The Open Source CAD System For Everyone

1. Cad For Mac Reviews
2. Cad For Machine Design
3. Cad For Mac User Friendly
4. Drafting For Mac
5. Cad For Mac

The 2017.2 version fixed compatibility issues with macOS High Sierra. It also improves overall stability of the product. This is a full AutoCAD 2017 installation with 2017.2 update integrated.

1. We’re excited for you to get to know AutoCAD 2019 for Mac and AutoCAD LT 2019 for Mac which is available starting today. Early testers have commented, “This version of AutoCAD is exciting, and I can’t wait to use it daily,” and “The best just keeps getting better!” Read on to learn about.
2. The devolpers either want their CAD software to be taken more seriously or they are just plain. Still cheaper when you compare pricing to AutoCad. Microspot MacDraft is, also, a very good 2D CAD application. Google Sketchup. Do your own search for CAD apps for Mac/OS X.
3. Autodesk provides students, educators, and institutions free access to AutoCAD for Mac software, in addition to learning tools. Get a free 3-year education license now.
4. 6 of the Best CAD Software For Mac. We believe ARES Commander 2016 is the only native DWG Mac CAD system that has this capability.”. Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium.
5. Here we go, another 'What's the best.' Question that isn't at all qualified in any way. Like all similar questions, best for what? For architecture, engineering, professional design, for home hobbyists, for games creation, product design or so.

QCAD is a free, open source application for computer aided drafting (CAD) in two dimensions (2D). With QCAD you can create technical drawings such as plans for buildings, interiors, mechanical parts or schematics and diagrams. QCAD works on Windows, macOS and Linux. The source code of QCAD is released under the GPL version 3 (GPLv3), a popular Open Source license.

The current version of QCAD is 3.23.

QCAD was designed with modularity, extensibility and portability in mind. But what people notice most often about QCAD is its intuitive user interface. QCAD is an easy to use but powerful 2D CAD system for everyone. You don't need any CAD experience to get started with QCAD immediately. You can download QCAD today for free!

Main Features

• Layers
• Blocks (grouping)
• 35 CAD fonts included
• Support for TrueType fonts
• Various Metrical and Imperial units
• DXF and DWG input and output
• Printing to scale
• Printing on multiple pages
• Over 40 construction tools
• Over 20 modification tools
• Construction and modification of points, lines, arcs, circles, ellipses, splines, polylines, texts, dimensions, hatches, fills, raster images
• Various powerful entity selection tools
• Object snaps
• Measuring tools
• Part library with over 4800 CAD parts
• Very complete and extremely powerful ECMAScript (JavaScript) scripting interface
• Nesting (QCAD/CAM)

Click here for a complete list of features.

The all-exclusive ecosystem of the Mac operating system has in some cases made it difficult for independent software developers to build apps for Apple’s computers. And the computer aided design developing community which has been a victim of this, currently produce CAD applications to run on other operating systems—Windows, Linux—while shunning the Mac OS.

This article will attempt to simplify every designer search by providing the top CAD applications one can make use of on his or her Mac PC.

Cad For Mac Reviews

The Top CAD Programs for Mac OS

Below is the list of our top 10 CAD software for the Mac and it is important to note that they were arranged in no particular other for we deem all of them as useful to a diverse set of people. These apps were chosen due to their features, design abilities and capacity to function properly on the Mac operating system. So happy reading.

QCAD

QCAD is an open source 2D drafting software built to run on Windows, Linux and more importantly the Mac operating system. This simplistic drafting software makes the list due to its extensive features and drawing tools which make learning its use quite easy for just about anyone. Although it is just a 2D drafting program, it integrates state of the art drawing techniques into its user interface.

QCAD users can make use of lines, arcs, NURBS, polylines, hatches on an EMACS scripting interface which provides a powerful background for controlling your drawing and design tasks with ease.

Pros:

• Its installation process works with few hardware requirements
• Open-source means users can customize it to fit specific needs
• EMACS scripting interface
• Vibrant Community to aid learning and support

Cons:

• Its only 2D capabilities can be viewed as a limitation
• No cloud support and
• No collaborative tools

Ares Commander

Ares commander is a CAD drafting tool for Mac which takes care of design on Mac as well as on other operating systems. This intuitive CAD app was developed on the Qt GUI creator thereby providing users with the same look and feel across all operating systems including the Mac OS.

