AutoCAD
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Top Rated
313 Ratings
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Based on 313 reviews and ratings
Top Rated
123 Ratings
<a href='https://www.trustradius.com/static/about-trustradius-scoring' target='_blank' rel='nofollow noopener noreferrer'>trScore algorithm: Learn more.</a>Score 8.5 out of 100
Based on 123 reviews and ratings
Likelihood to Recommend
AutoCAD
AutoCAD is a great program to use to introduce real-life software that students could potentially use for jobs in the future. I used AutoCAD to design the house I am living in right now. If you aren't planning on doing anything in the future with 3D printing or drafting than the program is not something that I would recommend.
Teacher
Prairie Spirit School DivisionEducation Management, 1001-5000 employees
SketchUp
I've found that SketchUp is great for just about any modeling need and even quite a bit of drafting. I don't recommend it for photorealistic rendering, though I've yet to mess around with more than the >$100 plugins. I have yet to run into a document that cannot be created in LayOut, but the complex text is difficult (tables/tabs, etc) to edit.

Verified User
Manager in Other
Construction Company, 11-50 employeesPros
AutoCAD
- AutoCAD is perfect to use when the graphic representation of objects are shown in multiple drawing locations. Then this graphic can be changed once and all occurrences will be automatically updated.
- Using AutoCAD to draw plans is so much more efficient than drawing by hand. This is especially true when it comes to having to make changes. Everything can be done on the computer. There's no need to redraw or retrace the plan because with one command it's so easy to just make a digital copy of it.
- AutoCAD supports not only two-dimensional drawings but also three-dimensional drawings. With a three dimensional model, a user can actually create walkthrus and flybys of the project instead of having to create a physical model.
Senior Associate
Stir ArchitectureArchitecture & Planning, 11-50 employees
SketchUp
- Simplicity. Anyone who is familiar with a computer can jump headfirst into SketchUp and be proficient with its use within an hour.
- Intuitive button design/layout. Creating 3D objects from 2D shapes is easy with the push/pull tool. More complex 3D modeling software can get overwhelming with all of the buttons on the toolbar.
- 3D modeling warehouse. There is an online database that allows users to see what other SketchUp users have created and download their own copy. Sharing objects with other users dramatically reduces the time required to build a very detailed model.
Project Engineer
MortensonConstruction, 5001-10,000 employees
Cons
AutoCAD
- The biggest downside of AutoCAD is absolutely the complexity of the product. Gaining proficiency (in my opinion) requires an in-person class with a skilled instructor that can guide a beginner.
- You need a pretty beefy machine with a newer-generation processor and top-notch video card to really use AutoCAD. Don't assume you can run it on just anything, as it will take forever for files to load and rendering will mean a lot of waiting around otherwise. We use machines that are well suited for high-end gaming with 256GB of RAM and a multi-processor CPU motherboard, plus dual video cards, so it's not cheap, but time is money so its worth it.
- You also need much larger than normal displays (like with any type of drawing work) and with a 4K/60hz resolution to reduce eye strain. Once again, not inexpensive but necessary.

Verified User
Executive in Corporate
Telecommunications Company, 11-50 employeesSketchUp
- Ability to import Revit files and libraries.
- Ability to export true curved vector linework. There are some workarounds, needs to be refined.
- Create an OPEN MAPS connection. Since the split from Google, the source for high-quality aerials is limited.
- Ability to dock all menus to the master window on a Mac
- Ability to develop dockable menu trays on a Mac
Principal
Atelier 7Architecture & Planning, 1-10 employees
Likelihood to Renew
AutoCAD
AutoCAD 8.9
Based on 3 answers
Because rarely we [would] rather wait for a whole year to update, sometimes the new updates don't bring many new features and we are still ok with the current version. Also the change of interface is always something that takes time for every partner in the company to get comfortable with. So those are the main reasons we may want to keep the same version.
Gerente de proyectos de Arquitectura ( Contrato fijo )
Stoneleaf Construction LLCConstruction, 51-200 employees
SketchUp
No score
No answers yet
No answers on this topic
Usability
AutoCAD
AutoCAD 8.1
Based on 3 answers
Is an extremely usefull and accurate software , yo certainly can do almost every task requiered to document a project drawings and specifications , the only is that to be confortable with it you need a little of practice and to be familiarized with the commands and the core functioning to get expected results.
Gerente de proyectos de Arquitectura ( Contrato fijo )
Stoneleaf Construction LLCConstruction, 51-200 employees
SketchUp
No score
No answers yet
No answers on this topic
Support Rating
AutoCAD
AutoCAD 7.3
Based on 24 answers
I give this rating to truly reflect the utility of this tool as a weapon in the armory of every engineer who is out there to create something for generations to wow at. Being a civil engineer by education, I can appreciate the tool's complexity and utility which cannot be provided by any other tool in the market.

