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About AutoCAD
2D and 3D CAD software with design automation and engineering toolsets, plus web and mobile apps.
AutoCAD is a fantastically versatile and easy to use package with great online support out there.
Integration with other softwares on autocad is difficult, it can be hard to set up dimensions when you are just beginning.
Filter reviews (3,082)
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Filter reviews (3,082)
AutoCAD makes your dream to reality
Pros:
It is one of the best 2D drawing tool in the market
Cons:
It can give more animations while creating diagrams
Alternatives Considered:
Would definitely recommend AutoCAD
Comments: AutoCAD is something we integrated a while back based on a need for planning projects and we use it in all aspects.
Pros:
AutoCAD is essential to our structure and design capabilities with 3D modeling and understanding our jobs in detail.
Cons:
There is a learning curve for sure but once you get the basics, it is very user friendly.
Auto CAD: Efficiency and Accuracy
Comments: I loved to design though some of the tools were very complex. I found it a bit costly software while that time as myself being a student. The parametric design is one of the advantages of this software which not only saves your time but it reduces the chances of errors.
Pros:
Design the model in 2D and 3D with high level of accuracy.
Cons:
The software interface is little more complex and confusing to the beginners.
The most used modeling software in the industry
Comments:
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.
Pros:
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.
Cons:
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.
my opinion for autocad
Comments: it good for drawing for beginners. easy to use easy to learn
Pros:
it is easy to use for 2d project. very simple for me.
Cons:
if you are drawing multiple floor plan, and you want to change some common wall for all plan. you have to change all floor seperately. if i define the wall properties and change it on the background could be more useful.
my pasitive review on autocad
Comments:
the best table companion.
i am happy by using this software.
Pros:
Accurate and Reduces Errors. The principle on which AutoCAD works is a dynamic engineering model. ... Save Time & Money. ... Easier Data Transfer. ... Controllable in Nature. ... Database for Manufacturing. ... Easier Import/ Export of Files. ... Apply Point Clouds. ... Layering Feature.
Cons:
Complexity. High Cost. Steep Learning Curve. Potential Software Compatibility Issues. Limited File Format Support. Hardware Requirements. Lack of Cloud-based Collaboration. Limited Mobile Support.
AutoCAD for Engineering Design
Comments: The overall experience is good. The software need to be further worked to remove the lags during the work.
Pros:
The design tool provides a better understanding of an engineering design.
Cons:
The software cannot handle the large CAD files/
Without this app, I wouldn't be where I am today ^^
Comments: This app has helped me experience so many things and has even helped me get promoted.
Pros:
It's great that you can draw and work on construction sites in the office.
Cons:
If you drop your phone while working, it may get damaged.
From Legacy to Cutting-Edge: My AutoCAD Experience Since Release 13
Comments: Since I began using AutoCAD with Release 13, I have observed its significant evolution and expansion in functionality. Over the years, the software has become a comprehensive tool with a broad range of features. I have utilized AutoCAD for various applications, including prototype design, tooling design, reverse engineering, and dimension analysis. Its extensive functionality and continuous improvements have made it a valuable asset in my work.
Pros:
AutoCAD has significantly evolved since Release 13, as I have learned, becoming more user-friendly and efficient. Key improvements include a modernized interface, enhanced performance, new features like advanced 3D tools and cloud integration, and industry-specific toolsets. Its long-standing presence in the industry reflects its adaptability and continued relevance.
Cons:
This revision makes it clear that student licenses are available, but not free licenses for those who are self-taught or involved in entrepreneurship.
Perfect for engineers
Comments: It is an amazing software, mainly for engineers. It is indispensable.
Pros:
I love how it can represent the reality with precision.
Cons:
I think the fact that it requires a good hardware to have good performance.
Love love love
Pros:
I honestly love the commands in AutoCAD, they're pretty intuitive without being overly complicated. I like that the command bar also explicitly spells out additional options for each function. I feel like the overall ease of use is relatively good. If you're familiar with programs in general, CAD will be no big deal. However, the return on the project is exponential for the ease of use, so that's wonderful. I use the program daily, even above doing simple linework in Adobe products, for example. CAD has become so ingrained in my workflow that I really can't do without it.
