other hand is used for Building Information Modeling.

Conclusion

This guide will help you learn BricsCAD basics in less than one hour. With the above information, you are good to start using BricsCAD and make simple 2D drawings as well as simple 3D models. 

To sharpen your BricsCAD skills, you should continue practicing with the application as you can see from the above guide, learning BircsCAD is not an uphill task. Besides offering all the functionalities that you may require in your CAD drafting or designing work, the application is very user-friendly. 

Most CAD programs including BricsCAD have moved from one-time product purchases to monthly or yearly subscriptions. This has helped bring down the costs since some of the CAD programs required tens to hundreds of thousands to purchase. With the monthly subscriptions, CAD drafters and designers can pay as little as just some hundred dollars to be able to use software for a month or year. 

Before delving into BricsCAD pricing, it is important to understand what BrisCAD is, how many editions are out there, and what each of these editions can be used for.

What is BricsCAD?

Figure 1. Excavator assembly drawing was drawn using BricsCAD (source)

BricsCAD is a computer-aided design (CAD) software application developed by Bricsys, a Belgium-based company founded in 2002 and headquartered in Ghent. It acquired intellectual property rights from Ledas for parametric design tools that are constraints-based thus allowing the company to start developing applications related to assembly design and direct modeling.

Bricsys founder is Erik de Keyser and he is a long-time CAD entrepreneur.

Besides Ghent in Belgium, Bricsys has other centers in Romania, Bucharest, Russia, and Singapore.

The company is also the founding member of the Open Design Alliance. In December 2016, it joined the BuildingSMART International consortium.

In 2018, Bricsys was purchased by Hexagon AB, a company based in Sweden.

BricsCAD Editions

Nowadays, BicsCAD is available for Linux, macOS, and Windows operating systems. 

It comes in seven editions though before it’s the current version (V21) there were eight available editions, which included the BricsCAD Platinum. The release of V21 saw the functionality of BricsCAD Platinum moved to BricsCAD Pro and the BricsCAD Platinum was done away with.

So, let’s look at the functionality of each of the editions in detail:

1. BricsCAD Shape

Figure 2. Drawing done using BricsCAD shape (source)

This is a free-of-charge conceptual modeling tool that was released by Bricsys in 2018. 

It is made from the BricsCAD solid modeling core and its native file format is .DWG. It also has a simplified user interface that reduces the command options to make modeling easier. 

It includes a library of materials, parametric doors and windows, and a set of 3D objects and furniture. 

It can be upgraded to any of the five commercial editions whenever the user feels the need to by paying the subscription fees.

2. BricsCAD 30-day Free Trial Download 

This allows users to experience the full functionality of the commercial BricsCAD Ultimate Edition for 30 days after which the users are required to pay to continue using the program’s functionality and failure to which the program is automatically reverted to BricsCAD Shape. 

The user can upgrade the free version to any of the five commercial editions during the 30 days trial period by paying for the subscription fees and receiving a license key.

3. BricsCAD Lite 

Figure 3. A Drawing was drawn using BricsCAD Lite (Source: techevate.com)

This edition was referred to as ‘BricsCAD Classic’ in version V20 and below. It is optimized for 2D drafting and its native file format if .DWG. 

It also offers LISP API customization and the ability to automate repetitive tasks.

4. BricsCAD Pro

It contains or the functionalities of the BricsCAD Lite, in addition to 3D modeling, standard part libraries, a materials library, a rendering engine, and an Autodesk AutoCAD ObjectARX, a development system that allows the use of hundreds of third-party application programs.

In version V21 and above, the BircsCAD Pro also includes all the functionalities of the BricsCAD Platinum which has since been deprecated. These functionalities include 3D constraint system management, TIN surface creation, surface entity creation and lofting, deformable modeling, automatic design intent recognition, basic assembly creation, and editing, and automatic healing of imported solid geometry.

5. BricsCAD BIM

Figure 4. A Drawing was drawn using BricsCAD BIM (source)

This comes with all the functionalities of BricsCAD Pro in addition to Building Information Modeling (BIM) workflow.

It uses ACIS as its core modeler and thus allows push and pull free form concept models development.

Users can also low level-of-development (LOD) massing models to Building Information Model (BIM) using BIMIFY, which is an AI-based workflow.

In version V21 and above, the sheet set generation has been automated.

6. BricsCAD Mechanical 

Figure 5. A Drawing was drawn using BricsCAD Mechanical (source)

This edition is meant for 3D mechanical components and parts designs. 

It comes with all the functionalities of the BricsCAD Pro and an assembly modeling workflow, sheet metal parts creation using lofted solid representations, bill of materials, kinetic animations, and exploded view creation capabilities.

7. BricsCAD Ultimate 

This combines the functionalities of all the BricsCAD editions.

Bricsys 24/7

This is a cloud collaboration software as a service (SaaS) to offer a common data environment (CDE). 

It was called “Chapoo” before November 2017. 

It comes in two versions; the Bricsys 24/7 and the BricsCAD Cloud.

The BricsCAD Cloud allows BrisCAD users to access cloud storage, collaboration, file viewing, file locking, and file versioning. It is free of charge.

Bricsys 24/7 allows users to access a common data environment for document management and workflow automation.

BricsCAD APIs and Customization

All the BricsCAD editions use Open Design Alliance Drawing API software development platform that allows BricsCAD to write and read DWG file format, which is a file format that is very popular among Autodesk’s CAD programs.

BricsCAD users read and write into DWG files using the OPEN, NEW, SAVE and SAVE AS commands.

Through the APIs, BricsCAD provides an almost identical subcategory to AutoCAD equivalent functionalities.

The only disadvantage of BricsCAD is that it cannot read AutoCAD FAS files.

BricsCAD Pricing

Out of the seven BricsCAD editions, five editions require the users to pay an annual subscription.

Below is a breakdown of BricsCAD pricing:

• BricsCAD Lite  – 350 USD/user/year
• BricsCAD Pro – 720 USD /user/year
• BricsCAD BIM – 1360 USD /user/year
• BricsCAD Mechanical – 1290 USD /user/year
• BricsCAD Ultimate – 1500 USD /user/Year

New users who aren’t sure about BricsCAD can first use the BricsCAD 30-day free trial download to find out if the features therein are what they are looking for. Nonetheless, to continue using the full functionalities of BricsCAD, they should pay the subscription of the specific edition that the user wants.

Conclusion

BricsCAD pricing offers CAD drafters and designers a cheaper option of a CAD program since it has two editions that require an annual subscription of less than $1K per year. For example, the minimum subscription fee of AutoDesk AutoCAD, which is one of the most used CAD software, is € 2,342 per annum.

In this video tutorial, we show how to convert a raster or vector PDF to BricsCAD using Scan2CAD.

BricsCAD is a CAD software developed by Bricsys NV, a company that specializes in 2D and 3D modeling, BIM, and sheet metal design. The program is a relatively new player in the CAD game, only having been established back in 2002 by CAD entrepreneur, Eric de Keyser. It has tons of potential though and boasts robust functionality and ease-of-use that rivals the most established CAD programs available out there.

But if you’re new to the program, experiencing a bit of a learning curve is completely understandable. So today we’ll make things a bit easier to understand by talking about how to import PDF files into BricsCAD.

The Basics of PDF

PDF files are popular mainly for their usefulness when it comes to file sharing. The format is compact and clean, making it convenient to handle over email. It’s even capable of handling digital signatures, so it’s useful for contracts and official documents. Other common uses are for e-publications, technical documents, and detailed blueprints and schematics.

The PDF format is nonetheless notorious for one thing – although it’s convenient for distribution, the contents are hard to extract or edit. CAD programs such as BricsCAD have developed a couple of workarounds for that exact situation and we’ll be going through those processes today.

