Whenever we talked about 3D CAD Software, the only term that clouds our minds is AutoCAD. CAD stands for Computer-Aided Design. It is a program that helps you frame designs with the help of a computer. If you want to know more, let’s fall into this topic and learn about it.
What is CAD Software?
CAD is a helpful way to create mechanical or industrial plans and blueprints. This assists you with designing 3D objects and preparing a diagram in an orderly fashion.
CAD software is applied in different industries, architecture, 3D modeling, mechanical designs, the automobile industry, including aerospace, and many more spaces.
Some tools help you render various functions like creating, contouring, applying textures, and enhancing your 3D design skills. This guide has collected some of the best CAD software for 3D printing and modeling for newcomers and advanced users.
10 Best Free 3D CAD Software For Windows PC
1. Adobe Dimension CC
2. Nano Cad
3. 3D Crafter
4. Autodesk 3ds Max
5. KiCAD
6. FreeCAD
7. Solid Works
8. Blender
9. Daz Studio
10. Mesh Mixe
Adobe Dimension CC
The Adobe Dimension CC is a part of the Creative Cloud Suite that brings new dimensions into your design and project.
Some features, such as lighting and high-quality models, allow you to build and craft some engaging 3D models easily within seconds. These navigation options and the drag and drop features make this application one of the best CAD software for 3D printing.
You can quickly craft superfine 3D prints using an image or vector graphics onto a model. The Adobe Dimension CC delivers unbeatable achievement by creating realistic three-dimensional images with perfect contour, texture, and lighting effects. Adobe Dimension CC is utterly compatible with macOS and Windows 10.
Nano Cad
If you are seeing for CAD tools that come with the complete “.dwg” support, Nano CAD resembles for. You can appreciate the premium features, ONSAP, precision tools, SNAP, and Command Line Tool. If you are new to 3D CAD software or are a professional architect, you would get NanoCAD instrumental.
This free version comes with several features and gives an excellent base for the new users, making it the best 3D CAD software for newcomers. However, if you are a professional, then you require to pay to unlock the professional features.
Nano CAD supports Windows.
3D Crafter
3D Crafter is a solid animation and 3D modeling tool that enables you to plan out your 3D models. The effortless to use drag and drop option is something that makes it a must-have tool. This comes with built-in 3D shape crafting tools and simple utilities that easily create intricate designs and models.
The software also permits you to apply animation and effects on the models and shapes. You only need to place the object at each point, thereby making sure that the animations are smooth.
3D Crafter is fit with Windows.
Autodesk 3ds Max
It is a modeling program and function rendering that offers thousands of 3D modeling options and tools. You can design, create, animate 3D characters and models for HD games.
This is one of the most extensive 3D CAD software that comes with some features that help you in:
- Applying contour.
- Modeling hard surfaces.
- Applying after effects.
- Creating animations for 3D effects.
- Texturing to create superfine designs.
This software appears with many learning modules you can use to learn the basics of 3D modeling.
Auto Desk 3ds Max supports Windows, iOS, and Linux.
KiCAD
If you are watching for ways to design your next Printed Circuit Board (PCB), KiCAD will do the job. This is one of the best free CAD software systems that engineers and electricians like around the world.
This is an open-source PCB design software with a built-in project manager and four powerful utilities, including a printed circuit board editor, footprint selecting tool, schematic editor, and the GERBER file viewer/editor.
Some additional features include:
- Two library component editors that permit you to create and edit the schematic components.
- A 3D watcher and editor to render your PCB in 3D space.
KiCAD performs quickly on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Ubuntu.
FreeCAD
The FreeCad is a 3D CAD program that enables you to design real objects of any 3D space size. This is a dynamic parametric modeling program, and you can easily change the parameters and dimensions of your models or designs utilizing its model history menu.
You can utilize this software to create:
- Industrial designs.
- Animations and after-effects.
- Architectural models and designs.
