National Instruments CAD Software Review

Lab View CAD Software Review

Features:
Lab View was originally created in 1986 as a way for scientists and engineers to graphically solve their programming problems. Over the years it has developed in to quite the software editor, and a pictorial graphs will help.

1) Physical measurements and I/O
2) Analysis and signal processing
3) Data [...]

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CadStd CAD Software Review

CadStd CAD Software Review

Features:
CadStd has the ability to create home design, blueprint, and mechanical drawings.

1) Window’s XP and Vista are supported.
2) Has the ability to create arcs, linear dimensions, lines, poly lines, etc.
3) Tutorial and User Guide that are helpful and a technical support team that actually helps.
4) [...]

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TurboCAD CAD Software Review

TurboCAD CAD Software Review

Features:
Turbo CAD offers mechanical and practical tools, and it’s fully compatible with nearly 40 other CAD and graphic formats.

1) Advanced Drawing tools include over 40 line, arc, curve, and spline tools plus over 50 modification tools. They aren’t organized exactly like Auto CAD, but they are still easy to [...]

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SmartDraw CAD Software Review

SmartDraw CAD Software Review

Features:
Smart Draw is not just drawing software. With Smart Draw you start with a template and then add on parts, but it can take a while to learn all the functionality of the program.

1) Smart Draw Draws for You, all you have to do is select which shape or item [...]

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ZWCAD CAD Software Review

ZWCAD CAD Software Review

Features:
ZWCAD 2009 is very similar to Auto CAD 2009 in that it provides almost all of the same features as Auto CAD and a few extras options that Auto CAD does not offer. I will list a few features and finally a short review.

1) DWG support allows importing and editing [...]

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Alibre CAD Software Review

Alibre CAD Software Review

Pro’s and Features:
Alibre Design Expert comes with tons of features that can save time and money. A few of those features are:

1) Fully Parametric Design easily defines relationships and sketch constraints; as an added benefit, the constraints automatically update throughout your entire project.
2) Push/Pull Technology allows you to grab parts [...]

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Punch! Software CAD Software Review

Punch! Software CAD Software Review

Features:
1) The 3D kernel has been updated and should improve blending, chamfering, shelling, Booleans, direct face editing etc. This should fix those well known bugs in previous versions.

2) Some 2D drafting tools have been added to fix some of the known bugs (e.g. being able to cut out the floor, [...]

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CADPro CAD Software Review

CADPro CAD Software Review

Features:
1) Drawing tools include the usual square, circle, triangle, lines, etc.

2) All toolbars are floating and/or dockable allowing for some customization ablity.
3) Objects can be edited with your mouse.
4) Chamfer and filet tools are available; adding a level of realism.
5) If you combine the drawing and snap [...]

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Autodesk CAD Software Review

Autodesk CAD Software Review

Features:
Whether automated documentation, seamless communication or extreme customization, Auto Desk’s AutoCAD allows you to design and document your project with incredibly easy to use features and more efficient processes that make you successful. Auto Desk has, for over 26 years, proven to be a reliable company with a great product.

Here [...]

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Solid Works CAD Software Review

Solid Works CAD Software Review

Features:
Solid Works CAD has tons of features, here are several of them:

1) Workgroup Product Data Management was developed to help small engineering workgroups multiplying their effort by automatically capturing file revision history and managing data access.
2) The User Interface can be set up to suit the needs of [...]

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CAD Software Guide

 

Before you search through all of our CAD software reviews on many of the popular CAD software programs be sure that you have a good understanding of what CAD software is, how you can use CAD software, what to look for in a CAD software program, and more. Read this overview guide to CAD software to get yourself started finding the very best CAD software program.

 

What is CAD Software?

 

CAD software is a software system that allows users to design virtually anything their business or industry produces. CAD stands for computer aided design and it is used to design everything from large aircraft to your coffee table. It allows designers to interface with computer graphics to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of designs.

 

History of CAD Software

 

This history of CAD is not that long and dates back only to the 1960's. It was being developed, virtually independent of one another, in the automotive and aircraft industries. SKETCHPAD was introduced in 1963 which allowed designers to operate graphically with computers for the first time.

 

The large automotive and aerospace industries where the main users of early CAD, mainly because they were the only ones who could afford the very large computers needed at the time. Computers at the time had to be especially built to accommodate the calculations required for the graphics.

 

As computers shrank, technology improved and software became the key to computer flexibility, CAD software began to spring up. In 1983, AutoCAD was introduced followed by a line of CAD software products to come out in the 1990's. AutoCAD was the original CAD software produced by the pioneer company Autodesk and is still the most popular of all CAD software products.

 

CAD Software Features

 

CAD software has revolutionized all industries in which design it at the core. CAD software offers a laundry list of features to facilitate the design of whatever your business may need. Here are some of the most notable features of CAD software.

 

  • Keeps track of design dependencies
  • Design figures and curves in 2-D
  • Design surfaces, curves and solids in 3-D
  • View of design from any angle
  • Zoom options for close up or long distance views

 

Uses for CAD Software

 

CAD software has grown exponentially in recent years and has become a necessity in some of the most important industries in the world. CAD software is used extensively in the following industries:

 

  • Aerospace
  • Architectural design
  • Automotive
  • Civil engineering
  • Computer animation
  • Industrial design
  • Prosthetics
  • Shipbuilding

 

CAD software can speed up production for any business in which extensive design is required. Not only that, but it can also be used for personal use such as the design of your dream home.

 

Types of CAD Software

 

There are a wide variety of CAD software products and they can be broken down into those that work best with 2-D designs and those that are better with 3-D designs.

 

Here is a list of the most widely used 2-D CAD software products.

 

  • AutoCAD
  • CADkey
  • CADDS 5
  • CATIA v4
  • Medusa

 

These CAD software products are not as effective with 3-D views as they have a hard time with clarity and make it difficult for the user to visualize the 3-D space. This is why CAD software makers created more advanced CAD software products for better 3-D designs.

 

Here is a list of the more advanced 3-D CAD software products.

 

  • Autodesk Inventor
  • CoCreate Solid Designer
  • Pro/Engineer
  • SolidEdge
  • SolidWorks
  • Unigraphics NX
  • VX CAD

 

With these CAD software products make it much easier to make changes in 3-D and do not require scaled down additional drawings like 2-D CAD software generally does.

 

It can be costly for a business to upgrade to the more advanced 3-D CAD software, as well as time consuming and will require some level of training. This is why many companies still use the 2-D products. You must do your own analysis of your business to determine if it is cost-effective to make this upgrade.

 

Where to Find CAD Software

 

CAD software can now be purchased and downloaded from online retailers. This is quick and convenient and allows you to compare the different retailers.

 

Some retailers will allow you to download a trial version to see just how it fits your needs. Once your trial period has ended you must then purchase the product to keep using the CAD software.

 

All of the major CAD software producers have websites to allow you to learn more information about specific products before deciding. CAD software can be a big investment in your business, so the more you learn before buying the better for your business.