AutoCAD
Review of AutoCAD Software: system overview, features, price and cost information. Get free demos and compare to similar programs.
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Customer Reviews
See why people love AutoCAD
Caleb T.
Verified UserDesign · 5001-10000 employees
User-friendly CAD design and editing software
This program aids in my design flow and has become an invaluable tool. I would recommend this to everyone who is involved in design. It not only helps on the front end, but saves a lot of time if you just need to tweak 2D drawings created from giant 3D assemblies.
- I like how easy and intuitive this program is
- There is basically no learning curve, and even if you do get stuck, it has a convenient search bar that works well
- There is also plentiful support to be found on the Autodesk community website
- I use it daily to import and export DXFs and DWGs that work seamlessly with SolidWorks and Adobe Illustrator
- The last thing I will mention is how unique the selection tool is and how very helpful it is
- There really is nothing major that I dislike
- There are a few minor things, such as not being able to have driving dimensional annotations, but that could be more of an intended choice
- The only other thing is that it does not use the native file explorer very well, and sometimes it is a little tricky to find files on your computer inside the program
Walter J.
Verified UserConstruction · 11-50 employees
A Software that not only changed an industry but changed my life
It has been my carreer in making drawings for 26 years. I started not even knowing any more then CAD meant computer aided drafting. I worked for a old guy who didnt even know how to turn on a computer adn could hand draft in pencil it so well it was ready to submit . He taught me drafting and employed me cause if it wasnt in cad the industry was truingin away from hard copies , hand deliveries of those copyies and then teh copies of the revisions. It was a printers dream to have to make so many prints over and over and sets of 100 drwaings at a time . Bue printin used an amonia based machine to copy on to photopaper to make copies , This is where blueprints came from , that machine woudl turn the black in white into this blue paper and white lines , Yuk smelled so bad and was so slow to copy , was slower the then old mimgraphs schools used to sue , photocopying was so expensive at the sizes produced. So i was lucky to get such a master and was patient to show me what every squiggle he marked up was . I had to in a sense copy his hand drawing into autocad so that it used a very clean typed crisp look like a robot had drawn it . it mad consitatancy in teh plasn all produced adn all that time i was copying in his design and documents i was learning how to to do electrical design . I didnt go to any college for engineering , i had no degree . i was a simple tech computer guy that knew computers and i had played with almost every softward i coudl get my hands on . i was given alot of time to do these plans and paid very little it seemed , but it was at a computer and i was a gamer so i coudl be on a computer 20 or 24 hours a day and still be captivated by it . I could type and i coudl write in complete sentences/ I am now a master cad and a master electrical engineer and since title-24 energy fules came out ,i have taken a compete facisination with lighting adn lighting design of control systems and able to navigat the compliance of a energy required in every state and i work in los angels in which californias complaince method si far mor ecompicaed or years ahead of any other state. i ahve worked on goverment projects with the most of security clearnance, i have owrke on hospitals adn the oshpd codes and rules you must follow , you had to learn to be a doctor and all the machines they use and the way a doctor opersates his sewquences to design fo rthem. Generators and life safety emegnecy power . I have worked for school districts and the beauricaracy of standards they creatve . the finest and most important clients were with Disney and it seemed that the standards they used are what the industry has adopted in standards. Layers and colors and how the drawaing must look to meet there standards. I have worked in over 800 marriots and hilton and ever name brand hotel there is in everystate of this country. I did autocad in everyoen of the amazing projects i ahve worked on over the ears and without autocad adn the experienced i got from using it . i would have not had that opportunity . Its my carreer now adn autocad means i do not labor or tear up my back or calice my ahnds and i can probalby do this til i am 80 and still document . So my overall expeience with autocad was life changing adn life giving to a poor kid that coudl nto afford a unirversitiy and only got a asssociates degrees at a local college . But now i have learned to achieve anyhting i put my head to because autocad had so many ways to do everythign tha i embraced it and tried every command and differnt sequences. That what an engineer knwos, hwo to do stuff and in what order its done and why its done. By using this program it gave me the logic adn opened my mind to do things mythodically . So its not jsut a documentation software if you learn it and truly learn it . It can teach you a way of doing anyting in life and how to approach things so that you can succeed and produce . I love to do wood work and becuase i can plan things out in buidigns i loveto cut patterns and put jigs together and i see it in my ehad now becasue i have been paid to draw ithings for more than half my llife . all this and i was a late bloomer didnt even start this carret til i was 30 and at 56 now i still have time to design so much , i can do my job with my eyes closed sometimes , i do reputive apartment building right now since covid and all teh push toward housing problems her ein california . I have been seen drawing in autocad adn sleeping cause my mustcles knwo where those commands are adn inside my head i see what i genrate what it will look liek . So my overall expeience with this software has far exceeded what i expected
