Great CAD solution on a budget
Updated May 18, 2021

Great CAD solution on a budget

Ruben Freire | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Software Version

Paid

Overall Satisfaction with DraftSight

It's being used only by one individual in the company as a complement to the main 3-D modelling software in the Product Development Department. It addresses the need to quickly edit DXF files to be sent for production.
This is a major need because most 3-D softwares will generate a DXF file for parts to be fabricated by CNC machines, but this file will almost always need some kind of editing (assigning layers, changing version, cleaning undesired elements...).
  • Create/Edit DXFs for production, ready to be used in CNC machinery.
  • Open/Edit DWG sent from customers.
  • Create/Edit drawings to be sent to external suppliers.
  • Some functionalities, are difficult to use, such as the "Array".
  • It is designed to open and save DWG by default but since I use mostly DXF, I need to change this every time I open and save a document.
  • It should be offered free with SOLIDWORKS - which is also made by Dassault, since it's a very needed complement for it.
  • Faster DXF creation/editing for production.
  • Faster and better DXF creation/editing for graphic purposes (instruction manuals).
  • Faster DXF/DWG reading from clients.
  • Faster DXF creation/editing for suppliers.
Most free CAD alternatives had serious drawbacks. We used some of them for some time before we ended up choosing DraftSight. DraftSight is surprisingly more intuitive than other well known and used applications.

As a designer I've used more expensive and complex CAD applications for most of my career, but DraftSight is less expensive and has all the needed functionalities.
It's a very good and complete alternative to other, more expensive CAD applications. It solves the most demanded needs in simple or even more complex drawings in all areas of design.
It has no compatibility problems with other DWG or DXF editing applications used in the same company or by external clients and suppliers.
I would recommend DraftSight for organisations where specialized or automated CAD features are not required.

Using DraftSight

1 - Product Designer.
Designing and developing new products. Improving existing products.
Experience, CAD knowledge, Technical Drawings knowledge, Product Design and Development processes knowledge.

Using DraftSight

Usable and intuitive.
ProsCons
Like to use
Relatively simple
Easy to use
Technical support not required
Well integrated
Consistent
Quick to learn
Feel confident using
Familiar
None
  • Creating basic elements, such as lines, arcs and circles.
  • Assigning Layers to objects
  • Editing Layer Properties
  • Working with the Array command
  • Editing Annotation Properties