13 Best Free Drafting Software: Pros & Cons [2024]

CAD software acts as an integrated graphical user interface (GUI) on a PC or system. With which engineers and architects can design, build, inspect, and manage engineering projects. Thus, you must know about the finest Drafting Software out there.

We sorted the top  best drafting software which is available:

• 123D
• FreeCAD
• LibreCAD
• Sculptris
• QCAD
• DraftSight
• TinkerCAD
• 3D slash
• NanoCAD Software
• Blender

Check the below top 12 free best drafting software then you will get an idea of choosing the best for your design needs. For a beginner, it is preferable to choose any one of these Drafting software to improve their skills in designing. And this Drafting software is proven to provide impressive results when compared to commercial ones.

Name	Level	Price (USD)	CAD Type
123D	Beginner	Free	3D
FreeCAD	Beginner	Free	2D/3D
LibreCAD	Beginner	Free	2D
Sculptris	Beginner	Free	3D
QCAD	Intermediate	Free	2D
DraftSight	Intermediate	Free	2D
TinkerCAD	Intermediate	Free	3D
3D slash	Intermediate	Free	3D
NanoCAD Software	Professional	Free	2D
Blender	Professional	Free	2D/3D
Draft IT	Beginner	Free	2D

Top 13 Best Drafting Software

Find out about the finest drafting software with our reviews in detail.

123D

AutoDesk created this 123D, popularly known as AutoDesk 123D; it combines CAD and 3D modeling tools. The AutoDesk 123D supports both 3D modeling and 3D printing and can also help you with 3D animation. If you have a supported 3D printer and need a 3D print of your design, then this 123D is the best choice.

It is a beginner-level drafting software and is available free of cost. 123D software supports the following OS such as Windows, Mac, and Linux. It is also a time saver software because of its library of pre-made blocks and objects.

Formats: 123x, step, x3d, STL, VRML
Type: 3D

• Firstly, it is Easy to use and has powerful tools.
• It lets users share and comment on creations.

• Not as much support for teachers as some of Autodesk’s other design apps.

Download 123D here

See also: 4 Best Free Vector Software for Windows & Mac | Updated 2024

FreeCAD

FreeCAD is open source, free best drafting software that is mainly used to design real-life objects of any size. This software has parametric modeling capability, which allows you to make changes to 3D design.

You can access other open-source libraries such as Open CASCADE, Coin3D, and Python (a scripting language) in this FreeCAD software and vice-versa. Also, this software offers modular architecture, a sketcher, Robot simulator.

Modular architecture allows plug-ins to the core application. Sketcher allows you to sketch 2D shapes. The use of a robot simulator is to study robot movements.

Type: 2D or 3D
OS: Windows, Mac, Linux
Formats: Step, VRM, iges, obj, stl, svg, dxf.

• One can make 3D drawings through this software.
• 3D drawings can be made at different angles of projection.

• Sometimes when we are updating modules, some modules are not updated.
•  The learning curve of this software is quite difficult for new users.

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Download FreeCAD here

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LibreCAD

LibreCAD software can be used by both beginners and intermediate users. It is free Computer design software that is used to design 2D objects. Also, the interfaces and handle concepts of LibreCAD are similar to AutoCAD, which gives an ease of experience for the user. Based on Qt4 libraries, LibreCAD runs.

Type: 2D
OS: Windows, Mac, Linux
Formats: dwg, dxf
Price: Free

• It allows users to make measurements, add text, put details on the design, and print.
• Users can save their work in PDF format to make it easy to share.

• This is free software and hence has multiple versions; one has to be aware of which version they are using for using a specific feature.

Download LibreCAD here

See also: 4 Best Free & Paid Game Optimizer Software for Windows

Sculptris

It is also free CAD software, which mainly focuses on 3D sculpting and 3D modeling. Sculptris has features like ZBrush navigation and Standard-level navigation. You can also add plug-ins to extend features and productivity. Because of its sculpting features, you can create real-time 3D objects and can produce printable models very easily. Certainly deserves a spot in our list of free best drafting software.

