FreeCAD vs. NX CAM

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
FreeCAD
Score 7.9 out of 10
N/A
FreeCAD 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
NX CAM
Score 8.2 out of 10
N/A
NX CAM provides NC programming capabilities that enables the use of consistent 3D models, data and processes to connect planning and shop floor operations with a digital thread. It is used to streamline and automate NC programming, while reducing cycle time using application-specific tools.
$174
per month per seat
Pricing
FreeCADNX CAM
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
FreeCADNX CAM
Free Trial
NoYes
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoYes
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeOptional
Additional DetailsTo get information about all the available NX CAM configurations, please contact: Americas: 1 800 498 5351 EMEA: 00 800 70002222 Asia-Pacific: 001 800 03061910
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
FreeCADNX CAM
Top Pros

No answers on this topic

Top Cons

No answers on this topic

Features
FreeCADNX CAM
Computer-Aided Design Software
Comparison of Computer-Aided Design Software features of Product A and Product B
FreeCAD
7.4
1 Ratings
4% above category average
NX CAM
-
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
FreeCADNX CAM
Small Businesses
Onshape
Onshape
Score 9.5 out of 10
SOLIDWORKS
SOLIDWORKS
Score 8.4 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Onshape
Onshape
Score 9.5 out of 10
SOLIDWORKS
SOLIDWORKS
Score 8.4 out of 10
Enterprises
Rhino
Rhino
Score 8.8 out of 10
Autodesk Fusion
Autodesk Fusion
Score 7.9 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
FreeCADNX CAM
Likelihood to Recommend
8.0
(2 ratings)
7.9
(3 ratings)
Usability
6.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
FreeCADNX CAM
Likelihood to Recommend
FreeCAD
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.
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Siemens AG
35 years i work with nx
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Pros
FreeCAD
  • Importing CAD formats
  • Converting mesh formats to solid and surface objects geometry
  • Fixing errors in geometry cad
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Siemens AG
  • User interface
  • Virtual Simulation
  • Automatic Roughing
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Cons
FreeCAD
  • 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.
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Siemens AG
  • tool for design structure
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Usability
FreeCAD
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.
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Siemens AG
No answers on this topic
Alternatives Considered
FreeCAD
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.
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Siemens AG
Powermill did not use model associativity or parametric so was not easy to respond to design changes but was good at toolpath strategies and collision avoidance
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Return on Investment
FreeCAD
  • 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
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Siemens AG
  • Good product for us to resell
  • Sells itself due to nice integration within the digital twin bigger picture
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ScreenShots

NX CAM Screenshots

Screenshot of 5-axis roughing with NX CAMScreenshot of Adaptive milling with NX CAMScreenshot of Multi-channel turning with NX CAMScreenshot of Prime turning finish with NX CAMScreenshot of Prismatic part machining with NX CAM