This online drawing app is specially designed for professionals as it has a different exporting option like a movie or animated GIF's, it supports apple pencil, and Wacom bamboo sketch. One can draw moving illustrations as well in this drawing app for iPad. An award-winning app, uMake is an iPad Pro drawing app for 3D design. Jack Fruh as seen on the Mac App Store United States “I’ll keep this short & sweet: Artboard is a great drawing program will tons of features. Will be a program I’ll continue to use for many months (and probably years) to come.”.
The communication between Engineer’s mind and the actual manufacturer is Technical drawings. To accomplish such an important task, technical drawing software are equipped with a lot of features. Technical drawing software is a must have tool for any enterprise, it helps to reduce a lot of time for getting technical drawings. Here is a list of few of best-picked software fully equipped with features to simplify your work and save some time.
Related:
Smartdraw
Available in both, free and paid version. SmartDraw offers enough features to impress you. Few of the important features include creating professional looking charts and graphs using the predefined formats, predefined templates, the best feature being the ability to import files directly from Visio. SmartDraw will give you the option of cloud backup with known advantages.
Iron CAD
Ironcad is a 3D technical design software. It offers intelishape, a tool having predefined shapes to make things quick with adjustable sizes to get the size of objects required. You will get a drag and drop design, to further fasten your working speed. Though Ironcad is not available for you to use for free, you can get a free trial version and then decide on spending few bucks on it.
QCAD – 2D CAD
It’s the open source software available for all the currently dominating operating systems, Windows, Mac, and Linux. Though being an open source software it is the main feature of other software, this software will also give you features as 4800 standard parts ready to be used, over 35 CAD fonts, objects snapping. The list of features is ever increasing, being an open source software.
LibreCAD
LibreCAD is open source software, also available for all the major platforms as Windows, Mac, and Linux. Libre has a large group of developers and users, giving you a rapidly growing software and its user base. You can also contribute to the development, being an open source software. Almost all the features, which you will expect in a design software are available with this software for free.
Free CAD for Windows
This FreeCAD software is the one specifically designed for windows users. This software features 3D operations, freeCAD objects, and provision for importing or exporting geometries. A predefined robot simulation module is also available for ready use for robot linkage designs. The special feature of this software is that you can create new object types very easily, using Python programming.
KiCad EDA for Linux
KiCad EDA is an open source electronic design automation suite. This software is specifically designed for drawing of electronic components such as circuit board design. You will get PCB design up to 32 copper layers with this software. The software offers 3D views, making it easier for you to inspect objects which are difficult to see in the 2D view.
Most Popular Software – Nanocad
NanoCad is multi-purpose free drafting software. It offers you a native .dwg compatibility. NanoCad can perform all the features you get from other software of same class, with free of cost. Also, you can have NanoCad plus version which is a paid, extra topped version of the software. It will offer you a very familiar user interface as that of AutoCAD. This software also features predefined, reusable blocks to speed up your work. You can also see Isometric Drawing Software
What is Technical Drawing Software?
CAD software is the need of the hour for any enterprise to avoid the flaws in drawings(manual) that may show up during manufacturing. So getting a good CAD software can help you and your organization save a lot of time and put less stress on the designer. Although AutoCad has enjoyed a monopoly in the technical drawing software sector, things have changed very rapidly due to open source offerings of some other software. For an enterprise of high workload, a paid, full featured software is must have a deal. You can also see Schematic Drawing Software
There are a couple of software, offering open source development, can be opted if you are interested in contributing to the community. If you are an enterprise and want very efficient, fully featured software, then you should spend a few bucks to get the best software. There are platform specific software, which can be preferred if you are willing to work in a single environment. The best choice, however, remains a personal preference.
Related Posts
If you’re looking for CAD software for Mac, you’re not without options. We’ve found some standout Mac and cloud-based CAD platforms for you.
You’re likely to hit a wall if you’re searching for computer-aided design (CAD) software designed for Mac. There are plenty of CAD software options for Windows—you’ll see many of them in our list of the top AutoCAD alternatives—but only a handful offer support for Mac.
And, if you think you’ll bypass the issue by using a cloud-based CAD tool, you’ll quickly find that CAD vendors haven’t embraced the cloud as much as other types of software vendors have, so the offerings are still largely on-premise. According to Gartner’s Hype Cycle for IT Evolution (full content available to Gartner clients), cloud-native CAD applications still have five to 10 years before they reach mainstream adoption.
But fear not, Mac users. We’ve done some digging and have put together this list of the top-rated CAD software for Mac. Read more about our methodology at the bottom of this article.
5 Best CAD Software for Mac (presented alphabetically)
Jump to:
CorelCAD
FreeCAD
Fusion 360
LibreCAD
Onshape
1. CorelCAD
CorelCAD offers 2D drafting and 3D design capabilities, such as the drawing constraints feature for creating different geometric shapes faster and the push and pull feature for 3D direct modeling.
3D modeling in CorelCAD (Source)
Common user feedback trends
Based on analyses of user reviews on Capterra, here’s an overview of the areas of CorelCAD they like best, as well as those they feel could use improvement.
What users like:
- The short learning curve: Users mention that the tool is easy to use and beginners don’t have to spend a lot of time learning it.
- Compatibility with multiple file types: Users like the fact that the tool is compatible with DWG, PDF, ACIS, DXF, STL, CDR, and other file formats.
What users think could be improved:
- Software reliability issues: Some users mention that the software tends to crash at times.
- Better dimension functionality: Some users would like a better dimensioning feature for more accurate drawings of angles and proportions.
