A common question from new CNC software users is, “What CAD program do you recommend?” As you might guess, the answer is, “It depends”. Here is a list of the best deals in free or inexpensive CAD programs.
One quick note, if you’re a Mac user then check out our list of 3D CAD programs for the Mac / OSX.
Overview of AutoCAD 2020 Full Version for Mac OS. AutoCAD is believed to be one of the most effective computer design software applications. AutoCAD is easily accessible to both the Windows and Mac operating systems. You’ll find mobile solutions support and cloud rendering available to you, and if you've got an official subscription of. AutoCAD ® is computer-aided design (CAD) software that architects, engineers and construction professionals rely on to create precise 2D and 3D drawings. Draft, annotate and design 2D geometry and 3D models with solids, surfaces and mesh objects; Automate tasks such as comparing drawings, adding blocks, creating schedules and more.
Free Form 3D Modeling Programs
3D modeling programs are used to make models for animations or video games and those models are never meant to leave the computer. These programs will let you design complicated shapes easily but they can make it more difficult to design mechanical shapes to exact dimensions.
Blender (Free) - Blender is a free, open source 3D modeling program. The interface is very non-traditional and will require some adjustment if you’ve got experience in a more traditional 3D design program. Amazon stocks a ton of books about Blender so it should be easy to find some material to help you out.
Silo3D ($99-$159) - Silo3D is a subdivision modeling program that, like Blender, is not primarily targeted at users trying to design models to be machined. It is incredibly powerful and the interface is easier to learn than Blender. This is a great value if you’re looking to model organic shapes.
Free Form CAD
Free form CAD programs let you design dimensionally accurate models but don’t impose any structure or workflow on your methods.
Sketchup (Free or $500)- Sketchup is a CAD program that was originally targeted to the architectural market. It is a very simple program to use but it isn’t well-suited for organic shapes. In 2006 is was acquired by Google and a free version was released. The free version will not export an STL file but several people have written plug-ins that allow Sketchup to export an STL without paying for the full version. The various approaches are discussed here . You can also buy a commercial STL exporter from sycode
Viacad 3D ($99)- Viacad is a simple , powerful 3D CAD program. It isn’t as popular as some of the others here but it’s inexpensive and you can get up and running quickly. It is available for Mac and PC, making it unique in this list.
MoI ($295)- MoI (Moment of Inspiration) is a 3D CAD program that was designed to be usable on tablet or pen computers. Because of this, the user interface is simple and doesn’t require a lot of typing. It was written by a single guy, who was one of the original developers of Rhino, so it’s powerful without being bloated. It is equally well-suited to organic or mechanical shapes. Without a doubt, this is one to try.
Rhino ($995)- Rhino is one of the most powerful and flexible CAD programs anywhere. It has every kind of tool you could need and , like MoI, is equally well-suited to organic or mechanical shapes. It isn’t inexpensive but it does almost anything you could need. If you happen to be a student then you can get a significant discount. Version 5 will also be avialable on Mac OS X when it is released.
Parametric CAD
Parametric CAD programs keep the entire history of the model as it is being built. If you find the need to change a shape or dimension then you just go back in the history, make the change, and the model will be rebuilt automatically. If you make a big change then you may have to do a little work to get the model rebuilt properly but it’s still going to be faster than a program like Rhino. Parametric CAD programs are incredibly powerful if you are willing to spend the time to get your head around the workflow.
OnShape (Free - $80/Month)- OnShape is a new cloud-based CAD program from the same team that created Solidworks. It runs completely in the browser so it runs on PC, OS/X or even an iPad. There’s a range of pricing options and for many users, it’s totally free.
Alibre / Geomagic Design ($199- $1400)- Alibre is a very powerful parametric CAD program that is available for very little money if you only need to export to STL. They take a lot of pride in the fact that you can do 99% of what the very expensive programs can do at a fraction of the cost. As a comparison, Solidworks, one of the most popular programs in this category, will cost you a minimum of $3500 to buy it and $1200 a year for updates. The $99 version of Alibre is the most amazing deal on this page.
Although it’s in no way a low-cost program, Solidworks works very well with MeshCAM and it’s very popular with MeshCAM users. Just in case you’re one of them, we’ve got a Solidworks CAM page with some instructions to help get you started.
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…
Cheap Autocad Software For Mac Pro
- 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.
Buy iCARE now bundled with your iCADMac licenses and save 20% off the iCARE price.
Try NowBuy NowUnprecedented 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 solutions
SL – Single License
Simple but Stationary. For a single Mac® Pro, MacBook® Pro; iMac®; Mac® mini; MacBook Air®; MacBook®.
USB – USB-Dongle License
This license with a USB-Dongle protection allows to transfer your license from between Mac® Pro, MacBook® Pro, iMac®, Mac® mini, MacBook Air® or MacBook®.
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
Autocad Software For Mac
Volume pricing *
| QTY | Price Each |
|---|---|
| 3-4 | 5% discount |
| 5-9 | 7% discount |
| 10+ | 10% discount |
Autocad Software For Mac Price
BUYI am very happy with iCADMac! iCADMac does everything I need. Great tool!
– Jane Facer
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All is well with my iCADMac. Some of the nicest software that I've had. Thanks.
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– Ben Tedd