PDF Types

The PDF file type Source

We’ll get to the process of converting PDF files into BricsCAD files, but we first need to look at the different PDF document types that you’ll encounter when dealing with schematics and blueprints. Specifically, we’ll be taking a look at raster PDFs, vector PDFs, and PDFs with both raster and vector elements.

1. PDF with raster images

Bitmap files, more commonly known as raster files, are image files that are made of pixels. Their quality depends on their resolution or the overall number of pixels they have on the image. The more pixels, the higher the resolution, and the sharper the quality of the image. All the most common image files are raster files, including JPEG, PNG, and GIF files.

PDF files that come from scans of documents will mainly have raster elements. These are a bit trickier to manage since CAD programs cannot natively edit raster elements.

2. PDF with vector elements

In contrast to raster files, vector images are made of paths – mathematical formulas that dictate attributes of geometric graphical elements including length, position, and curve. Unlike raster files, vector files will always have high-quality regardless of the resolution. Common vector file types are DWG, DXF, and g-code formats.

PDF files that are exported from CAD programs will often have vector elements in them. BricsCAD typically outputs DWG and DXF files, which are examples of vector files, so vector PDFs are easy for the program to import and handle.

3. PDFs with both raster and vector elements

At times, PDF files will have both raster and vector elements in the same document. Often, you will have embedded raster images with vector lines on top. It’s not an uncommon occurrence, and it’s the user’s prerogative when it comes to deciding what elements to import into BricsCAD.

How do you import PDF files into BricsCAD?

When importing PDF files into BricsCAD, the process mainly depends on what PDF file type you’re dealing with. There are actually a bunch of specific variations of the PDF, but we’ll keep it simple and focus on raster and vector PDFs. Additionally, you also have a bunch of conversion options to choose from. Let’s go through each of these.

1. Converting a vector PDF to BricsCAD

Converting PDF files Source

One of the reasons BricsCAD is such a useful new CAD program is its ability to handle vector PDF quite well. Some of the even bigger names in CAD don’t have built-in PDF conversion functionality as easy to use as BricsCAD.

1. Click on the Insert option at the top of the BricsCAD interface and under the Import tab, click on ‘PDF Import’. Navigate through the folders and choose the PDF file you want to import.

2. A dialog box should open with various options for opening. Check and change the settings accordingly, although the default settings are usually fine. Click on OK.

3. Click on the spot you want to insert the PDF into and the import should show up.

4. Selecting the PDF lets you tweak its properties. You can change attributes such as the PDF contrast, scale, rotation, and visibility.

5. From here on, double-check your scale and resize your PDF accordingly.

6. If the PDF is purely vector, you can find that your cursor will be able to automatically snap to the ends of the lines on the PDF file and you can even edit them if you need to.

Here’s a video that should help:

2. Converting a raster PDF to BricsCAD

When dealing with raster PDF that you can import into BricsCAD, you’ll find that editing and selecting the lines in the file won’t be possible. In these cases, you’ll have to trace over the PDF underlay and manually recreate the lines yourself.

1. Click on the Insert option at the top of the BricsCAD interface and under the PDF tab, click on ‘Attach PDF’. Like with vector PDFs, Navigate through the folders and choose the PDF file you want to import.

2. A dialog box should open with various options for opening. Check and change the settings accordingly, although the default settings are usually fine. Click on OK.

3. Click on the spot you want to insert the PDF into and the import should show up.

4. Tweak the properties to make tracing over the PDF underlay easier. Specifically set the Fade a bit higher so that it’s easier to see the lines you draw over the PDF.

5. Use BricsCAD’s drafting tools to start recreating the lines of your PDF. Make sure to double-check the scale before starting and fixing it accordingly.

2. Converting a raster PDF using Scan2CAD

Converting a raster file into vector

The erase tool at the left of the interface will be valuable for erasing any parts of the image you don’t want to be converted such as graphic noise and speckles. Other raster edits tools will also be useful for cleaning up the initial raster PDF.
Boot up Scan2CAD and open up the raster PDF to be converted. Use the program’s tools to clean up the image as much as you can before the actual conversion process. The ‘Clean Image’ tool at the top of the interface has many options for you to tweak and test out. Be sure to click on the Threshold option to turn the image completely black and white.

3. Click on ‘Convert Raster Image’ next to the ‘Clean Image’ button. Technical vectorization will usually do the trick for technical drawings; just be sure to pick the appropriate presets according to the contents of the PDF file. Click on ‘Run’ to generate a preview for check and click on ‘OK’ to execute the conversion.

4. The same tools used for editing the original raster image can also be used to do minor edits to the converted vector file. Any major editing is best done on BricsCAD itself later on.

5. While on the Vector tab, click on ‘Export’ at the top right. Choose your file name, file format, and location and you’re done with Scan2CAD. BricsCAD can open DWG and DXF files so choose either of those for your file format.

6. Open up the file on BricsCAD and do any last edits there.

To sum up

Using BricsCAD to open up PDF files that are already vector is the fastest way to handle converting PDF to BricsCAD. If you’re not lucky enough to get a vector PDF, Scan2CAD is perfect for handling any raster PDFs. Manually opening up your raster PDF on BricsCAD and then manually tracing over it should always be your last resort.

We hope this quick how-to article was helpful. Once you’ve converted enough PDFs, you’ll start to figure out what method or even combination of methods work the best.

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. 

Scan2CAD is here to save the day! We’ve compiled a list of the top 13 websites that offer free 3D CAD model downloads, which you can use with free CAD software!

Table of Content

• Top 13 Sites with Free 3D CAD Model Downloads

1. 1. 1. Free3D
      2. GrabCAD
      3. CADblocksfree
      4. TurboSquid
      5. 3D CAD Browser
      6. CADnav
      7. Autodesk Online Gallery
      8. Sketchfab
      9. CGTrader
      10. Free 3D Base
      11. Syncronia
      12. AEC Data
      13. TraceParts

Top 13 Sites with Free 3D CAD Model Downloads

1. Free3D

File types supported by Free3D.com website include: .3ds, .c4d, .blend, .dae, .dds, .dwg, .dxf, .fbx, .lwo, .ma, .max, .mb, .mtl, .obj, .sldasm, .sldprt, .stl, .tg, .unity

We’re going to start off our list with Free3D. The site itself comes with a pretty sleek interface—with easy navigation and well-categorized subsections. So, what exactly is on offer? Free3D offers CAD enthusiasts and professionals the chance to get their hands on a whopping 16,786 models. One of the biggest advantages of the site is that it enables users to filter out models by their product of choice, including Blender, Cinema 4D, 3ds Max, Maya, and so on. 

With countless categories—from Architecture to Characters to Furniture—the site makes it incredibly easy to find what you’re looking for. It even allows you to filter out models by labels that include: Animated, Lowpoly, 3D Printable, and Rigged. Underneath the preview image for each model, you can see which file format it’s available in, e.g. .obj or .max. Once you select a model, you can look at specifications (like geometry and textures), product descriptions, and tags. If a model is available in more than one file format, you’ll have the option to pick from a list of file types. This is pretty handy if you find yourself modeling in more than one CAD software package. 

With Free3D, you can start downloading 3D models straight away—you don’t even need to register an account! The site also comes with premium 3D models, if you’re open to parting with a few dollars here and there.     

2. GrabCAD

GrabCAD.com website supports file types from Autodesk, BricsCAD, CATIA, DraftSight, KeyShot, Powermill, Rhino, and much more

The next site on our list is GrabCAD. You might already be familiar with GrabCAD, one of the largest communities for designers, engineers, and manufacturers. What you might not know, is that GrabCAD has its own library of 3D models. In fact, it boasts of having a community of 5,350,000 engineers and over 3,180,000 CAD files. Needless to say, there’s plenty to sink your teeth into!

