- Price: Free Trial Available. This Inventor is 3D CAD software which provides parametric modeling options, advanced simulation as well as design automation tools. It enables the creation of drawing, flexible modeling and automation of.
- May 2020 Best Free CAD Design Software for Mac. Adobe Illustrator, and Sketchup. I am also adept at doing 3D renderings with V-ray.
- With Graebert's ARES CAD software you will enjoy a 3-in-1 license, including ARES Commander (for Windows, macOS and Linux computers) + ARES Kudo (Cloud) + ARES Touch (iOS + Android). These 3 products work in synergy to synchronize the work across users and devices.
Tailored to 3D modelers on a budget, this free CAD software features the usual CAD modeling tools. In terms of functionality, the program keeps the conventions of CAD software. Also, the user interface is clearly inspired by AutoCAD.
Most of the engineers and designers will have to work with CAD at some point of time to design objects in a better and realistic way. There are many types of CAD software that they could use like 2D CAD Software and 3D drawing software. These free 3D software downloads are free to use and can be used for many purposes. The tools will be advanced enough to render any object in a realistic way.
- FreeCAD software for Mac is an easy-to-use and highly customizable parametric 3D modeler for CAx, CAE, CAD, MCAD, and PLM created primarily to design real-life objects of any size. Its extensive toolset can be extremely helpful for mechanical engineering experts, architects, and product designers.
- Other Free 3D CAD Software for Different Platforms. The different file transfer software that are available online can be used only on some operating system. Once it is designed to work on a particular operating system like Windows, Linux or Mac it will not function on other OS. These software are available online. AR-CAD for Windows.
Free Cad Software For Beginners; Simple Cad For Mac; Most of the engineers and designers will have to work with CAD at some point of time to design objects in a better and realistic way. There are many types of CAD software that they could use like 2D CAD Software and 3D drawing software. These free 3D software downloads are free to use and can.
Free CAD
This freeware can be used to design many real-life objects in any size that you want. The parametric modeling will allow engineers to modify the designs that were drawn and change its parameters.
KOMPAS-3D Home
This premium software that was created by ASCON can be used as a comprehensive MCAD program that will have a powerful set of functions for creating 2D and 3D designs in perfect parameters.
Tinker CAD
This free software by Autodesk, Inc. can be used as a browser based 3D designing and modeling tools that will be suitable for 3D printing purposes. You can imagine anything and draw it quickly.
SketchUp
This premium software created by Trimble Inc has an intuitive and powerful interface that can be used to scale 3D models. The features can be used for page layout and innovative designs can be created.
NaroCAD
This freeware from NaroCAD is a 3D parametric modeling software used for designing solids. The functionalities used here are related to Model Associativity.
GrabCAD
This free software created by STRATASYS will help in simplifying the 3D printing workflow so that you will be able to print faster. It is an easy way to share and manage CAD files.
Sculptris
SOLVESPACE
Solidworks Professional
Vari CAD
Auto Desk 123D
KiCad
NanoCAD Pro 7
Other Free 3D CAD Software for Different Platforms
The different file transfer software that are available online can be used only on some operating system. Once it is designed to work on a particular operating system like Windows, Linux or Mac it will not function on other OS. These software are available online.
AR-CAD for Windows
This free software created by AR-CAD LLC is compatible on the Windows platform and has motion simulation capabilities with which engineers will be able to perform motion and dynamic simulation and 3D CAD development.
Open SCAD for Mac
This freeware is compatible with the Mac platform and can be used to create solid 3D models. It focuses on CAD aspects to create 3D models of machine parts with a 3D compiler.
om3DCAD 3D Modeler for Android
This free Android app was manufactured by Goran Lukic and can be used as a 3D CAD application and 3D CAD conversion tool. It will be able to support different formats like STEP, STL, OBJ and much more.
Auto CAD – Most Popular Software
This premium software from Autodesk Inc. is very popular and can be used for creating 2D and 3D designs in any form imaginable. It can be used on different platforms and has many advanced tools.
How to Install 3D CAD software?