Cons:
The biggest con I can think of has to do with the consistent functionality of certain commands I use. For example, the hatching command does not always read linework as complete/joined even when I know that it is, which results in a wildly skewed hatch. As well, the draw order command does not always function properly. Basically, I don't have a huge complaint - more like I think there's still bugs that need to be worked out. Overall, I love CAD.
Alternatives Considered:
The Industry Standard
Comments: Good for the most part. Software can be buggy and therefore we like to be 6-months to 1-year behind the most current version.
Pros:
It is the main tool that we use for our industry (Civil Engineering) and it is essential. Helps us be efficient with drawing setup/creation as well as calculations.
Cons:
Pressure Networks are still a work in progress. I wish it was as easy to use as Pipe Networks. Also, every couple of years the way files are saved changes, forcing people to have the most current version.
Alternatives Considered:
Autocad for "part-time" civil engineer
Comments: Once I tried to draw my own home's plan but could not manage software requires a lot of time and patience.
Pros:
It manages extremely large projects with exact measures and details. It gives availability to work in 3D Space. Cloud function helps to get advantage to work as a team.
Cons:
It needs strong computer resources. Without qualified tutorials, it is like impossible to work on this program. Besides the price is so expensive.
I have used Autocad more than 6 years
Pros:
As a Cad Draftsman and 3d Designer, I have worked with Autocad in most of the time. It is useful for me to finish my deadline projects, save me a lot of time with the Sheet Set Manager function. When I didn't know about this function, I spent a lot of time to print the drawing files for my company, that's silly of me. I also love the Dynamic block, I really love it. If you didn't know about this Dynamic block function, let's try to discover it and you will see how it saved your life. But I think this function is not easy to use, I have to test it many times whenever I want to create Autocad items for my library. The other function of Autocad that I love is purge function, I don't say about the normal purge function. I want to say about purge function for a large file, it's a big problem when you use the old versions. But if you use Autocad 2013-2014, you need to install AutoCAD_2013_2014_DGN_Hotfix into your computer. Thanks for God, Autocad company combined this function in the new version.
Cons:
My biggest problem with Autocad is Dimension function in Layout. When I did dimension in layout, the value was often changed automatically, for example from 250mm to 250,000mm. I didn't know why? I tried to many times to find out the reason, but I didn't succeed. Many people have the same problem like me. We really got stuck. If someone knows how to solve it, please tell me, I really appreciate it. The other problem is print in Model. When I need to print multi-drawing in Model I have to use a script, the Sheet Set Manager only works with Layout.
AutoCAD review
Comments: Has revolutionized virtually every engineering field in existence, and even almost single-handedly created an entire new industry: the CAD draftsman. Every draftsman must spend significant time and training specifying a field, but computer drafting is now virtually a career unto itself, almost secondary to the industry it supports. It is and always will be an imperfect tool, but is incredibly powerful and indispensable. There are other worthy competitors... but AutoCAD is the most widespread, and the best.
Pros:
It is the industry standard - that alone counts for a lot, even though that means we're all contributing to its unofficial monopoly. Extremely powerful, customizeable, available in several specialized versions. It takes a while to learn the extents of what it can do - but that's not a negative, just a byproduct of its complexity. Learning the basics is fairly quick and easy, thanks to its intuitive setup, which has improved over the years.
Cons:
Well known to be prone to frequent or at least unexpected crashes. Any seasoned AutoCAD user is well-trained to save work constantly. One brilliant tool Autodesk employed to help combat this is to save data across several separate files for any one drawing/project - that way if one of them becomes corrupt, it can be diagnosed, excised, and hopefully recreated. But again, any experienced user is accustomed to the frustration of occasionally losing hours of work and spending hours more investigating, backtracking, and rebuilding. It is also extremely expensive, which really cannot be avoided considering the vast and complex programming that goes into it, and also due to the security and monitoring necessary in today's ease of electronic pirating; this is a shame, because while in earlier decades it was perhaps expensive but not always prohibitively so, a novice can no longer attain a home copy to use/learn at their leisure.
