TrustRadius: an HG Insights company

DraftSight

Score8.5 out of 10

1,342 Reviews and Ratings

Get a Demo

What is DraftSight?

DraftSight is a 2D and 3D CAD solution for architects, engineers and construction service providers, as well as professional CAD users, designers, educators and hobbyists. DraftSight lets users create, edit, view, and markup any kind of 2D and 3D DWG file with greater ease, speed, and efficiency. Its familiar user interface helps to facilitate a quick transition from other CAD applications.

DraftSight Offerings:
  • DraftSight Professional: the advanced 2D CAD drafting solution with time-saving functionalities and an API to help bring designs to life quickly and easily. Ideal for companies, individuals and designers.
  • DraftSight Premium (3D): a robust 2D drafting and 3D design experience with full 3D capabilities and constraints features to help meet any drafting, modeling, prototyping, manufacturing, laser cutting and 3D printing needs. Created for individuals, designers, companies, manufacturers and makers.
  • DraftSight Enterprise and Enterprise Plus: a comprehensive 2D drafting and 3D design solution created to meet various drafting, modeling, prototyping, manufacturing, laser cutting, and 3D printing requirements. Designed for large organizations with many users or multiple sites.

Categories & Use Cases

Media

Screenshot of Plate Insert
Screenshot of Image Trace
Screenshot of 2D and 3D DWG files
Screenshot of HomeByMe Integration

1 / 4

Screenshot of Plate Insert

DraftSight Key Features

Learn about the best (and worst!) features DraftSight has to offer, as determined by TrustRadius' reviewers.
Based on 1,342 ratings of DraftSight's features
View all DraftSight features

Top Performing Features

  • 2D Drafting

    Provides tools for creating and editing 2D drawings, including the ability to add dimensions, annotations, and symbols.

    Category average: 8.3

  • Compatibility with other software and formats

    Allows users to import and export designs in various file formats, ensuring compatibility with other software and stakeholder requirements.

    Category average: 7.7

  • 3D Modeling

    Allows users to create and manipulate 3D objects with precise measurements and control.

    Category average: 7.8

Areas for Improvement

  • Customization and Extensions

    Provides options for customizing the software interface or to include add-ons which extend the functionality of the software.

    Category average: 7.2

  • Rendering and Visualization

    Allows users to create realistic images and visualizations of their designs, including the ability to apply materials, textures, and lighting effects.

    Category average: 6.6

  • Simulation and Analysis

    Provides tools for simulating physical properties and behaviors of designs, allowing users to test and optimize their designs before production.

    Category average: 6.3

Who Buys & Uses DraftSight

DraftSight Reviews

What users are saying about DraftSight.
View all DraftSight reviews

Draftsight highly recommend

Matt Sears
Director of Operations / SCAF at USA Jet Airlines (201-500 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

I use DraftSight to do technical drawings for my department I use the Professional version The best feature is the Power Trim If you do technical drawings professionally, make sure to get a version with this feature Easily converts files to pdf for transmission to remote users who view them on iPad or phones Best low cost solution for what we do (2D). Highly recommend For more complex designs, Solidworks is the more powerful and versatile tool

Pros

  • Power Trim
  • Converts files to pdf
  • low cost

Cons

  • I wish it came with a training package

Return on Investment

  • Has paid for itself many times over each year we have used it

Usability

An economical alternative to AutoCAD

Incentivized
Dick KarskyView profile
Consultant/Retired in Engineering at Karsky Engineering (1-10 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

I use DraftSight to design equipment that is used by the company that I consult with. These are mechanical parts and assemblies. I like the DraftSight product but the company that sells the product just passes the buck and does not help the customer.

Pros

  • DraftSight is easy to use if you are familiar with AutoCAD but a lot less expensive.
  • If you are using DraftSight professional the hardware catalog and other drawings are easy to insert in the drawing you are working on.
  • Drawings are easy to create with dimensions in standard form.