OS: Windows, Mac
Price: Free
Type: 3D
Formats: obj, goz

• Good range of tools.
• Export and import of objects is easy.
• Compatible with graphics tablets.
• It is portable and occupies little space.

• Does not include examples or documentation.
• The graphical interface is not modifiable.

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Download Sculptris here

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QCAD

QCAD is 2D free CAD software that is recommended for intermediate to advanced users. It is geared towards technical drawing because of partly inspired by AutoCAD. Even beginners can learn this QCAD quickly because of its remarkably neat and clean user interface.

Not to mention, QCAD Library has more than 5000 CAD parts which are available as free add-ons.

Type: 2D
Price: Free
OS: Windows, Linux, and Mac
Formats: Pdf, svg, dwf, dxf, dwg

• Firstly, It is easy to use all drawing features.
• Importing Cad files and modifying them is also a very simple task.
• It is one of the best tools for 2D drawings.

• It can be a little unstable sometimes.
• Finally, Does not support 3D drawing.

Download QCAD here

DraftSight

DraftSight is a free CAD software. It is from Dassault Systems, which is the publisher of CATIA and Solidworks. Anyone can learn the program quickly because of its clear user interface. Moreover, DraftSight has many necessary tools to develop 2D technical drawings. And storage of designs is in layers and can export to PDF to use as construction sheets.

Type: 2D
OS: Windows, Mac, Linux
Formats: dxf, dwg

• Easy to Edit the drawing and Friendly to operate the commands.
• It supports DWG compatibility and the PDF printer.

• The customer support for the free version is bad.
• The free software is limited to 2D. It is not 3D.

Download DraftSight here

TinkerCAD

TinkerCAD is owned by Autodesk, and it is a free drafting program. Using TinkerCAD, you join complex objects and also join and subtract shapes. A beginner can also produce impressive results with basic techniques using the TinkerCAD software. Also, to grasp the basics of 3D modeling, this TinkerCAD is an intuitive approach for newbies. TinkerCAD supports 3D printing services, HTML5, and a geometry kernel.

Type: 3D
Price: Free
Formats: 123dx, 3ds, obj, svg
OS: Web Application

• Firstly, Designing 3D objects is very easy.
• Secondly, Any user can move from learning to design to print in no time.
• Supports 3D printing.

• Requires an internet connection to work.

Download TinkerCAD here

3D slash

3D Slash has a solid block, i.e., cuboid, which can be further divided into smaller blocks of identical sizes. Using an array of tools, users can create their own 3D models. In addition, these tools include a hammer, trowel, chisel, pulpwood, and drill. You can remove individual Cubes using the hammer tool, and to add cubes, the trowel is in use.

Using these free drafting programs, 3D designing will be easy for beginners. So with little understanding, users can achieve impressive results using 3D slash software. Using a 3D printer, you can also print your models because this 3D slash software is in link with many online drafting program printing services and models.

Type: 3D
Price: Free
Formats: 3Dslash, obj, STL
OS: Windows, Mac, Linux

• Firstly, Minecraft-inspired design tools are familiar to some users and easy to learn for others.
• It has great tutorials and examples.

• Designs are exclusively composed of cubes, which makes creating very complex designs a bit challenging.

Download 3D Slash here

NanoCAD Software

Similarly, the basic version of NanoCAD Software is available for free. Not to mention, NanoCAD supports parametric modeling. It easily adapts to the changes that are in the projects. Like AutoCAD, it also comes with a spreadsheet editor.

Type: 2D
Price: Free
Format: dwg, pdf, ifc, plt
OS: Windows

• The intuitive nature of the functions & layout within the application makes it simple to create any plan sets.
• A trial version is available before buying it.
• It is a powerful graphical engine that can easily handle huge IFC models.

• Not as much support for teachers as some of Autodesk’s other design apps.

Download NanoCAD here

Blender – Free Best Drafting Software

Blender is the best free drafting software, and professional open source. Using Blender, you can create many applications, such as animated films, visual effects, video games, arts, and 3D printed models. Also, it contains many tools and modifiers like the creation of meshes in 3D printing.