With a straightforward interface, it’s easy enough to find your way around GrabCAD’s extensive library of Free 3D CAD Model Downloads. You can choose to search by category (Printing, Aerospace, Agricultural, Components) or even filter models by software (Alibre Design, Autodesk, CATIA, Lightwave). Once you click on a model that’s caught your eye, you’ll be able to look at different renderings of it and look at details ranging from the software used in its creation to its category and tags. 

There’s certainly enough on offer for even the pickiest of CAD users. If you are interested in the models here, however, you will need to create a GrabCAD account to start downloading. 

3. CADblocksfree

File types supported by CADblocksfree.com website include: .3ds, .dwg, .max, .rfa, .skp

CADblocksfree has already been featured on our blog before for its selection of free CAD blocks. This handy site also offers CAD hobbyists and professionals a library filled with 2D and 3D models. Disregarding its wide range of 2D drawings, CADblocksfree has over 3,500 3D models to sift through. The site is pretty basic, with simple navigation making it easy enough to find what you’re looking for. 

As with most of the sites on our list, CADblocksfree splits its models into categories. These categories range from Animals to Electrical to Sports and Leisure. When you look at the grid of models, you’ll be able to see a small logo in the bottom-right corner of each preview image—telling you which software the model is compatible with, e.g. SketchUp or AutoCAD. For those not too familiar with CAD software logos, there’s a line of text that also mentions the software name. 

The best part about this site is that it doesn’t require you to register an account. It’s as simple as clicking free download. If you enjoy creating models, you might be interested in uploading your models to the site—you could turn a tidy profit!

4. TurboSquid

TurboSquid.com website supports the following file types: .3ds, .c4d, .blend, .dae, .fbx, .lwo, .lws, .lxo, .ma, .max, .mb, .obj, .stl, .uasset, .unity, .upk

If you’re looking for a site that will spoil you for choice, you can’t go wrong with TurboSquid. With an ultra-modern site—complete with handy categorizations and filter options—TurboSquid has 19,238 Free 3D CAD Model Downloads on offer. If you’re not bothered about paying for 3D models once, in a while, TurboSquid also offers premium 3D models—coming together at over 700,000!

To start your journey, it’s as simple as heading to the Free 3D Models page. Using the list at the top, you can make your way through the many categories—from Anatomy to Interior Design to Technology. As with other sites, TurboSquid gives you the option of searching for models using products, e.g. 3ds Max, Maya, and Cinema4D. Additionally, you can use filters like Poly-count, Rigged, and Real-time. By simply hovering over a model, you can look at a larger preview—you’ll also be able to see which file formats the model’s available in. Once you click on a model, you can scroll through different views, read a full product description and see related products on the carousel at the bottom.

If you want to start your downloading journey at TurboSquid, you’ll have to register an account. Once you’ve done so, the world’s your oyster!

5. 3D CAD Browser

3DCADBrowser.com website supports the following file types: .3ds, .asc, .asm, .c4d, .blend, .dae, .dds, .dwg, .dxf, .fbx, .iam, .iges, .ipt, .lwo, .ma, .max, .mb, .mtl, .obj, .prt, .sldasm, .sldprt, .step, .stl, and much more

Our next choice is 3D CAD Browser—a site offering purely free 3D CAD models. The site itself is very basic in design—nowhere near as sleek as other sites on our list—yet it does boast of supporting a wide range of file types. This is handy if you like to flit between different CAD products. 3D CAD Browser has 500 models on offer—it might not seem like much in comparison to other sites, but it’s still pretty decent.

As you’d expect, you can browse through the models on offer by selecting one of the categories listed in the bar at the top of the page—from Vehicles to Industrial to Nature. Each category comes with its own sub-category, enabling you to refine your search further, e.g. Architecture > Buildings > Apartments/Hotels. When you select a model, you can view it from varying perspectives and look at information like the number of polygons and materials. You’ll also be able to look at a list that details which file formats the model is available in. If you’re not won over by the model, you can scroll further down to look at similar 3D models.

3D CAD Browser comes with a slightly different subscription service. If you want to download models for free, you need to register an account and upload your own models—for every download (from other users) of your uploaded model, you can download a free model. If you’re not interested in uploading your own models, you’ll have to opt for one of the paid subscriptions.

6. CADnav

CADnav.com website supports the following file types: .3dm, .3ds, .c4d, .blend, .dae, .dds, .dwg, .dxf, .fbx, .lwo, .lws, .ma, .mb, .ms3d, .mtl, .obj, .skp, .sldasm, .sldprt, .stl and much more

Next on our list is CADnav. While relatively basic in design, the site makes up for it with its easy navigation. And that’s not all! The site doesn’t just offer 3D models to CAD enthusiasts, it also offers textures, Vray materials, and additional tools. With over 4,000 3D models to choose from, there’s enough here to keep most CAD users busy.

You can wade your way through the many models on offer by using the categories listed under 3D Models at the top of the page or to the right—including Road Elements, Game Development, and Light Fixture. As with some of the other sites on this list, CADnav also gives users the option to filter by product/format, e.g. Cinema 4D (.c4d). When you select a category, you can look at its most popular models, e.g. Furniture > Two Seat Leather Chesterfield Sofa. Once you pick out a model, you can scroll through different views, read a description and check out other related 3D models.

CADnav keeps things very simple—you don’t have to register an account to start downloading. All you’ve got to do is click download and agree to the T&Cs.

7. Autodesk Online Gallery

File types supported by Autodesk Online Gallery include: .3ds, .dwg, .dxf, .f3d, .f3z, .fbx, .max, .obj, .step, .stl, .stp and much more

Unsurprisingly, CAD giant Autodesk has something to offer CAD enthusiasts and professionals in the way of free 3D models. The Autodesk Online Gallery is a place for the Autodesk user community to come together and share their 3D models. Users have the option to share their models as simple renderings—for others to look at and comment on—or actual downloads for users to do with as they wish. With over 18,323 Free 3D CAD Model Downloads, there’s plenty of inspiration to be found!

The Gallery has a wide selection of filters to use to further refine your search. You can filter by industry (AEC, Media & Entertainment, Civil Infrastructure), Categories (Mechanical Engineering, Product Design, Electronics) and Used Products (Fusion 360, AutoCAD, Inventor). And you’re not just limited to 3D models—you can look through 3D Multimedia, Stereo Panorama, and even YouTube. After selecting a model, you can flick through different views and videos, look at details like what product was used, and even see comments left by other users. When you click download, you’ll be able to choose from a list of file type options.

To start your journey, you have to register an account with Autodesk. Given how many models are on offer, and how extensive Autodesk’s community is, it’s not exactly a big ask. If you like creating your own models, it’s also a handy way of receiving proper critique from your peers.

8. Sketchfab

Sketchfab.com website supports the following file types: .blend, .dae, .fbx, . gltf, .obj, .stl and much more

Sketchfab is the next top resource for 3D models on our list. With an ultra-modern and interactive site design, it’s easy to see how the site managed to build up such a large community of creators. Sketchfab offers a wide assortment of both free and premium 3D models. The benefit to having such a large user base is that the list of 3D models on offer is constantly growing—you can even add to it by uploading your own models!

To start, you’ll have to head to Explore and select Downloadable in order to look through the free models on offer. With a long list of categories—ranging from Art & Abstract to Cultural Heritage & History to People—you can quickly find what you’re looking for. You can further refine your search by using filters like Features (Downloadable, Animated, Staff Picks), Date, and Safety. If you hover over a model, you can rotate it by using your mouse. Once you click on it, you can get a better look with interactive models that enable you to see from all angles. If you like what you see, you can even share or embed models with your friends or colleagues.

