Computer aided modeling is a very demanding skill in the present times, and they are generally costly. Among them, certain 2D modeling software free of cost are available which are there to help the new generation to guide them along with 2D modeling software online tutorials. These software uses computer aided programming and analytical skills to create, modify, analyze and optimize diagrams of constructions – like in engineering drawings, which can also be done using 2D modeling software, free download versions.
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AutoCADMEP
Blender is the free and open source 3D creation suite. It supports the entirety of the 3D pipeline—modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing and motion tracking, video editing and 2D animation pipeline. 3D Slash is a free browser-based 3D modeling software that is designed around a building-block workflow, similar to the popular game Minecraft. Users can modify individual cubes with a vast array of tools that you’ll find in your very own workshop, such as a hammer, trowel, chisel, pulpwood, and drill.
One of the most popular and widely used CAD software for MEP is provided by AutoDesk, a powerful software to help in all types of engineering drawing and they have a support for various departments with their robust tool box and tools that can be used to implement. The software is available as a 30-day free trial.
QCAD – 2D CAD
QCAD is popular open source 2D modeling software that is available on different platforms and has a huge community of dedicated users on popular sites like Facebook and GitHub, where there is a solution for almost any of your problems from the community. It has a wide variety of tools to carry out any 2D modeling tasks.
Draftsight
Draft Sight is popular modeling software, whose latest edition is the 2016 version, which is available for almost any users. The software can be purchased as a professional or enterprise edition giving you the opportunity to use the most powerful modeling tools, or you can try the software or even learn it using their student version which is free for the lifetime.
Synfig Studio for Linux
LINUX the most popular version, and the most widely used operating system in the world is an open source project to provide UNIX commercially to everyone. One of its distribution – Ubuntu – is the most used and downloaded OS. If you are using this OS, then Synfig Studio is just for you.
Synfig Studio is open source software which provides one of the best in class 2D animation and modeling techniques – designed as a powerful tool of industrial standard for accompanying and helping film Production Company in their animations. It is also available on Windows and MacOS. It has a powerful vector and bitmap artwork tools.
Microspot for Mac
Being a user of Apple for a long time, and you are unable to handle any other OS, then this next software is just for you, which was first built for MacOS. This is another powerful operating system and is said to be possessed by the elites who are keen to go for quality and servicing than looks.
Micro Spot has a powerful set of tools for providing 2D modeling and analyzing tools for floors, and they also have a very good graphical user interface. There are many guides available on how to use this software, and is very easy, and they have some popular clients and are also used by the NASA.
Librecad for Windows
Windows is an operating system that was first launched by Microsoft owner Bill Gates, who is the richest man in the world presently. The OS is the oldest one in the market and is preferred by billions of users worldwide. If you are using windows then the next software is built right for you.
LibreCAD was first started as a project for cam-capable companies to be used in the CNC routers. Since then, the software has seen a tremendous growth and today their 2D modeling tools are at par with the most other ones, or even better. It has a wide range of compatibility and is available on Linux and Mac as well.
Most Popular Software – Varicad
The software to grab the number one position in 2D modeling software is VariCAD, which is the most popular one – and an open source free to use the designing software. This software is available for windows as well as Linux users and is available in German, Portuguese, Chinese and Japanese languages along with English. You can also see STL Editor Software
What is 2D Modeling Software?
2D Modeling Software is a part of computer aided designing (or CAD) software that uses computer-based technology to create, modify, analyze or optimize a design, for this reason, they are also called as CADD (which stands for computer-aided design and drafting). You can also see Drafting Software
They are primarily of two major types – two dimensional, which represents the original structure in 2D figures by using FV, LV conventions, or in animations; and three-dimensional, which represents the figure as a whole. Generally, they are used for mechanical design which requires vectors and bitmap techniques, but they also have some limited usages in civil and electrical designs too.
The output of a CAD is to provide meaningful designs which can be used to properly analyze the figure, or if required it can be used to modify or optimize the design. There is much popular software, some of which is paid and is available for a free trial. If you are new and want to learn 2D modeling software then you should try open source ones or the student version software.
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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)
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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.
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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.
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.
Best Free 3d Modeling Software For Mac
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:
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- 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.
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:
- 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.
Free 3d Modeling Software For 3d Printing Mac
Looking for Construction Management software? Check out Capterra's list of the best Construction Management software solutions.