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AutoCAD
2D & 3D design & drafting platform
Functionality
4.6
/5
3.1K
Total features
51
11 categories
AutoCAD features
Common features of Manufacturing software
Functionality
4.6
/5
3.1K
Price starts from
235
Per month
Total Features
51
Unique features
For AEC Industry
3D Modeling
File Management
CAD Tools
Functionality
4.0
/5
882
Price starts from
5000
/user
Per year
Total Features
131
Features in Common
17
Unique features
Contact Management
Financial Management
Work Order Creation
Spend Management
Functionality
4.6
/5
274
Price starts from
49
Per month
Total Features
77
Features in Common
8
Unique features
Customer Management
GPS
Invoice Management
Mobile App
Verified reviewer
Design, 11-50 employees
Used daily for 6-12 months
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the best table companion. i am happy by using this software.
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.
Complexity. High Cost. Steep Learning Curve. Potential Software Compatibility Issues. Limited File Format Support. Hardware Requirements. Lack of Cloud-based Collaboration. Limited Mobile Support.
Lyle H.
Utilities, 51-200 employees
Used daily for 2+ years
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We are an engineering firm and have used AutoCAD as our main drafting and design program for almost 30 years. Even though we have moved on to Revit, we still use AutoCAD for certain projects where 3D parametric design may not be needed or practical.
I've used it for 30+ years so I know it inside and out. It's heavily customizable and AutoCAD is a great tool for just about anything you need to design. It's THE industry standard for CAD. If you work with lots of other companies and are sharing drawings frequently, AutoCAD is the way to go. AutoCAD LT may be an option as well at a fraction of the cost.
While AutoCAD does offer some parametric and 3D features, it's not the best thing out there if you are wanting to do parametric 3D design. Also, after using Revit, the disconnection between drawings (other than xrefs) is rather annoying. But, if you're a skilled drafter, you can do great things with AutoCAD.
ahmed e.
Civil Engineering, self-employed
Used daily for 2+ years
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This program is an essential partner in all the reconstruction of the earth He is very excellent, noble and the greatest assistant to any engineer in particular We rely on it very mainly now and we hope to give more to Autodesk
• Save a lot of time, effort and thought • High quality in drawing and directing • High accuracy in execution • Very good safety in storage and transmission • Ease of use after good training You can draw and remember commands greatly after interruption of work on it for periods • One of the most beautiful things about the program is the diversity of drawing methods, data entry and output, and ease of storage • Also, one of the most wonderful things about the program is the presentation of work in more than one interface, whether two-dimensional or three-dimensional and others, or according to the required specialization, for example, civil engineering, mechanics or electrical engineering, especially architecture, and this greatly facilitates work on it • One of the nice things about the program is that we once entered a picture of a geological map that was so old that we could not get some information from it, such as the scale in some places. The image was scanned and inserted into the program, and it was great to simply extract the information from the program’s simple tools, including zooming in to the maximum. • The program allows converting work to PDF with different types of quality, and this is good in terms of the fact that each quality has a different size • It is fun to work on the program at home on your device and then transfer the file and complete your work in The company or office, then run the file on the mobile applications on the work site and be able to
• Expensive startup costs. Software can be very expensive with upfront costs such as hardware and training • It takes a long time to understand the use of this software This is the biggest hurdle in the program is the beginning In order to understand how the program works, you need to know all the details about it, and then things will be easy * New versions need great specifications, the most important of which are processors And the graphics card, so a lot may work on old versions It sacrifices the features of the new versions * AutoCAD cannot freely edit lines and locations. For instance, when it comes to overlapping lines and editing them, the software is quite limited and offers just a few options on this. * There are about 256 possible colors on many textures. This means that you may not be able to create realistic images quite like other software *The program is not as strong in 3D drawing as other specialized programs * We need to increase the trial period *We need support from the company for fonts for all languages and countries Instead of downloading and inserting it into the program * The size of the program is very large and with each release it increases * There are no courses from the company for each specialty or even as a general explanation of the program
Hicham S.