This drafting tool stands out due to its integration of QuickModify which allows its user to use a single command to handle more than one design related task. This means that tasks such as move, zoom, rotate etc. can be executed using the same sequence you frequently use with a single command. The Ares CAD program for Mac also comes equipped with an API that allows you create custom functions and routines on its ActiveX interface.

Pros:

• It is predominantly a native Mac app
• It comes with considerable API support
• Collaboration tools are included

Cons:

• Its 64bit Mac version is still under construction
• Limited warehousing options

ArchiCAD

ArchiCAD is a slightly popular CAD app in the design community and its developers—Graphisoft—took the bold step of developing a version that works on Mac thereby giving it a spot on this list.

ArchiCAD is a highly advanced architecture and building CAD applications which also spots a BIM interface to enable extensive collaboration platform for multiple users. It is one of the few BIM modeling tools currently on the Mac.

The ArchiCAD development engine is also one of the most powerful out there due to its ability to simulate features such as structural part morphing techniques, and element association between different construction phases.

Pros:

• A native Mac CAD application
• Integrates an MEP collision detection interface
• Intuitive background interface supports the user
• Multiple collaboration and sharing tools

Cons:

• Comes with a steep learning curve
• Extensive hardware requirements
• It intuitive concepts may challenge traditional design processes

Graphite

The Ashlar-Vellum—Graphite’s parent company—way places emphasis on creativity and design which makes most of their CAD software highly intuitive and Graphite is no different. This CAD program for Mac is designed to allow the user easily carry out 3D modeling tasks due to the use of an intuitive toolbox and command line.

Graphite is slightly on part with ArchiCAD and the more advanced modeling CAD applications—Maya, SolidWorks etc.—due to its extensive toolset, advanced use of APIs and the integration of a collaborative surface which makes it a BIM platform. It is also worth noting that Graphite is a drafting tool built specially for the Mac operating system which brings it into our list.

Pros:

• An easy learning curve made possible by its simplistic user interface
• Supports experimentation due to its intuitive interface
• It is a native CAD application for the Mac
• Background processing mechanism also aids users through design projects

Cons:

• Works on only Intel processors and it’s not supported by others such as POWERPC/AMD chipsets.
• Hardware requirements are quite extensive

AutoCAD for Mac

After much deliberation, Autodesk finally came up with a version of its most famous brand for the Mac operating system, the AutoCAD drafting tool for Mac. What else is there to say about AutoCAD? It is a drafting tool with an extensive user interface and advanced tools that can be used to design virtually everything you need to a high level.

Its user interface is highly intuitive and although the learning curve associated with AutoCAD is quite steep, learning to use it provides the user with unlimited design abilities. This is due to the fact that most design tools are built as a copy of AutoCAD’s design mechanism.

As expected, the AutoCAD for Mac is quite limited in features when compared to the features made available to the Window’s version but Mac users can still do a lot with the available features on it

Pros:

• It is an intuitive CAD application
• Intuitive background processing supports the user
• It supports designing for 3D printers
• It is quite affordable when compared to other Autodesk products

Cons:

• Has limited features when compared to is Windows counterpart
• Its hardware requirements are quite extensive
• The learning curve associated with AutoCAD is steep

TurboCAD Pro Platinum

TurboCAD was designed for the construction industry and graphic designers looking to create realistic models of architectural structures. It is one of the few advanced CAD drafting apps for Mac that was developed for a specific industry which was designed for a specific industry. Therefore, it is equipped with an intuitive user interface, advanced toolsets and BIM capacities to enable both design and collaboration.

TurboCAD is truly advanced in that it contains approximately 500 premade floor plans and a self-styled House Wizard tool which makes the design of rooms and the inclusion of specific structural components possible.
It is also important to note that its BIM platform allows for collaboration between multiple users making use of different operating systems. This means that Windows, Linux and Mac users can work on similar projects through the BIM TurboCAD provides across these operating systems.