All in All, it holds features like 3D modeling, UV unwrapping, skinning, texturing, video editing, and compositing. Also, Blender has sculpting capabilities that are similar to commercial ones like ZBrush or Mudbox. Moreover, Blender is not for beginners; it is suitable for professional users.

Type: 2D/3D
Price: Free
Format: stl, obj, 3ds, dae, svg, ply, vrml, x3d, lwo, x, fbx
OS: Mac, Unix, and Windows

• This software allows modeling in 3D.
• It also allows for making animations and videos.
• It has a modular interface, and in reality, it is not very complicated to learn how to use the tools.

• The interface is not as refined as some payment programs.
• The learning curve for Blender is pretty high.

Download Blender here

BlocksCAD 

BlocksCAD is software Drafting Software that was developed to ease students into the craft of 3D modeling but without the need to learn OpenSCAD. This means that with this program, anyone will be able to work with OpenSCAD. The commands help to denote objects, transformations, etc. Elements are represented by multi-color blocks that can be fixed together like LEGO bricks. Once you feel that you are done with your work, you can render the 3D model to inspect it. The finished design can be saved in OpenSCAD or STL format.

Do not get this wrong, but it is still not a trivial matter to model with BlocksCAD. Here is an example for you. To create a vase, you have to create two cylinders of different diameters and then link them to one another with a subtract transformation. So, this free online CAD tool cannot read your mind. It still expects you to sensibly combine the code blocks.

• Firstly, It is available free of cost.
• It provides easy drag-and-drop options.
• Finally, This is a perfect tool to teach OpenSCAD to newbies.

• STL files that are imported do not export correctly to OpenSCAD files.

Download BlocksCAD here.

Trimble SketchUp

Trimble SketchUp is one of the best Drafting Software for a new user as well as for a professional user. One can use Trimple Sketchup for a wide range of drawing applications, including civil, interior designing, mechanical drawings, architectural drawings, etc. It is available in paid and free versions.

Though the free version does not offer a lot of features, it can still be used for basic work. It also consists of ready-made libraries for easy access to common structures.

Type: 2D/3D
Price: Free for the basic version
Format: dwg, dae, stl, 3ds, dem, ddf, obj
OS: Mac and Windows

• It consists of a wide range of options that can be used by a new user as well as a professional user.
• Secondly, It offers a very interactive user interface with a grid view which makes it easy to use.

• Its cost for the paid version is a bit at the higher end.
• The basic version can be accessed via the web only.

Download Trimble SketchUp here

Draft IT

Draft IT is a perfect choice for someone who is just a beginner. It is the best choice for getting a grip over the basics and hence helps to master the basics before you can get to the advanced designs. The software does not support 3D designing due to its basic functionality. The software is available in two versions i.e. the free one and the paid one. There are some features that one can only get in the paid version, such as layering. You may not want to use this software if you are considering some complex or detailed work.

• Firstly, Perfect for beginners.
• Secondly, Basic features are available free of cost.

• Only supports 2D designing.
• The free version does not offer advanced features.

Download Draft IT here

Type: 2D
Price: Free
Format: DWG, DXF
OS: Windows

FAQs

What software do drafters use?

AutoCAD. Since 1982, they've been a pioneer in computer drafting technology. Their AutoCAD program is now the industry standard for 2D and 3D computer-aided design. This program will draw much of your attention as you learn about industry-standard computer software.

Is drafting and AutoCAD the same?

CAD (Computer-Aided Design) and drafting (CADD) employ computers to assist designers in design, development, and revision work instead of hand drafting.

Is AutoCAD free software?

Being a student, professor, or academic institution is the only option to get a full and unrestricted edition of AutoCAD for free. Those who qualify can apply for an educational license for AutoCAD and receive a year of free Autodesk software, including AutoCAD.

Conclusion

So, these were some of the best Drafting Software of 2024 that we have reviewed for you. Therefore, Do read about each one of them and choose the finest one now!