To get started with downloading models from Sketchfab, you’ll have to create an account. Once you’ve done so, you can take advantage of the countless models on offer and even sell your own 3D models!

9. CGTrader

CGTrader.com supports the following file types: .3ds, .c4d, .blend, .dae, .fbx, .flt, .lwo, .ma, ,.max, .mb, .mxs, .obj, .stl, .wrl and much more

Next on the list is CGTrader—a sleek site offering a huge range of professional 3D models for a variety of design projects like VR, AR, architecture, and animation. As with others on our list, the site offers both free and paid models. Altogether, you’re looking at a staggering 730,000 3D models! You can take advantage of general 3D models, or refine your search by 3D Printing, PBR, VR, Scanned 3D Models, and so on.

CGTrader has a slightly odd quirk—even after selecting ‘Free’ models, you’ll still see Premium models on the list. Fortunately, prices are very clearly signposted, so there’s no chance of you accidentally clicking on a model that comes with a price tag. With a variety of categories—including Aircraft, Exterior, Character, and so on—you can quickly refine your search. It’s also possible to specify file formats you’d prefer, poly-count and license. If you hover over a model, you can get a quick preview of what’s on offer. Once you select one, you can scroll through different images and videos, read product descriptions and look at other similar 3D models at the bottom.

To get started on CGTrader, you’ll have to register an account. If you enjoy interacting with other CAD users and designers, it’s not a bad deal.

10. Free 3D Base

File types supported by Free 3D Base include: .3ds, .dwg, .dxf, .obj

Free 3D Base is next on our list, a site offering professional 3D models to architects, graphic artists, and designers. Basic in design, the site’s offering of 1,825 models might seem insubstantial compared to other sites on our list, but there’s still plenty to trawl through. And with it being free, you’ve not exactly got anything to lose in trying it out.

Things are kept pretty simple with Free 3D Base. You can search directly for a product name or choose a specific manufacturer. Alternatively, you can make use of the category list on the right-clicking on one that will lead you to further sub-categories, e.g Furniture > Living Room Furniture > Chairs and Stools. If you’re just browsing, you can check out the latest featured models on the carousel at the top of the page. Hovering your mouse over a model will give you a better preview. When you click, you’ll get to see information ranging from dimensions to format to the manufacturer. A fun feature is the inclusion of manufacturer websites, so you can get a look at the model in real life.

Whilst there’s not as much on offer here at Free 3D Base, the site makes up for it by allowing users to download without having to register an account. In fact, as soon as you click download, you’ll get a zip folder containing your model in varying file formats.

11. Syncronia

Syncronia.com website supports the following file types: .3ds, .dwg, .fbx, .jpeg, .jpg, .mat, .max, .obj, .rfa, .rvt

The next site on our list is on a completely different scale from the other featured websites. Syncronia is a resource that specifically caters to professionals in AEC and design. The site offers a range of 3D models, BIM objects, catalogs, and libraries—listing them by the supplier, manufacturer, and specifications. While it can take a few minutes to get to grips with the site, it’s incredibly handy for those who work in architecture or interior design.

To start, you can select 3D Models from File Type—other options on this list include BIM Objects, 3D Textures, and Catalogues. You can then refine your search by specifying a product category (Appliances, Bar Furniture, Ceiling Lamps), the manufacturer (Alessi, B&B Italia, ITLAS), and file format. The category list is incredibly detailed and precise, including further sub-categories to make your search easier, e.g. Furniture > Sofa and Armchairs > Pouf. The models listed will each come with a preview image and a logo in the bottom-right telling you which manufacturer it belongs to. Once you select one, you’ll be able to read a product description, get specifications and even see who the designers are.

If you’re looking to take your designs to the next level, Syncronia could be your next port of call. To get started, however, you’ll have to register an account. With all that’s on offer—models, catalogs, specifications—it’s definitely worth it!

12. AEC Data

AEC Data supports the following file types: .3ds, .aco, .dwg, .dxf, .gsm, .ifc, .max .o2c, .obj, .skp, .rfa, .wrl and much more

The penultimate site on our list is rather specialist, resting in the same vein as Syncronia. AEC-DATA targets architects, planners, and interior designers with a range of 3D models—connecting them to suppliers, manufacturers, and design contractors. AEC-DATA has 35,232 3D models on offer—in a wide range of file type formats—all absolutely free!

You can refine your search by using AEC-DATA’s many categories or filter options. If you’re working with a specific CAD product, you can look for models by file type, e.g. DWG 3D, SKP, and MAX. You can also search by specific brand (Eden CZ, Novatronic, Ravak) or by application (Bathroom Facilities, Office Equipment, Home Furniture). When you see something you like, it’s as simple as clicking. You’ll then be able to look at the information that includes 3D model type, dimensions, IFC parameters, and much more. There will be a table listing the many file type options on offer, not to mention texture downloads underneath.

One of the biggest selling points of AEC-DATA is that you don’t have to even register an account to start downloading models—you just need to click download and off you go!

13. TraceParts

TraceParts.com website supports the following file types: .dwg, .dxf, .iges,.jt, .sat, .step, .stl, .vrml and much more

Our last choice on our free 3D CAD models lists shares similarities with both Syncronia and AEC-DATA. TraceParts, as the name suggests, is a design library that enables designers, CAD professionals, and engineers to essentially trace parts. The site offers hundreds of supplier catalogs, over 100 million CAD models—3D and 2D—and product datasheets to aid in design, manufacturing, and maintenance processes. As with Syncronia, it can take a bit of trial and error to get used to finding your way around, but it’s definitely worth it!

How you start your search is entirely up to you. You can opt for searching through the 690 manufacturer catalogs on offer. Alternatively, you can search for the parts you need by sector, e.g. Mechanical Components, Manufacturing Engineering or Civil Engineering. Once you select a sector, you can look at sub-classifications and refine by supplier, standards organization, or standards. If a part catches your eye, click on it and you’ll get to see 3D renders, manufacturer names, and part numbers. If you scroll down, you’ll even be able to specify aspects like load capacity and weight. And with a list of chosen software packages to choose from—including SolidWorks, Creo, AutoCAD—you can be sure your model will be compatible with what you’re working with.

To get started with TraceParts, you’ll need to create an account. With the sheer number of models and parts on offer, it’s worth checking out.

Want to get your hands on even more CAD freebies? Look no further! Scan2CAD releases its own packs of free cut-ready DXF downloads every week. And to make sure you’re first in line for the latest CAD freebies and tips, keep an eye on our blog!

Featured image source: Ford GT 3D model

This month sees news from major players in both hardware and software. Firstly, we’ll be checking out the release of Revit 2019 to see what innovations Autodesk have included in the latest version of their popular BIM software. Then, we’ll be taking a look at the latest budget-friendly mobile workstations from industry powerhouse HP.

Afterwards, we’ll head back to the world of CAD software, as we explore the MacOS release of BricsCAD Shape, the free conceptual design tool for engineers and architects. Finally, we’ll take a detour into an exciting new plotter that can draw on any surface: Scribit. Let’s dive in!

Autodesk launches Revit 2019

If you’re familiar with BIM (or have read our guide to building information modeling), you’ll know that Revit stands as top dog when it comes to BIM software. One of the most popular architecture software suites, the ability to create in 3D and 4D with Revit is hard to beat. It’s for this reason that the launch of a new edition of Revit always generates plenty of excitement.

