Alternatives to Inventor
Compare Inventor alternatives for your business or organization using the curated list below. SourceForge ranks the best alternatives to Inventor in 2026. Compare features, ratings, user reviews, pricing, and more from Inventor competitors and alternatives in order to make an informed decision for your business.
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1
MicroStation
Bentley Systems
MicroStation by Bentley Systems is the trusted computer-aided design (CAD) software built specifically for infrastructure design. It enables architects, engineers, and designers to create precise 2D and 3D drawings that bring complex projects to life—from bridges and highways to utilities and smart cities. With powerful tools for design, documentation, and visualization, MicroStation helps professionals deliver projects faster, more accurately, and with greater confidence. The software natively supports DGN, DWG, and point-cloud data, eliminating file conversion hassles and improving collaboration across teams. Its robust environment connects applications, data, and users to ensure seamless project delivery at any scale. MicroStation is the foundation of modern infrastructure design—reliable, interoperable, and built for professionals who build the world. -
2
Altium Develop
Altium
Altium Develop is a multidisciplinary product creation platform that breaks down silos and empowers teams to design collaboratively without limits. Built on Altium Designer and Altium 365, it unifies electrical, mechanical, software, sourcing, and manufacturing teams in a shared environment. Every comment, change, and decision is captured in real time, giving collaborators visibility without the need for constant check-ins. The platform enhances project outcomes by aligning requirements, supply chain data, and design context in one ecosystem. Manufacturing engineers and suppliers can provide feedback early, avoiding costly rework and delays. By transforming collaboration into true co-creation, Altium Develop helps organizations innovate faster, smarter, and with greater alignment across disciplines. -
3
ActCAD Software
Jytra Technology Solutions
ActCAD is a native dwg/dxf cad software suitable for professional 2D drafting and 3D modeling projects. ActCAD is trusted by over 30000 users in over 103 countries for more than 10 years. The interface, commands, icons, dialogs, shortcuts etc. are very much similar to other popular cad software tools available in market. Flexible license types available even for single license. There is no learning for existing cad users while saving 80% of the costs. ActCAD offers free email technical support without any limitations. ActCAD can be fully customized and programs can be developed using our free API toolkit. It supports popular programming languages like , lisp dcl, .net, C++ etc. Apart from all regular commands, ActCAD offers many productive tools like pdf to cad converter, Block libraries, Image to Cad converter, handling point sets between Cad and Excel and many more. ActCAD is suitable for any high end professional projects in the domains of Architecture, Civil, Mechanical,Automotive -
4
Ansys Motor-CAD
Ansys
Ansys Motor-CAD is a dedicated electric machine design tool for fast multiphysics simulation across the full torque-speed operating range. Motor-CAD enables design engineers to evaluate motor topologies and concepts across the full operating range, to produce designs that are optimized for performance, efficiency and size. Motor-CAD software’s four integrated modules—EMag, Therm, Lab, Mech—enable multiphysics calculations to be performed quickly and iteratively, so users can get from concept to final design in less time. Fast calculations and streamlined data input processes leave time for Motor-CAD users to explore more motor topologies and fully assess the impact of advanced loss effects in the initial stages of an electromechanical design. The release includes powerful new features for design optimization, multi-physics analysis and system modelling for electric motors. Fast multiphysics simulation across a full torque-speed operating range. -
5
AutoCAD
Autodesk
Autodesk AutoCAD is the world’s leading 2D and 3D CAD software, trusted by millions of architects, engineers, and construction professionals. It provides precision tools to design, draft, and document complex projects across industries. The 2026 version introduces Autodesk AI, enabling automated drafting, smart block recognition, and real-time collaboration through Autodesk Docs. With customizable workspaces, AutoLISP automation, and access to over 1,000 apps, users can streamline every stage of their design workflow. AutoCAD also offers seven specialized industry toolsets that boost productivity by up to 63%, from architecture to electrical and mechanical design. Available on desktop, web, and mobile, AutoCAD empowers professionals to design anywhere with confidence and efficiency.Starting Price: $1,268 per user per year -
6
SOLIDWORKS
Dassault Systèmes
SOLIDWORKS is the industry-standard 3D CAD and product development solution, trusted by millions of designers and engineers worldwide. For over 30 years, SOLIDWORKS has empowered innovators to transform ideas into real, manufacturable products through intuitive modeling, simulation, and collaboration tools. The 2026 release introduces groundbreaking capabilities including AI-powered drawing automation, fastener recognition, and the AURA AI virtual companion. Integrated with the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, it enables seamless cloud collaboration and data-driven decision-making. From startups to global manufacturers, users rely on SOLIDWORKS to accelerate design cycles, improve accuracy, and reduce time to market. It’s the complete ecosystem for taking any product from concept to production. -