Industry Leader with a Legacy
Comments: For all its foibles and annoyances Autocad still offers a comprehensive design and drafting solutions for an amazing array of applications. I have had a love/hate with Autocad over the years dealing with its growing pains and Autodesks struggle to meet the many and varied needs of its users. For large scale projects there is still very few products that have the extensibility of Autocad to integrate into modern company quality, workflow and project management systems.
Pros:
Autocad was the first CAD program I ever used. To give you an idea of the time period, it was before MS Windows existed and we did not have mice! Thus, using Autocad under DOS was all about command line input and scripts. This aspect of Autocad remains unchanged today. There is a huge array of scripts, tools and add-ons for almost every niche application you could imagine. Autocad is essentially the Vanilla of CAD. On it's own its a bit dated and boring, but throw in some specific add-ons for your niche and suddenly its a game changer. In summary, there are many other CAD applications which are based on the foundation that Autocad created and do many things better or faster than Autocad, however, there are none with the level of 3rd party integration, development and scale support that Autocad enjoys.
Cons:
Autocad suffers from the same issues as does Microsoft Windows. When you have a large long term user base it's hard to innovate without upsetting users who have settled on a certain workflow or script integration. This has left Autocad lagging behind its competition in terms of modelling capability and performance. I find myself using other packages to create 3D models, then exporting the 2D drawings back into Autocad for final drafting and client distribution. Part of the issue is also crossover with products like Inventor and Fusion360. Autocad cannot become too parametrically driven or it will undermine Autodesks other offerings.
Autocad is the drawing board, it's up to the designer to show more creativity
Comments: Since I started my career as an engineer, I have always or almost always used Autocad as a work tool. I must say that in the engineering environment that I lived, we only spoke the AutoCAD language.
Pros:
You can do almost everything with Autocad, from the simple sketch of a room to the plan of a project without making a distinction if it is electricity, building or civil engineering. If we master the integration of georeferenced images we can even speak of GIS. I said "if we master" because in autocad we have everything we need to make our project emerge, but we need the appropriate users. It is absolutely necessary to start using Autocad on a very good basis: choosing the layers by type of object, choosing and mastering the types, having a good vision in space (but you can acquire it with time), and especially not being afraid to go back in the event of an error, something Autocad does wonderfully. We must also locate the objects we need to make our drawings and classify them in a library. For drawing plans, you have to master the scales and cartridges, something you do once and for all. There is also something that I have noticed when working a long time with other civil engineering software, and that is the power Autocad has to manage an enormous amount of information without bugging. It only depends on the hardware which must be sufficient for the installation of Autocad as for other software of its importance. Autocad offers the possibility of integrating applications like Covadis for hydraulic and VRD calculations and if you master Lisp you can automate certain tasks which depend on the type of project you want to carry out.
Cons:
Autocad is a tool that adapts to all situations but which requires a continuous investment in self-training. You have to learn good habits and ask the right questions knowing that it always offers the right answers. This requires either hard-working designers or knowledgeable supervision.
Simple AutoCAD review
Comments: AutoCAD is hard to get and learn, nonetheless, this can be said for any displaying programming with such huge abilities. AutoCAD's trouble is very even out with the quality you can accomplish inside the product, and the wide conceivable outcomes it offers. AutoCAD is an incredibly powerful instrument to help originators and drafters to make drawings that look extraordinary and are not difficult to control, it can battle to deal with weighty venture responsibility with numerous 3-layered items in a single drawing. You can commodity and import pictures between programming which I love the most.
