End of DraftSight Free
DraftSight, free 2D CAD software from Dassault Sistemes, has been popular among users since 2010. Unfortunately, as of January 1, 2020, Dassault Sistemes has discontinued the free version of Draftsight 2018 of this CAD software, which has been a concern for many users. Fortunately, there are many alternatives, such as ActCAD.
DraftSight 2018 Free is a 2D CAD design software that is a clone of AutoCAD LT. Developed by Dassault Sistemes, it is a two-dimensional version of Graebert's ARES CAD software. The program's interface is heavily modeled on AutoCAD software, which allows users to easily find their way around the DraftSight environment.
DraftSight 2018 also allowed you to export designs to PDF, SVG, PNG, BMP, and JPG files. Support for DWG/DXF/DGN formats is provided by the Teigh libraries created by the Open Design Alliance. The ODA consortium brings together many well-known companies such as Leica, Microsoft, IntelliCAD and ZwCAD.
DraftSight 2018 Free required post-launch product activation. Activation may have been performed at any time within the next 30 days after the installation of the program. Activation required an Internet connection and a valid email address to which the activation email was sent. DraftSight activation in the free version was tied to a user account, not to a specific computer. If you used multiple user accounts on the same computer, you had to activate each account separately.
It was also necessary to reactivate the program after six and twelve months, and annually thereafter. It was required due to the study of software statistics by Dassault Systèmes.
DraftSight was available in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 versions for Microsoft Windows operating systems XP through 7, Mac OS X 10.13 (High Sierra), 10.14 (Mojave), or 10.15 (Catalina), and Linux Fedora/Ubuntu. As of January 1, 2020, the program is available only for Windows and Mac OS platforms.
ActCAD is a family of 2D CAD, 3D CAD and CAD BIM programs based on IntelliCAD Technology Consortium solutions. In addition to standard 2D drafting, 3D modeling, rendering and BIM tools, Act CAD programs include a set of constantly updated own tools. ActCAD also offers perpetual licenses, which are available in several versions tailored to the needs of customers.
Unlike DraftSight, ActCAD allows you to load hybrid maps using localization files, load numerical maps from sqlite, sda and shp files, or use geolocation functions directly in ActCAD. ActCAD also has many proprietary functions, such as PDF to DXF and DWG converter, ActCAD PDF Printer with the function of printing to 3D PDF files, unit converter, drawing audit tools, electronic signature tools for drawings, converter of raster images such as jpg, bmp, png, tiff to dxf.
It is worth noting that ActCAD offers perpetual licenses and not, as in the case of DraftSight, term licenses, which means that users do not have to worry about the need to activate the product on a regular basis. ActCAD is available for Windows platforms, making it ideal for many CAD users who are looking for an alternative to DraftSight.
Use ActCAD 2D CAD and 3D CAD instead of Draftsight
If you want to start using ActCAD instead of DraftSight, you must first download and install ActCAD on your computer. After that, you need to familiarize yourself with the program's interface and its features so that you can use the program freely.
ActCAD, like DraftSight, is a 2D CAD program, so it shouldn't be too difficult to switch from one program to another. ActCAD offers many features, such as support for DWG/DXF/DWF files, the ability to draw multiple geometric objects, tools for editing and modifying drawings, as well as the ability to print and export drawings to various file formats.
If you have already created projects in DraftSight, you can open them in ActCAD and continue working. ActCAD supports DWG files, so you should have trouble opening projects made in DraftSight.
It is also worth noting that ActCAD is paid software, and DraftSight only offers paid versions on an annual basis. If you want to replace DraftSight ActCAD, you must be ready to move away from annual license subscriptions and replace them with a one-time license fee.
In addition, ActCAD offers the lowest fixed prices for product updates on the market.
For example, after 5 years of using DraftSight 2022 Professional, the subscription cost at current prices will be approximately 5400PLN gross.
At the same time, taking into account the annual update of the ActCAD 2022 software to the next versions, i.e. 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026, we will pay approximately 2750PLN gross for using ActCAD Standard (CAD 2D) with an ESD license or about 3930PLN gross for the most extensive version of ActCAD BIM (CAD 2D/3D with BIM file support) with ESD license.
In the case of Draftsight products, we cannot opt out of the upgrade (switching to a new subscription), as this means automatic termination of the subscription and deprivation of the CAD tool in the following year. In the case of ActCAD, the product may never be updated while maintaining its full original functionality. Lack of updates also reduces the cost of using CAD software.
Also, when it comes to the purchase prices of ActCAD compared to Draftsight, they are lower.
Therefore, we encourage all interested customers to familiarize themselves with our products and the modern functions of our software in their own applications.
Choose ActCAD software for yourself and test it in your applications.
ActCAD is a real CAD alternative not only to Draftsight, but also to other expensive CAD programs such as AutoCAD, GstarCAD, ProgeCAD or ZwCAD.
The trial versions we provide run for 14 days and do not require an activation key.
The available trial versions are full commercial versions with no restrictions, so you can also use them for paid work during the trial period.
A great convenience for new customers is the database of instructional videos available with our CAD software, which allows for convenient learning, familiarization with the interface, or familiarization with functions and smooth migration from third-party software, such as AresCAD, BricsCAD or GstarCAD.
Check ActCAD software prices and see for yourself.
19 Apr 2023
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