- If there's one program that has revolutionized the world of construction planning, it's AutoCAD—an absolute powerhouse that has dominated the industry for decades
- Even as architectural disciplines shift toward Revit and BIM software, AutoCAD remains essential, seamlessly integrating with the Autodesk suite and standing tall as the most versatile vector-based drafting tool ever created
- It’s not just a 2D drafting solution; it’s a fully capable 3D design environment that allows professionals to execute complex projects with unmatched precision
- AutoCAD operates in true-to-life 1:1 scale, ensuring mathematical accuracy in every aspect of design
- What began as a Cartesian-coordinate-based system has evolved into a highly visual and dynamic software packed with tools that streamline workflows like never before
- From electrical plans to architectural blueprints and engineering layouts, AutoCAD ensures that every element fits perfectly into a meticulously crafted design
- Customization and speed define the AutoCAD experience
- Old-school professionals rely on command-line inputs, quickly executing functions with shorthand codes, while others use a vast array of buttons and toolbars tailored to their specific workflows
- The modern interface consolidates commands into an intuitive ribbon system, allowing users to work with maximum efficiency
- The beauty of AutoCAD lies in its flexibility—there’s no single way to work, only the best way that matches each user’s thinking process
- The program is built on smart tools that make drafting effortless
- OSNAP instantly snaps to precise locations, ensuring every connection is clean and mathematically perfect
- Ortho Mode forces straight-line precision, keeping plans professional and polished
- Viewports allow for real-world-scale drawings that can be effortlessly resized for print in any metric or imperial format
- Block and symbol libraries streamline workflows by providing drag-and-drop efficiency, enabling designers to incorporate manufacturer-provided pre-scaled drawings into their projects with ease
- Text editing has evolved from manual processes to an intuitive WYSIWYG system with spell-check, eliminating unnecessary steps and maximizing productivity
- AutoCAD is not just software—it’s the foundation of modern drafting and design
- Built on decades of user feedback and continuous innovation, it has transformed from a manually intensive tool into a seamless digital drafting experience that professionals rely on daily
- It won’t be phased out, nor can it be replaced
- While BIM and Revit have their strengths, when it comes to speed, efficiency, and 2D drafting, AutoCAD stands alone at the top
- No matter your industry, if precision and efficiency matter, AutoCAD isn’t just an option—it’s the key to success
- There’s simply nothing else that compares to its legacy, power, and limitless potential
- When you get its logic you become a master at it and you will amaze yourself with every project and if you are a users of this program already you know what i am talking about
- This is the first software you buy if you are in construction and need to produce technical plans
- This program has got so many ways to skin a cat , the eloquence of your commands is reliant on you and your logical thinking
- Speed is captured in the method you use to select items to manipulate , a single item selection can be pain stakingly time consuming so the new user will need a lot of practice and to the new user you will need someone that knows autocad to ask how to do something utnil you actually open your mind and get it
- There are so many commands now that even a old pro has to discover what has been added new
- Expeienced users will still do what they know will get the job done
- the program grows to a new heights and gets input from so many users of how it migh tbe better and they really listen to those suggestions and implement it
- If you are not ready to try new things and new ways or look at all the added features you will loose touch with its potential
- the thing i used to hate the most was when an error occured and you could spend 100 hours making this plan that looks so great and one error will keep it from printing or not allow you to contineu any more
- there is very little easy ways to fix it if you make an error early on , newer version cannot understnad when you are using an old version what AEC object are and how they are used, so it just does nto show things that are there , you need to understand why cause you may loose alot of hours if you do not impliment your command correctly or in the order which will not create errors
