COMPARISON AND ANALYSIS OF CAD SOFTWARE

ALTERNATIVES TO AUTOCAD

Computers and CAD software are part of the daily work of every engineering office, because They enable efficient work with projects, as well as flexibility and accuracy in their project development.

Looking for the best available CAD software alternatives, I conducted a subjective analysis of test versions of alternative CAD programs available on the Polish market.

Tests carried out taking into account product installation, interface acceptance, equivalence with the market leader (Autodesk AutoCAD), the time it takes to redesign the basic design, and value to be approved. As a result, I have compiled a list of the best solutions currently available on the market, including paid and free programs. I have listed the programs alphabetically:

ActCAD

ActCAD is the perfect CAD solution available today. Although the interface is not identical to that available in the market leader, It can be configured to be more friendly. Program supports many CAD file formats, including those with DWG and DXF extensions. Supports DWG and DXF extensions. In Poland, five lifetime versions of ActCAD software are offered, prices, the prices of which range from 689 PLN for JTS IntelliCAD 11.1 with perpetual licence, to 1459 PLN net for ActCAD 2023 Prime or ActCAD Map Drafter. The versions differ in capabilities, and the more expensive versions enable 3D modeling, design rendering, and work with BIM platform.

Ares Commander

Installing Ares Commander software is quick and the file itself installer is 586 MB in size. Program appearance, icons, toolbars and menus are similar to both Draftsight and AutoCAD. Configuration some functions may require some time, due to different Arrangement of options. The program works quickly, but it seems to have some stability and performance issues. It is available for Windows®, MacOS® or Linux®. The price of the program is about 1799PLN net with Trinity Pack.

BricsCAD

BricsCAD is an excellent CAD solution available on the Polish market. Installs fast and is just as fast to use. The interface is a bit different from this available in the software of the market leader, but it is possible to configure it in the purpose of making it more beginner-friendly and advanced users. Interface It's nice and readable. The program supports DWG and DXF files. It is offered in several versions with lifetime licenses. License prices range from 2520PLN net for the LITE 2023 version, 5000PLN for the Professional version and 7560PLN net for the 2023 BIM version . They differ from each other in their capabilities, making 2D drawings, performing 3D modeling, rendering projects and working with the BIM platform.

CADian

Cadian is CAD software based on IntelliCAD Technology Consortium solutions. The manufacturer advertises it as "the best functional AutoCAD clone", CADian proves to be very faithful to its pattern by sharing similar interface and identical commands, it makes it easier to select by people who are used to what Autodesk programs offer. Working with Cadian is fun and fast. However, CADian noticeably slows down when navigating in more complex Projects. This causes some discomfort during its use. It is offered with technical support in case of possible failures and user problems. Like most of the CAD software in this list, it is fully compatible with DWG and DXF formats. Price – is offered for a fraction of a percent of the value of its main competitor, resulting in a total amount of approximately 2271PLN net for the Classic 2023 version with a lifetime license to 3300PLN net for the Professional 2023 version with a perpetual license.

DesignCAD 3D Max 2022

The DesignCAD installer is small and the installation is very fast. Its interface seems a little anachronistic. Menu and icons are the same as in older solutions such as Microsoft Office 2003. The commands and shortcuts are not the same as in AutoCAD. Navigation is different than in Autodesk products, zooming is done using "ctrl+scroll". During first start-up, hints are displayed indicating where find the main software tools. The software shows some graphical problems, maybe it's hardware incompatibility. DesignCAD 3D Max 2022 can be an attractive solution for people looking for easy-to-use CAD software with basic 2D and 3D modeling functions. The program has 2D and 3D CAD environments and support for DWG files. It is sold with a perpetual license for approximately 895PLN net .

DraftSight

DraftSight is a powerful, professional drafting and drafting solution 2D design with a familiar user interface and minimal curve learning curve, making it easy to quickly transition from your current 2D CAD application at minimal cost. The interface is similar to AutoCAD, it is nice, kept in bright colors, but bright colors can be tiring when working for a long time. Not all commands are equivalent to AutoCAD. The configuration menu is different, and the hatch panel is different. However, it is easy to use, the plotting settings configuration window is not very intuitive, it does not have all the parameters configuration tools that AutoCAD offers. The cursor can be annoying for users used to AutoCAD annoying, it has a small square in the left corner that gives the impression that a command is selected. The software is offered in subscription mode. The price is 1375PLN tax excl. per version Professional to 2436PLN net for an annual subscription to the Premium version.

GstarCAD

The GstarCAD software, installs quickly, and the installer is easy to download and does not freeze during the period of use. Time redesign was very similar to the one made in the program AutoCAD, due to the similarity of commands and interface. In many situations, it turns out to be more efficient, fast and practical than its biggest competitor. It is compatible with major file formats, including DWG and DXF. It is offered in several versions with lifetime licenses. License prices range from 2139PLN net for the Standard 2023 version into 2639PLN net for the Professional version .

NanoCAD

The program has easy and quick installation. There were no crashes during the period of use, shortcuts and commands are available. It has a free version for students and teachers. It supports major CAD file formats, including DWG and DXF. It is offered in two versions, 23 and Pro, which differ in the ability to model 3D objects in the latter. The interface is very similar to AutoCAD, with a "ribbon bar" presenting available shortcuts to the main functions of the program. Some commands are different from AutoCAD, which makes the redesign less fit and requires some time to adapt to improve experience of changing software.  License prices range from about 1030PLN net for version 23 with a one-year license to 4944PLN net for the 23 Professional version with a 3-year license.

ProgeCAD

The interface is slightly different from AutoCAD, the top bar contains many icons and It can confuse a new user, besides not being pleasant. The cursor has two axes that take up the entire screen with very small centers, making it difficult to select lines. The basic shortcuts are the same. F3 (Snap) doesn't work. Professional and Architecture editions are priced from 1749PLN net for the Professional version with a lifetime license, up to 4986PLN net for the 2023 version of Architecture with a perpetual license, and the ability to work with BIM.

TurboCAD Pro Platinum

Installing the program is quick, but the program installer isn't that easy to download. Immediately When you launch the program, it offers several interface options, ranging from the simplest design to a layout inspired by a competing program AutoCAD. None of the main commands of the competitor worked, access to the tools is done through icons. Navigation through the project also differs from the market leader, resulting in camera movements deviating from the 2D plane. The software is compatible with major file formats, including DWG, although it is not a native extension of the program. Drawing lines is not intuitive as in the Autodesk solution, but it has integrated options for modeling solids and rendering. It is offered at a professional price 2062PLN net with a lifetime license.

ZWCAD

Installing the program is quick and hassle-free. The installer itself is slightly smaller than in ActCAD. Interface, bars tools, the properties panel, command lines and the desktop very similar to Autodesk solutions, and have a shorter opening time and compared to the competition. ZWCAD has all the standard drawing commands and industry functions. The basic keyboard shortcuts in ZwCAD are the same as in AutoCAD. All this at a fraction of the price of AutoCAD, offered for 2249PLN for the Standard 2023 version up to 2749PLN for the Professional version with guaranteed Update and twelve months of technical support, all with a perpetual license.