7
Alibre Design
Alibre
Alibre Design is a 3D modeling, analysis, manufacturing documentation, rendering, and publishing platform. It is used in every industry to take products from idea to revision to production. It can help your business to design everything from consumer products to wind turbines. An efficient and customizable user interface that lets you work like you want with helpful hints. A fast and precise sketching environment that captures design intent and makes changes easy. Robust and fully parametric 3D modeling tools and easy workflows speed up part creation. A dedicated sheet metal environment with tools just for sheet good design and easy flat pattern creation. A dedicated sheet metal environment with tools just for sheet good design and easy flat pattern creation. An automatically generated bill of materials that supports design data, physical properties, and dimensions. -
8
Autodesk Alias
Autodesk
Seamlessly collaborate across different workflows and personas. Increase productivity and eliminate the need to toggle between siloed systems. Use a single source for design from sketch through production surfacing. Create and reuse templates across design and surfacing teams—sharing surfacing language. Curve and Surface replace workflows with the History Visualizer tool, enabling automatic rebuild of geometry. Collaborate across teams and manage projects with a single suite of tools for faster decision-making. Allow Alias and non-Alias modelers to collaborate with Alias Assemblies and Master Alias Assembly Concept. Review design projects with Shotgun to keep creative teams focused.Starting Price: $585 per month -
9
CATIA
Dassault Systèmes
CATIA is the world's leading solution for product design and experience. It is used by leading organizations in multiple industries to develop the products we see and use in our everyday lives. CATIA delivers the unique ability not only to model any product, but to do so in the context of its real-life behavior: design in the age of experience. Systems architects, engineers, designers, construction professionals and all contributors can define, imagine and shape the connected world. A Social design environment built on a single source of truth and accessed through powerful 3D dashboards that drive business intelligence, real-time concurrent design and collaboration across all stakeholders including mobile workers. An Instinctive 3DEXPERIENCE for both experienced and occasional users with world-class 3D modeling and simulation capabilities that optimize the effectiveness of every user. An Inclusive product development platform that is easily integrated with existing processes & tools. -
10
HiCAD
ISD Group
3D Design and Engineering Software HiCAD is the 2D/3D CAD Software for all-rounders and specialists in the field of engineering and development. The software is adaptable to the needs and size of a company. Small manufacturing companies, medium sized companies with their own product development or large international companies will find the right combination of all necessary functions in one system due to the modular structure of HiCAD. With HiCAD, in addition to industry-relevant functions, you can use both 2D and 3D in a single interface. The use of multiple CAD solutions is a thing of the past. With HiCAD, drawings can be transferred directly to the machine, production, or manufacturing.Starting Price: $4999 -
11
Creo
PTC
Imagine, design, create, and innovate your products better with Creo, 3D CAD/CAM/CAE software, and solutions for product design and development. Now, more than ever, product design and manufacturing teams are expected to create products more efficiently and cost effectively, without sacrificing innovation or quality. Fortunately, Creo delivers the most scalable range of 3D CAD product development packages and tools in today’s market. Creo 7.0 has breakthrough innovations in the areas of generative design, real-time simulation, multibody design, additive manufacturing, and others! Take your products from concept to digital prototype efficiently, precisely, and intuitively with Creo—on the cutting edge of CAD for more than 30 years. With Creo 7.0, PTC amply demonstrates its skill at adding compelling new features to an already robust tool-set using smart partnerships to extend its capabilities even further. -
12
FreeCAD
FreeCAD
FreeCAD is an open-source parametric 3D modeler made primarily to design real-life objects of any size. Parametric modeling allows you to easily modify your design by going back into your model history and changing its parameters. FreeCAD allows you to sketch geometry constrained 2D shapes and use them as a base to build other objects. It contains many components to adjust dimensions or extract design details from 3D models to create high quality production ready drawings. FreeCAD is a multiplatfom (Windows, Mac and Linux), highly customizable and extensible software. It reads and writes to many open file formats such as STEP, IGES, STL, SVG, DXF, OBJ, IFC, DAE and many others, making it possible to seamlessly integrate it into your workflow. FreeCAD is designed to fit a wide range of uses including product design, mechanical engineering and architecture. Whether you are a hobbyist, a programmer, an experienced CAD user, a student or a teacher, you will feel right at home with FreeCAD. -
13
Autodesk Fusion 360
Autodesk