- The newest version is always the best one to use , if you imagien the complexity of the program , each and ever new version resolves those bugs , and older version have patches but that can be alot of forums and reading to acatully find out how to fix it
- Dont be discouraged if you are new and loose chunks of hours invested to making something, the only way to not loose your work and really not run across these things is by using it and using it everyday
- A old expenced user will tell you there is nothig they cant fix but to discover all those ways is alot of experimenting and useing of the program
- there are so many in the industry that cannot use autocad or barely move around within it , luckily pdfs are there for a expeienced user to still share the end product with them
- This also keep alive the new young tech people to be able to get an in and draw for the non computer litterate master engineers or architect who can draw it with a pencil but cannot get it in computer
- Those masters engineers may know how to solve the real problem in the field or have the deepest understanding of the code and those people get the hardest problems in construction solved but still cannot document it
- This software is the way a professional document is presented
- no more hand drawn stuff , this is the type writer word processor for construction documents
- Getting a job done now is about how fast you can do it and having a readible document is golden and if its not document correctly , you can talk big money in changes the at the builder will want bedcaus of your document wasnt drawn right or you miss something
- Contractors love drawings missing stuff it opens the doors to having change orders and making money from the user of autocad maiking mistakes
Why they chose it
"its the industry standard , if you use something different you risk and create issues tha t can kill time and put complications in to something to another user or worse a client . DXF will translate to any other software mostly but it is rare you need to if you are in autocad there is less issues and dwg came out to b ethe winner in the professional industry cause its that good. i had nothing to do with why its used , it just is by everyone . dont go outside the box when it comes to precisiion and technical things , use what is proven . there is no glory in changing things when your trying to make a living"
Neil C.
Verified UserArchitecture & Planning · 11-50 employees
AutoCAD– Mission Critical Software for Landscape Architects
AutoCAD is the industry standard software for our discipline, as an organisation we have invested in Autodesk products for over 20 years and simply couldn't work without it. AutoCAD gives us the ability to produce our plans and drawings to the required standard and enables us to conform to company standards easily and efficiently. We also utilise AutoCAD's scripting language to extend its functionality and further improve our workflows.
AutoCAD simply gets the job done for us, it is mission critical software for our organisation and comes equipped with all the tools we need
AutoCAD is an outstanding software package, the only downside is that as a premium product it does come at a high price, however this can be paid by subscription to help spread the cost
Verified Professional
Architecture & Planning · 11-50 employees
Review for AutoCAD
I work in shipbuilding offshore design and it is the best and most efficient way to design. It is easy to use and the hotkeys allow me to quickly create drawings in less time. It is compatible with other software, which maximizes the efficiency of my work. However, sometimes the software freezes when I am working, or I have to convert to a new version due to version-related problems.
- 1
- wide applicability * Can be used in various fields such as architecture, mechanical, electrical, civil, etc
- * As a standard program in the CAD industry, it is easy to collaborate with many professionals
- 2
- High precision
- The dimensions can be adjusted accurately, allowing for complex and precise designs
- It supports both 2D and 3D work, which is convenient
- 3
- It has a user-friendly interface
- The intuitive interface is relatively easy to learn, even for beginners
- You can customize various shortcuts and commands to make your work more efficient
- 4
- Rich libraries and tools
- There are many free libraries other than the ones provided directly
- 5
- Cloud support
- With AutoCAD Web and Mobile, you can access and edit your files from anywhere
- Collaboration is enhanced, which is great for team projects
- Offers a wide variety of blocks and components for your designs
- Powerful plugins and extensibility
- However, user management and history management between teams is important
- 6
- Has a large number of users, which is useful when hiring employees
- 1
- Expensive
- High license fees can be prohibitive for individual users or small businesses
- 2
- Learning curve is not easy to use
- It takes time for beginners to learn the basic functions, and professional training is required to properly utilize advanced features
- 3
- May be demanding
- Large projects and 3D work require a lot of power from your computer, and can be slow on some lower-end PCs
- 4
- Too many features
- Can feel overwhelming if you don't utilize all the features
Why they chose it
"I use it out of familiarity. When changing other software, training costs for end users were incurred."
