Thread: AutoCAD Alternative

Does anyone have any suggestions for an Open Source alternative to AutoCAD? Main use is for system design.

Originally Posted by Brandon White

Does anyone have any suggestions for an Open Source alternative to AutoCAD? Main use is for system design.

Brandon,

Can you define what you mean by system design? That takes many different forms.

I've never found a good open source CAD program, but there are several free to very affordable programs that exist, depending on your requirements.

2D Packages
From Dassault, the makers of Solidworks, there is the free Draftsight which serves many needs.

There's also DoubleCAD, from the makers of TurboCAD, if you want parametric CAD that acts like AutoCAD and talks well to Google Sketchup.

3D Packages
There's only one 3D package I know of that is free, and that is the standard version of Google Sketchup. Be forewarned that Sketchup is not a true parasolid modeler, and is missing multiple useful features (like lofting) from the free version. Trimble acquired Sketchup from Google like a week ago, so the future is unclear for Sketchup.

For paid 3D parasolid CAD, there are lots of options. Almost all the major players have packages at multiple price points. If you don't need super advanced CAM, finite element, or advanced assembly and interference features I think Alibre is the best overall value.

Hope that answers the question

Nothing overly complex. Simple 2D drawings that I can exchange with AutoCAD. Circuitry, PA layouts...

I used AutoCAD for many years in a previous job and recently discovered "TurboCAD LTE." Only about $150 I think. It's WISIWIG but supports many of the same keystrokes. I used it for everything.

You might want to take a look at Bluebeam. I was looking for something to do basic mark up on existing prints and have found it to be really useful and a great price. Their tech support is great and sales staff is knowledgable. I honestly don't know if this is what you're looking for but a full version has a free trial period and there are various levels depending on your needs.

Bluebeam Software, Inc.

I use Revu and it works for most of the things I need it to do, however I don't believe it will work with the layers in CAD without flattening them. Give them a call.

Been very happy using DraftSight, works great on OSX! I also use BricsCad.

Originally Posted by Brandon White

Nothing overly complex. Simple 2D drawings that I can exchange with AutoCAD. Circuitry, PA layouts...

Can you clarify the "exchange with AutoCAD" aspect? Do you need to be able to directly open or save a .dwg file and perhaps to do so for certain versions (e.g. 2004, 2007, 2010 or 2013) of the .dwg file format? Lately, about every three years Autodesk makes major changes to the .dwg files that AutoCAD generates, requiring either using a newer version, using a translator program or having the party providing the drawing file provide it saved as a compatible .dwg version.

Do you use xrefs, blocks, plot styles, etc.? Many CAD programs may have similar functionalities but how well they translate to and from AutoCAD varies.

FWIW, I used AutoCAD LT for years and only moved up to full AutoCAD after needing to support some 3D work.

Originally Posted by Brad Weber

Can you clarify the "exchange with AutoCAD" aspect? Do you need to be able to directly open or save a .dwg file and perhaps to do so for certain versions (e.g. 2004, 2007, 2010 or 2013) of the .dwg file format? Lately, about every three years Autodesk makes major changes to the .dwg files that AutoCAD generates, requiring either using a newer version, using a translator program or having the party providing the drawing file provide it saved as a compatible .dwg version.

Do you use xrefs, blocks, plot styles, etc.? Many CAD programs may have similar functionalities but how well they translate to and from AutoCAD varies.

FWIW, I used AutoCAD LT for years and only moved up to full AutoCAD after needing to support some 3D work.

Not that long ago, DXF files were the designated transition file that Autocad used for export or import with other platforms. Presumably this is still the case, but another question is whether or not freeware programs can use DXF files.

Originally Posted by Chris Davis

Not that long ago, DXF files were the designated transition file that Autocad used for export or import with other platforms. Presumably this is still the case, but another question is whether or not freeware programs can use DXF files.

That is true and in terms of importing and exporting AutoCAD files into other CAD programs then if you are once and a while importing floor plans, sections, etc. from other parties and simply want to display them, then that is one thing. But if you routinely receive updated backgrounds and/or want to manipulate layers, plot styles, line weights, etc., then that may be a very different situation.

I went through an experience where the company I was with, who worked extensively with Architects and Engineers, used a CAD program other than AutoCAD and we found that the effort associated with importing and exporting AutoCAD files combined with the related clean up of the the less than perfect translations easily justified purchasing AutoCAD and PCs to run it for every designer and consultant in the company. However, that might not be the case if the interaction is less frequent or less involved.

Originally Posted by Brad Weber

FWIW, I used AutoCAD LT for years and only moved up to full AutoCAD after needing to support some 3D work.

How is LT? I'm needed something more robust for the race fab business but AC Mechanical is out of my price range. I'm using Albre PE right now and to upgrade we start to get into Auto Cad dollars.

Originally Posted by Dave Stevens

How is LT? I'm needed something more robust for the race fab business but AC Mechanical is out of my price range. I'm using Albre PE right now and to upgrade we start to get into Auto Cad dollars.

I found AutoCAD LT just fine for floor plans, sections, single lines, plate details, etc. and could probably still use it for the vast majority of my work. However, Alibre is 3D software and AutoCAD LT is 2D only, if you are wanting to do 3D drawings, shading, rendering, section cuts, etc. then it may not be a good choice. You could create nice top, side and end views of a space frame chassis, spindle, etc., but not a 3D, rendered model of them.

Originally Posted by Brad Weber

I found AutoCAD LT just fine for floor plans, sections, single lines, plate details, etc. and could probably still use it for the vast majority of my work. However, Alibre is 3D software and AutoCAD LT is 2D only, if you are wanting to do 3D drawings, shading, rendering, section cuts, etc. then it may not be a good choice. You could create nice top, side and end views of a space frame chassis, spindle, etc., but not a 3D, rendered model of them.

For all the chassis, cages, bumpers, etc, I use Bendtech, a tubing specific modeler that works with my bending equipment. I chose Alibre because it can output CAD/CAM directly to the CNC machines. However the guy that does my automated stuff can input a dxf or dwg and his machinery software will convert. Most is for 2D fab drawings and PE's 2D tool set isn't full featured.

To keep it audio related, it's the gold standard at work and we used to get various levels of training until the trainer quit and hasn't been replaced.