Pros:
You can do nearly everything with AutoCAD, from the straightforward sketch of a space to the arrangement of a task without making a qualification assuming that it is power, building or structural designing. AutoCAD is exceptionally adaptable, and I truly like the client's capacity to set up their own default climate that can be utilized for new ventures going ahead. The upsides of the program incorporate, above all else, countless made apparatuses, because of which it is feasible to plan different, self-assertive components. Because of the broad library of materials, which is accessible to the clients of the program, it is feasible to choose such materials and surfaces, which are trademark for a specific plan office. Exactness and accuracy effortlessly of utilization, that is actually what AutoCAD is. With just PC mouse work and a tad of console utilization the things you can draw without holding a pencil and with next to no requirement for all that drawing and drafting gear on your table. Any sort of 2D drawings or 3D displaying drawings you can draw with AutoCAD, which assists you with picturing the articles better and that can be extremely useful assuming you are a designer, development engineer or a development labourer presently chipping away at a task including building an item or foundation. The fundamental orders like Copy, Mirror, and so forth can finish your occupation in only a couple of snaps.
Cons:
AutoCAD is hard to advance particularly for outright amateurs. additionally, while chipping away at weighty records, it very well may be hard to make changes on the document without the danger of your framework slacking or in any event, crashing. AutoCAD doesn't give full Building Information Modelling similarity. Its substance has just Geometric properties. It doesn't give full parametric demonstrating and add a material trademark to the model. AutoCAD can't turn out to be excessively parametrically determined or it will subvert Autodesk different contributions.
AutoCad the most evolved software for Computer Aided Drawing
Comments:
Through AutoCAD I was able to load data in a GIS by exporting the DWG files, drawings that were made in 1990 but have not been updated and that were required as a cartographic basis for updating the cartography of the small cities of Venezuela. From this process I have been able to make risk mitigation proposals, based on the unmodified topography of the time, they remain in force and that nowadays, it is very expensive to make a new capture.
I also collaborated on a project where the parcel survey of several poor areas in Caracas was updated, everything was processed in AutoCAD and linked with photographs and legal documents through attributes management. The program is robust enough to accept around 10,500 links in a multiscale file, neighborhood, block, plot, floor.
AutoCAD can interact with many apps ranging from basic photography to databases and word processing.
The facility provided by AutoCAD, to import and export data makes it a fundamental tool in the processes of capture, editing, processing and maintenance of spatial data, the Drawing app is superior to the GIS.
Pros:
It presents a versatile interface that allows users to adapt the menu bars to their most frequent uses, since in AutoCAD converge engineers, geographers, surveyors, surveyors, architects, interior designers, graphic designers, artists of computer animation, among others as well as the respective students and professors of the mentioned areas. Over the years they have improved the drawing commands and transformed them into simple commands to those that we had to develop by programming or repeating sequences to the users of the versions of the 90s and the first decade of 2000. It offers many facilities for the management of a great diversity of functions, with very variable scales of representation that vary from 1: 1 to 1: 25,000, adjusting to the needs of the clients. The printing of products made in AutoCAD are very easy to use, as long as you have basic knowledge of scale of representation, pen handling and intentions of the scales of colors and thicknesses. You can save the data as a pdf file, where you maintain the ability to turn off or turn on layers of information. additional to this you can also export your products to the universal dxf exchange formats or as dgn. On the other hand, you can manage information collected by means of UAVs, total station or topographic survey, data that will present the height values required for the 3D interface. You can download the product and manage the acquisition of the license online.
Cons:
The 3D interface that offers a lot of similarity to the animation programs consumes a lot of graphic memory, the resources of the PC are compromised in the 3D files that have a lot of detail. Autocad does not work on open source operating systems, it only deploys on Windows and MAC. The users must know the fundamentals of pluggins, topology and scale, otherwise they will invest many hours in solving the errors caused. The cost of the license is high compared to other solutions, without underestimating those of open source, where some have taken giant steps to cover the basic needs of users. the management of the topology and the relationship of the entities drawn depend on the expertise of the user, there is no basic guide that allows you to reduce the load of erroneous data due to ignorance. The program requires a PC with good configuration, since it has innumerable functions that you may never use.