The different 3D CAD software that are available online can be installed as a free version or as a premium version. For the premium versions, the login credentials should be bought from the manufacturer which should be used at the time of login. The file can be downloaded from the website and it should be unzipped. The system requirements should be checked using the readme text to make sure that the software will run on the system and then the software can be installed using the instructions that are prompted. The required language should be set before opening the software.
You will be able to share the drawings and designs that you make on this software and work across different platforms and devices. It will use simplified tools to make a complicated drawing which can be edited later. Dimensioning of the designs will be very easy and the design can be saved as a PDF.
Related Posts
If you’re looking for CAD software for Mac, you’re not without options. We’ve found some standout Mac and cloud-based CAD platforms for you.
You’re likely to hit a wall if you’re searching for computer-aided design (CAD) software designed for Mac. There are plenty of CAD software options for Windows—you’ll see many of them in our list of the top AutoCAD alternatives—but only a handful offer support for Mac.
And, if you think you’ll bypass the issue by using a cloud-based CAD tool, you’ll quickly find that CAD vendors haven’t embraced the cloud as much as other types of software vendors have, so the offerings are still largely on-premise. According to Gartner’s Hype Cycle for IT Evolution (full content available to Gartner clients), cloud-native CAD applications still have five to 10 years before they reach mainstream adoption.
But fear not, Mac users. We’ve done some digging and have put together this list of the top-rated CAD software for Mac. Read more about our methodology at the bottom of this article.
5 Best CAD Software for Mac (presented alphabetically)
Jump to:
CorelCAD
FreeCAD
Fusion 360
LibreCAD
Onshape
1. CorelCAD
CorelCAD offers 2D drafting and 3D design capabilities, such as the drawing constraints feature for creating different geometric shapes faster and the push and pull feature for 3D direct modeling.
3D modeling in CorelCAD (Source)
Common user feedback trends
Based on analyses of user reviews on Capterra, here’s an overview of the areas of CorelCAD they like best, as well as those they feel could use improvement.
What users like:
- The short learning curve: Users mention that the tool is easy to use and beginners don’t have to spend a lot of time learning it.
- Compatibility with multiple file types: Users like the fact that the tool is compatible with DWG, PDF, ACIS, DXF, STL, CDR, and other file formats.
What users think could be improved:
- Software reliability issues: Some users mention that the software tends to crash at times.
- Better dimension functionality: Some users would like a better dimensioning feature for more accurate drawings of angles and proportions.
Who can use CorelCAD
CorelCAD can be used by construction businesses for collaborative editing on multiple devices. It offers native iOS applications, which makes it easy for field crews to add annotations in graphics and share files using their iPhones and iPads. Additionally, the tool allows team members to leave recorded messages and instructions for colleagues embedded in the graphics using a voice note tool.
2. FreeCAD
FreeCAD is an open source CAD tool that works on Mac as well as Windows and Linux. It reads many common file formats such as STEP, IGES, STL, SVG, DXF, OBJ, IFC, and DAE.
It offers different modules, including a drawing sheets module that converts 3D models into 2D views, a rendering module that can export 3D objects, and an architecture module for a BIM-like workflow.
3D model of a building in FreeCAD (Source)
Common user feedback trends
Based on analysis of user reviews on Capterra, here’s an overview of the areas of FreeCAD they like best, as well as those they feel could use improvement.
What users like:
- Feature-richness for a free tool: Users mention that, although it’s free, the tool comes with a full set of features.
- Reliability: Users mention that the tool does not demand a lot of CPU power and works well on devices with low RAM.
What users think could be improved:
- Steep learning curve: Users mention that the tool is not the most user-friendly solution and can be difficult for beginners to learn.
- Dependent on community for updates: Users mention that modules ignored by the community tend to become outdated quickly.
Who can use FreeCAD
FreeCAD appears to be best for hobbyists and home users. It’s also good for users who don’t have a high budget for software but still want to tinker with CAD modeling.
FreeCAD could also be a good choice for businesses on a budget looking for a free and open-source option.
3. Fusion 360
Fusion 360 is a CAD tool from Autodesk with design functionalities such as sketching and 3D modeling. It also supports project management with features such as task management, document management, and collaborative image editing.