Pros:

• Highly intuitive and can be used for advanced design tasks
• Integrates a BIM platform which aids collaboration
• Supports different file formats
• Has a House wizard for building definite and precise floor plans

Cons:

• Comes with a steep learning curve
• Requires extensive hardware space
• Quite expensive to purchase

VectorWorks Architect

Here is another advanced CAD program for Mac developed to cater for the construction industry and Mac users. It was specially designed to provide BIM functionality, graphical scripting tools, subdivision surface modeling and cloud-based storage to its users.

It is also a powerful rendering and simulation tools which can be used to produce very realistic images for the construction niche. It also supports the design of detailed floor plans and the sharing of files through its dedicated cloud storage platform.

In terms of collaboration, VectorWorks integrates the use of BIM services which enables communication across multiple operating systems with the capability to run the CAD application.

Pros:

• An advanced CAD software for architectural design
• Integrates BIM for collaboration
• An excellent rendering machine

Cons:

• Quite expensive when compared to other apps in its range
• A steep learning curve for first-time users
• Extensive hardware requirements

SketchUp Pro 8

When looking for an easy to use drafting tool for Mac, look no further than SketchUp Pro—formerly known as Google SketchUp—due to its intuitive user interface and minimalistic tools. This application was designed with beginners in mind and therefore, the learning curve associated with its use is far simpler than the other apps on this list.

It is basically a 3D modeling tool used for the design of simple models such as construction structures, household items and engineering components. It also comes with a plethora of tutorials and a vibrant community to help anyone achieve design tasks in record time. As expected, SketchUp was built to operate on the Window’s operating system before been migrated to the Mac OS. Its pros and cons include:

Pros:

• Easy to use and intuitive
• Customizable interface
• Easy learning curve
• Multiple file import options

Cons:

• Limited as a drafting and modeling tool

DraftSight for Mac

DraftSight was also originally built for use on Windows and Linux operating systems but the popularity of the Mac OS led to a viable product been designed for the Mac ecosystem. This CAD application is an advanced drafting tool built to enable construction workers, builders and architects draft components for building structures.

Cad For Machine Design

Therefore, it comes with an intuitive surface and background processing machinery that aids the user when carrying out task. Users can make use of NURBS and customized APIs as well as other features to fast track the drafting or modeling process. Sadly, its features are also quite limited when compared to its counterparts on Windows and Linux’s ecosystem. DraftSight also supports file sharing, cloud-storage and collaboration through its extensive BIM interface built to work across all operating systems it currently functions with.

Pros:

• An advanced architectural CAD drafting tool
• A BIM platform for collaboration
• Intuitive user interface which helps users
• Intuitive background processing which speeds up design durations

Cons:

• Comes with a steep learning curve which makes it inadequate for beginners
• Requires a lot of hard disk space to function properly
• Quite expensive
• Limited functions for the Mac version compared to other versions

CADintosh for Mac

As this rather suggestive name shows, the CADintosh CAD program for Mac was built solely for designers looking for a digital drafting tool compatible with their Macintosh computers. This application was designed primarily for use by engineers looking to design electrical, mechanical and architectural drawings on the Mac OS.

Cad For Mac User Friendly

It is also quite important to note that it is a 2D drafting tool with the tools and features required to draw ideas from scratch as well as edit other files downloaded into its user interface.

There are 2 types of mode associated with using the CADintosh. They are the pen oriented mode and the individual oriented mode; the pen supports the use of stylus pen in designing while the other works with the inbuilt tools provided in the software.

Pros:

• Easy to use and comes with a simple learning curve making it suitable for beginners
• Intuitive user interface that simplifies design and drafting procedures
• Works with different file types

Cons:

• Solely a 2D drafting CAD tool which is quite limiting
• Too simple to handle more advanced drafts of mechanical or electrical components
• Works solely on the Mac and has no collaborative features to enable communication
• No BIM capabilities.

Drafting For Mac

So here we come to the end of today’s top ten list of CAD programs for Mac that anyone who is fully attached to his or her Mac PC should consider using. Note that although there are other CAD apps out there compatible with the Mac, these 10 cut across the best BIM, 2D, and 3D applications in the design community.

Cad For Mac

Lastly, your input is also welcome and we implore you to encourage other CAD users to consider designing with Apple, by discussing the CAD apps you believe are best for Mac OS in the comment section below.