Supported File Formats: DWG, DXF, DGN, CXF, BMP, JPEG, PNG, TIFF, ICO, PPM, XBM, XPM, SVG, PDF.Price: Free trial and free reduced Community Edition.We recommend LibreCAD if you’re looking to create mechanical drawings or designs for laser cutting and CNC milling. It’s not dissimilar to AutoCAD in its layout, so if you’re looking for a free alternative, it’s a solid option that you won’t need to learn entirely from scratch.Īlongside a full suite of sketching and drafting tools such as shapes, lines, dimensions, snapping, and mirrors, including fantastic multi-layering and hatching patterns, LibreCAD throws in CAM preparation tools for export to CNC software in a range of file formats. It’s backed by a supportive community that regularly produces excellent documentation, support, and in-depth guides.įor this reason, we rate LibreCAD as one of the more accessible free 2D CAD software out there. It leans heavily into the open-source tradition with users encouraged to tweak and tame the program to suit their needs. It’s compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux. No trial period, limited license, or capped commercial use here – LibreCAD is free to download and use as you see fit. LibreCAD is one of the few no-strings-attached free 2D CAD software around. Supported File Formats: DXF, DWG, JWW, LFF, CXF, SVG, BMP, CUR, GIF, ICO, JPEG, PNG, TIF, XPM, and more.Operating System Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux.Price: Free with no commercial restrictions.Similarly, a 2D drawing for floor planning or facades makes more sense than a full 3D model, removing the laborious task of creating complex, dimensionally accurate models for each singular element. Unlike 3D CAD software, which allows users to create a 3D model, 2D CAD restricts dimensional manipulations to the X and Y axes.ģD CAD programs often include a 2D sketching mode for projects that benefit more from a top view, whether to save time, for collaborative reasons, or due to the nature of the application.įor example, 3D modeling for laser cutting would be a waste of time and resources as cutters and engravers only process 2D images and vectors. You can always upgrade later.Top Picks Best Free 2D CAD Software – Full Round-UpĢD CAD software is a computer-aided design program that allows designers, artists, architects, and engineers to create two-dimensional drawings, drafts, and plans thanks to a suite of shapes, layers, commands, and tools tuned to simplify the process. If you want to try before you buy, get PadCAD Lite. If you're ready to dive right in, go ahead and get PadCAD. Once upgraded, PadCAD Lite and PadCAD are identical. It is functionally identical to PadCAD, except for the fact that you can't export or save your drawings. Note: PadCAD Lite is a free version of the PadCAD app. The drawing area is larger than the iPad screen which allows you to export projects as large as 170' x 128'. You may also pan the drawing simply by dragging your finger. You can also use your iPad's built in microphone to create and include audio annotations in your drawings.ĥ) Intuitive Zoom & Pan: Use two fingers to zoom in and out of your drawing, just like you would with any other picture on the iPad. Once upgraded, PadCAD Lite will allow you to export your drawings as image files, PDF files or DXF files.ġ) Intuitive finger-based drawing and editing: Draw walls with your finger, then adjust them by dragging or stretching them.Ģ) Fine-tune controls: For greater precision, every element can be fine-tuned with numeric values.ģ) Unlimited Undo and Redo: You can Undo all the way back to the beginning of your session or Redo to your current state.Ĥ) Take Pictures: From within the app you can use your iPad's built in camera to take a photos and associate them with your CAD drawing. To save your drawings, you must upgrade the app. You may lose your drawings if you exit the app. Please Note: PadCAD Lite is free for evaluation purposes and can’t save your drawings. A comprehensive set of instructions are provided with the app. PadCAD Lite has a very shallow learning curve, and no previous CAD experience is necessary. PadCAD Lite is ideal for general contractors, carpenters, architectural firms, appraisers and real-estate professionals. It's the prefect starting point for your drafting projects. PadCAD Lite is designed with ease of use, speed and mobility in mind and is NOT a full blown CAD application. If you want to save or export your drawings to a professional CAD application like AutoCAD, you can upgrade PadCAD Lite and export your drawings in several popular formats, including PDF or DXF files. With PadCAD Lite anyone can produce clean, clear CAD drawings. PadCAD Lite is an easy to use free CAD application designed for small to medium sized projects such as home additions, remodeling projects, cabinetry work, and site surveys.
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