Introduction
AutoCAD is a simple software tool that allows people to create computer-aided designs and drawings. CAD stands for Computer-Aided Design.
Many people do use AutoCAD, from engineers to professional architects to students to contractors. Landscapers and any other construction professionals rely on it heavily as well.
Using AutoCAD software, one can draft and design for both 3D and 2D models. One can also create solids, surfaces, and more, and you can also automate many tasks, such as model comparisons. The current article is all about the 3 best free AutoCAD alternatives in 2021. We have elaborated on the most recommended top 3 free AutoCAD alternatives for 2021.
Top 3 free AutoCAD alternatives 2021
- FreeCAD
FreeCAD, an AutoCAD alternative, was found at freecadweb.org, is one of the best free alternatives to AutoCAD. Not only is it free to use for people, but it is open source, which means that its source code is pretty public and available to all to all the functions like view, edit, copy, and distribute.
FreeCAD is also an excellent parametric 3D modeler that allows one to create 2D drawings and use them as an essential platform for creating 3D models. One can also work the opposite way: extract 2D models from 3D models.
FreeCAD supports many file types, such as:
- STL
- IGES
- SVG
- DAE
- IFC
- OBJ
- DXF
- STEP
- Many others
- LibreCAD (2D)
LibreCAD, another free AutoCAD alternative in 2021, is also an excellent free alternative to AutoCAD for those working on 2D models. Since it is also open-source, like FreeCAD, it has many developers and users behind it who donate and contribute fixes.
LibreCAD was once known as CADuntu as per the sources, but only for a few months – it was renamed LibreCAD pretty quickly. Still, sometimes one may see it referred to as CADuntu on some older blogs and forums.
- BRL-CAD
BRL-CAD, the third most recommended free AutoCAD alternative, is yet another free and open-source alternative to AutoCAD. They have also collaborated closely with LibreCAD, the previous AutoCAD alternative on this list.
For example, the LibreCAD operates under the umbrella of BRL-CAD in Google Summer of Code and Google Code-In. BRL-CAD boasts around 30 years of deployment. It is a cross-platform as well for solid modeling systems with features like:
- Hybrid CSG and B-rep kernel
- High-performance ray-tracing
- Extensive geometry libraries
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