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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

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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 82)
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October 26, 2023

AutoCAD Review

Osman Shaikh | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
  • Well I love the way its all commands work
  • The Layers and properties style is very helpful for differentation
  • The page setup and Layout styles plus the use of dynamic Blocks
  • It need to work on lags caused due to Hatches
  • Need to work on 3D modelling material renders and its animations
  • Also for 3D modelling it has to prepare some easy shortcuts keys abd the command acces
September 18, 2023

A review of AutoCAD

Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
  • Design and Drafting
  • Site Planning
  • Quantity Estimation
  • Visualisation and Rendering
  • User Interface Customisation: AutoCAD's user interface could benefit from more robust customisation options. Allowing users to rearrange toolbars, menus, and panels according to their specific workflows and preferences would enhance productivity.
  • Enhanced 3D Modeling Tools: While AutoCAD is capable of 3D modeling, it's not as intuitive or feature-rich as dedicated 3D modeling software. Streamlining the process and adding more advanced modeling tools would be a welcome improvement.
  • Enhanced Collaboration and Version Control: AutoCAD could improve its collaboration tools, such as real-time editing and version tracking, to facilitate smoother teamwork, especially in multi-disciplinary projects.
  • Intelligent Object Libraries: AutoCAD could benefit from an expanded and more intelligent library of standard objects and components. This would save time for designers who often have to create custom components from scratch.
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
  • simple but very well organised interface for users
  • very intuitive comands that make the workflow with the software very easy, also for starter users without too many experience
  • the software responds very well to large and hard to read files, without slowing down or interrupting the workflow due to reading erros that normaly disrupt users and make the experience with the software more stressfull
  • improvements on the 3D modelling area, making the interface easier to deal with
  • an easier possibility to change the language settings of the software
  • improving the array command, making it more easier to handle with, considering that it often causes unespected erros to the software, interrupting the constant worflow
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
  • 2D drawing
  • Ability to run macros and custom templates.
  • User friendly interface.
  • Shortcut keys for legacy users who learned without using the mouse for everything.
  • Does not integrate changes across multiple files.
  • Does not compile data across multiple files.
  • Some menu options are from older versions and could be reorganized better.
Abhijeet Kumar | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
  • HVAC duct design and modeling.
  • Fire protection pipe design and modeling and same for plumbing.
  • 2D sheet creation and spool drawing.
  • Software charges i think this software is to be free for learning purpose.
  • Student version should be add some more features.
  • Model should be glue with Bim blue like Revit.
VIKAS RANA | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
  • 2D drafting
  • Boundary-free designing
  • Integration with other programs
  • Easy to import and export files
  • The 3D design part of AutoCAD is not very proficient.
  • 3D render environment needs some improvements.
  • It is a bit expensive for a beginner's startup.
December 27, 2021

Well oriented tool

Mahmoud obaid | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
  • 2D & 3D Drafting.
  • Its interface is user-friendly.
  • Boundless area to create and design.
  • Using it for 3D models isn't easy and quite difficult.
  • While transferring Data from some other design software to AutoCAD, the layers won't be addressed correctly.
Joyce Williams | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
  • The easy drafting experience.
  • Engineering 2D documentation capability.
  • Easy implementation of the CAD tool.
  • Ability to import large files.
  • Large 3D design manipulation.
  • Misbehaving especially when installed on a less specifications machine.
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
  • AutoCAD has tools used to represent spaces and objects accurately and precisely
  • AutoCAD has been the foundation for other tools like Civil 3D, Revit and Inventor
  • AutoCAD has tools to help you draw, modify, and organize the spaces and objects you want to digitally represent
  • AutoCAD has straight and spline leaders. It is missing arc leaders.
  • AutoCAD can count instances of all or selected blocks (or symbols). It does not count dynamic blocks.
  • AutoCAD viewports have grips for stretching, moving, and changing scale. They are missing grips to add a vertex/segment and convert to an arc/line segment.
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
  • Dimensioning
  • Paper space
  • Layout plans
  • Good sofwtare to open any 2D dwg used in other software
  • Sheet set
  • It needs more help in 3D world, eventually some parametric support
  • Better connection with Revit or Inventor
  • Dynamic blocks could get some updates
  • Parameters can be more developed; excel capabilities could be added
  • Sheet set could be more evolved to support a workflow involving data management
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
  • It has strong 2D and 3D design sketch pad which also can be used as isometrically.
  • It has has the great layout of the tools.
  • To convert drawing in PDF it requires the pdf software individually in the system however it should have [its] own pdf viewer in order to check the print view margins according to the printer.
Adrienne Gould-Choquette, P.E. | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
  • The more I use it, the more I customize my drawings, the more beautiful they become.
  • AutoCAD has a seemingly infinite number of tools and features.
  • Because the user base is so large, there are so many resources to problem solve and learn new features.
  • AutoCAD can be very s-l-o-w. My computer spec's exceeded those listed on AutoCAD's website, but I think their requirements may be under specified.
  • It's a bit pricey - but for what it does, I really don't mind the investment.
  • Some glitches that AutoCAD knows about seem to never be resolved. Forums show the same question is asked over years of new releases.
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
  • Fast drawing if you know what you're doing.
  • VERY flexible.
  • Keyboard commands and shortcuts keep users off the mouse.
  • Industry standard .DWG file type is easily transferable to other companies.
  • Steep learning curve for those with no CAD experience.
  • Text is generally a bit annoying, there are many options for size.
  • Going from 2d to 3d is a big step.
April 09, 2021

AutoCAD review

Score 4 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
  • 2D drawings and schematics.
  • Lab organization and layout.
  • Manufacturing floor layout and design.
  • Hard to use the 3D instance
  • Engineering of our products make s it difficult to draw from a model.
  • Other software is already set up and difficult to displace internally.
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
  • Easy to use in field to quickly document existing floor plans.
  • Industry standard allows for easy collaboration with consultants.
  • The subscription model allows for easy scaling if personnel needs change based on workload.
  • Steep learning curve means downtime if training is needed.
  • Relatively expensive, especially if not the main software in office workflow.
  • Complex drawing files tend to become unstable and crash frequently, especially if hatching is used.
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