Document management in Fusion 360 (Source)
Common user feedback trends
Based on analysis of user reviews on Capterra, here’s an overview of the areas of Fusion 360 they like best, as well as those they feel could use improvement.
What users like:
- Comprehensive design features: User mention that the tool offers all the functionalities necessary for 2D and 3D designing.
- Availability of training resources: Users like the fact that the tool comes with ample documentation and tutorials.
What users think could be improved:
- System crashes: Users mention that the tool tends to crash, especially when designing and rendering large files.
- Steep learning curve: Users mention that it can take a lot of time to learn the advanced functionalities of the tool.
Who can use Fusion 360
Fusion 360 is part of the Autodesk ecosystem designed for the AEC industry. This makes the tool suitable for construction businesses that are already using, or intend to use, other Autodesk solutions. Using a software vendor that offers multiple solutions will especially benefit larger businesses that invariably need software that can scale with their growing requirements.
Free Cad Software For The Mac
4. LibreCAD
LibreCAD is an open source CAD tool that supports Mac, Windows, and Linux operating systems. The tool comes with 2D drawing features such as a snap tool, dimensioning, and annotations. It also supports multiple file imports and exports.
2D drawing in LibreCAD (Source)
Common user feedback trends
Based on analysis of user reviews on Capterra, here’s an overview of the areas of LibreCAD they like best, as well as those they feel could use improvement.
What users like:
- Ease of use: Users mention that the tool offers an intuitive and easy-to-use interface.
- Lots of tutorials: Users like the fact that there are ample video tutorials that help them get started with the tool.
What users think could be improved:
- Software speed: Users mention that the software tends to lag, especially when trying to print designs.
- Add support for 3D design: Users would like to see functionalities for creating 3D designs.
Who can use LibreCAD
LibreCAD is an exclusively 2D CAD tool for drawing and designing blueprints of buildings, layouts of parks, and the like. As a free tool, the solution can be used by small and midsize businesses across different industries, including manufacturing, engineering, architecture, and construction.
5. Onshape
Onshape is a cloud-only CAD solution that comes with features such as document management with version control, collaborative design creation/editing capabilities, and reporting dashboards to understand project status.
Importing documents in Onshape (Source)
Common user feedback trends
Based on analysis of user reviews on Capterra, here’s an overview of the areas of Onshape they like best, as well as those they feel could use improvement.
What users like:
- Document version control: Users like the document management features of the tool, such as version history.
- Intuitive interface: Users mention that the tool comes with an intuitive interface for easy image editing.
What users think could be improved:
- Performance issues: Some users mention that the tool does not function well on non-Chrome browsers and has file loading issues.
- Lack of features: Users mention that the tool should improve certain features such as 2D drawing and 3D surfacing.
Who can use Onshape
As a fully-cloud based tool, Onshape is ideal for businesses that need to manage design documents collaboratively with multiple stakeholders. The tool’s collaboration functionalities include document sharing, document editing, comments, and file downloads in multiple CAD formats, such as Parasolid, ACIS, STEP, and IGES.
Cad Program For Mac
Next steps
This report offers a mix of Mac CAD solutions—from free tools that can help you with basic 2D drawing to advanced solutions offering extensive 3D modeling functionalities.
If these tools don’t meet your needs, expand your search and check out more options. To help you, we’ve created a CAD software comparison page where you can explore products using different filters, such as features offered and pricing options.
If you’re looking to understand the CAD software market better, we also recommend that you read the articles listed below: |
Methodology
To be shortlisted, products had to fulfill the following criteria:
Free Cad Software For Beginners
- Products had to be compatible with Mac and offer core CAD software capabilities, such as:
- 2D drawing or 3D modeling features
- Collaborative editing of drawings
- Products needed a minimum of 20 user reviews on Capterra (published in the last two years).
- Products had to have a high overall rating (an average of at least 4 out of 5 on Capterra).
Note: The content in this piece that provides opinions and points of view expressed by users. It does not represent the views of Capterra.
Simple Cad For Mac
Looking for Construction Management software? Check out Capterra's list of the best Construction Management software solutions.
