Cheap way to get a CAD programme?

  • Thread starter Thread starter streeters
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Cad
AI Thread Summary
Several affordable or open-source CAD programs are recommended for those seeking alternatives to expensive software like AutoCAD. SolidEdge 2D is highlighted as a free and effective option available in the US, while ProgeCAD and CADopia are noted as cost-effective alternatives priced between $200 and $350, both utilizing the IntelliCAD library. These programs are compatible with AutoCAD files and commands, with IntelliCAD reportedly excelling in reading DXF files. Users express a desire for personal recommendations rather than sifting through extensive search results, emphasizing the need for quality options based on real user experiences.
streeters
Messages
226
Reaction score
2
Is there a cheap (or OS) CAD programme that one of you could recommend?
If, indeed, such a thing exists. I can't really justify £1,300 for AutoCAD.

I'm trying really hard not to resort to piracy (sort of a New Year's resolution).
 
Physics news on Phys.org
streeters said:
Is there a cheap (or OS) CAD programme

Google says " Results 1 - 10 of about 2,050,000 for open source cad. (0.19 seconds) ". Perhaps one of those will suit your needs, whatever they are.
 
http://www.progesoft.com/ or http://www.cadopia.com/ is about $200-$350 and is probably the best cheap autocad clones.
They are based on the same intellicad CAD library with different front ends. They read/write Autocad and have the same Autocad commands

In fact intellicad does a better job of reading DXF than Autocad - we use it to translate bad DXF files from some GIS apps

This used to be the best round up of cheap/free cad
http://www.eland.org.uk/pages/Misc/cadnotes.html
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Vanadium 50 said:
Google says " Results 1 - 10 of about 2,050,000 for open source cad. (0.19 seconds) ". Perhaps one of those will suit your needs, whatever they are.

Thanks for trying to help. You did your best.

I didn't really want to trawl through 2,050,000 pages. Rather, I was after some opinion on which was a good quality option by those who had used one.

Thanks mgb_phys, TVP45
 

Similar threads

Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
23
Views
5K
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
9K
Replies
6
Views
2K
Back
Top