Fusion 360 unifies design, engineering, electronics, and manufacturing into a single software platform. Get integrated CAD, CAM, CAE & PCB on a single development platform. Also includes EAGLE Premium, HSMWorks, Team Participant, and access to consumptive services, such as generative design, cloud simulation, and cloud rendering. Engineer products with a comprehensive set of modeling tools. Ensure form, fit, and function of your products with various analysis methods. Create and edit sketches with sketch constraints, dimensions, and a powerful suite of sketch tools. Edit or repair imported geometry from non-native file formats. Make design changes without worrying about time-based features. Create and edit complex parametric surfaces for repairing, patching or designing geometry. Create history-based features, including extrude, revolve, loft, sweep, etc., that update with design changes.Starting Price: $495 per year -
14
KeyCreator
Kubotek USA
KeyCreator is the legendary manufacturing-oriented workhorse 3D/2D CAD software that has seen it all and remains the go-to problem-solving tool for leading suppliers and designers. Discover the most compatible, efficient, and agile drafting solution available. Direct read of native drawings from the most comprehensive list of any drafting software; CATIA V5 & V4, PTC Creo, Siemens NX, SolidWorks, Solid Edge, DWG/DXF & CADKEY. Full control to revise drawing views, revision blocks, and add dimensions without the original CAD software. Automated drawing views and custom borders created as layouts in the main file. Comprehensive options to adjust view contents and look. Quickly add section, detail, and shaded isometric views. Easy-to-learn, professional-grade detailing. All style settings in dialogs. No complex set of variables and settings to remember. Import solids from any major CAD program and rotate, slice, and measure. -
15
JTS IntelliCAD
JYTRA TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS PRIVATE LIMITED
JTS IntelliCAD 11.1 is an economical 2D Drafting and 3D Wireframe Modeling CAD software meant for Engineers, Architects, and other technical consultants. JTS IntelliCAD 11.1 works in native DWG & DXF CAD software to create and edit drawings.TrueCAD works in native DWG & DXF CAD software to create and edit drawings. JTS IntelliCAD 11.1 uses IntelliCAD 11.1 Engine. If you need only the 32bit version you need to choose TrueCAD 2021 Premium. JTS IntelliCAD 11.1 offers all CAD features needed for Professional designers with native DWG & DXF support. Directly edit existing drawings. Suitable to create Professional drawings easily just like other expensive CAD software available in the market. No learning is needed for existing CAD users. Interface, commands, icons, and shortcuts are similar to other CAD. Complete help and user guide available.Starting Price: $149 per license -
16
Inventor Nastran
Autodesk
CAD-embedded finite element analysis software. Use a wider variety of study types and materials in your analysis. Inventor® Nastran® delivers finite element analysis (FEA) tools for engineers and analysts. Simulation covers multiple analysis types, such as linear and nonlinear stress, dynamics, and heat transfer. Inventor Nastran is available only in the Product Design & Manufacturing Collection. The Product Design & Manufacturing Collection delivers tools that work right inside Inventor—including advanced simulation, 5-axis CAM, and nesting, plus AutoCAD and Fusion 360. -
17
Onshape
Onshape
Onshape by PTC is the leading cloud-native CAD & PDM platform that runs on any device, anywhere-requiring zero IT. Onshape is for product design companies who are fed up with the errors, time waste, and hidden costs of outdated file-based CAD & PDM.Starting Price: $125.00/month/user -
18
PlantFCE Model Builder
Storm Consulting
Customize models, refine designs, and export with precision. PlantFCE Model Builder offers intuitive 3D modeling for process plants. Model Builder is useful when estimating costs for an engineering project. View real-time updates in the rendering window as you edit the scene. Low lock-in with PlantFCE Model Builder* Model Builder allows you to import and export 3D models from and to industry-standard 3D model formats like GLB, OBJ, and STL. With an automatic clash check, reduce errors and save time.** PlantFCE Model Builder's automatic clash check** reduces time spent on clash check sessions and gives you more time to work on your project. Download for Windows and Mac on the PlantFCE website. *Exporting through Model Builder does not include Model Builder specific functionality like properties set on objects or features specific to Model Builder. **Clash check will be released in version 2.Starting Price: $49/month/user -
19
Revit
Autodesk
Multidisciplinary BIM software for higher-quality, coordinated designs. Use Revit® BIM (Building Information Modeling) software to drive efficiency and accuracy across the project lifecycle, from conceptual design, visualization, and analysis to fabrication and construction. Begin modeling in 3D with accuracy and precision. Automatically update floor plans, elevations, and sections as your model develops. Let Revit handle routine and repetitive tasks with automation so you can focus on higher-value work. Revit is BIM software that brings all architecture, engineering, and construction disciplines into a unified modeling environment, driving more efficient and cost-effective projects. Project teams can work together anytime, anywhere using Revit with BIM Collaborate Pro, a powerful and secure cloud-based collaboration and data management solutionStarting Price: $2,545 per year -
20
Siemens NX
Siemens