Right on cue, Autodesk released Revit 2019 earlier this month. In creating the new version, Autodesk took inspiration from customer feedback, with the company inviting requests on its Revit Ideas pages. This prompted the company to improve the overall design environment, as well as the architectural design experience.

The Revit team’s goal was threefold: to help users design, optimize and connect. In keeping with this, Revit’s new features include:

Design

• Greater control over view graphics
• Tabbed views and multi-monitor support
• Levels in 3D views and uncropped perspective to make 3D design more immersive
• Complex fill patterns and lifelike renderings
• New features to help users capture design intent

Optimize

• More complex piping networks

Connect

• More streamlined design-to-fabrication workflows for steel design
• Dimensions for curved objects in section views
• Enhanced 3D modeling and communication of fabrication instructions
• Structural Precast Extension for Revit 2019
• Autodesk BIM 360 collaboration tools

With yet more new features available at the Autodesk blog, it’s clear that the company aren’t resting on their laurels. In fact, it was only last month that the company unveiled AutoCAD 2019. We can’t wait to see what’s in store for Autodesk software in the near future!

HP releases “most affordable mobile workstation”

“The most affordable mobile workstation”—but is it worth the hype? Image source: HP.

Here at Scan2CAD, we know that behind all great CAD work lies a trusty computer. It’s for this reason that we created our rundown of the best workstations for CAD—as well as a guide for those who want to build their own ultimate CAD PC.

No matter which approach you take, however, the issue of getting a great machine for a low price is one that still plagues many a CAD professional. Thankfully, HP have ridden to the rescue this month by launching the ZBook 15V.

The new machine forms part of HP’s ever-expanding ZBook range, with the launch coming alongside revamped ZBook 15 and 17 models. The 15V attracts our attention, however, for the price, with a starting price of just $950.

With a price tag this low, it’s easy to see why HP called the 15V “the most affordable mobile workstation”. But can you really get a great mobile workstation for under $1,000?

Things do certainly get off to a good starting point, with the machine featuring up to 32 GB of RAM, plus up to 6 GB of storage. As for the CPU, both Intel Core and Xeon options are available. Meanwhile, when it comes to the all-important graphics card, CAD users may well want to opt for the NVIDIA Quadro P600 option.

Once you factor in the various extras that you’ll need to complete professional CAD work, the price tag may start to swell a little. Nonetheless, this could be an ideal workstation for any students learning CAD, offering users great specs at a low price. Check the ZBook 15V out at HP.

BricsCAD Shape comes to MacOS

A few months ago, we featured BricsCAD amongst our top 5 affordable AutoCAD alternatives. However, its developers, Belgian CAD firm Bricsys, aren’t happy to merely be an alternative: they want to put their own stamp on the CAD industry.

The company’s innovative spirit led them to create BricsCAD Shape, a conceptual modeling tool for architects and engineers. BricsCAD Shape boasts a simple UI that all designers should get to grips with in mere minutes. But it’s no slouch, featuring smart parametric doors, windows, materials and more. Oh, and did we mention that it’s free—including for commercial use?

So far, so good. Unfortunately, the software has, thus far, only been available to Windows users. Thankfully, the Bricsys team set to work to expand their software’s reach. In April, they revealed the results of their hard work to the world, as BricsCAD Shape for MacOS hit the market.

With the release of this software, both Windows and Mac users can create fully CAD-accurate, real 3D models. You can then remake and remix these models over and over again. When you’re ready, simply save the design as a DWG file, and then go direct to BIM. Put all of this together, and you have a free, simple-to-use design tool that fits within any organization’s existing BIM workflow.

Bricsys have established themselves as one of the most innovative names in CAD. To get in on the action—on Windows or Mac—head to Bricsys.

Scribit: the robot that can draw on any surface

Let’s be honest—plenty of companies resort to pretty hyperbolic language when announcing their new products. With this in mind, we were understandably sceptical when Carlo Ratti Associati announced they’d designed “a new way of drawing”. Thankfully, it seems that what they created really does live up to the hype. Meet Scribit.

Scribit is a vertical plotter system that can turn any surface into your very own canvas. The system takes just a few minutes to set up; just hammer a couple of nails into your wall, plug Scribit in, and you’re ready to let it draw.

Once you’re good to go, the possibilities are near-endless. As Scribit comes with internet connectivity, you can access visuals from across the web. Those who are feeling creative, however, are free to create their own designs. This makes it a perfect choice for applications as wide-ranging as restaurant menus, stock ticker updates or wall art. Plus, if you want to change anything, you can. Scribit can identify the placement of an image upon a surface, and go over it to erase and re-draw.

Those of you already itching to get your hands on Scribit still have a bit of a wait on your hands. In fact, we haven’t even reached the crowdfunding phase yet—so any commercial launch is still a long way off! Nevertheless, we’re certainly already looking forward to the possibilities offered by this neat little robot. To learn more about how it all works, visit Scribit.

Our latest guide covers all the major BIM software packages out there—looking at top features, product descriptions and even prices.

Which BIM software should I use?

As with most software—whether it’s CAD, CAM or CNC—your choice of BIM software almost always depends on two main factors: what type of budget you have and what kind of capabilities you need. If you’re only interested in testing the waters and seeing what BIM is capable of, you might opt for BIM freeware. If, however, you’re looking for something with more functionality, you’re more likely to need the pricier software.

Fortunately, if you’re already a CAD user, you might already have the software needed for BIM capabilities. Most CAD software nowadays comes with BIM capabilities and add-ons—so you get a two-in-one deal. We’ve previously spoken about which architecture software you should use, which briefly delves into BIM. Here, however, we’re going to look specifically at the top BIM software packages you should be taking advantage of—if you’ve got the budget! 

Revit

Image source: Non-Stop Learning

• Operating system: Windows
• Price: $2,200/year
• Interested? Check out the free trial!

If you’re a Scan2CAD regular, it’s unlikely that you haven’t yet encountered Revit. One of the most popular software packages from CAD giant Autodesk, Revit is a software for BIM which includes architectural design, MEP and structural engineering and construction. With Revit, you can use an intelligent model-based process to plan, design, construct and manage your buildings and infrastructure. It doesn’t matter which discipline you’re working with—architects, engineers and construction professionals can work in a single platform. A great advantage of this is that the risk of miscommunication or errors, for example, is much lower. Capabilities for specific disciplines include: 

• Architects: generate floor plans, levels, sections, 3D views and renderings. You’ll also get cost estimates and analysis to optimize building performance during the design process. 
• Structural engineers: using an advanced BIM environment, it’s possible to create detailed reinforcement designs and shop drawing documentation. Additionally, engineers can conduct structural analysis while you create the physical model in Revit. 
• MEP engineers: conduct simulations and interference detection before you move to construction. Model for MEP fabrication using tools that automate the fabrication model layout. 
• Construction professionals: reuse design intent models in order to make planning and preconstruction decisions earlier. It’s possible to improve communication by using Revit models to coordinate information. 

It’s also possible to subscribe to Collaboration for Revit to gain access to BIM 360 team—an integrated, cloud-based web service that gives teams access to project data. This means everyone’s working on the same page. It also minimizes the need for in-person meetings which often tend to slow down the design and production process. 

Of course, Revit is just one of the many Autodesk products that come with BIM capabilities.

Others include: 

• AutoCAD Civil 3D: supports BIM for enhanced civil engineering design and construction documentation. 
• InfraWorks: supports connected BIM processes and consequently allows designers and engineers to plan and design infrastructure projects in a real-world context. 
• Navisworks: enables AEC professionals to holistically review integrated models and data in order to better control project outcomes. 

ARCHICAD

Image source: Graphisoft

• Operating system: Windows, Mac
• Price: Unspecified
• Interested? Check out the free trial!