My experience using autocad has been nice. I like the software
Comments:
The benefits that I obtained with this software was the development of architectural projects in a short time. With good appearance and better image when I'm going to present it to clients.and not only use it for architecture but for my daily tasks, make drawings, figures for my friends, to cut and print graphic design forms. A few days ago I was teaching two people to make lines, polygons, curves in autocad. My two friends loved the tool, and are willing to take a course to explore the program. My two friends want to learn to get a job as an architectural draftsman and work as people for their children.
The tool is very versatile, and friendly to the public. Without a doubt it is one of the best software that they have been able to invent. Every day I am surprised more of the things that I can do in that program. For now the only difficulty has been making 3d modeling with the three-dimensional version of autocad, because I still have trouble knowing which tools I can use and which I can not. Also my computer is not adapted so that the program can work properly and runs out of memory space. In the next few years I hope to get the opportunity to produce more money and install the current version of that year, and learn how to use the 3D tool of this program well. On some occasions I tried to make renders in that program and I have trouble adjusting all the lights. The photographs are dark or unclear. I would like to learn with some autodesk videos about how to manage the program in the right way to get along better in this category.
I feel that in the future the autodesk company will have so many tools integrated into the program that they will not be able to resist, all the companies should have laptops with this program. Not only as a means of work, but as part of your lifestyle. For example, I benefit from doing my work as an architect and other extra jobs that have to do with furniture design. Currently autocad is the only tool with which I develop better. The time that I can spend designing and drawing is infinite, because I have a lot of fun trying out alternatives for clients. In addition you can save them in different formats, and the client can check it from his computer without having to go to my office. We can have long conversations about the different options and autocad lets me keep it comfortably as I want. This is one of the most important tools in the area of design and architecture.
Pros:
I feel good exploring the tools of the program. Currently I like to use the PlotPDF tool that converts the pdf into lines and makes the drawings can be drawn in a more comfortable way. I am an architect and I recommend the program to all the people who work with me.
Cons:
What I do not like about the program is that in each new version I do not know the added functions. The autodesk company should have an indicator with notifications indicating the new tools and commands that were added. In addition to that the steps to test the new commands. I would like to start a new version of AutoCAD with new tools notifications and view sample videos within the model.
AutoCAD is one of the best softwares I've used in my activities as an architecture student and works
Pros:
The main pro about this software is its precision on drawings, models and any architectural, engineering, urban, mechanical and other kind of projects you need to make on it. You can use it on many work fields due to its versatility and operativity. Another thing that I love about this software is that you can work with archives of another softwares by only importing them, and you can export on another formats too; besides, you can select the year version of its native format so you can work with previous versions of this software, increasing the productivity among colleagues. AutoCAD has been a great support to my academic developement, and I'm seriously thinking about using this program in my professional practice; I would strongly reccommend it to those who are students of architecture, engineering, industrial and interior design and another careers. This software has been the best choice since I've tried it for the first time. It's a must on any construction and design company. Go ahead and use AutoCAD!
Cons:
One of the things I like least about this software is the fact that its interface is a little bit confusing sometimes, and it could be complex too if you misconfigure it; even though there are configuration buttons, sometimes they are confusing or they hide another things and drives you to desperation on how to find some things. So, my recommendation to the software programmers or developers is that they must find a way to make things a bit easier to the users in that matter.
The most powerful CAD software
Comments: Being a student of Environmental Sciences, I extensively use AutoCAD in my projects to visualize landscape for perameters implementation and I has always found it to be very impressive.
Pros:
AutoCAD is the one of the most powerful and best software for drafting and to draw designs. It is very straightforward and its self explanatory UI makes it very easy to understand, even for novice users. It operates in multiple layers and hosts a large library of control commandsand shortcut keys to help you in getting work done easy and fast. It enables you to quickly materialize concepts and ideas in the form of drawings for project designs to meet the required specifications. It is also able to rapidly perform simulations and design calculations, along with auto evaluation of certaiy unknown dimensions. It consists of a large variety of functionalities and tools to fulfil to the demands of users from different industries. It comes with a high level of compatibility and integrates readily with a big number of other designing software. You can also use it to open and edit 2D drawings created on another software. Due to its large and active online user community, getting help is easy when faced with a problem, adding to the pre-existing resources it already have online. Also sharing filea with other CAD software in the market is pretty easy in AutoCAD.