Computer Software, self-employed
Used daily for 1-2 years
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I had a hard time getting started with AutoCAD. The interface is not very user-friendly and the learning curve is steep. Once I got the hang of it, I found that it was very buggy and would often crash. Overall, I was not impressed with AutoCAD and would not recommend it to anyone. It has limited features, crashes frequently, and can be difficult to learn. On the other hand, I think it could be useful for someone who needs just a simple CAD software program. If you are looking for something complex or have any experience with CAD, this is not the program for you. However, if you need something basic that is easy to use and doesn't require much technical knowledge, AutoCAD might work for you. I do like that it's affordable and comes with all the features you will need in a CAD program. There are also helpful tutorials available on their website to help new users get acquainted with AutoCAD quickly.
AutoCAD is the industry standard in CAD (computer-aided design) software. It has been around for over 30 years and has changed significantly during that time. With each version, new features are added, existing ones are improved, and the interface changes to accommodate those changes. I've been using AutoCAD for about a year now, and I have to say that I'm really impressed with it. It's very user-friendly, and the results are always accurate. Plus, it has a lot of features that make it really versatile. Overall, I'm really happy with AutoCAD. There is room for improvement, but I can see myself using this software for years to come. One thing I wish was better was compatibility with other CAD programs. In my field, we use two different types of CAD and there's no way to import files from one program into another. That would be a nice feature to add in the future. Other than that, everything else is great! And even if you're not an engineer or designer, the tools AutoCAD offers are still very useful. I used it on a class project last semester and made some pretty sweet posters. Not only does AutoCAD do well for professionals like me, but people who just want to design posters too! Definitely worth checking out :)
Overall, I was really disappointed with AutoCAD. I found the interface to be confusing and difficult to use. The software crashed a lot and was really slow. Plus, the learning curve was really steep. I wouldn't recommend this software to anyone. It's just not worth it. There are so many other programs out there that are better than this one. The price is outrageous for what you get. If you're looking for an easier to use program with a great UI, try Sketch Up or Fusion 360. You won't regret it! They both have some really awesome features and a much better UI than AutoCAD. They also both cost way less money-even though they do almost everything that AutoCAD does. Seriously, don't waste your time on AutoCAD when you could be using something else more worthwhile like Sketch Up or Fusion 360. They will work for what you need and save you time in the long run because of how easy they are to use.
Ibrahim H.
Civil Engineering, 51-200 employees
Used daily for 2+ years
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It was an exciting experience in the world of building design and modeling through which I gained many experiences in understanding and modeling all 2D and 3D plans
Through my work on the AutoCAD program for many years, I noticed that it has many advantages, such as saving time and effort, mainly because it eliminates the need to draw on paper or manually. In addition, it is an effective program for designing and modeling projects, as it provides models (2D and 3D), and it is worth mentioning. The AutoCAD program has proven its effectiveness in the past and up to the present time as it is characterized by ease and flexibility and has an interface that is easy to understand and detail and the ability to import and export files from other programs...
Whatever the advantages of this program, we must focus on some of its negatives for the purpose of effective criticism... It has a relatively high cost, in addition to the fact that it requires computers with very high specifications, because when we design a (3D) program with complex and precise details, it will lead to a significant slowdown in the computer..
Amira D.
Construction, 1,001-5,000 employees
Used daily for 2+ years
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AutoCAD has been and continues to be the application on which I spend hours each day working on architectural designs and evaluating the many Shop drawings of the projects that I supervise, since my undergraduate studies and during the previous years. Your faith in the ability of construction workers and technicians to apply this is boosted by the clarity of the engineering standards that are included on it.