Developed by Graphisoft, ARCHICAD is regarded by some as the first real implementation of BIM. Indeed, Graphisoft was one of the founders of the Open BIM concept—supporting 3D BIM data exchange between different design disciplines on open-source platforms. The software enables architects to take advantage of seamless design and collaboration—from the very first sketch through to a building’s full lifecycle. 

Design in BIM couldn’t be made easier with ARCHICAD. The software comes with a range of innovative tool sets to create models and automatically generate elevations, sections and schedules. And with its bi-directional connection, it’s also possible to use Grasshopper with ARCHICAD. One of the biggest advantages to the software has to be its ability to store large amounts of information within 3D models. Indeed, ARCHICAD effectively uses all the RAM your computer has. It further improves BIM performance with its Predictive Background Processing feature. This makes use of unused computer capacity by anticipating what you might do next and preparing for it in the background.

Presentations, of course, are also an important aspect to any project. Whether you want stills, animations or interactive models, ARCHICAD has you covered. With MAXON’s CineRender, you can create photo-realistic renderings. Meanwhile, you can also take advantage of fully-interactive design presentation packages that run on mobile devices with BIMx.

Vectorworks Architect

Image source: gfxspeak

• Operating system: Windows, Mac
• Price: $2,945
• Interested? Check out the free trial!

Designed with BIM at the heart of its design process, Vectorworks Architect is a great choice for many in the AEC sector. The software allows designers to conceptualize ideas, edit and analyze their models all while generating drawings and schedules. Essentially, it gives users the ability to refine every construction detail throughout a building’s lifecycle, whilst streamlining costs.

With “superior documentation”, Vectorworks Architect enables designers to take advantage of a broader range of drafting and annotation tools than other BIM applications. You can use your BIM model as the focal point to create custom schedules and construction documents—supporting any changes you make throughout your entire design process. Much like Revit’s Collaboration functionality, Vectorworks Architect offers a multiuser environment. Project Sharing enables architects, interior designers and others to unify their workflows and work on the same project simultaneously.

And with robust import and export capabilities—with industry standard file formats like IFC, for example—you can easily move your BIM models through different industry packages. Not sure how it measures up compared to other BIM software? Vectorworks offers additional capabilities not found in either Revit or ARCHICAD:

• Full suite of 2D drafting tools
• NURBS modeling
• Integrated graphical scripting
• Extensive import/export options
• Site Information Modeling (SIM) and design

Allplan Architecture and Engineering

Image source: Detail

• Operating system: Windows
• Price: Unspecified
• Interested? Check out the free trial!

Developed by Nemetschek, Allplan has two main industry packages: Architecture and Engineering. We’ll start with the first package. Allplan Architecture is a BIM solution for architects, enabling them to produce detailed design drawings and unparalleled information quality. You can opt to work either completely in 3D or in a combination of 2D and 3D. You can build virtually before in reality—therefore finding errors and conflicting elements as early as possible. This enables you to avoid costly delays in construction. As with Vectorworks Architect, Allplan comes with MAXON’s CineRender integrated to enable you to create high-quality visualizations. 

Allplan Engineering is a solution for the entire BIM process for civil and structural engineering, structural detailers and contractors. With it, you can easily, for example, compress schedules, compile up-to-date documents and create high-quality visualizations for every step of the way. Allplan also gives users reliable and traceable quantities and costs. Using your BIM model, you can quantify determinations and bending schedules not to mention structural calculations. And with associative views, all changes you make are carried out at once and automatically transferred to all drawings. Thus, reducing errors and saving you more time. 

Both packages also come with a direct connection to the cloud-based BIM platform Allplan Bimplus. And with Allplan Share, you can directly collaborate with teams around the world with the same Allplan data. IFC import and export also ensures secure data exchange between teams and collaborators. 

MicroStation

Image source: Jerry Flynn

• Operating system: Windows
• Price: $5,234
• Interested? Check out the free trial!

Developed by Bentley Systems, MicroStation is a CAD software package with extensive BIM capabilities. With 3D parametric modeling capabilities, MicroStation can be used in a number of disciplines to create BIM-ready models. It’s a universal modeling application which enables large project teams to work on the same project. Everything from paper plots to reports to PDFs remain in sync with your design model whilst it’s still in progress. 

MicroStation and Bentley’s other BIM software applications are built on the same comprehensive modeling platform. This means you can progress your MicroStation work into discipline-specific workflows with Bentley’s BIM applications. You can also enforce standards throughout the design process, such as applying templates to control geometry and data standards. As we’ve mentioned in CAD file management, this can be an unquestionably vital part of design. Additionally, it also offers: 

• Automated deliverables: from drawing sheets to schedules to models to realistic visualizations and so on. 
• Reality modeling: reality meshes, images, GIS data, DWG files, external data sources and much more. 
• Intrinsic geo-coordination: ensures your BIM models are created in precise geographic and geometric context. 
• Functional components: allows users to take advantage of 2D and 3D constraints so they can accurately capture and model design intent. 
• Hypermodeling: create a rich 3D experience with annotated documentation—vital for team projects and presentations. 

BricsCAD BIM

Image source: Bricsys Blog

• Operating system: Windows, Mac, Linux
• Price: $1,760 (BricsCAD Platinum + BIM)
• Interested? Check out the free trial!

This isn’t the first time we’ve mentioned BricsCAD on the Scan2CAD blog. One of our top 5 picks for affordable AutoCAD alternatives, BricsCAD is a 2D and 3D modeler which comes with a similar interface to the popular AutoCAD. We’re looking here, however, at the add-on module offered by Bricsys: BricsCAD BIM. Be aware that if you want to use these BIM capabilities, you will need BricsCAD Platinum. 

BricsCAD BIM comes with an advanced 3D modeler with IFC certified BIM functionality. With it, all the building elements you create—from windows to doors to columns—are automatically classified. This is enabled with the Structural Modeling toolset which recognizes linear solids and automatically classifies them as columns, railings, ducts and more. You can also attach specific information to each element—from layer names to rendering definitions to specific building materials. It’s also possible to analyze alignments and connections between your building elements. As a result, you spend less time searching for issues and more time perfecting your models. 

As you build your models, 2D sections are automatically generated so everything is kept in sync with your final construction document set. This makes it even easier to find everything you need once you’re ready to head to the construction stage. Finally, with its enhanced BIM functions, it’s also possible to create and manage building and infrastructure faster and more economically—advantageous no matter how small or big your project is. 

Want to stay updated on all the latest CAD, CAM and CNC news? Keep an eye on Scan2CAD’s blog!

To begin, we’ll take a look at offerings from two relative upstarts in the CAD industry: Bricsys and Graebert. Next up, we’ll focus on the goings-on at Autodesk University: the flagship event from CAD’s biggest beast. Finally, we’ll head over to Kickstarter to examine an exciting new CNC machine from Routakit. Keep reading for the full scoop!

New BIM and mechanical design features in BricsCAD

To kick off our monthly roundup, we turn our attention to Belgian CAD firm Bricsys. The company has made no secret of its desire to compete with traditional CAD powerhouses such as Autodesk. Earlier this year, they announced their intention to take the DWG-using community “beyond AutoCAD”. In doing so, they hoped not merely to establish their flagship software, BricsCAD, as a leading alternative to AutoCAD, but also to surpass it.

This month saw the latest step in Bricsys’ journey to achieving their ambition. November 7th saw the release of BricsCAD V18, the company’s CAD and BIM solution. With the new release, BricsCAD now supports DWG 2018. This is the newest version of DWG, and is the native format for AutoCAD 2018. As such, this is a clear sign that Bricsys is prepared to go toe-to-toe with Autodesk.

