10 Best CAD Software to Use in 2023

Are you looking for ideal CAD software? Then this is the place for you. CAD Software is a very specific and technical tool that is used in architecture, mechanical designing, and areas of aerospace engineering, and many more. It allows you to design anything that you want to get 3D printed. It allows you to save your 3D printable models in STL or de facto format.

10 Best CAD Software to Use in 2021

Here we are providing you with the list of best Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software that you can try:

1. TinkerCAD

This software offers you coding and 3D modeling free of cost. It is very easy to use, which makes it a preference of the persons who are interested in learning this stuff. This app is launched by Autodesk.

It allows you to frame models with the help of basic shapes. It offers millions of shapes and the feature of manipulating them so that users can modify them as per their convenience. It has a user-friendly interface and is suitable for beginners.

2. FreeCAD

It is open-source CAD software that is provided free of cost for 3D modeling. It helps you in designing any real-life object irrespective of its size. It allows easy editing of parametric components.

As it stores changes history, it allows you to know how you have worked over your design. It is very easy to use and can be considered ideal CAD software for beginners but not for professionals as it is just a good training tool.

3. Creo

Developed by Parametric Technology Corporation 30 years ago, this software is one of the leading software in designing products. This software provides you with a wide range of areas among engineering such as architecture, electrical engineering, etc.

This software is ideal for designing your model and works as a complete tool as it offers a variety of features. This is paid software that comes with 30 days of a free trial. It has launched its recently updated version, Creo 5.0, in 2018. It is one of the best software for intermediate level and runs on Microsoft Windows.

4. BlocksCAD

The main feature of BlocksCAD is that it is designed for educational purposes, so that it made people capable of using OpenSCAD as a professional free of cost. It has a separate YouTube channel to make people learn 3D modeling. The transformation and developments of construction toys, LEGO is represented by color blocks.

This software’s codes are quite compatible as it allows the users to give the final touch up in OpenSCAD. You can export the files in the form of STL files or OpenSCAD. This software encourages gaining interest in the field of mathematics, coding concepts, and computational thinking.

5. Fusion 360

This software is quite unique from other CAD software. With its user-friendly interface and professional capabilities, it has gained popularity over the span of 2 years. This software is one of that software that stores every change made in the model. This app is regularly updated and can be used with a monthly subscription. You can access this software from where you want as it works on multi-platforms.

6. AutoCAD

Being one of Autodesk’s first CAD software, it is still the most popular and widely used software by professionals. This software allows its users to convert 3D models into STL files that are used for 3D printing. But its popularity has decreased as users face difficulties in framing 3D models but consider it best for 2D modeling.

This means that you are required to have some knowledge about this software before using it. In 2010, this professional software was launched in web-app and mobile application, AutoCAD 360. This software is provided free of cost to students and faculties but paid for by professionals.

7. Solidworks

This software was launched for 3D designers working at the professional level by Dassault Systems. Being a parametric feature-based model, it offers various features to its users, including reverse engineering, making it an ideal software for designing industrial objects.

This software uses the NURB system, which helps in framing detailed curvatures. This software made resizing quite easier as it uses dimensional sketching. But it has restricted the ability to import STL files. It cannot be considered as an ideal software for post-design processing.

8. CATIA

Basically, this software was developed for the needs of Dassault Aviation, but now it is considered as one of the reliable software by professionals. It is a multi-functional software that allows CAD, CAE, CAM, and many more.

This software is suitable for system architects, mechanical engineers, and industrial and creative designers due to this multi-functionality. This platform is used for sharing product designs and collaborating for product modeling by stakeholders and online people. This software is offered at a price of $10,000.

9. OpenSCAD

It is a software through which you can create 3D solid CAD objects without spending a single penny. This software is for the professionals that provide these professionals with a platform for creating 3D models with accuracy and the parametric designs in adjustments with changing parameters.

This software uses z-buffering for fast previewing of models. This software is available for Windows, Linux, and OS X. This software cannot be used by everyone as it requires high knowledge and practice.

10. Rhino

Rhino software was made by the world’s most versatile 3D-modeler. You can consider it as one of the best professional software for CAD and 3D computer graphics. It offers a wide variety of design features. For creating 3D models, it can be seen as very versatile software.

A beginner might not be able to use it as it is not easy to use and master it. NURB is a mathematical model that is used by this program through which manipulation of points, curves, solids, meshes, surfaces, and several other models. You’ll find various bundles of this software at different prices.

Summing Up

These are some best CAD software that you can go for. I hope you have got the answer to the question that you’re looking for.