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AutoCAD

AutoCAD

Overview

What is AutoCAD?

AutoCAD is a CAD product from Autodesk. It allows designers to work in 2D and 3D, and is available on Windows and Mac, but with extensive online collaboration tools.

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Recent Reviews

TrustRadius Insights

AutoCAD is a versatile software widely used in various industries for its ability to create detailed 2D and 3D models. Many users rely on …
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AutoCAD Review

10 out of 10
October 26, 2023
AutoCAD is one of the most used software for desigining and and preparing the civil Engineering design in my firm. As of AutoCAD I use it …
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A review of AutoCAD

9 out of 10
September 18, 2023
We use AutoCAD for 2D drafting, and creating drawing deliverables for multiple clients. We import data from other engineering/design …
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Well oriented tool

8 out of 10
December 27, 2021
This is one of the best software for preparing engineering drawings. It has many features for preparing drawings for clients. 1. Preparing …
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Awards

Products that are considered exceptional by their customers based on a variety of criteria win TrustRadius awards. Learn more about the types of TrustRadius awards to make the best purchase decision. More about TrustRadius Awards

Reviewer Pros & Cons

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Pricing

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Monthly Subscription

$245

On Premise
per month per user

Yearly Subscription

$1975

On Premise
per year per user

3-Year Subscription

$5925

On Premise
3 years per user

Entry-level set up fee?

  • No setup fee
For the latest information on pricing, visithttps://www.autodesk.com/products/autoc…

Offerings

  • Free Trial
  • Free/Freemium Version
  • Premium Consulting/Integration Services

Starting price (does not include set up fee)

  • $245 per month
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Product Demos

AutoCAD 2010 Demo: Block Tables

YouTube

AutoCAD 2010 Demo: 3D Printing

YouTube

Demo AutoCAD 2010 en Español

YouTube

AutoCAD 2010 Demo: PDF Output

YouTube

AutoCAD 2010 Demo: PDF Underlay

YouTube

AutoCAD Architecture 2010 Demo

YouTube
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Product Details

What is AutoCAD?

AutoCAD is a CAD product from Autodesk. It allows designers to work in 2D and 3D, and is available on Windows and Mac, but with extensive online collaboration tools.

It can be used to
  • Design and annotate 2D geometry and 3D models with solids, surfaces, and mesh objects
  • Automate tasks such as comparing drawings, replacing blocks, counting objects, creating schedules, and more
  • Create a customized workspace to maximize productivity with add-on apps and API

AutoCAD includes 7 toolsets:

  • Architecture toolset
  • Mechanical toolset
  • Map 3D toolset
  • MEP toolset
  • Electrical toolset
  • Plant 3D toolset
  • Raster Design toolset

Key Features of AutoCAD 2024 now include:

  • Smart Blocks - Automatically place blocks based on previous placements or quickly find and replace existing blocks
  • My Insights - Faster project completion with helpful tips and features from My Insights
  • Floating windows - Displays drawing windows side by side or on multiple monitors within the same instance of AutoCAD
  • Activity Insights - Keeps the user informed of recent changes to a shared DWG through an activity log
  • Drawing History - Comparison of past and present versions of a drawing to see how work has evolved
  • Sharing - A controlled copy of a drawing can be sent to teammates and colleagues for viewing or editing from anywhere
  • Markup Import and Markup Assist - Imported feedback from paper or PDFs and add changes automatically, without altering an existing drawing
  • AutoCAD anytime, anywhere - CAD drawings can be created, edited, and viewed with a browser using AutoCAD on mobile or on web
  • Push to Autodesk Docs - CAD drawing sheets can be pushed as PDFs directly from AutoCAD to Autodesk Docs

AutoCAD Videos

Introducing AutoCAD
Introducing AutoCAD 2023
Introducing AutoCAD 2024

AutoCAD Competitors

AutoCAD Technical Details

Deployment TypesOn-premise
Operating SystemsWindows, Mac
Mobile ApplicationNo

Frequently Asked Questions

AutoCAD is a CAD product from Autodesk. It allows designers to work in 2D and 3D, and is available on Windows and Mac, but with extensive online collaboration tools.

AutoCAD starts at $245.

ZWCAD, BricsCAD, and FreeCAD are common alternatives for AutoCAD.

Reviewers rate Usability highest, with a score of 8.

