The Best Free CAD Software app downloads for Mac: Silhouette Studio Microspot DWG Viewer ZWCAD Viewer LogicWorks Autodesk AutoCAD DWG/DXF Converter Ra. The Open Source CAD System For Everyone QCAD is a free, open source application for computer aided drafting (CAD) in two dimensions (2D). With QCAD you can create technical drawings such as plans for buildings, interiors, mechanical parts or schematics and diagrams. QCAD works on Windows, macOS.
Have an idea in mind about a new project? Just drag your mouse and create a graphical view with these best drafting software. Drafting software is used to draft your idea on the paper. Be it a Mechanical or Electrical or Architectural plan. For an organization, having a good drafting software is a must to save the time of getting the idea from mind to paper. Following are some best drafting software available for use.
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2D Drafting and Drawing Software
The 2D drawing and drafting software from Autodesk will help you create your new drawings as well as annotate them. The software features customizable templates to have quick and easy drawings. As these templates can also be customized, you can store for quick reuse any part which you prefer to use several times in a drawing. Sending or sharing drawings is simple as Autodesk uses DWG™ format.
Smartdraw Drafting Program
Drafting program software from smart draw has enough features to impress you, including smart formatting, templates, cloud backup. This software is designed for a very simple GUI but has advanced features enough to please you as an expert. This software works on any platform, available majorly, Windows, Mac, Linux. It helps you to align drawings automatically. You can try this software freely before spending on it.
Easy Drafting Software – Edraw
Edraw is a simple yet powerful drafting software having rich templates, ready to use designs. Worried about the time required for learning the software? You get free, in-depth tutorials with this software, which help you learn and create drafts easily. The whole plan is stored, made readily available as a template, on which you just have to drag and place objects wherever you want. You can get a 30-day, a full featured demo of this software for free.
QCAD for Linux
If you are looking for open source drafting software, QCAD is for you. QCAD is available for Linux. The main features are 35 CAD fonts included, layers, blocks or grouping, object snapping, over 4800 standard predefined objects, hatches, fills, raster images. You get the software for free, also, you can contribute to the community by adding more features to the already available large list of features.
CadStd for Windows
CadStd is a drafting software specially designed for windows. This software is designed for simplicity and is available in two versions, pro and lite. You get lite version for free but has limited features. The pro version can also create an isometric view from orthogonal views. With the lite version, you can only export files as DXF, but pro version gives you the flexibility to send as DXF, SVG, HPGL. This software will offer a simple GUI features as offset, trim, fillet, chamfer.
Brics CAD for Mac
Brics Cad offers most features, advanced and basics, which you will expect in a drafting software. For students and Academic institutions, this software is completely free. You can also download a free 30-day trial. You can have direct 3D modeling instead of going for 2D and then 3D. Features include snapping cursor, cloud connectivity, clean and intelligent environment.
Most Popular Software for 2016 – BRL CAD
BRL-CAD is the most popular drafting software among professional drafters. BRL-CAD is a free, open source software. This software will give you every feature you will expect from a drafting software like raster images, hatches, circles, ellipse etc. A most dominant feature of this software is the open source code, giving it a high rate of development over other software. You can also see Landscape Design Software
What is Drafting Software?
A drafting software is designed for creating mechanical or electrical or house (architectural) plans with considerable ease as compared to hand drawing. Pre-defined templates, ready integration with available formats are features of drafting software which speed up the process of drafting. You can also see 2D CAD Software
Each drafting software listed here has some outstanding features. It is just the matter of personal preference on the GUI when it comes to selecting a best one of the above-listed software being the most popular and open source software, is the first choice of many drafters, but other listed software also have some outstanding features to try before purchasing.
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by Kayla Morrison • 2020-10-28 17:49:45 • Proven solutions
We are living in an era where digital artists are highly appreciated. Luckily, there are so many free drawing software for Mac and Windows that can help turn you into an Oscar Award-winning digital artist. But finding the right tool from the myriad of options available can be a serious challenge. So, to cut your long chase short, here is a list of the 15 best free drawing software for Mac in 2020.