Siemens NX software is a flexible and powerful integrated solution that helps you deliver better products faster and more efficiently. NX delivers the next generation of design, simulation, and manufacturing solutions that enable companies to realize the value of the digital twin. Supporting every aspect of product development, from concept design through engineering and manufacturing, NX gives you an integrated toolset that coordinates disciplines, preserves data integrity and design intent, and streamlines the entire process. A generative design process is one that engineers can adopt to quickly develop new products based upon meeting design constraints. It is an iterative process that produces fast results the engineer can refine via constraint variation to narrow in on the best design to meet the requirements.Starting Price: $287 per month -
21
Solid Edge
Siemens
Solid Edge is a portfolio of affordable, easy to deploy, maintain, and use software tools that advance all aspects of the product development process – mechanical and electrical design, simulation, manufacturing, technical documentation, data management, and cloud-based collaboration. Developed on Siemens industry leading technologies, Solid Edge provides the most innovative and comprehensive approach to product development for the mainstream market.Starting Price: $75/month/user -
22
TurboCAD
IMSI Design
TurboCAD® 2021 Platinum is a professional 2D Drafting and 3D Solid Modeling CAD Solution for engineers, architects, manufacturers and other design professionals. It comes fully equipped with a powerful drafting palette, ACIS® solid modeling, premium photorealistic rendering, advanced architectural and mechanical tool sets, AutoCAD®-like 2D drafting interface options, and extensive file support. TurboCAD® 2021 Platinum delivers a robust collection of professional 2D/3D CAD tools to design, modify, present, and document in an integrated fashion. It includes advanced mechanical design and modification tools, a powerful drafting palette, 2D geometric and dimensional constraints, and an ACIS® solid modeling engine. It includes a customizable Ribbon Interface with 4K monitor support to optimize productivity and readability on higher resolution displays.Starting Price: $69.99 -
23
TopSolid
TopSolid
TopSolid is an integrated CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing) software, developed by the French company TOPSOLID SAS. It is aimed at professionals in the mechanical, woodworking, and sheet metal industries, providing a comprehensive suite of solutions for design, simulation, and production. Thanks to its intuitive user interface and powerful features, TopSolid enables engineers, designers, and manufacturers to create complex 3D models, perform analyses and simulations of manufacturing processes, and generate efficient toolpaths for CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines. The software stands out for its ability to manage highly complex projects with its advanced integrated Product Data Management (PDM), thereby facilitating collaboration within teams and between different departments of a company. TopSolid is also known for its extensive compatibility with other CAD and CAM software, allowing for smooth integration into existing workflows.Starting Price: $7000 -
24
Rhino 8
Robert McNeel & Associates
Rhino can create, edit, analyze, document, render, animate, and translate NURBS curves, surfaces and solids, subdivision geometry (SubD), point clouds, and polygon meshes. There are no limits on complexity, degree, or size beyond those of your hardware. Uninhibited free-form 3D modeling tools like those found only in products costing 20 to 50 times more. Model any shape you can imagine. Accuracy needed to design, prototype, engineer, analyze, and manufacture anything from an airplane to jewelry. Compatibility with all your other design, drafting, CAM, engineering, analysis, rendering, animation, and illustration software. Read and repair meshes and extremely challenging IGES files. Accessible. So easy to learn and use that you can focus on design and visualization without being distracted by the software. Fast, even on an ordinary laptop computer. No special hardware is needed. Development platform for hundreds of specialty 3D products.Starting Price: $995.00/user -
25
AutoCAD Mechanical
Autodesk
Design faster with an industry-specific toolset for mechanical engineering, including 700,000+ intelligent parts and features. Isolate and restore layer groups and specify linetypes and lineweights. Update geometry automatically when changes occur. Minimize manual redraws. Produce accurate drawings with standard components. Efficiently analyze designs, including shaft, spring, belt, chain, and cam generators. Detail native Inventor part and assembly models. Use intelligent drafting tools made for mechanical design. Custom content library and publishing. Create and save custom content. Preview fillet, chamfer, and offset commands. Take the power of AutoCAD® wherever you go. Smart mechanical engineering dimensions. Create dimensions using abbreviated dialog boxes. 2D DWG with a view of the standards tab on the open options panel. Support for international drafting standards. Deliver standards-based design documentation.Starting Price: $220 per month -
26
ICEM Surf
Dassault Systèmes
Often described as the reference system for the creation of Class-A surfaces, ICEM Surf is the industry-leading curve and surface explicit geometry modeling tool for defining, analyzing and performing high-end visualization of complex free-form shape CAD surface models to the highest quality. Used in product design processes throughout automotive, aerospace, consumer goods and press-tool design industries, providing solutions for direct surface modeling, refinement, reconstruction and scan modelling. Advanced tools such as Global modelling and industry-defined analysis tools enable designers to detect subtle surface problems and check for compliances with regulations, whilst simultaneously performing high precision surfacing and experiencing real-time 3D visualization. With the core module you can define complex free-form shapes of a desired aesthetical high end Class-A quality, create, modify and diagnose surfaces and existing designs. -