A Proven Replacement for AutoCAD 2D/3D DWG Software
...with all the Familiar Icons and Menus
iCADMac is professional ‘AutoCAD’ like software without the monthly subscription. It supports an interface complete with an “AutoCAD® Like” icon menu and “AutoCAD® Like” commands. It has the same file formats, same menus, and commands and at a fraction of the price (a one-time investment instead of a monthly subscription like AutoCAD)...
Over 20,000 Blocks and Symbols
Includes over 20,000 Blocks and Symbols in the iCADLib block library manager.
Express Tools
Use a similar bonus toolset as AutoCAD. Offered FREE without subscription because, well, we're just like that!
Application Programming Interface (API) Support
Automate your tasks using industry standard API's, including AutoLISP, and SDS (like ADS).
PDF Import
Import PDF into iCADMac, along with Blocks, Layers, Linetypes, etc. All intelligence contained within the PDF is imported into your drawing.
PDF Plotting
Plot to PDF using iCADMac's plot interface. Use Color Tables (.ctb) or Style Tables (.stb) and Printer Configuration Parameter (.pcp) files from AutoCAD.
What is iCADMac?
To start, it is over $3000 less than AutoCAD...- Affordable Price
- High compatibility with the DWG drawing file format
- PDF Import and Export
- Gradient Hatch
- Tables
- Raster and Image Management
- Image Clipping
- Polygonal Viewports
- Xref Manager
- Standard Interface
- Property Bar
- Additional Hatches
- Multilines
- Display on iPad™
- Rendering
- ACIS® Solids
- iCADLib - Advanced Blocks Libraries
- Traceparts
iCADMac vs. AutoCAD
- iCADMac works with AutoCAD DWG files, without any type of conversion. edit every version of DWG: AutoCAD 2.5 through the latest!
- iCADMac's user interface is complete with 'AutoCAD Like' icon menus and commands.
- iCADMac supports AutoCAD file types: DWG, DXF, .MNU, .SCR, AutoLISP, SHX and TTF fonts, CTB and PCP for Plotting, Hatch Patterns, Linetypes, etc.
- iCADMac supports 3D ACIS Solid Modeling, 3D Surface commands such as revsurf, rulesurf, etc., iCADMac also has 3D Realistic Rendering built in allowing you to make true to life representations of your AutoCAD compatible DWG models. See further comparisons by selecting the button below...
Details
- iCADMac has high compatibility with the DWG drawing file format, from Version 2.5 up to the most recent AutoCAD® 2018.
- iCADMac supports PDF file conversion into DWG with Layers supported. iCADMac can export your drawings in the PDF format.
- iCADMac displays and creates Gradient Hatches
- iCADMac displays and creates tables.
- iCADMac displays and creates and edits DWG drawings with images, photos and raster images.
- iCADMac supports rectangular and polygonal clip on images.
- iCADMac supports polygonal layout viewports.
- iCADMac has Xref Manager which is a module for quick, easy management of external references.
- iCADMac has Standard Interface which is a friendly, familiar environment for AutoCAD® users.
- iCADMac has Property Bar which is a visual and intuitive interface to edit object properties.
- iCADMac has more than 300 additional hatch patterns.
- iCADMac displays and creates tables
- iCADMac has basic rendering functions with Light and Shading management. Advanced module will be available soon for for a small fee.
- iCADMac supports multiple line creation of up to 16 simultaneous tracks.
- Display and edit iCADMac drawings on iPad™, iPhone®, and iPod touch® in DWG and PDF formats.
- iCADMac creates a package containing the current drawing and its dependent files such as References, referenced images, referenced PDF files, font files, font mapping files, PrintStyle files, and Print Configuration files.
- The PDF format is widely used everywhere. If you receive a PDF file that you want to reference as you draw, you can attach it as an underlay and looks it transparent over the drawing entities.
- iCADMac proposes the basic rendering module with multiple Lights and Shadow support. The advanced Ray-tracing module with materials, reflection, transparency and smooth shadows will be available soon as an option module.
- Multiline objects can consist up to 16 parallel lines, called “elements”. Multilines allow quick creation of walls, roads, insulation etc. iCADMac offers a complete configuration mask specially designed to define various multiline styles.