Kevin S.
Verified UserMechanical or Industrial Engineering · 51-200 employees
AutoCAD a classic that is still very relevant
I mostly use AutoCAD for renovation projects. Most of these project already have an existing file to work off of. These types of projects usually do not need a 3d model developed. These projects can move fast and have a quick turnaround.
- I like AutoCAD because I can generate 2d drawings pretty fast with an unlimited amount of tools that is offered
- AutoCAD files can be used within so many other programs as well
- It has been around for so long that it programing is solid and well developed
I think I least like the 3D aspect of AutoCAD, mostly because there are other Autodesk products that does this better
Why they chose it
"We choose AutoCAD along with Revit because our projects require us to use both platforms, sometime hand in hand."
PARNEET S.
Verified UserArchitecture & Planning · 2-10 employees
The Ecosystem an Architects needs Credits:Autodesk
its amazing the ecosystem the compatibility and easy to use, i must say the ui is underated but its damm good.
The most i like about this product is it is acceptable around the world and its compatibility with most the high end 3d and bim software like revit, 3ds max the autodesk is like an ecosystem in which there products are interconnected the most is the coustom commands Feature oh man i love it like for everything we can create commands
- There are two things i want to mention first the pricing its expensive for a fresher architect its impossible to buy it sometimes
- secondly it sometimes lags in recovering the
- bak files
Switched From
the compatibility like autodesk software are used around the world
Favio R.
Verified UserConstruction · 51-200 employees
Easiest to implement and most reliable CAD software
I have been using AutoCAD for more than 14 years, and it has been crucial in every project we used it, both academically and professionally. However, in the last couple of years, I have started to migrate complex projects to Revit and maintain Interior works in AutoCAD.
- Easiest to implement and most reliable CAD software in the market
- Very versatile for early stages and even entire projects
- When developing large and complex projects, AutoCAD might not be the best alternative as you have to develop more drawings
- If that is the case, you might want to go for Revit instead
Switched From
The consultants we worked with used AutoCAD, so we found it easier to work with their .dwg formats.
Tommaso C.
Verified UserDesign · 2-10 employees
A design screwdriver
Autocad is like a screwdriver, that you can sometime find outdated, but does always the work with some effort.
- The consistency of a design tool evolving trough the years
The difficult management of the complexity and the still over-structured approach to print
Why they chose it
"I used in parallel. In the architecture studio I was collaborating with Archicad was a must use for big project design management. Autocad still has some pro and fits better product design approach."
Adam S.
Verified UserMarketing and Advertising · 2-10 employees
The most used modeling software in the industry
As an advertising agency, We use AutoCAD mostly to create concepts of new products for our clients to study the feasibility of bringing them to the market. Generally, our clients perceive the designs to be on the accurate side. The process of managing the design from start to finish is highly streamlined in terms of assigning roles and quality control.
- The most important feature for us using AutoCAD is the high precision and detailed approach to making concepts and models for potential products to pitch to our clients
- Even though we don't use this software as close to its full potential, it helped us convey ideas into realistic 3D models instead of pitching them in the form of words
- I think the number one con for our particular use is the learning curve
- We always needed 3rd party freelancers to assist with the projects
- I think they can perhaps create a light version that requires less engineering knowledge and that has more features to assist with designs
- Also, it can be hardware-demanding when dealing with rendering a complex design
Switched From
Sketchup was generally easier to use, but it lacked a lot in terms of precision.
Ryan B.
Verified UserConstruction · 11-50 employees
MEP AutoCAD
I love AutoCAD for MEP design that is done at my job and it makes for an easy time doing so.
AutoCAD provides ease of design and also helps in the drafting world for engineers
Navigating and utilizing 3D is hard in AutoCAD there is Fusion and Revit to support that
Switched From
Integration was easier with the rest of the office. There are more Autodesk products to utilize as well.
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