The most common users of AutoCAD are from Small Businesses (1-50 employees).
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Comparisons

View all alternatives
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Reviews and Ratings

(546)

Community Insights

TrustRadius Insights are summaries of user sentiment data from TrustRadius reviews and, when necessary, 3rd-party data sources. Have feedback on this content? Let us know!

AutoCAD is a versatile software widely used in various industries for its ability to create detailed 2D and 3D models. Many users rely on AutoCAD for Bim modeling, specifically for creating 3D models of building services like HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection. Engineers and architects appreciate its features in preparing engineering drawings, such as spool drawings, 2D sheets for construction sites, and detailed connections of plumbing and HVAC. Its ease of use and fast documentation make it a favorite among professionals for managing multiple project drawings.

AutoCAD is highly regarded for its role in architectural and interior projects, allowing designers to create high-quality and easy-to-interpret engineering drawings. Architects, engineers, and designers also utilize AutoCAD to exchange files between teams seamlessly. The software's versatility extends beyond construction-related projects as well; it is used for vehicle turn radius studies, traffic flow analysis, PCB mechanical drawings, panel forms, electrical meter items in 2D, and editing and cleaning up drawings received from customers.

Additionally, AutoCAD plays a primary role in design teams' processes by producing engineering drawings for client approval and construction purposes. It is also extensively used in educational settings to prepare students for their field of study. Its applications reach beyond designing and drafting; AutoCAD is utilized in laser cutting for precise design verification before sending the designs to the laser cutter. With compatibility with other file formats and seamless integration with other Autodesk software packages, AutoCAD has become a staple tool in many organizations across different disciplines.

Users highly recommend AutoCAD for various design purposes, including 2D drawing generation, detailing, plumbing, and electrical plans production. It is particularly recommended for architectural and engineering professionals.

Users suggest considering if AutoCAD is suitable for GIS users and checking its compatibility with other third-party tools. They also highlight that AutoCAD is considered the industry standard for 2D drawings.

Overall, users recommend using AutoCAD due to its extensive capabilities, industry reputation, and suitability for different design tasks.

Attribute Ratings

Reviews

(1-25 of 76)
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October 26, 2023

AutoCAD Review

Osman Shaikh | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
As we all know that AutoCAD is a basic Drafting software used to drawing all of 2D object so all above softwares mentioned as as used as 2nd one after developing the plan on AutoCAD. So I do prepare plans on AutoCAD and develops them on above software. So basically my first preference will be AutoCAD
September 18, 2023

A review of AutoCAD

Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
AutoCAD was chosen for its versatility, customisation and compatibility. AutoCAD is a highly versatile software used across various industries, including civil engineering. It's known for its precise drafting and drawing capabilities. It allows for extensive customization through scripts, macros, and custom programming. This makes it adaptable to a wide range of workflows and industries and it integrates well with other Autodesk products and a wide range of third-party software.

It does lack specialised functionality that you would get from 12D, MicroStation or Civil 3D so you need to decide what your ultimate work goals are.
Janeil Harricharan | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
I have experience with Autodesk Maya, and am familiar with their user interface with creating 3D objects. AutoCAD while from the same family, requires a steeper learning curve and more in-depth knowledge of the software.

I have experience with this software because it is the industry standard in the jobs that I applied to, and was required to the company that I interviewed for. Part of the interview process was a proof-of-work test to create a mock solution for a client, which would demonstrate knowledge and skill with using AutoCAD.