Whether you're a novice or a seasoned engineer, it's one of the best technical drawing tools ever created. You have helped me become an expert in engineering drawing and have helped me generate the best structural and interior designs over the last few years. Many new features have been introduced to this tool in recent years, including the ability to keep files in the cloud and collaborate with others remotely, as well as the ability to make design changes and obtain approvals, all of which save time and money by eliminating the need for physical printing. The AutoCAD interface is perfect for me since it has all the tools I need right in front of me, and I can customize it to suit my needs. I particularly appreciate the library it offers, which allows you to import and edit a large number of pre-made parts. It is possible to export drawings from AutoCAD to Revit and work on 3D designs and BIM principles using AutoCAD's interaction with other Autodesk products. When used in construction projects, this method cuts down on the amount of time spent duplicating tasks amongst civil, electrical, and mechanical teams, which results in a smoother workflow with fewer mistakes and reworks.
Once you have completed the exercises that help you acquire the necessary abilities, AutoCAD will be a joy to use as well as easy to learn. The only issue is that you'll need a computer with a fast processor and a large screen if you want to create complex designs with a variety of different elements.
Akhil M.
Computer Software, self-employed
Used weekly for 1-2 years
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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.
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.
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.
Mitchell C.
Motion Pictures and Film, self-employed
Used daily for 2+ years
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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.
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.
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.
Sadaf G.
Construction, 11-50 employees
Used daily for 2+ years
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Work with AutoCAD begins at the conception stage (conceptual design, schematics, design development) through to construction (good for construction and as-built drawings) and completion. I have been using AutoCAD for the last ten years and honestly, I would not trade this software for any other. Our company uses AutoCAD for drafting two-dimensional layouts, editing, developing 3D models as well as using it to import and export to other compatible software such as Revit for BIM and IES for energy modelling respectively. It is a fundamental drafting software that has no competitor in the market, especially for the construction industry. I highly recommend this powerful tool for enhancing the quality of detailed architectural, mechanical, electrical and civil 2D drawings for better implementation on site.
There is no limit to what can be produced with AutoCAD, from architecture, product design, and landscape drawings, from the tiniest to scales to the largest. As an Architect, I feel that mastering this software has been an indispensable skill, and I will be using it for many many years to come. Once you get a hang of it, developing layouts is simple, with a customizable interface and menus. I especially love the Object Snap command that helps me prepare drawings and details that are 100% accurate. Being compatible with a majority of modelling software, exporting CAD drawings is quite straightforward too. There is a plethora of support online as well as provided by Autodesk, if things seem challenging or there is a glitch to fix. The best part is that AutoCAD offers a fully functional free version for students, which is definitely a step in the right direction; not all companies do this.
The price tag associated with AutoCAD is steep, considering designers, architects, and engineers, all use it perpetually. To function without major glitches such as screen freeze, slow processing speed the software needs system rich in memory and RAM. A few commands like Trim and Hatch function slowly if your computer is (in my case) old or short on available RAM. For new users, the entire interface can be quite overwhelming considering the number of commands available for varied functions. I don't really have major issues with the 2D drafting feature, as it is comprehensive, accurate and user-friendly, but somehow the 3D feature isn't the best. In my opinion, there is other software available which can produce exceptional, presentation worthy and realistic 3D renderings as most have their own ray tracing, something that AutoCAD lacks. Additionally, for complex projects, it can be challenging to update sections, elevations, and detail drawings even if there is a minor change in the plan/s. For this purpose especially, I prefer BIM software when working on large and challenging projects.
ANDREW Z.
Civil Engineering, 1-10 employees
Used daily for 2+ years
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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.
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.
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.
Adam H.
Civil Engineering, 51-200 employees
Used daily for 2+ years
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As I use AutoCAD on a near-daily basis in the engineering field, it has become a tool that is second-nature while drafting and designing. While AutoCAD is an extremely effective tool to help designers and drafters to create drawings that look great and are easy to manipulate, it can struggle to handle heavy project workload with many 3-dimensional objects in one drawing; if you are able to plan and predict what a project will entail, you can plan your drawings accordingly to make sure that there isn't too much content in a single drawing which seems to cause this issue. As a leading tool for engineers, AutoCAD remains an excellent software for drafting and designing.