BricsCAD is much more than a new file format, however. V18 comes packed with plenty of new features which, the company claims, make it “faster and smarter”. The features span the fields of BIM and mechanical design, and include:

• Machine intelligence tools, such as:
  • BIMIFY, which automatically defines model entities according to IFC classification types
  • Intelligent rooms, which understand their location within a building
  • BIM Suggest, which analyzes connections between different solids, allowing you to view other connections in the model and select the same junctures
• BIM Drag, which lets you place multiple solids (or groups of solids) easily
• Parametric arrays to make it easy to create stairs, curtain walls, and other entities that involve a number of entities

All in all, BricsCAD V18 includes an impressive array of new tools that bring together the AEC and manufacturing fields. One thing’s for sure: Bricsys is looking to beat Autodesk at its own game. Get more detail on the new release at Bricsys.

New features come to Graebert’s ARES Kudo

Graebert’s “Trinity of CAD”. Image source: Cadalyst.

Bricsys is far from the only company taking on Autodesk. Just over the border in Germany is Graebert, the company behind the ARES line of CAD applications. Graebert, as with both of the aforementioned software providers, is gunning for a share of the DWG-using market.

Its secret weapon is its ‘Trinity of CAD’: three complementary CAD programs which enable designers to work across platforms. The ‘trinity’ includes:

• ARES Commander for desktop. Available on Windows, MacOS and Linux.
• ARES Touch for mobile devices. Available on Android and iOS.
• ARES Kudo for the cloud. Compatible with Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Firefox and Safari.

Despite the company’s affordable perpetual and subscription offerings for desktop, mobile and cloud-based CAD, Graebert wants to be customers’ choice for more reasons than just price. That’s why the company has put effort into developing distinct features for its products. The ‘Trinity of CAD’ is a central part of this strategy, and subscriptions to either ARES Commander or Touch will include ARES Kudo as standard.

It’s also worth noting some of the exciting changes coming to Kudo. The software will include a ‘Hub’, which acts a central storage system for all your DWG files. You can then access them on any device simply by visiting Kudo in your browser. But Kudo is much more than a way to view DWG files. It’s also a fully fledged DWG editor that lets users synchronize their projects effortlessly with Commander and Touch. Additionally, through automatic saving, anyone viewing a DWG file on Kudo will automatically view the latest version of the drawing.

Graebert may not (yet) be a household name, but it’s shown that it’s certainly worth paying attention to. If you’re interested in learning more, head over to Graebert for more details.

Autodesk University 2017: More, Better, Less

Las Vegas has been Autodesk University’s permanent home since 2000. Image source: Daniil Vnoutchkov

Having begun our news roundup by covering some of Autodesk’s competitors, it’s only fair to give them the right of reply. This month, that reply came in the form of the flagship event in the Autodesk University series. Earlier this year, we covered AU’s first London event, so we were naturally looking forward to any news from the headline Las Vegas conference.

This was the first AU to take place since new CEO Andrew Anagnost took the reins in June. Fittingly, he gave the event’s keynote speech, in which he set forth a simple but powerful vision: designing more and better things with less.

The More, Better, Less mantra is an appropriate one for a time of increasing automation. In his speech, Anagnost urged his audience to focus not on the potential risk for machines to take human jobs, but instead on the opportunities to be gained from the new technology.

Autodesk certainly isn’t shying away from embracing these new technologies. They’ve long harbored generative design ambitions; now, Fusion 360 Ultimate subscribers can take advantage of generative design tools. Meanwhile, there was also plenty of buzz for Forge: a cloud-based platform that gives developers the ability to create apps and services.

With other notable talking points including the introduction of AnyCAD functionality into Fusion 360 and developments in IoT and the AEC sector, it’s clear that AU is still showcasing some truly innovative technologies. For the full scoop, head to the Autodesk University Las Vegas website.

Routakit M Series: the new, powerful desktop CNC machine

For our final news item in this month’s roundup, we turn—as we do so often—to Kickstarter. The crowdfunding website has established itself as a fertile ground for new hardware—especially various types of CNC machine. This month, we’ll be taking a look at a new project from a team that already has a proven track record on Kickstarter: Routakit.

Routakit focus on producing affordable CNC router kits, and have already attained success with their SD and HD kits. Two and a half years on from their previous campaign, they’re now aiming to make an impact in the field of desktop CNC with their new Routakit M Series.

Despite the big impact they made with their previous project, Routakit haven’t rested on their laurels. “We didn’t want to simply make a smaller and less capable version of our current lineup of CNCs,” the team explained, “so we always had two goals in mind.” Firstly, they aimed to replicate the cutting performance of their larger models in a desktop CNC machine. Secondly, the machine had to be more precise than any they had created before.

Luckily, it seems that Routakit passed their own tests with flying colors. The M Series (which consists of two models—the M and the M Pro) allows for precision cutting, etching and engraving across a range of materials, including wood, plastic and metal. The ingredients in their self-described “secret sauce” include high rigidity and incremental spindle and table movements as small as 0.0001″.

The Kickstarter community was quick to show its appreciation for the project, and it took just days for Routakit to smash past their $20,000 target. If you’d like to get involved (and get your hands on a kit for as little as $529), then visit the Routakit Kickstarter. But hurry: it closes in seven days!

In our guide, we’ve compiled 5 top affordable AutoCAD alternatives. We’ll cover prices, functionality comparisons and overall verdicts for each product. 

Before we start

As we’ve said, AutoCAD has a lot to offer users. It’s one of the most popular CAD products out there, with both 2D and 3D capabilities. If you’re looking to invest in it however, you’re looking at $185/month, $1,102.50/1 year or $3,307.50/3 years. If you’re a CAD professional, these prices will probably be more than worthwhile. For hobbyists or people working on a budget, however, it is pretty staggering.

Fortunately, there are other options. It is possible to get AutoCAD for free if you’re in education, alongside other Autodesk products, as we covered in our students’ guide to CAD. Alternatively, there are free CAD packages for all types of users. However, if you’re specifically looking for affordable software that matches up to the functionality of AutoCAD, then read on for our list below.

1. DraftSight

Image source: DraftSight Professional

• Operating System: Windows, Mac, Fedora, Ubuntu
• Price: $99/year
• Interested? Try out the free trial! 

If you’re a regular reader of our blog, you will definitely be familiar with DraftSight, the freemium software from Dassault Systèmes. Here in particular, we’ll be focusing on the Professional version; the free version is limited and the Enterprise version is only worthwhile if you need a network licence. While it might not match its popularity, DraftSight is a definite contender to AutoCAD. It focuses entirely on 2D design and can be used to read and edit AutoCAD’s proprietary format, DWG.

Head-to-head comparison

Fortunately for AutoCAD users, DraftSight’s interface is remarkably similar—particularly if you’re an AutoCAD LT user. If you’ve not used AutoCAD before, you’ll still feel right at home with its accessible interface. As we’ve covered in the past, it’s easy enough to get to grips with the DraftSight basics in 1 hour. 

As with AutoCAD—and other popular CAD software—DraftSight makes use of keyboard shortcuts and a command line to speed up the design process. You’ll also be able to take advantage of a wide toolset and the ever-useful layer management. Think DraftSight only offers basic capabilities? That’s certainly not the case. The product also runs applications through LISP, C++ and VBA codes. If you use the Professional version—as we advise—you can take advantage of more programming options, additional drawing tools and shortcuts. 

Of course, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows with DraftSight. The software comes with limited spline editing features and no support for dynamic blocks. You’ll also find that some programming languages and productivity features are only on offer if you buy packs and plugins. 