- Revision clouds are used in drawings to indicate that certain areas require or contain revisions. You can create rectangular, elliptical and freehand Clouds to accentuate drawing areas. You can adjust the radius of the sequential arcs of Clouds.
- iCADMac reads and writes 3D solid objects with the ACIS Solid Modeling libraries (the same as AutoCAD®)Essential for those who deal with Industrial Design, Dies, complex architectural elements and generally for any application in which creating complex three-dimensional shapes quickly and easily.ACIS solids are available thanks to an agreement signed with Spatial, the supplier of technology for solid modelling to many of the most important CAD software companies in the world.iCADMac has implemented complete management of ACIS solids including viewing, printing, creating and editing.Exchange of CAD project data with other CAD software which uses ACIS Solids (such as AutoCAD®) is therefore a simple process!Creating complex three-dimensional shapes by using solid models is made easier in comparison with the more traditional techniques.
- More than 22.000 Blocks are ready to be used for Construction, Architectural, Furnishing, 3D Furnishing, Mechanics, Electrical, Electronics, Steel profiles and many others industries. Thanks to the Blocks Library Management module it is quick and easy to find a symbol you need. iCADLib can be also used to manage libraries of symbols or personal that already exist.
- iCADLib includes the access to Traceparts for progeCAD: Advanced integration with the progeCAD's Traceparts web portal for easy guided usage of more than 100 millions of blocks.Directly guided block insertion from the web to your drawings just in a snap.
Introducing iCARE Subscription Services
iCARE is a 1 year subscription-based maintenance and support program. It offers a variety of benefits to help customers get the most out of their iCADMac software. iCARE cuts down upgrade costs and gives customers more value.For an annual fee, iCARE customers get convenient access to the following benefits:
- Software - You will receive all iCADMac Updates and All New Versions.
- Support - Free Technical assistance via the web with the new help desk service through ticket, email, live chat and remote support.
Unprecedented File Compatibility
- iCADMac® uses DWG for it's design file format, natively without conversion. That means unrivaled compatibility with AutoCAD® Drawing files without need to convert the files first, and no risk for data loss, none.
- iCADMac enables you to export your drawing files in practically every DWG format ever produced. You can take a DWG all the way back to 1983 (if you don't mind the music!).
- Same with DXF, a standard used by thousands of CAD users to move designs from one CAD system to perform additional analysis or even to edit within a different CAD system.
- DWG files are probably the most convenient and reliable format for viewing drawings on the Apple iPad™
Licensing Options
iCADMac is available with different licensing solutionsSL – Single LicenseSimple but Stationary. For a single Mac® Pro, MacBook® Pro; iMac®; Mac® mini; MacBook Air®; MacBook®.USB - USB-Dongle LicenseThis license with a USB-Dongle protection allows to transfer your license from between Mac® Pro, MacBook® Pro, iMac®, Mac® mini, MacBook Air® or MacBook®.Try NowBuy NowFree Cad Software For Mac
iCADMac System Requirements
- Apple® Mac® Pro, MacBook® Pro, iMac®, Mac® mini, MacBook Air®, MacBook®
- Mac OS X v10.5.8 or later
- x86 Intel® processor
- 1 GB of RAM (2 GB recommended, you may even want more) The easiest way to make your iCADMac perform is to add more memory. It's the main factor for ensuring your drawings have the least amount of themselves put onto the hard disk to make room for whatever else the machine needs to store in their location... is mega memory!
- 2.0 GB free disk space for download and installation (3 GB recommended). If you decide against that extra ram, you probably should give yourself a little more room for those bigger drawings.
- All graphics cards on supported hardware
- 1,024 x 768 display with true color
- Mac OS X-compliant printer
Volume pricing *
| QTY | Price Each |
|---|---|
| 3-4 | 5% discount |
| 5-9 | 7% discount |
| 10+ | 10% discount |
I am very happy with iCADMac! iCADMac does everything I need. Great tool!
- Jane Facer
All is well with my iCADMac. Some of the nicest software that I've had. Thanks.
Free 3d Cad Software For Mac Downloads
- Ben Tedd