AutoCAD is a great drafting tool that has some great built-in functions to assist the designer in efficiently designing and drafting engineering projects. The customization in AutoCAD allows for great consistency in drafting by having custom uniform text, styles, and general features (such as pipe networks, pressure networks, and profiles to name a few), though this customization can also be a detriment which I will mention below. The majority of the interface is designed for ease-of-use, having all of the commonly used features in the ribbon and on the taskbar, while retaining the text commands for quickly accessing features for more advanced users. AutoCAD has widespread compatibility in terms of files it is able to import and read, as well as output formats to other drafting softwares. As I use AutoCAD with the Civil 3D add-on, there are some very helpful 3-dimensional tools that make it easy to draft your intended design with ease and the functionality of having various levels of complexity such as 3-dimensional surfaces, 3-dimensional pipe networks, and all of the associated tools (roadway corridors, grading tools, and surface manipulation.) AutoCAD is an industry standard for a reason - it helps the designer to efficiently and effectively complete designs with a wide variety of tools and options.
Though AutoCAD offers some very useful tools, some of these tools are complex and there can be a steep learning curve for new users. The bulk of the issues encountered while using AutoCAD seem to happen on larger complex projects. For larger-scale projects where many different drawings and objects are referenced together, it is important for the user to understand efficient ways to link drawings and AutoCAD objects together to prevent file slow-downs and bloating of project files. The dreaded 'Fatal Error' is also not uncommon when working in larger complex projects, especially when using 3-dimensional functions in the software such as surface grading. As newer versions of the software cause older versions to become obsolete, it is crucial that you stay up-to-date with the newest version of AutoCAD if you are planning on collaborating with external parties or consultants. Ensure the machine you will be using AutoCAD on exceeds the minimum recommended software and hardware requirements, as it can be difficult to efficiently use this software on an under-powered computer.
Soriana A.
Used daily for 2+ years
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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.
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.
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.
Carlos M.
11-50 employees
Used monthly for 2+ years
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The benefits I have received with this software have been: Being an engineer, he worked in the engineering area, especially in the area of civil engineering and architecture; I am dedicated, mostly to elaborate housing plans, as well as land location. It saves me a lot of time, because it allows to make modifications before printing, which I could not do manually, also, when the floor plans are the same, this can create copies and make the electrical, mechanical drawings without having to do the plan again. Also, since many planes are the same, those pieces can be copied from one plane to another, details that are required. You can rotate the plane, do 3D, change line thicknesses, color, add plants, vehicles to create the final design environment. It allows me to work from my house, and send the plans by mail at no cost. Previously, I had to print and mail physical plans or CDs. Make the details, at the scale of your preference and with all your minimum accessories. The presentation of the plans are of higher quality and precision and reliability. Also used to make figures for billboards, designed billboards with real dimensions. You can export and import images between softwares.
The experience I have with the Autocad is with the preparation of floor plans, facades and housing location. It has been very easy to handle with geometric figures, lines, arcs, circles, triangles; also allows to change the thickness, lengthen or cut the lines or edges of the figures, fill figures with solid colors or textures. It allows me to make the plans on a scale and print it with another scale greater or less than the one designed. Also, it allows drawing with details of sanitary pieces, hydraulic and electricity equipment. It makes presentations in 2d and 3d which gives an overview of the real design of the house, piece or equipment inside and outside. In addition, you can work multiple windows, copy images from one window to another, copy images from different files, you can export documents, tables and images from other software.
From this software it is difficult for me to work with different windows, and to select the printing area, for that I adjust the properties of the printer, which makes the printing slower. In addition, I find it difficult to work in three-dimensional planes. In this case, I make two plans one of the floor and another with cuts that show the heights of the walls or facades. It requires computers and monitors with higher requirements, for large plans plotters are needed; however, the plans can be adjusted to small printers, but the letters and numbers are so small that anyone can not read them.
