For all you Computer Aided Design (CAD) fans out there, it’s time to introduce you to another cool, free way to work on your technical drawings and designs. The newly renamed LibreCAD (a.k.a. CADuntu) began as an Ubuntu CAD client, but has since been released as a Mac and Windows port as well.
MacDraft Professional is the 2D CAD app that makes floor plan design, architectural drawing and illustration simple on the Mac. Create precise and professional 2D drawings in moments, with this easy-to-use, powerful and affordable drafting application.
Each design software is targetted at different needs, and choosing the best one for you depends on many factors such as cost, compatibility with other programs and the amount of time you are willing to spend on the drawing process.
LibreCAD Beta 4 is a free 2D open source CAD client, which can be used for all manner of 2D design, including architectural plans, engineering drafting, graphic design and the design of mechanical parts. The LibreCAD client is quite advanced for free, open source CAD software, allowing layer control and complex item selection processes. We’ll take a closer look at the Mac LibreCAD client in this article, but keep in mind that it’s free for Windows and Linux too.
The software is also known to have won an award for being the best architectural software for residence and also a few commercial designs. Arcon Evo CAD. Cheifarchitect – Free Mac Architectural Design Software. Rating: 4.7/5 Price: Free. Architectural Drawing Software – Most popular Architectural Design Software of 2016. The Best Free CAD Software app downloads for Mac: Microspot DWG Viewer Silhouette Studio CAD File Converter M DWG/DXF Converter CAD File Converter M Z.
This program is easy to use for the building professional. Learn more about Chief Architect The industry leader for residential architectural home design software.
Side note: You’re possibly a bit of a designer if you’re reading this far. LibreCAD are currently holding a logo contest which you can join by following these guidelines (the prize is to be acknowledged in the ‘About’ dialogue). Or if you prefer, make some comments on the current best logo submissions.
LibreCAD Set-Up
Set-up is simple, involving a simple copy of the application to the Applications folder. The application currently is still shown as CADuntu, despite the new name change.
When you run the program for the first time, you can choose your language from a surprising number of language choices. This setting can also be changed later in preferences.
General LibreCAD Functions
At first glance, it’s easy to see that regular users of other popular CAD programs will have no problems working out how to get started and create a simple design. There’s a straightforward menu palette of basic tools to your left, layer options at the top and a blank template screen with little dots as guides. It’s very easy to jump in and get a feel for LibreCAD and piece together a simple diagram.
All other typical CAD functions can be found in the menu bar. There’s a number of different view options, selection and modification tools, drawing options, snap choices, dimensioning and information tools, plus layering and block options.
The layers support is vital for creating detailed models and keeping large sets of information separate from each other. The available selection tools are also sufficiently advanced to allow complex selection.
Below the drawing there is a command line, which allows you to enter diameters and other information as the CAD tools you use require. You’ll see the prompt for information if you have chosen such a tool.
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More About LibreCAD
LibreCAD can be used for any 2D architectural drafting, engineering designs, mechanical parts drawing, construction, simulation, interior design, creative design work or other diagrams.
Files are saved as DXF format or can be exported to a number of picture formats, such as JPG or PNG.
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Have you tried LibreCAD? For your purposes, how does it compare to popular CAD tools and other free CAD software? Let us know in the comments!
Explore more about: Drawing Software, Image Editor.
I can't make heads or tails of it. Where is there a reasonable set of instructions for this tool? It certainly *looks* like it ought to be awesome. But I can't copy and paste a simple block of lines.
Any hints on how to select and copy an entire block of lines would be gratefully accepted.
thanks this helps me a lot in my education because i am in mechanical field think this will help
Free Drawing Program For Mac Os X
Modern technology has been of great help to many of the professionals such as the Architects. There was a time when architects used to draw diagrams and structures on paper with the help of pencil and scale.
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But now paper and wood can be saved and also the convenience has been provided to the architects with the help of various architectural design software options available in the online market.If you are searching for such software, then the following can be of some use to you.
progeCAD Architecture 2014
This is one of the easiest software that can be handled by even the architects who are not much into computers. The user-friendly and simple to use interface makes this software an easy and simple one. The software runs on the BIM technology that helps you in creating and remodeling designs in both 3D and 2D effects. It uses DWG as the basic file format to be used for creating such diagrams online.
CadSoftExpressView
ExpressView from Cadsoft is free to use software and also comes along with a simple interface and easy to use features. It can be used not only in creating various designs for homes and floor plans, but also to view various other designs that have been created in some other software options under Cadsoft. The software is also known to have won an award for being the best architectural software for residence and also a few commercial designs.
Arcon Evo CAD
Arcon Evo is not free software for architecture but can be said to be one of the best one in terms of features that it offers. It offers professional CAD tools for designing windows and doors in the 3D view, roof and floor plans and also customized stairs. The software is well supported by training and tutorials for them who are new to such software.
Architectural Design Software for Different Platforms
It is not necessary that everyone will be using a device supported by Windows operating system. Today there are people using tablets with platforms of android and Mac also. Hence, it is always not necessary that single software will be compatible with the devices. There are now multiple choices of such software available that are compatible with different operating systems.
Cheifarchitect – Free Mac Architectural Design Software
Chiefarchitect is developed for professionals who deal with 3D designing. It is perfect for creating of floor plan, interior design and kitchen & bath design easy. This software is built for both Mac and android and offers various features that are all very well described in the demo from where you can learn about the working of the software with fun.
Edificius – Free Windows Architectural Design Software
Though there are many such Architectural Design software options available for Windows, but Edificius is known for its affordability and also for many other benefits. It is easy to use and is also very fast to be learnt by anyone. The software runs on BIM solutions and allows you to have 3D and dynamic cross section views.
Best Architectural Design Software For Mac
Home Design 3D – FREEMIUM – Free android Architectural Design Software
This is the very first application on android that allows the users to not only create designs but also customize various existing designs. The undo option allows you to correct mistakes and 3D mode allows you to customize the design by adding or removing rooms and adjusting openings. The interior and floor plan layout, drag and drop action and several videos are added advantage.
Architectural Drawing Software – Most popular Architectural Design Software of 2016
If you are not a professional and have just started using architectural software, then this can be the best one for you. This is the reason it has been recently considered as the most popular software of the year 2016. It offers various examples to understand the features of the software and also it is well supported by options like Dropbox and PDF for extra convenience while designing. You can also see Home Remodeling Software
What is Architectural Design Software?
In today’s modern world, there is software for almost each and everything. So, when it comes to a profession like architecture, where the architects have to put in their patience and hardest of efforts, software can be of great help. This is the reason where architectural design software came into being. You can also see CAD Viewer Software
Now gone are the days when architects had to prepare designs on paper. Now with the use of these software options, they can easily create designs and experience exterior as well and interior designs in both 2D and 3D. Apart from this the software also offers a huge number of other features to make the work of the architects even more convenient.
You are wrong if you are thinking that the Architectural Design software is only about creating designs of floor plan and other home areas. In fact it is something more than just designing. It allows you to customize the designs and is a virtual reality viewer for 3D models. It helps the architects in the best way to get a design ready on which they can proceed to work.