I have little experience with CorelCAD, but I found AutoCAD to be more in-depth with your options and what you could create.
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
for the developing of 2d drawings AutoCAD is more suitable than other software due to its very easy and understandable user interface. besides that, due to the orientation of the software to 2d drawings, the library of commands is better structured and organized, making the work with software much easier and faster to understand for those who are just getting started with the programm
Ashish Mathur | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
This is the most primitive application in the field of design and drafting hence it has the simplest workflow system. It is quite easy to comprehend the processes for any user hence they can access the mistakes easily. Man-to-machine interaction of this software is best among its contemporary users.
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
AutoCAD is the industry benchmark and standard, it is easy to use and understand, the Graphic User Interface is fairly intuitive with icons that make sense, shortcut keys make drawing super fast, blocks prevent or at least limit costly mistakes.
The drawing exchange format (DXF) is for one thing easy to save in the newest format as well as older formats that better suit older machines in the profile cutting industry
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
All of the alternatives above work well if you are starting from scratch and are in the market for new software. DraftSight is no longer free. If you have any legacy AutoCAD drawings you are going to encounter problems as we did. Sometimes old files won't open or save correctly. Sometimes not all of the data comes with the file. When you open them, layers, templates, etc. are missing. Plot configurations don't line up if you need to use a large plotter vs just a small printer.
Abhijeet Kumar | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Automation in AutoCAD with Dynamo is going to be good. With Dynamo script we can make our AutoCAD more automatic and easy to use time-saving software. If we apply some good Dynamo script it will add a hanger in all models with a standard distance this is a type of example using Dynamo with AutoCAD.
VIKAS RANA | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Better 2D designing than CATIA. Way cheaper than other CADs available in the market. 2D drafting is way better than CATIA. 2D dimensioning is better than CATIA. It is very easy to design pipeline layouts on AutoCAD than on another software. It saves time and the workflow is super intuitive on AutoCAD.
December 27, 2021

Well oriented tool

Mahmoud obaid | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Each program has its own pros and cons so, for example, I am using AutoCad for big scale projects especially if they are 2D drawings and need a high production rate along with high-resolution details. By that, we increased our business performance.
November 02, 2021

2d AutoCAD design KING

DHIRAJ PATEL | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
AutoCAD is improving day by day and update by update. Making their [features] smooth and more [efficient] with every update and it is very efficient in the things that it does. [The] functions that they provide are very useful and easy to use. [The] interface of AutoCAD is [interactive] and redefined for [the] best user experience.
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Work involved in my organization is related to teaching 2D designs and layouts for students, so AutoCAD is a great option. However, when it comes to 3D modelling and a clean user experience, we prefer SketchUp as an alternate option.
Joyce Williams | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
AutoCAD commands are effective, active and responsive to the engineer's commands, easy to customize the AutoCAD drafting features, and the final results produced have the best and productive quality.
Getting used to AutoCAD is also easy and friendly on manipulation, and even its initial installation process.
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
AutoCAD is still the top choice although the software subscription is more on the costly side. Time saved on every mouse stroke justifies the value of AutoCAD. After using AutoCAD for a while, other competitors' less expensive copycat versions feel very inefficient and not preferred as a daily option.
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
It's the best solution for a 2D drawing. Much easier to create 2D plans when you [don't] need to create 3D components. Stable and Functional. Easy to use and remember. All commands are located where they make the best sense. Various access [to] commands is awesome!!! You can use [the] right click of the mouse, double click on the mouse, use the roll to zoom in and out, left or right-click... there are so many ways that users adopt and create their own way [of] designing and drafting.
Adrienne Gould-Choquette, P.E. | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
For the HVAC engineering and design field, companies like RHVAC and Wrightsoft make competing products. I have not used these packages, but I have seen the designs they produce. These designs are not up to the quality, customizability, or standard that I am able to put out with AutoCAD software.
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
We chose AutoCAD because it was the professional software package, we had been using simpler and cheaper solutions but we found that our drawings were suffering because of it and that we had a lack of technical skill in CAD because of the ease of use of the more amateur software. Lucidchart is a silly comparison to make, but this is what we had been using, which was easy but the final product was very amateurish, same with SketchUp. Microsoft Visio was also good but was limiting because this was not the software that was being used by our collaborators.
April 09, 2021

AutoCAD review

Score 4 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
We use SOLIDWORKS almost exclusively, mainly for 3D modeling and simulation efforts. We cannot use AutoCAD drawings for the engineering work we need to accomplish for our products without a 3D add in - the main benefit to AutoCAD over SOLIDWORKS is that SOLIDWORKS does not do the layout plans and diagrams as easily as AutoCAD.
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
AutoCAD is more complete and offers more resources in general besides the great majority of professionals in the market using it, which facilitates the transfer of files between teams without any problem and the learning of the software that remains very similar in years. It already does several 2D and 3D functions and for this reason it ends up being the most suitable for not working with many software.
Matt Wipf | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
AutoCAD is a lot more powerful then NanoCAD. It is easier to navigate and more powerful in some situations. One thing I like is that NanoCAD allows you to delete layers if there is something drawn on them.
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