Victor N.
Used daily for 2+ years
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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.
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.
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.
Luis Guillermo G.
Used daily for 2+ years
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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!
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.
Piotr P.
Computer Software, 51-200 employees
Used weekly for 2+ years
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I was working with AutoCAD during my two internships, my first job, and in my private projects. To tell the truth, at the beginning it was a quite confusing piece of software. The number of functionalities can overwhelm. However, after some time I started to use it smoothly. AutoCAD allows the creation of drawings efficiently with relatively low effort (especially compared to some other tools that are available on the market). I created a lot of projects, both 2D and 3D - industrial and private. AutoCAD is definitely better for 2D (as it was created for it). Sometimes it was enjoyable, sometimes frustrating. I believe the latter usually, as a result of my lack of knowledge. Every big software contains some bugs and problems. E.g. sub-file import management could be better implemented, as it sometimes loose track of file binding. Also, for some reason, half of the space needed for installation on my hard drive was filled with some strange sub-tools that I never used. The inability to clean those was mildly irritating. Overall, I love AutoCAD as it allowed me to complete multiple tasks in my work and private life. Despite containing some annoying issues, they are usually minor or rare. I strongly recommend it, particularly for 2D work projects.
Amount of functionalities. Help Centre -> Explanations and examples. Ease of usage and intuitiveness (if a user is somehow proficient). Ease of big projects management.
Occasional problems with sub-file imports after file/folder location change. Installed with a huge amount of side programs that aren't necessarily needed -> May be confusing for the beginners. Fairly high price.
Fabiana T.
Research, 5,001-10,000 employees
Used weekly for 2+ years
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As someone who has used AutoCAD for over a decade, I can say that my experience with the software has been very positive overall. I first used AutoCAD as a student in architecture college and found it to be a valuable tool for creating precise drawings and 3D models. As I continued to use the software in my professional work, I discovered new features and tools that helped streamline my workflow and increase my productivity.As a professor teaching CAD to architecture students, I found that AutoCAD was a software that was easy for students to learn and use effectively. I was able to teach basic commands and features quickly, and students were able to start producing quality work in a relatively short amount of time.One of the things that I appreciate most about AutoCAD is its ability to import and export files in a variety of formats. This has been incredibly useful in my work, as I've had to collaborate with others who use different software programs. AutoCAD's compatibility with other software programs, such as SketchUp and Fluent, has allowed me to work seamlessly with others and integrate my work into larger projects.
- AutoCAD is a versatile software that can be used for a variety of design tasks, including 2D drafting, 3D modeling, and rendering.- The software offers a wide range of tools and features that can help streamline the design process and increase productivity.- AutoCAD allows for easy collaboration with others through its ability to import and export files in a variety of formats.- The software has a large user community and plenty of online resources available for learning and troubleshooting.
The learning curve for AutoCAD can be steep, especially for those who are new to the software or have limited experience with CAD programs.
Tania R.
Architecture & Planning, self-employed
Used daily for 2+ years
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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.
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.
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.
Bruno A.
Industrial Automation, 1-10 employees
Used daily for 2+ years
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We are now working with an electrical dealer, designing their electrical panels and we are having good results.
The AutoCAD software is really good, its features that I have used the most are organizing electrical drawings by layers and having control of them, in addition to sharing the designs with my collaborators through the cloud for easy access and download. The software is easy to use, with a few hours of practice and love for design you can learn the basic concepts necessary to make your first drawing.AutoCAD is very important in my company since we use it many times to create our clients' designs, and above all so that they can understand the dimensions that have been made. We have increased the number of clients due to the easy use of this software.
AutoCAD is actually very good, so far I haven't seen the need to implement any features. Inform that the software has very good support that they work to improve the software. Its appearance is very easy to use, it has a simple and easy-to-learn interface. The software integration was very easy and very important to get more clients.