Cons

  • An easier startup menu for setting up drawing defaults would be nice.
  • The product takes a long time to load with no indication that it is loading just a blank screen.
  • Product support is almost no existent. Took about 3 weeks to resolve a s/n issue.

Most Important Features

  • Eas of use and compatible with Autocad

Return on Investment

  • The cost of DraftSight is significantly less that AutoCAD and has most of that software's functionality.

Usability

Alternatives Considered

AutoCAD LT

Other Software Used

TurboCAD, AutoCAD

Using DraftSight in chemical engineering

Incentivized
Uday SinghView profile
Consulting Chemical/Environmental Engineer in Professional Services at Independent Consulting (1-10 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

I use DraftSight extensively in designing the entire emission control system for customer manufacturing processes. The design includes a General Arrangement (GA) plan and elevation layouts, details of components, sectional views of process equipment, and Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&ID). I export the detailed design drawings, typically as .dwg files, to customers and construction contractors for installation of equipment. It would be a challenge to work with both customer engineers and their construction crews without DraftSight, which greatly facilitates my work.

Pros

  • It allows me to quickly fit equipment into tight spaces because it is very flexible.
  • It is easy to learn and use, and its numerous features give me many options in the design phase.
  • It provides me with a single tool to design everything from layouts to instrumentation drawings.
  • It enables independent small users like me to wield the design capability of a large enterprise.

Cons

  • It would be more efficient to have direct access to Help Support, although the Help feature and Forum can often answer questions.
  • For instrumentation, an embedded symbol library would be valuable. I currently have to create my own library.
  • For layouts, an embedded equipment symbol library (for example, pumps, motors) would be helpful.

Most Important Features

  • The ability to quickly commit new features into an existing design
  • Ease of use once you understand the various tools
  • A great variety of design tools

Return on Investment

  • Now that I use DraftSight, I can parlay a small investment in the software to a consulting rate of $300 per hour, thereby paying for it in 30 minutes.
  • Using DraftSight, I can easily compete with larger enterprises and be more nimble.
  • The use of DraftSight has actually extended my skill set, allowing me to add new features to my designs.
  • My work is now presented in a more professional manner, and has gained me more respect.

Usability

Alternatives Considered

AutoCAD

Other Software Used

Microsoft 365 Business Premium, Wix, Box

Great Value Industry Standard CAD

Incentivized
Verified User
Project Manager (1-10 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We use DraftSight for quick, familiar 2D drafting, utilizing familiar commands at an outstanding price.
As a previous AutoCAD user, I can highly recommend this product. I use it daily and will continue to do so.

Pros

  • Simple interface
  • AutoCAD similarities
  • Native DWG file type
  • Import/Export

Cons

  • Better technical support
  • No phone support
  • Offer a paid support option

Usability

Alternatives Considered

AutoCAD LT and Autodesk Fusion

Other Software Used

Autodesk Fusion

A great software tool

Incentivized
Mark Reynolds
Director at Boundary Concepts Limited (1-10 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

BCL uses DraftSight for product design, large scale (500m²+) site layouts and assessments in both .dwg and .dxf formats.
Product development is in both 2D and 3D.

It is cost effective and versatile to use without the issues of some 3D work for the more traditional user. I have used both SolidWorks and Inventor and DraftSight offers far more options without needing a bank of computers to process things, just may laptop with a RTX 2070 card.

Pros

  • 2D Design
  • 3D Design
  • Large area 3D assessment

Cons

  • Faster rendering
  • Better options for custom toolbar control
  • Reduced log in, I don't always want to log into 'ContentCentral'

Return on Investment

  • Without DraftSight basic CAD would cost 3x current ROI
  • The package offers everything a business could need for 2D and 3D work

Usability

Alternatives Considered

AutoCAD, SOLIDWORKS and Autodesk Inventor

Other Software Used

Microsoft Powerpoint, Doodly

DraftSight Alternatives

Products similar to DraftSight that may also meet your needs.
View all DraftSight alternatives
SketchUp
CompareLearn more
TurboCAD
CompareLearn more
AutoCAD LT
CompareLearn more