Cons:
Though AutoCAD is a very powerful software, yet like everything it has room for some improvement. The biggest disadvantage of AutoCAD is its price tag, which is not in the budget of everyone especially students. Also being a heavy softwarr, it requires a computer with high hardware resources to carry certain tasks like creating 3D drawings fast and without hanging the system.
Is a must for architects.
Comments: I learn to use AutoCAD since college because I wanted to be an architect, and when my undergraduate classes started, my professors taught me that there is an international language for architecture, and it is architectural plans. I think it is great for me, as a Mexican Architect, to be able to fully understand a project from anywhere in the world just by looking at the plans. And they used to be handmade, and they took many hours and effort to draw. And this software came to change everything. It is so useful; you can share your project with anyone in seconds. The old days with the marker pen and ink are way gone.
Pros:
I really like that is a software that you can learn to use in short time, it is very intuitive once you learn how to use the commands. I love how you can settle your templates; you can set your layers and give them the format you want in every document; it is so helpful for architects. For example: I set a layer for the columns, and it has its color, line weight and line type, so I can separate my columns in that layer and save a lot of time. You can also set how you want to print every layer, so you can give priority in how your plans look like.
Cons:
Personally, I do not like that there are other Autodesk software like 3D's Max, that can use the same shortcuts, but they do not do it. For instance, in AutoCAD the "M" is for move, but in 3D's Max is for the material palette. So, if you often use both you can get confused with the shortcuts. But is a minor defect.
3D model and 2D drafting
Comments: Overall, for normal sketching and drafting it is more than enough to work on. It is one of the best in the market to create designs in drawing sheets. Still, in many firms, Auto CAD is widely used in major fields such as city planning, Architecture, 2D drafting, electrical and electronic designs, etc. It is the basic software that every engineer working in the field should self-teach themselves with the tutorials provided. It is always the necessary tool to implement and create drawings as an engineer.
Pros:
AutoCAD is the easiest 2D drafting software for the mechanical field of enterprises. It is easy to install and deploy from individual PCs to the communication servers. All the tools are readily available to create drawings to final prints. The commands and shortcuts are used widely to perform quick functions and they can also be customized according to the user's needs.
Cons:
It cannot be used in place of larger machine structures or complex designs. There are other competitors with advanced CAD tools for 3D modeling with the surface, solid, sheet metal, welding, Plastic injection molding, and die-casting design segments for easier access. Also, too much manual intervention is required during operation. The software is more expensive than competitors in the market. Larger files are crashed during the operations which had to be recovered and there will be huge data losses without auto save.
AutoCAD is to create
Pros:
When technology is used to develop the capabilities of the human being, then it is considered part of the evolution of man. Saying "AutoCAD", independently that you do not know about the field to which it is addressed, it is already well known that it is an indispensable software for the creation of designs, used both in architects, as for most engineers, industrial designers, among others . This platform came to light (1984) and revolutionized the way of designing in all professionals, and in those that are not. To venture into this system is to give free rein to the design projects that you want to implement. Now, this is not a discovery, because it already has enough time in the market, so the only difference that can be seen in this review to differences from the others, is the term "indispensable" for all generations of "creators". As if that were not enough, and knowing the usefulness of this tool, the years have made its platform continue to develop with more useful tools within its system, to give it better functionality. Obviously, it is not the only software that is used to design and create, but without a doubt, it is the "dad" of the other versions
Cons:
The only bad thing that could reduce the AutoCAD, is that being a design program so important, its evolution has generated that only some may have the opportunity to approach them, it requires a powerful and advanced computer to resist and produce the levels graphics that this software uses. Although, there are more "light" versions, one will always seek to have the best of all editions, so you will need a team to match. As if that were not enough, and knowing the usefulness of this tool, the years have made its platform continue to develop with more useful tools within its system, to give it better functionality. Obviously, it is not the only software that is used to design and create, but without a doubt, it is the "dad" of the other versions.