Verified reviewer
Consumer Electronics, 5,001-10,000 employees
Used daily for 2+ years
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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.
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.
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.
Verified reviewer
Civil Engineering, 11-50 employees
Used daily for 2+ years
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A software that can not be replaced especially the Pc version of it but some other softwares may be helpful for making Autocad more efficient and easier to use.
As it's to most developed software of it's kind of softwares, it contains the most important and useful tools that can be used to create or modify or even evaluate or improve the plans and the content. Especially in the windows or ios versions but unlikely in the mobile version.
Sometimes it's necessary to get more tools and libraries from the internet wich makes it more difficult whenever you are working on a different type of plans, it would be very helpful if they could include all of the other items and libraries in the main product.
shanti d.
Architecture & Planning, 1,001-5,000 employees
Used daily for 2+ years
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Autocad plays a very important part in my work. I have been using it since the beginning. There is no other application that can provide a clean and nice drawing in our architecture industries. It not only helps us save time but also helps us save engineering failure.
Easy to use customizable tools which provide a smooth and clean drawing. Autocad not only provide 2d drawing , It also provide user to create 3d drawing with wireframe. Another key feature of autocad is that it also provide drawing printing in all major file formate and with the help of A360 (cloude) You can share your drawing with anyone around the world.
Expensive. Autocad is way to expensive for small industries.
Verified reviewer
Information Technology and Services, 201-500 employees
Used daily for 2+ years
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Autocad is powerful software with many uses, including project management, file organization, and collaboration among teams of designers.
I really like the way that it's intuitive and easy to use! I've learned how to use this software throughout my college career, and now I'm using it in my professional career as well. I am happy that most of my clients choose this program and not other 3D modeling software, which makes the collaboration super easy.
Autodesk's AutoCAD software offers many features whose commands you'll want to memorize if you plan to use the software efficiently.
Clifford C.
Civil Engineering, 51-200 employees
Used daily for 2+ years
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In my 8 years of experience with it, I have not found a better software to use in civil engineering designs. Despite purchasing costs, AutoCAD is the perfect tool for civil and structural design.
It has both 2D and 3D features which shows it's flexibility. You can design and manage projects from as small as desk to as large as the whole city. The best part is you can transfer survey data from apps such as Google Earth and can design a project without even visiting the site. It has a good integration as you can make both architectural designs, with AutoCAD Architecture, and Civil Engineering designs, with AutoCAD Civil 3D, among other subsidiaries. The user interface is superb, with new tools released in every new version.
As almost every other app, latest version require computer with good specs such as RAM and processor, which might disadvantage poor communities. Most tools are perfect only in Civil Engineering designs, for other designs such as architectural, there are more better soft wares. It has no aesthetical aspect whatsoever which hinders clients from seeing what will actually be on the ground. Also, licensing costs are higher for developing countries
Libio L.
Political Organization, 501-1,000 employees
Used weekly for 2+ years
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It allows me to digitize plans quickly and safely, I can identify each element on the plane by creating its attributes individually. I can also associate the information with an existing database. Your final product is generally compatible with other CAD programs. For the cartographic production it is excellent, since I can easily manipulate all the symbols and regroup them on the map individually. I can create geometric figures keeping the independence between them. When I digitize maps I can differentiate each of the cartographic elements, I can digitize them with satellite images and with maps. I can use database and associate it with the elements of the map without altering the information. From the digitized data and the attributive information I can produce cartographic maps with excellent marginal information and complying with the basic norms for the creation of cartographic maps and plans at scales of anything that one wants to represent, such as pipes, houses, shopping centers, buildings, etc.
It takes a lot of memory on the computer for processing. The acquisition of the license is very expensive. It is portable to us. High performance computers are required to work comfortably. It does not allow the georeferencing of satellite images. I think the hatch feature needs some tweaking. Often times the program won't hatch, thinking my lines don't meet up when in fact they do. Sometimes the dimension lines can interfere with the hatch reading the lines correctly.