- Fantastic 3D characters, places, and areas for game projects
Some first options and features make FreeCAD one of the best CAD software tools for professionals:
- Box
- Sphere
- Cone
- Torus
- Cylinder
It’s a multi-platform performer and can process multiple file-formats, including DAE, IFC, OBJ, DXF, STEP, STL, etc.
FreeCAD syncs fine with Windows, macOS, and Linux devices.
Solid Works.
Solid Works does a 3D CAD software that appears with tons and tons of powerful features, making it one of the most extensive 3D modeling software.
This is a program that is developed by Dassault Systemes and runs on Windows. Whether you are new to three-dimensional modeling and design crafting, this application is not for you. A huge verity of tools and tons of features makes it an excellent choice for professional artists and architects.
That program is easy to use if you know the depths of designing and modeling. These PDF guides and essential options help you modify the quality of your designs and models.
Solid Works runs evenly on Windows.
Blender
Blender is free-to-use open-source CAD software that helps you with 3D designing, modeling, shaping, and rendering functions, thus making it a versatile program.
You can prepare much more than just handling projects, applying after-effects, three-dimensional printing, animations, etc. That is surely an excellent CAD software for 3D printing.
Likewise, you can install specific add-ons to unlock several functions, options, and features depending on your assignment. Blender is extremely Windows macOS and Linux.
Daz Studio
This Daz Studio is a free-to-use 3D CAD software full of geared and features more towards professionals.
Apart From these features, animation after-effects, such as morphing, and posing, the software also lets you enhance your abilities with a list of in-app interactive tutorials & learning modules.
Daz Studio runs seamlessly fine on Windows and Mac OS X platforms.
Mesh Mixer
The MeshMixer is a top-notch 3D CAD program that you can utilize to shape and model excellent 3D designs. This is geared more towards handling professional models in 3D space, making it an excellent choice for artists and architects.
You can utilize it to build, edit, and modify models from scratch as the program presents all the necessary tools.
In case your assignment is all about 3D modeling, printing, and crafting, this program will support you in your projects—everything this makes Mesh Mixer one of the best CAD software for 3D printing.
These are the fantastic features it offers:
- Tools for brushing.
- Mesh smoothing tools.
- Tools for measuring thickness and stability.
MeshMixer works fine on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.
These are amazing best 3D CAD software systems to see if you are a civil engineer, graphic designer, architect, or a 3D artist.
Bonus 3D CAD Software
Based on our study’s guidance and user ratings, we are also showing excellent CAD software for 3D printing.
3DReshaper
3DReshaper is a stunning 3D CAD program that supports you in processing the models. Whether you are a professional artist with years of experience in modeling, after-effects, and three-dimensional printing, then this is the program you are watching for.
This is a flexible application that caters to several industries, including shipbuilding, civil engineering, gaming, automobile, arts, and many more sectors. This packs a punch of features and supports many scripts for hassle-free modeling.
If you are involved in getting an app that can save your time and support you in your complex projects, so, this is one of the most prominent CAD software for 3D printing
This is a unique program that efficiently processes 3D point clouds from multiple sources, including:
- 3D scanners.
- Digital devices.
- Laser scanning.
- Other sources, such as UAVs.
Considering point-cloud processing is the most challenging step to manage and handle, the application offers powerful tools and also functions such as Automatic Segmentation to manage & process point clouds and Fusion to simplify your tasks.
The 3DReshaper works fine on Windows 10.
Also, Check :
1. Soap2day
2. Mirror iPhone
Final Words :
This produces an end to our guide and concludes the list of most reliable CAD software. It is hard to answer which CAD software is the best as each of the programs mentioned earlier, arises with its own set of advantages and useful features.
This is worth recommending that running animation and 3D effects on your computer need powerful hardware.
Several applications discussed in this guide are free and are surely the best CAD software tools for professionals that will support you in your assignments and projects. We assume that you select the program that suits your needs and works the most beneficial for you.