Apr 14, 2020  AutoCAD, the heavy hitter of the CAD industry, offers a free, fully functional version for download to students and faculty. The only limitation on the software is a watermark on any plots you generate, designating that the file was created with a non-professional version. Apr 05, 2020  The all-exclusive ecosystem of the Mac operating system has in some cases made it difficult for independent software developers to build apps for Apple’s computers. And the computer-aided design developing community which has been a victim of this, currently produce CAD applications to run on other operating systems—Windows, Linux—while shunning the Mac OS. FreeCAD is a multiplatfom (Windows, Mac and Linux), highly customizable and extensible software. It reads and writes to many open file formats such as STEP, IGES, STL, SVG, DXF, OBJ, IFC, DAE and many others, making it possible to seamlessly integrate it into your workflow. OpenCAD – Best free AutoCAD alternatives. Official Website. The best part about this CAD app is that it’s completely free. This 3D design creating CAD software is supported by Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X systems. It is available in the English language, so it’s enough easy to use and even helps with creating animated designs using it.

• 2d Cad Software For Mac
• 2d Cad Software
• 2d Cad Mac Apps Free Download

2D cad software provides the CAD professionals in quick processing of 2D CAD designing. They help in laying out plans and creating electrical or electronic diagrams. Most of this software come with traditional Autocad software user interface which makes the users easy to work with.

They also allow creating 2D or 3D objects with the help of comprehensive tools. To know more about this software one can search Google using “2d cad software list”, free 2d cad software for windows 7”, “2d cad software reviews” or “2d cad software, free download”.

Free 2D

Free 2D software enables quick and easy processing of 2D designing. It enables layout drawing, making diagrams and plotting dimensions. It enables easy transition by importing wizards, matching fonts as well as color schemes and supporting XERF, etc. It comes with built-in command finder which enables quick and easy processing.

2d Cad Software For Mac

DraftSight 2D CAD Software

This software enables simple to use which comes with best community support as well. It enables reading .dwg and .dxf files prior to 2.5 versions and allows them saving in R12 to R2007-2010 versions. It comes with training videos, tutorials and much more materials for better understanding. It is extremely simple to install.

NANOCAD

NANOCAD comes with a professional user interface and it is simple to learn and resembles classic CAD interface. It comes with comprehensive tools for developing 2D or 3D objects. It comes with advanced table editor and it allows setting several plot areas easily. Its scripting engine helps users perform regular tasks by automating them.

Other 2D CAD Software for Different Platforms

There is a plenty of 2D Cad software available in various platforms like Linux, Mac Os, and Windows. This software is platform dependent and they work with the platforms that they are designed for, hence one should check for platform compatibility. The features of this software for each version are provided below.

Best 2D CAD Software for Linux – LibreCAD

LibreCAD is open source and comprehensive 2D CAD application which allows customizing. It supports more than twenty languages and works on all major platforms. It comes with elegant editor and integration with CMake. It comes with extensive community support which is provided by developers as well. It comes with many features like adding or changing icons in documentation.

Best 2D CAD Software for Mac Os – CADEMIA

CADEMIA is simple as well as flexible CAD software. It provides certified security for your system and comes with simple tools for CAD documentation. It comes with complete and proficient services. Professional CAD users can get best solution from this software. It allows executing the software instantly and works on many platforms.

Best 2D CAD Software for Windows – Punchcad

Punchcad is the best software to create varieties of 2D or 3D designs. It comes with hundreds of tools to produce excellent drawings using simple sketches. It can produce architectural, mechanical, electrical as well as electronic drawings. It can also draw plans for innovations as well as thoughts. It allows accurate drafting too.

Most Popular 2D Cad Software –AUTOCAD Mechanical

This software comes with Autocad software functionalities and many other tools to automate mechanical drawing works. It provides layer groups: isolate, restore, and more feature. Drawing rectangles is easier using this software. It enables to document 3D CAD models. It comes with command preview and contextual menus features. It helps in making layer management easy.

What is 2D Cad Software?

2D Cad software is professional tool for creating 2D designs. They come with pack of tools to produce accurate drawings as well as plans easily. They allow creating plans for various home projects like furniture plans too. They provide easy editing and make dragging as well as dropping various shapes with ease. They allow making multi-dimensional objects quickly by creating object patterns. You may also see Product Design Software

They also come with various trimming tools to make the drawing perfect. To know more varieties about these software one can search Google using “3d cad software”, “free 2d cad software open source”, “2d cad software free” or “2d cad software download”. You may also see Plant Design Software

2D CAD software is most valuable tools for CAD professionals and users who require to plan, design and draft various drawings and objects. They provide automated processes, tutorials, community support and come with comprehensive tools to create professional drawings. They are very valuable and reliable software for planning and designing purposes.

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.

2d Cad Software

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.

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

2d Cad Mac Apps Free Download

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.

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.

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.