27
Autodesk PD&M Collection
Autodesk
Accelerate your product design and manufacturing processes. The collection is an integrated set of professional-grade applications that connect everyone, from concept to production, with shared tools to streamline your product development process. Create high-performing product designs and production system layouts. Extend product capabilities and prevent product failures. Connect your team and your data from design to manufacture. See how the collection gives you the power to create your most ambitious ideas, collaborate more efficiently, automate busywork, and explore more design options than ever before. Increase win rates and deliver faster, with a connected and automated toolset, quickly configure and deliver products to customer spec. Use advanced simulation to validate and optimize products and manufacturing processes. Develop products and processes that optimize material use and minimize waste.Starting Price: $2,855 per year -
28
Civil 3D
Autodesk
Civil 3D® civil engineering design software supports BIM (Building Information Modeling) with integrated features to improve drafting, design, and construction documentation. Conduct grading design studies based on project constraints. Grading Optimization is available in Civil 3D only as part of the Architecture, Engineering & Construction Collection. Transform how you navigate, visualize, and interact with Civil 3D design models. Project Explorer is an extension available in Civil 3D only through the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Collection. Experience more efficient workflows for surface modeling, corridor modeling, site design, storm and sanitary, and plan production and documentation with Civil 3D® civil engineering design software. Securely access Civil 3D files, data shortcuts, and xrefs from multiple locations and companies, all in a common data environment.Starting Price: $2,430 per year -
29
CADdy++
DataSolid
All the needs of professional designers. A professional 2D/3D-Mechanical Design solution for the highest requirements. All basics for the CAD-beginner or semi-professional user for an unbeatable price. All three performance levels are based on the identical data structure and so the user is certain that there will always be an unbroken link between 3D models and 2D drawings when they are worked on and processed. Even at the lowest performance level CADdy++ Mechanical Design basic the further processing of fully parametric 3D models and 2D drawings completed either with the economy or the professional version, is guaranteed without loss of data or information. Shaded 3D models can be displayed more quickly in CADdy++ Mechanical Design by using a high-performance graphics card with Open GL interface 1280 x 1024 pixels and 32768 colours, for example the PNY graphic boards. -
30
Altair Inspire
Altair
Applied early in the product development lifecycle, Inspire accelerates the creation, optimization, and study of innovative, structurally efficient parts and assemblies through collaboration. Inspire's award winning user experience for geometry creation and modification can be learned in just a few hours, and delivers dependable Altair solver power. Structural analysis with the speed and accuracy of Altair® SimSolid®, as independently validated by NAFEMS, provides the ability to analyze large assemblies and complex parts. Dynamic motion simulation, including loads extraction, using the reliable multi-body systems analysis of Altair® MotionSolve®. The industry standard for structural efficiency, topology optimization by Altair® OptiStruct®, for the generative design of practical, viable, and manufacturable geometry. Inspire enables both simulation analysts and designers to perform what-if studies faster, easier, and above all earlier, encouraging collaboration. -
31
SolveSpace
SolveSpace
SOLVESPACE is a free (GPLv3) parametric 3d CAD tool. Modeling 3d parts, drawing with extrudes, revolves, helixes and Boolean (union/difference/intersection) operations. Modeling 2d parts, draw the part as a single section, and export DXF, PDF, SVG; use 3d assembly to verify fit. 3D-printed parts, export the STL or other triangle mesh expected by most 3d printers. Preparing CAM data, export 2d vector art for a waterjet machine or laser cutter; or generate STEP or STL, for import into third-party CAM software for machining. Mechanism design, use the constraint solver to simulate planar or spatial linkages, with pin, ball, or slide joints. Plane and solid geometry, replace hand-solved trigonometry and spreadsheets with a live dimensioned drawing. Sketch sections using lines, rectangles, datum lines and points. Sketch circles, arcs of a circle, datum circles, cubic Bezier segments, C2 interpolating splines, and more. -
32
Mastercam
CNC Software
CAD/CAM software is used to translate computer-aided design (CAD) to manufacturing workpieces with computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) on your CNC machine. Mastercam offers CAD/CAM software tools for a variety of CNC programming needs, from basic to complex. Due to our innovative, flexible solutions and top notch network of support, our software is a complete solution from the start of design through to manufacturing. Choose Mastercam to streamline your production process from job setup to job completion. Our CAD CAM software products take parts from design through to the production line. Program your manufactured parts with leading-edge features for precision and efficiency. Creating code to drive your CNC equipment is what Mastercam does best. Build your comprehensive CAD/CAM solution with Mastercam. -
