AutoCAD Alternative Software
AutoCAD is the industry standard generic version of CAD for use by professionals. However, AutoCAD is expensive and can be difficult to use for a designer who is new to CAD. AutoCAD is proprietary software that cannot be modified for specific types of use. As a result, many professional designers turn to CAD alternatives because they are more specialized to their design task.
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Open Source
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Open-source software is a type of software that is developed by a large network of volunteers, rather than by a manufacturer. Open-source software is typically free for download, though the foundations that support open-source software development need funding to stay running. If you find a piece of open-source software helpful or profitable for you or your business, look for a donation link on the website for the open-source foundation that coordinated the development of your software. Each of the CAD alternatives listed are open-source free software. See References and Resources for links to download the AutoCAD alternative software.
Archimedes
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Archimedes is an architecture-centered version of CAD. Archimedes is open-source and free for download and is designed for easy tweaking for use by professional architects. Since Archimedes is specialized software, support for a new learner of CAD is limited on their website. However, the Archimedes website does offer the ability to report software bugs and ideas so the software can be improved.
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DoubleCAD XT
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DoubleCAD XT is a free CAD software package that is designed to look and run like AutoCAD. DoubleCAD XT is free for download, and offers advanced functions for creation and modification of objects. DoubleCAD is considered competitive with AutoCAD due to its comparable function and expanded set of modification tools. DoubleCAD also offers a learning center with tutorials, videos and FAQs that offer support, exercises and ideas to a new DoubleCAD user.
BRL-CAD
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BRL-CAD is a high-performance professional CAD design and modeling software. BRL-CAD is designed for solid modeling. The software is free to download and is a cross-platform software that will run on Windows, Linux and Mac systems. BRL-CAD offers a comprehensive help wiki that can help guide new CAD users who wish to learn the program.
Powershape E
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According to the Powershape-E website, Powershape-E uses "surface modelling, solid modelling, triangle modelling, reverse engineering and decoration techniques." Powershape-E will run on Windows XP. It is open-source software that is spyware free, and free to download. Users who are new to Powershape-E can download tutorial videos that will play in Internet Explorer, on Itunes or on Windows Media Player.
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