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    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    FreeCAD

    Score8 out of 10
    N/AFreeCAD is an open-source CAD software that specialized in 3D design. New features are added to FreeCAD by an active community of developers.N/A

    Navisworks

    Score9.1 out of 10
    N/AAutodesk's Navisworks is a 3D model and construction project review and coordination software allowing the user to combine design and construction data into a single model, and identify and resolve clash and interference problems before construction.

    $135

    per month

    Pricing
    FreeCADNavisworks
    Editions & Modules
    No answers on this topic
    Navisworks Simulate - Monthly
    $135
    per month per user
    Navisworks Manage - Monthly
    $335
    per month per user
    Navisworks Simulate - Yearly
    $1,080
    per year per user
    Navisworks Manage - Yearly
    $2,670
    per year per user
    Navisworks Simulate - 3 Year
    $3,240
    3 years per user
    Navisworks Manage - 3 Year
    $8,010
    3 year per user
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    FreeCADNavisworks
    Free Trial
    NoYes
    Free/Freemium Version
    NoNo
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    NoNo
    Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
    Additional Details——
    More Pricing Information
    Community Pulse
    FreeCADNavisworks
    Considered Both Products
    Open Source
    No answer on this topic
    Autodesk
    No answer on this topic
    Key User Insights
    Would buy again
    No answers on this topic
    100%
    Would buy again
    17 Answers
    Delivers good value for the price
    No answers on this topic
    100%
    Delivers good value for the price
    15 Answers
    Happy with the feature set
    No answers on this topic
    94%
    Happy with the feature set
    16 Answers
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    No answers on this topic
    100%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    12 Answers
    Implementation went as expected
    No answers on this topic
    100%
    Implementation went as expected
    14 Answers
    Features
    FreeCADNavisworks
    Computer-Aided Design Software
    Comparison of Computer-Aided Design Software features of FreeCAD and Navisworks
    Feature
    FreeCAD
    7.4
    1 Ratings
    1% below category average
    Navisworks
    -
    Ratings
    3D Modeling7.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    2D Drafting6.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Rendering and Visualization5.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Parametric Design7.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Collaboration and Sharing5.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Compatibility with other software and formats9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Assembly Design7.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Simulation and Analysis10.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Documentation and Annotation8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Customization and Extensions10.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Best Alternatives
    FreeCADNavisworks
    Small Businesses
    Onshape
    Score6.4 out of 10
    Autodesk Maya
    Score8.4 out of 10
    Medium-sized Companies
    Onshape
    Score6.4 out of 10
    Blender
    Score9 out of 10
    Enterprises
    PTC Creo
    Score7.6 out of 10
    No answers on this topic
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    FreeCADNavisworks
    Likelihood to Recommend
    8.0
    (2 ratings)
    10.0
    (16 ratings)
    Usability
    6.0
    (1 ratings)
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    Support Rating
    -
    (0 ratings)
    7.4
    (9 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    FreeCADNavisworks
    Likelihood to Recommend
    Open Source
    I see FreeCad as the perfect solution for a startup with limited resources that want to save as much as possible and doesn't mind using non-standard 3D CAD software, i.e., it's not required by customers to use specific software for compatibility. It's perfect for hobbyist use and makers who don't care about brands and pay monthly fees. I see it as very well suited for small businesses that need FEA (finite element analysis) and can't/don't want to pay huge amounts of money for it, just like us. I see FreeCad as less appropriate for big corporations or well-established businesses that need standardized solutions, compatibility with clients or good version management. Don't get me wrong, it can get the job done, but it will be much slower than state-of-the-art CAD systems.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Autodesk
    Navisworks is a key tool if doing any 3D model coordination with other trades. It will allow you to view your model content with others to know for certain that your design is accurate and can be assembled. Navisworks also comes with a lot of additional tools to make this process easy.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Pros
    Open Source
    • Importing CAD formats
    • Converting mesh formats to solid and surface objects geometry
    • Fixing errors in geometry cad
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Autodesk
    • Model Viewing, the navigation tools are really easy to use for walking through the model, especially if viewpoints are set up for key locations.
    • The take-offs work really well and can be very quick and easy if the model was built right.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Cons
    Open Source
    • Overall, the UI feels very old and non-polished.
    • There are some quirky behaviors, like being unable to select a plane by having the cursor over it; it has to be over the edges of the plane.
    • It's overwhelming having those many modules and options for doing things that appear to be similar.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Autodesk
    • A link to BIM 360 Model Coordination is a serious shortcoming. It used to be easy to link to models loaded to BIM 360 Glue for more in depth clash detection.
    • I would have liked the ability to export a simulation created in Navisworks to 3DS Max for a more immersive animation with decent material mapping and better animation tools.
    • I would like to be able to view/create BIM 306 Docs/Field issues directly in Navisworks. In the current workflow we have to use other file formats to work within BIM 360. It would be more productive to be able to navigate the model through Navisworks and to create viewpoints and issues from within Navisworks.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Usability
    Open Source
    Usability is awkward. Perhaps if you learn it as your first CAD, it will feel OK. Still, it comes from commercial CAD products like mine (Onshape, Solid Works, Inventor, Solid Edge). You will feel it is less intuitive, with a less polished UI, difficult to customize and, this is a subjective one, less serious. I'd love to see it improve the usability and UI. I believe the engine behind it is powerful, but how you interact with the software is still lacking.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Autodesk
    Users are very happy with it and hear no complains from them
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Support Rating
    Open Source
    No answers on this topic
    Autodesk
    Autodesk owns Navisworks, and it seems to have a pretty good support network. A lot of the troubleshooting or support information is provided through an online database, so you most likely would not be getting any personal attention with your issues. Since there are so many users for Navisworks, there is a lot of information on the web.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Alternatives Considered
    Open Source
    Freecad is used often when receiving files from multiple sources and the need to work with cad in various forms from meshes to solid cad. Often when receiving scans of 3d objects the format is easy to work with and convert to traditional cad later on. There is no other cad that can bridge the gap between all the cad formats that we found yet.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Autodesk
    Navisworks is a master tool if we want to do any 3D model coordination with any trade of a building. It allows us to view our model content with all elements to visualize and understand for certain where our design stands in terms of accuracy and how all things can be assembled on site. Navisworks also comes with a lot of additional tools to make BIM process easy.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Return on Investment
    Open Source
    • It has allowed us to do some cad work that no other systems has allowed us to do and is key to getting that done fast
    • It has lots of online support through forums and blogs for trouble shooting
    • It could have an updated interface to make the functionality more user friendly for first time users
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Autodesk
    • It helps in coordination on BIM projects. We have had major project coordination saving millions on jobs.
    • Helps us win more projects as we can coordinate them
    • Used to use the animation tools for site logistics. Now we use game engines.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ScreenShots