33
nTop Platform
nTopology
Engineering software built for digital manufacturing The way we build parts has changed. Your engineering software needs to change too. A unifying technique for design, simulation, and manufacturing data. The nTop Platform approach removes geometry bottlenecks in design by achieving more efficient workflows, dramatically improving team collaboration with faster iteration, enabling smarter, more complex designs to meet performance demands. By utilizing nTop Platform’s breakthrough computational modeling techniques, design teams can process and evaluate more design concepts than ever before. Find the most optimal solution in a shorter amount of time. At nTopology we know that your engineering know-how is the most valuable asset in your organization. nTop Platform makes that know-how accessible, shareable and, most importantly, secure across your entire organization. -
34
Inventor CAM
Autodesk
Inventor® CAM software simplifies the machining workflow with CAD-embedded 2.5-axis to 5-axis milling, turning, and mill-turn capabilities. The Product Design & Manufacturing Collection provides the tools you need for the design and manufacturing of your products. Create toolpaths with powerful technology, such as 3D adaptive clearing, and the industry’s most complete package of finishing toolpaths. Simultaneous 4- and 5-axis features for machining complex models include tilt, multi-axis contour, and swarf. Improve productivity with traditional turning, facing, grooving, and boring functions. Includes support for live tooling mill-turning. Generate 2D profile cutting paths quickly with the ability to add all contours in the same plane, add tabs, and specify quality settings. Automatically avoid collisions between your part and tool holders during CNC calculations.Starting Price: $355 per month -
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Direct modeling allows you to quickly and easily create one-off designs or radically repurpose existing designs—even if you don’t know how they were made. In fact, most companies add 3D modeling to their product design process to help them shorten time to market, meet customer demands for new products, and satisfy increasingly complex customer requirements. With direct modeling, even those who are infrequent CAD users can make changes to geometry quickly and easily, while CAD experts appreciate the direct modeling flexibility to design large assemblies in record time. Creo Elements/Direct Modeling is the most comprehensive direct modeling system on the market, with a full range of extensions to meet your specialized needs. So, bring on your most radical design change or that one-off product: the software is intuitive, robust, and up to the task even with massive assemblies. Moreover, you or anyone on your team can pick up and work on a direct 3D product with minimal ramp-up time.
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36
Shapr3D
Shapr3D
Shapr3D is an intuitive, cross-platform 3D modeling app for iPadOS and macOS that is compatible with all major desktop CAD software. You can import projects and export work directly to your rendering, manufacturing, drafting, or splicing tools. Shapr3D’s tech stack and software combine the industrial power of desktop CAD tools and intuitive user experience. Shapr3D users get battle-tested Siemens™ geometric Parasolid™ modeling kernel and D-Cubed™ sketch engine. CAD-compatibility with hi-res X_T, STEP, STL, OBJ, 2D DXF, 2D DWG, USDZ export support. SLDPRT, SLDASM, STL, STEP, IGES, X_T, 2D DWG, 2D DXF, JPG, PNG import support. Offline functionality and local storage with all officially supported Macs running on Big Sur (11.0) or later. A modeling experience designed for fluid mouse and keyboard input. Get tangible results with 2D Drawings: prepare your models’ technical drawings, and start prototyping right away.Starting Price: $25/month/user -
37
Vention
Vention
Vention MachineBuilder is the fastest and easiest way to design and order factory equipment. Loaded with thousands of modular parts, smart design tools, and real-time pricing, automated equipment, robot cells and tooling, can be created in minutes, from anywhere, on any web browser. Create automated equipment, robot cells and tooling in minutes with the only CAD software built exclusively for the factory floor. Don’t spend days learning another CAD software. Smart design tools, in-CAD support and an intuitive interface make equipment design easy for everyone. Access a curated library of industrial-grade, modular automation components. From structural framing, to linear motion and robotics, leverage parts that have been tested for compatibility across Vention and trusted-partner brands. Real-time pricing as parts are added to the design. -
38
nanoCAD Mechanica
nanoCAD
Mechanica is nanoCAD’s 2D drafting and 3D mechanical design module. It is based on an advanced parametric engine and works with a large library of standard parts. It enables users to carry out fast development of high-quality mechanical engineering drawings and project documentation. nanoCAD platform provides you with a full set of basic and advanced design tools for creating and editing 2D/3D objects. It offers multiple drawing and editing methods for most geometric elements. nanoCAD platform is the base on which you build a more powerful CAD system to your specifications. Mechanica extends the nanoCAD platform with an array of mechanical drawing and engineering calculation utilities coupled with a vast library of standard and user-defined parts. The synergy speeds up the parametric drafting process. Advanced tools for designing shafts and pipelines. Drawing projections made with engineering standards.Starting Price: $199 per year -