1. Krita
Krita is a free open source drawing program that offers all the necessary tools to make a smashing art. Despite being free, Krita is a darling to most professional designers looking to create unique illustrations, comics, arts, and more. It features a customizable UI with lots of fantastic features like pop-up pallets, brush stabilizers, dockers, color themes, etc. And without forgetting, you can make custom brushes and share them with Krita friends.
Pros:
- Open-source program.
- Customizable resource center.
- Constant updates.
Cons:
- Lacks documentation.
- Poor touch controls.
2. Autodesk Sketchbook
Autodesk Sketchbook is another popular drawing app among professional designers. Some of the features that place this app among the best are its simple UI and advanced sketching tools. Speaking of tools, there are more than 140 brushes, multiple layers, and various blending models. Additionally, the software supports predictive and perspective strokes and rulers.
Pros:
- Excellent brush collection.
- Professional tools.
- Simple to use.
Cons:
- Not for beginners.
- Slugging on older Mac versions.
3. MediBang Paint
MediBang Paint is undoubtedly one of the best free drawing software for Mac you can find currently. The key advantage here, apart from simplicity, is the compatibility with all desktop and mobile platforms. For example, you might begin drawing on your iPhone and then finish up on Mac, thanks to the free cloud storage. However, some specific tools that you’ll enjoy on the desktop version might not be present on your phone or tablet.
Pros:
- Cross-platform app.
- Fantastic brush presets.
- Free cloud storage.
Cons:
- Must create a MediBang account.
- Tutorials are mostly in the Japanese language.
Free Drafting Software Mac
4. Sip
Sip offers you a professional and straightforward way to collect, organize, and export your colorful arts. It boasts of universal shortcuts that allow users to manipulate colors effortlessly. Sip also enables you to choose the precise shade you need and organize them neatly to form palettes. Additionally, you can duplicate colors and even create snapshots for remembering colors when required. Plus, the app will detect and align color formats with whatever app you’re using.
Pros:
- Supports multiple color formats.
- Universal keyboard shortcuts.
- Simple to use.
Freeware Drafting Software
Cons:
- Not entirely free.
- Lacks important features.
5. Inkscape
Are you still looking for a free drawing app for Mac with vectors? Try Inkscape! With this open-source drawing powerhouse, you’ll enjoy a simple design layout with multiple features to make professional vectors. It can design and manipulate notes, objects, and colors. You’ll also get multi-line text support, support for standard image file formats, and anti-aliased display. Overall, freebies can’t come any better!
Pros:
- Open-source app.
- Multiple drawing tools.
- Helpful online community.
Cons:
- Lags with large files.
- Cluttered UI.
Free Drafting Programs For Mac
6. GrafX2
Honestly, I can’t get any easier than GrafX2. It is a free and straightforward online tool for making unique pixel arts. This 256-color bitmap app allows you to draw up to 60 varying resolutions. Surprisingly, the last reboot was in 2007, but GrafX2 has still managed to offer advanced sketching tools for modern designers. You’ll get grid settings, shading tools, animation options, and shape tools.
Pros:
- Best for game developers.
- Simple to use.
- Free app.
Cons:
- Outdated UI.
- Lacks important tools.
7. Adobe Illustrator
Although overshadowed by its sibling, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator is still one of the complete apps for drawing vector designs. Here, designers and artists will create everything, ranging from billboards and product packaging to book illustrations and web icons. You’ll get all the essential tools to change simple shapes or colors into sophisticated logos, graphics, or icons. Also, you’ll get beautiful typography and drawing tools.
Pros:
- Smooth and fast operations.
- Multiple drawing tools.
- Supports PDF files.
Cons:
- Not for beginners.
- Free trial with the paid version.
8. Clip Studio
URL: https://www.clipstudio.net/en
If you primarily work on manga, Clip Studio should be your go-to option. Although you can use it to design standard animations and illustrations, Clip Studio excels in the manga space, just like Manga Studio. The app offers advanced features like pen-pressure detection to allow you easily create drawings of intricate areas, quick colorings, and so on.
Pros:
- Smooth and natural brushes.
- Excellent dark theme.
- Customizable interface.
Cons:
- Unintuitive key binding.
- Stifling price.