Drawing Apps Mac Free
Who can use CorelCAD
CorelCAD can be used by construction businesses for collaborative editing on multiple devices. It offers native iOS applications, which makes it easy for field crews to add annotations in graphics and share files using their iPhones and iPads. Additionally, the tool allows team members to leave recorded messages and instructions for colleagues embedded in the graphics using a voice note tool.
2. FreeCAD
FreeCAD is an open source CAD tool that works on Mac as well as Windows and Linux. It reads many common file formats such as STEP, IGES, STL, SVG, DXF, OBJ, IFC, and DAE.
It offers different modules, including a drawing sheets module that converts 3D models into 2D views, a rendering module that can export 3D objects, and an architecture module for a BIM-like workflow.
3D model of a building in FreeCAD (Source)
Common user feedback trends
Based on analysis of user reviews on Capterra, here’s an overview of the areas of FreeCAD they like best, as well as those they feel could use improvement.
What users like:
- Feature-richness for a free tool: Users mention that, although it’s free, the tool comes with a full set of features.
- Reliability: Users mention that the tool does not demand a lot of CPU power and works well on devices with low RAM.
What users think could be improved:
- Steep learning curve: Users mention that the tool is not the most user-friendly solution and can be difficult for beginners to learn.
- Dependent on community for updates: Users mention that modules ignored by the community tend to become outdated quickly.
Who can use FreeCAD
FreeCAD appears to be best for hobbyists and home users. It’s also good for users who don’t have a high budget for software but still want to tinker with CAD modeling.
FreeCAD could also be a good choice for businesses on a budget looking for a free and open-source option.
3. Fusion 360
Fusion 360 is a CAD tool from Autodesk with design functionalities such as sketching and 3D modeling. It also supports project management with features such as task management, document management, and collaborative image editing.
Document management in Fusion 360 (Source)
Common user feedback trends
Based on analysis of user reviews on Capterra, here’s an overview of the areas of Fusion 360 they like best, as well as those they feel could use improvement.
What users like:
- Comprehensive design features: User mention that the tool offers all the functionalities necessary for 2D and 3D designing.
- Availability of training resources: Users like the fact that the tool comes with ample documentation and tutorials.
What users think could be improved:
- System crashes: Users mention that the tool tends to crash, especially when designing and rendering large files.
- Steep learning curve: Users mention that it can take a lot of time to learn the advanced functionalities of the tool.
Who can use Fusion 360
Fusion 360 is part of the Autodesk ecosystem designed for the AEC industry. This makes the tool suitable for construction businesses that are already using, or intend to use, other Autodesk solutions. Using a software vendor that offers multiple solutions will especially benefit larger businesses that invariably need software that can scale with their growing requirements.
4. LibreCAD
LibreCAD is an open source CAD tool that supports Mac, Windows, and Linux operating systems. The tool comes with 2D drawing features such as a snap tool, dimensioning, and annotations. It also supports multiple file imports and exports.
2D drawing in LibreCAD (Source)
Common user feedback trends
Based on analysis of user reviews on Capterra, here’s an overview of the areas of LibreCAD they like best, as well as those they feel could use improvement.
What users like:
- Ease of use: Users mention that the tool offers an intuitive and easy-to-use interface.
- Lots of tutorials: Users like the fact that there are ample video tutorials that help them get started with the tool.
What users think could be improved:
- Software speed: Users mention that the software tends to lag, especially when trying to print designs.
- Add support for 3D design: Users would like to see functionalities for creating 3D designs.
Who can use LibreCAD
LibreCAD is an exclusively 2D CAD tool for drawing and designing blueprints of buildings, layouts of parks, and the like. As a free tool, the solution can be used by small and midsize businesses across different industries, including manufacturing, engineering, architecture, and construction.
5. Onshape
Onshape is a cloud-only CAD solution that comes with features such as document management with version control, collaborative design creation/editing capabilities, and reporting dashboards to understand project status.
Free Drawing Software For Mac
Importing documents in Onshape (Source)
Common user feedback trends
Based on analysis of user reviews on Capterra, here’s an overview of the areas of Onshape they like best, as well as those they feel could use improvement.
What users like:
- Document version control: Users like the document management features of the tool, such as version history.
- Intuitive interface: Users mention that the tool comes with an intuitive interface for easy image editing.
What users think could be improved:
- Performance issues: Some users mention that the tool does not function well on non-Chrome browsers and has file loading issues.
- Lack of features: Users mention that the tool should improve certain features such as 2D drawing and 3D surfacing.
Who can use Onshape
As a fully-cloud based tool, Onshape is ideal for businesses that need to manage design documents collaboratively with multiple stakeholders. The tool’s collaboration functionalities include document sharing, document editing, comments, and file downloads in multiple CAD formats, such as Parasolid, ACIS, STEP, and IGES.
Simple Drawing App For Mac
Next steps
This report offers a mix of Mac CAD solutions—from free tools that can help you with basic 2D drawing to advanced solutions offering extensive 3D modeling functionalities.
If these tools don’t meet your needs, expand your search and check out more options. To help you, we’ve created a CAD software comparison page where you can explore products using different filters, such as features offered and pricing options.
If you’re looking to understand the CAD software market better, we also recommend that you read the articles listed below: |
Methodology
To be shortlisted, products had to fulfill the following criteria:
- Products had to be compatible with Mac and offer core CAD software capabilities, such as:
- 2D drawing or 3D modeling features
- Collaborative editing of drawings
- Products needed a minimum of 20 user reviews on Capterra (published in the last two years).
- Products had to have a high overall rating (an average of at least 4 out of 5 on Capterra).
Note: The content in this piece that provides opinions and points of view expressed by users. It does not represent the views of Capterra.
Looking for Construction Management software? Check out Capterra's list of the best Construction Management software solutions.