39
SketchUp
Trimble
Design delightfully, collaborate clearly, and build better buildings. The joy of drawing by hand. The ease of super-smart 3D modeling software. Make sustainable buildings. Change the world, hundreds of professionally-developed extensions at your fingertips. Design in 3D. Document in 2D. Make work easier, bring efficiency to your team and the 3D community. A great idea can be its best with the right technology. Draw in 3D, analyze and improve your building’s performance, and creatively document and share your ideas with your class. Integrated with Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive. Works on Chromebooks or any Internet-connected computer. Students have access to free and intuitive 3D modeling tools. Positioning-centric information is changing the way people, businesses and governments work throughout the world. By applying Trimble's advanced positioning solutions, productivity increases and safety improvements are being realized.Starting Price: $119 per year -
40
Creo Parametric
PTC
Creo Parametric has the core 3D modeling software strengths you’d expect from the industry leader, along with breakthrough capabilities in additive manufacturing, model based definition (MBD) , generative design, augmented reality, and smart connected design. Streamlined workflows and an intuitive user interface complete the picture. PTC’s developers created Creo Parametric as a sound foundation software that allows users the ability to expand deeper functionality with each component. As your products become more complex in its engineering, Creo offers expanded capabilities to meet your requirements. Every product isn’t made equal and your 3D CAD solution shouldn’t be either. Creo Parametric provides the broadest range of powerful yet flexible CAD 3D modeling software capabilities to accelerate the design of parts and assemblies. -
41
Blender
Blender Foundation
Blender is the free and open source 3D creation suite. It supports the entirety of the 3D pipeline—modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing and motion tracking, video editing and 2D animation pipeline. Cycles is Blender’s built-in powerful unbiased path-tracer engine that offers stunning ultra-realistic rendering. Blender’s comprehensive array of modeling tools make creating, transforming and editing your models a breeze. VFX professionals say: “Probably the best tracker in the market”. Blender includes production ready camera and object tracking. Allowing you to import raw footage, track the footage, mask areas and see the camera movements live in your 3D scene. Eliminating the need to switch between programs. Thanks to the high quality rigging and animation tools, Blender is being used for numerous short films, advertisements, TV series and feature films now. -
42
SmartForm
IgniteTech
IgniteTech SmartForm includes two products, MCAD and PLM. MCAD, the Mechanical Computer-Aided Design solution, is a hybrid modeling system used to design products and prototypes, allowing you to design and advance ideas to production. PLM, the Product Lifecycle Management solution, efficiently supports the product development process from management decisions and technical documentation development through customer care support and assistance. This module includes 2D/3D transparency, AutoCAD compatibility, interactive solid modeling, smart objects, adaptive measures, integrated sheet metal, advanced assembly management and 2D & 3D translators. This module includes image importation, GSM global shape modeling, GSM zone modeling, reflection highlight, rake sweep, adaptive measures, real-time dynamic rendering, 2D/3D transparency and 2D/3D translators. Work from concept to shape without fearing modifications with hybrid modeling, part & assembly design and 2D & 3D translators. -
43
ZWCAD
ZWCAD Software
A powerful, reliable and DWG compatible CAD solution One affordable ZWCAD guarantees lifelong design quality and productivity. Streamline your workflow even more with unique ZWCAD features and innovative tools. ZWCAD mobile solution CAD Pockets lets you view, edit and communicate drawings with your team anywhere and anytime. AEC, MFG, Mechanical, GIS, Civil Engineering... Whatever industry you are in, you can find the vertical applications that satisfy your needs. Strong APIs including LISP, VBA, ZRX, and .NET are also ready for porting.Starting Price: $899 -
44
Tebis
Tebis
Tebis is a leading global provider of CAD / CAM and MES software and process solutions for the manufacturing industry. Tebis provides technology solutions for the manufacturing industry that improve efficiency, drive quality and produce better products. There is no problem that Tebis can’t solve. Our solutions deliver an immediate impact on product performance and long-term improvements in efficiency and reliability. We help company’s address today’s challenges while enabling tomorrow’s technologies. For your design and manufacturing, manufacturing planning and manufacturing documents. Tebis 4.1 is a complete parametric-associative CAD/CAM system with which all tasks in manufacturing preparation, design and CAM programming can be performed seamlessly in highly automated processing in a single system. Customers use the Tebis Browser – our free 3D data viewer for Tebis CAD model files– for communication within their companies and with suppliers. -
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Ansys Vista TF
Ansys