Verified User
Team Lead in Manufacturing
Semiconductors Company, 10,001+ employeesSketchUp
SketchUp 8.4
Based on 27 answers
Sketchup is so intuitive; I can't recall ever looking for official support. However, there are many user forums online that can answer more questions. The usefulness of the online forums is, however, tempered by the fact that there have been many versions of the software under different ownership and support regimes, and thus finding the right information for the right version of the software can be a challenge.

Verified User
Professional in Other
Architecture & Planning Company, 11-50 employeesImplementation Rating
AutoCAD
AutoCAD 8.0
Based on 2 answers
the implementation was realy easy , to set up our workstation we pay for the licenses we are about to use , there was a little bit of delay to get the payment processed to receive the serial but after that the install runs without any problem , so you can fell secure there will be not issue with the implementation.
Gerente de proyectos de Arquitectura ( Contrato fijo )
Stoneleaf Construction LLCConstruction, 51-200 employees
SketchUp
No score
No answers yet
No answers on this topic
Alternatives Considered
AutoCAD
I like AutoCAD for design purpose so, I would highly recommend this software to anyone in the designing field, especially signal designing, architectural, engineering or surveying field. AutoCAD is user-friendly software. AutoCAD allows you to be very detailed with your designs, and is very flexible in it's capabilities. AutoCAD has many straightforward tools such as line, polyline, arc and circle that make the whole experience a lot easier and simplifies things for the user. Also, the help boxes that appear on the screen when you put the cursor on a tool are really enlightening and convenient.
Signalling Design Assistant
Softech Global Ltd.Transportation/Trucking/Railroad, 51-200 employees
SketchUp
It's great to give the customer an overview of how a project will look, but it will never replace the information that a blueprint or engineering drawing can convey. SketchUp is great for the casual user or someone who is just getting started in design work. Other high powered software, such as Solidworks or Inventor is more suited for 3D modeling on a regular basis

Verified User
Engineer in Engineering
Building Materials Company, 1001-5000 employeesReturn on Investment
AutoCAD
- AutoCAD is the function of our business. AutoCAD has made this company successful for over 30+ years. This company works, lives, and breathes AutoCAD.
- AutoCAD also has returned a good amount of investment over the years. Since we surround ourselves with AutoCAD daily, I can happily say that it has made this company a huge profit.
- One negative impact is the constant upgrades. Any time a new version comes out, we have to invest in the latest because let's face it, that's how business works! Which costs more money for the upgrade and the maintenance.
Administrative Assistant
Wexler AssociatesCivil Engineering, 11-50 employees
SketchUp
- Some of our clients really appreciated that we could quickly make adjustments to proposed projects or mockups.
- That being said, I've definitely spent a lot of time getting lost in the weeds making very small changes because they saw that it was possible, and then we're spending hours we might not have on the job.
Environmental Scientist
HMB Professional Engineers, Inc.Civil Engineering, 51-200 employees
Pricing Details
AutoCAD
General
Free Trial
—Free/Freemium Version
—Premium Consulting/Integration Services
—Entry-level set up fee?
No
AutoCAD Editions & Modules
Edition
Single-User License | $210.001 |
---|
- per month
Additional Pricing Details
—SketchUp
General
Free Trial
—Free/Freemium Version
Yes
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
—Entry-level set up fee?
No
SketchUp Editions & Modules
Edition
Free | $0.001 |
---|---|
Shop | $119.001 |
Pro | $299.001 |
Professional | $299.001 |
Studio | $1199.001 |
For Students | $55.001 |
For Educators | $55.001 |
- per year