Verdict 

The learning curve for DraftSight is far easier than AutoCAD’s. It comes at a good price with low system requirements that doesn’t sacrifice much functionality. Speed can be a slight issue—particularly for large file sizes. Essentially, it’s a lightweight alternative to AutoCAD, which is preferable if you often find yourself not making use of all of AutoCAD’s capabilities anyway.

2. TurboCAD

Image source: TurboCAD

• Operating System: Windows, Mac
• Price: $499.99/year or $1,499.99/unlimited license
• Interested? Try out the free trial! 

A 2D and 3D design and drafting software, TurboCAD is a pretty viable alternative to AutoCAD. In fact, when it comes to 3D modeling and renderings, TurboCAD tends to surpass AutoCAD’s capabilities. There are three versions available: deluxe, expert and professional. Here, we’re looking specifically at the professional version. 

Head-to-head comparison

TurboCAD has gone for a relatively simplistic approach to their user interface, which AutoCAD users will either love or hate. It can be difficult to navigate the menus at first, especially if you’re a frequent user of other CAD software. 

Like AutoCAD, TurboCAD offers customizable tool palettes, a command line—with familiar command names—and macro features. For architectural users, TurboCAD offers tools like the wall tool and a house wizard. TurboCAD does go above and beyond AutoCAD’s capabilities in a few instances. Specifically, it offers more advanced surfacing features such as mid surfaces, organic shapes and minimum radius analysis. You can also take advantage of sheet metal design features like placement sketches, bend allowance and forming tools. In some cases, TurboCAD requires less interaction than AutoCAD with menus and commands, e.g., drawing multiple lines is as simple as clicking the mouse. 

Many users, however, have noted that while TurboCAD exceeds AutoCAD in some areas of functionality, it falls behind in stability. The product specifically struggles with large file sizes, crashing in some circumstances.

Verdict

Though TurboCAD isn’t as widely-used in the CAD industry as AutoCAD, it still has much to offer. You can get a lot of the same capabilities as AutoCAD with minimal costs. If you’re looking to show off your designs and models, TurboCAD is by far the more viable option—offering photo-realistic renderings beyond AutoCAD’s capabilities.

3. ProgeCAD

Image source: ProgeCAD

• Operating System: Windows
• Price: $499/year (30 days free help desk support)
• Interested? Try out the free trial! 

ProgeCAD—originally called IntelliCAD—is a 2D/3D CAD software developed by ProgeSOFT. You might not be familiar with this particular product, but that wouldn’t be too surprising considering there’s so much competition between CAD products. Labeling itself as “a cost-effective AutoCAD replacement”, we couldn’t not include it on our list.

Head-to-head comparison

Unfortunately, compared to the above products, ProgeCAD’s interface is a little bit more difficult for new users. In fact, it has a steeper learning curve than most. There is, however, a PDF user guide—though at 700 pages, it might be a bit cumbersome for some users. 

You’ll find that the interface does have faint echoes of AutoCAD—from floating toolbars to a command line supporting AutoLISP and VBA scripting. As a product directly comparing itself to AutoCAD, it’s not then surprising to find that it uses DWG as its native file format; no conversion is therefore needed for AutoCAD files. ProgeCAD goes beyond AutoCAD with its exclusive tools and functions ranging from block library management to publishing 3D models directly into Google Earth. Free plugins are also available—like ProgeSOFT for Traceparts—and third-party applications like ProgeEARTH and ProgeCAM CNC.

ProgeCAD’s 3D functionality is slightly lacking, but this isn’t entirely problematic. Support for the product is near enough absent. If you want extensive support, you’ll have to pay more. Some users have also noted that large file sizes tend to slow down your entire system.

Verdict

With the learning curve being so steep, it can be all too easy to disregard ProgeCAD entirely. However, while the product is lacking in some capabilities—like photo-realistic rendering and large file sizes—if you’re looking for a cost-effective alternative to AutoCAD, you really couldn’t go wrong with trying out ProgeCAD.

4. ZWCAD

Image source: ZWCAD

• Operating System: Windows
• Price: $799/standard or $999/professional
• Interested? Try out the free trial!

Likely unheard of by most CAD users, ZWCAD is a diamond in the rough that will certainly surprise some of our readers. A 2D/3D CAD product, ZWCAD claims it’s the closest user experience to the ever-popular AutoCAD. There are two versions available for ZWCAD—standard or professional—both have their advantages. Alternatively, industry-specific products like ZWCAD Architecture and ZWCAD Mechanical are available. 

Head-to-head comparison

ZWCAD is relatively easy to use and navigate. However, it’s not the most intuitive of CAD software—although, with practice, you should be able to get the hang of it. As you’d imagine from a product comparing itself to AutoCAD, ZWCAD is able to read and edit DWG files. 

Fortunately for users who are fond of commands and aliases, ZWCAD matches AutoCAD in command bar functions. Most of its commands in fact bear the same names as AutoCAD’s. Meanwhile, ZWCAD surpasses AutoCAD with its SmartMouse capabilities. By simply holding down the right mouse button and dragging the cursor in the shape of a letter, a command can be activated, e.g., drawing the letter E starts the Erase command. It’s also possible to read AutoCAD customization files, e.g., MNU and MNS, linetype, hatch pattern, font SHP and TTF. 

If you’re looking to produce photo-realistic renderings, you’ll have to look at software like TurboCAD instead. Additionally, you might run into difficulties when importing AutoCAD drawings that contain entities not supported by ZWCAD, e.g., constraints or point clouds. 

Verdict

While it might not be as popular as AutoCAD, ZWCAD has a lot to offer for people who are looking for affordable AutoCAD alternatives. Indeed, if you find that you don’t make use of all of AutoCAD’s features, you probably won’t be as aware of some of ZWCAD’s limitations. 

5. BricsCAD

Image source: gfxspeak

• Operating System: Windows, Mac, Linux
• Price: $750/classic or $880/pro
• Interested? Try out the free trial! 

Though BricsCAD doesn’t have as long a history as AutoCAD, it has made giant leaps in recent years. A 2D/3D modeler, BricsCAD comes in three editions: classic, professional and platinum. For all intents and purposes here, you won’t need to purchase the intermediate platinum version. Additionally, developer Bricsys has built three add-on modules for BricsCAD including BIM, Sheet Metal and Communicator, opening up a realm of capabilities for all types of users.

Head-to-head comparison

Fortunately for those familiar with AutoCAD, the learning curve for BricsCAD isn’t too steep. In fact, you’re looking at a relatively similar interface to AutoCAD. It can be overwhelming to navigate through the assortment of tools and features available at first. As with most CAD software, however, it just requires practice.

Customization and productivity-enhancing features are important things to look out for in CAD software. They can take you from a complete amateur to a CAD expert, as we’ve covered in articles like tips and tricks for AutoCAD newbies. BricsCAD addresses this by offering customizable toolbars, a macro recorder and a command line. If you work in the AEC sector, you’ll be pleased to hear that BricsCAD has a built-in architectural direct modeler with SketchUp SKP import, IFC import and export, and a built-in BIM database. Additionally, advanced mechanical design features like 3D constraints and assembly modeling are also available for use. 

In what appears to be a trend in some of our listed alternatives, BricsCAD users have warned that the product does at times suffer from bugs in the more advanced features. Additionally, some architectural tools like a house wizard and wall tool are absent. 

Verdict

As one of our affordable AutoCAD alternatives, BricsCAD has a lot to offer new users. With a relatively fast performance, native LISP support and 2D/3D capabilities, it’s hard to argue against. If you’re looking for software with all of AutoCAD’s intricate capabilities, you will be disappointed. However, if you approach it with a relatively open mind, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Want to know more about CAD software? Head on over to our CAD section for tips, advice and information.