9. FireAlpaca
If you want a lightweight tool for your old computer, choose FireAlpaca. Please don’t dismiss this tool, however, because it comes with some pretty essential drawing tools. This free digital painting program is available in up to 10 different languages and runs smoothly on Mac and PCs. It comes with simple tools such as Pen, Pencil, and Watercolor to draw illustrations and arts professionally. And best of all, FireAlpaca is free forever!
Pros:
- A free, open-source app.
- Basic drawing tools.
- Multi-language platform.
Cons:
- Not for pros.
10. Adobe Photoshop
Closing our best ten is Adobe Photoshop, which is undoubtedly the most popular drawing tool of the lot. Here, you’ll get access to hundreds of brushes with smooth strokes. Unlike the perception out there, Adobe Photoshop is super-simple to use but might require some learning curve first. You can use it to make banners, websites, icons, logos, convert images, and so on. Moreover, you can upload local photos and start from scratch.
Pros:
- All-purpose software.
- Multiple design tools.
- Supports all image formats.
Cons:
- Resource hungry program.
- Not for beginners.
11. BlackInk
If you’re still experimenting with your art but not afraid to take risks, here’s the perfect app for you. The app offers a straightforward controller system for making unique and custom brushes. You can also customize the default brushes and use them to paint images. Even better, you can share your custom brushes to the community. This way, you’ll never lack a paintbrush to work with.
Pros:
- Perfect for beginners.
- Create custom brushes.
- Share brushes to the community.
Cons:
- Steep price.
- Not for advanced users.
12. ArtRage
ArtRage is an intuitive and uniquely realistic app for real artists. Although it’s designed with simplicity and fun in mind, this app offers powerful tools to match. On the multi-lingual platform, you’ll get painting tools such as watercolor, oil brush, paint roller, airbrush, palette knife, and so much more. You’ll also get an eraser, pen, ink pen, marker pen, and any other drawing tool you can imagine.
Pros:
- Create custom brush tools.
- Offers special effect tools.
- Zoom and rotate canvas freely.
Cons:
- Not for beginners.
- Awkward when adjusting brush size.
13. EazyDraw for Mac
This is a vector-based drawing app tailor-made for technical illustrations, drawings, and desktop publishing on Mac OS X computers. With EazyDraw for Mac, users will enjoy a full set of tools to design, logos, titles, illustrations, etc. And if you’re a beginner, you’ll get simple to understand manuals and tutorials to help you get started quickly.
Pros:
- Multiple drawing tools.
- Comes with easy tutorials and manuals.
- Simple layer controls.
Free Drafting Program For Mac
Cons:
- Awkward interface.
- Steep price.
14. Gravit Designer
Gravit Designer is a simple cross-platform app that’s free to download and use on Mac, Windows, Linux, and Chrome OS. With it, you’ll design beautiful mockups, interfaces, and scalable vector graphics. Unlike other high-end options like Photoshop and Sketch, Gravit Designer allows you to create social media posts without breaking the bank. Another thing, it supports multiple import and export file formats.
Pros:
- Software is bug-free.
- Supports multiple image file formats.
- Available in both online and desktop versions.
Cons:
- Scrolling the canvas can be annoying.
- Crashes with big files.
15. Vectr
Lastly, you can use Vectr to make some eye-catching designs and arts on Mac. It’s a beautiful free tool that’s fun to use and simple to learn. With Vectr, you’ll make smooth and professional designs for any business. You’ll also get a straightforward tutorial to help you get started quickly. You can work with texts, shapes, and multiple layers. However, Vectr is not as sophisticated as other advanced options like Canva.
Pros:
- Free to use.
- Simple to understand.
- Offers straightforward tutorials.
Cons:
- Not for pro designers.
- You need to create an account first to save files.
Free Drafting Software For Beginners
Conclusion
Free Drafting Software Windows 10
These are the best free drawing software for Mac you can get currently. If you’re on a limited budget, you can opt for free, open-source options like Vectr and Fire Alpaca. But if you want to enjoy extended features, choose advanced tools like Photoshop and Canva. What’s better, all of these programs offer free trials, so there’s no harm in trying.