2D throughflow simulation is a critical step in the rotating machinery design process. Vista TF provides you with quick answers and can grant a better insight to your design or expose unexpected issues. Perform initial design iterations in 2D before moving to detailed 3D analysis to reduce development time and engineering resources. Achieve stronger insight to your rotating machinery design with Ansys Vista TF. This software provides detailed 2D flow simulation and enables you to refine product performance in early design stages. A high-performance turbocharger is a critical component for engine performance. The engineers at PCA were looking for a way to optimize turbocharger performance while simultaneously finding the most efficient approach to their problems. Ansys Vista TF quickly proved to be the best answer, as it offered fast, high-quality answers contained in a streamlined workspace. -
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VariCAD
VariCAD
VariCAD is 3D / 2D CAD software primarily intended for mechanical engineering design. The comprehensive CAD software enables designers to quickly create, evaluate, and modify their models. The software is sold as one "fully loaded" package, with all features and functions, for one affordable price. VariCAD delivers an excellent performance-to-price ratio, making it one of the smartest choices on the market today. VariCAD is compact, fast, easy to use, and provides everything necessary for mechanical design. The system contains: 3D Modeling 2D Drawing and Editing Optional Support of Parameters Optional Support of Geometrical Constraints Shells Modeling, Pipelines, Wires Crash Tests (Interferences) 3D Assemblies and Groups Surface Development (Sheet Metal Unbending) Mechanical Part Libraries and Symbol Libraries Calculations of 3D Objects or 2D Sections BOM and Title BlocksStarting Price: 989 €/user -
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CAD Pro
CadPro Drafting Software
CAD Pro’s mechanical drafting and design software is powerful and easy-to-use. Get started quickly with symbols and examples that are easy to customize to meet your specific needs. Bring mechanical drawings to life quickly with powerful computer-aided design tools. Quickly create custom symbol libraries to fit your mechanical drafting needs. CAD Pro mechanical drafting software produces presentation-ready results for both the beginner and the expert. Quickly plan and visualize your home design plans with CAD Pro. Homeowners, Contractors, and Architects use Cad Pro home design software to visualize their designs before they’re built. CAD Pro has helped thousands of contractors and custom home builders streamline their workflow while producing professional home designs for clients and colleagues.Starting Price: $99.95 one-time payment -
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Rocky DEM
Rocky
Rocky DEM quickly and accurately simulates the flow behavior of bulk materials with complex particle shapes and size distributions. Only in Rocky DEM can you combine the processing power of several GPU cards to accelerate your simulations, enabling you to work with higher volumes of data in less time. Rocky DEM allows modeling of accurate particle shapes which includes custom 3D bodies, 2D shells and fibers which can be made rigid or flexible. Enable your equipment components to move freely in response to forces such as particle contacts, gravity, and more. Rocky DEM’s Application Programming Interface (API) is based on the most-recent technology for customization and user experience integration. The result delivers unique usability, portability and, above all, solver performance. Fully integrated with Ansys Workbench (Fluent, Mechanical, Optislang and DesignXplorer). Includes both one-way and two-way coupling abilities with Ansys Fluent providing physically consistent results. -
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BeckerCAD
SoftMaker
Professional CAD software for architecture, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and much more. Detailed drawing, designing and modeling in 2D and 3D. Powerful, precise and 100% compatible with AutoCAD. May be installed on 3 PCs. Whether you are engaged in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering or architecture, BeckerCAD12 3D Pro enables you to design and model detailed 2D and 3D models. The wide range of drawing, editing and labeling tools helps you to accurately create objects ranging from 2D production drawings that are true to size up to rendered 3D visualizations. Complex 3D graphics can be easily imported in order to create impressive presentations. BeckerCAD12 3D Pro has a programming interface with Python and is fully compatible with AutoCAD and CADdy++ Mechanical Design. Realistic scene preview through improved light sources with advanced settings options. Adoption of object colors, material properties, etc., from graphics and saving bills of materials.Starting Price: $12 -
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EDGECAM
EDGECAM
EDGECAM is a market leading computer aided manufacturing (CAM) system for NC part programming. With unparalleled ease of use and sophisticated toolpath generation, it’s the only CAM system you’ll need for milling, turning and mill-turn machining. EDGECAM utilises your in house knowledge and experience to drive the CAM process with automation tools to suit different applications - allowing you to maintain your competitive edge. Associative native CAD model loading technology allows instant model manipulation, updates and rapid tool path regeneration. ‘Workflow’ technology enables accelerated and efficient programming of CNC machine tools. Edgecam is used by many of the World’s leading Manufacturers to improve productivity and quality from sub-contact to corporate organisations. Industry leading training and support on a global basis from dedicated support teams ensures excellent response times.
