Where to find free CAD software for your construction business
Bolster
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Most construction companies don’t need CAD drawings, particularly when they’re just starting out. A rough sketch with some notes is often enough to get the job done.
However, as your business grows, you might find that you need to open, view, print, or edit CAD drawings from time to time. You might even need to use CAD to create a drawing for a client or for something else. If you’re looking for free CAD software for one of these reasons (or something else), you’re in luck. Here’s what you need to know.
Free CAD Software Trials
You could try a free CAD software download if you just need to open a CAD drawing or use CAD briefly.
AutoCAD and TurboCAD offer 15-day free trials, so you can download them, use them for a little over two weeks, and get whatever you need done in that time.
Full Version Free CAD Software
If you need CAD software that you can keep and keep using for the long term, you might be surprised to learn that there are a few options out there, too.
One of the best places to find any free, open-source software online is Osalt.com, and they have a whole page of fully free CAD software options.
These are usually not very sophisticated CAD options, but they will allow you to make basic digital drawings, and if that’s all you’re looking for, they’re a great option.
Freemium CAD Software
As with everything these days, some freemium online CAD options out there allow you to access basic functionality free but charge for advanced features.
SmartDraw is one of those options, and it offers a decent selection of tools and features to help you produce the drawings you need.
Forever Free CAD Viewing Software
If you only want to view and print CAD drawings, you don’t need to find a full CAD package. You just need a CAD viewer. Fortunately, there are several of those out there, including one from Autodesk, the maker of AutoCAD. It’s called DWG TrueView, and you can download it from their website and use it forever.
Choosing the Right Free CAD Software
Hopefully, you’ve found a solution on this list of free CAD software that meets your digital drawing needs.
If you’re still not sure which software will work for you, and you have drawings you need to open and edit, look at the file type extension at the end of the file name. If it’s a DWG file, you will need AutoCAD, TurboCAD, or a similar software to open it.
If the file extension is something else, like .sldprt or .sldasm, which are SolidWorks files, you will need to look for a program that can open those specific file types.
Some free CAD software packages, like a TurboCAD demo, can open multiple different drawing file types, so that might be an option, but the best way to be sure is to look up the file extension on FileInfo.com, which is a file type database that will tell you the right software for nearly any file type you can imagine.
Exploring Further with Bolster:
To better understand the intricacies of the construction industry and its evolving software requirements, consider exploring:
- The art of construction estimating and the tools that make it efficient. Dive into the process and uncover secrets in our guide on Mastering the Art of Construction Estimating.
- Are you grappling with understanding the difference between estimates, bids, quotes, and proposals? Get clarity by checking out our detailed post on the Estimate, Bid, Quote, Proposal Difference.
- As you adapt to the changing face of the construction sector, staying updated with the latest trends is essential. Discover the Top 8 Construction Industry Trends to Watch Out for in 2023.
- Finally, enhance your understanding of costs by getting insights on Variable Versus Fixed Costs in Construction Estimating.
About Bolster:
At Bolster, we're at the forefront of transforming the construction industry with our state-of-the-art estimating software. We aim to simplify the complex world of construction estimates, providing businesses with the tools they need to grow and succeed. Whether you're a budding contractor or an established construction firm, our suite of resources and tools is designed to help you navigate the challenges of the industry.
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