Before AutoCAD was introduced, most commercial CAD programs ran on mainframe computers or minicomputers, with each CAD operator (user) working at a separate graphics terminal. Developed and marketed by Autodesk, AutoCAD was first released in December 1982 as a desktop app running on microcomputers with internal graphics controllers. If you are looking for a more economical selection, you can take a look at FreeCAD.English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Korean, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Czech, Polish and HungarianĪutoCAD is a commercial computer-aided design (CAD) and drafting software application. It is the most customizable program you can find. Is there a better alternative?ĪutoCAD is the best option out of all the CAD software on the market.

This program chews through a lot of resources on your computer but runs on both Windows and Mac operating systems. If you are on a budget, then you may want to look into other more inexpensive options.

While AutoCAD is perceived to be an expensive program, it is truly the best option for professionals. There are many tutorial videos, forum information, and documentation to get you started. For example, you can set up prefabricated floor plans for use whenever you need it.Īlthough AutoCAD has a very steep learning curve, there are many options to help you learn quickly and get you up and running. There are designated tool sets for architects, designers, and inventors. One great feature is that it comes standard with many different tool sets depending on your project. Autodesk has also implemented a smart dimensioning design that allows you to preview the dimensions of each object before creating it. The documents now include a hyperlink that links directly to the program. The recent updates to the software have improved the connections between AutoCAD and PDFs, which has been immensely helpful. It is used to design buildings, models, drawings, and much more. In general, AutoCAD is considered the leading software for design, engineering, and entrepreneurial professionals. Designing buildings, models, and anything elseĪutoCAD is a three-dimensional program for designing buildings, models, and anything else that you can imagine.

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