AutoCAD

Score7.9 out of 10

559 Reviews and Ratings

What is AutoCAD?

AutoCAD is a CAD product from Autodesk. It allows designers to work in 2D and 3D, and is available on Windows and Mac, but with extensive online collaboration tools.

Categories & Use Cases

2D Drafting
Provides tools for creating and editing 2D drawings, including the ability to add dimensions, annotations, and symbols.
Category average: 8.1
Compatibility with other software and formats
Allows users to import and export designs in various file formats, ensuring compatibility with other software and stakeholder requirements.
Category average: 7.4
Customization and Extensions
Provides options for customizing the software interface or to include add-ons which extend the functionality of the software.
Category average: 7.8

Rendering and Visualization
Allows users to create realistic images and visualizations of their designs, including the ability to apply materials, textures, and lighting effects.
Category average: 6.3
Parametric Design
Enables users to define and modify design parameters, allowing for faster iteration and design changes.
Category average: 7.3
Simulation and Analysis
Provides tools for simulating physical properties and behaviors of designs, allowing users to test and optimize their designs before production.
Category average: 5.9

#1 most frequent

Manufacturing

19.5%

27,928 installations of 143,006

#2 most frequent

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

16.8%

24,025 installations of 143,006

#3 most frequent

Construction

10.6%

15,127 installations of 143,006

Verified User

Engineer in Engineering (51-200 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We use AutoCAD for the design and layout of HVAC and plumbing systems in construction projects such as hospitals. The software allows us to produce accurate, standards-compliant plans and to coordinate effectively with other trades. It meets the needs of modeling techniques, documentation and error reduction during the execution phase.

Nous utilisons AutoCAD pour la conception et la mise en plan de systèmes CVC et plomberie dans le cadre de projets de construction tel que les hopiteaux . Le logiciel permet de produire des plans précis, conformes aux normes, et de coordonner efficacement avec les autres corps d'État. Il répond aux besoins de technique de modélisation, de documentation et de réduction des erreurs en phase d'exécution.

Pros

architectural drawing
HVAC design
electrical design
déssin architectural
concéption CVC
concéption électrique

Cons

add electrical MEP plugins
improved XREF functionality with large files
rajout des plugin MEP
amélioration de la foncionnalité XREF evec les fichiers volumineaux

Return on Investment

average savings of 18 to 30% on execution costs
reduced on-site rework by almost 28%
reducing back and forth and optimizing our response times
économie moyenne de 18 à 30 % sur les coûts d'exécution
diminué les retouches sur chantier de près de 28 %
réduisant les allers-retours et optimisant nos délais de réponse

Usability

Other Software Used

Revit, AUTOFLUID, ScreenScape

Osman Shaikh View profile

Design Engineer in Engineering at Indovance (501-1000 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

AutoCAD is one of the most used software for desigining and and preparing the civil Engineering design in my firm. As of AutoCAD I use it daily for projects. The pros of software are- It helped me prepare drawings on large scale with ease and in short period of time. the commands are easily acessible. Most of the basic drawings or say the first ever drawing of project to be prepare is done on AutoCAD. And the cons I would like to say is a large projects gets hang using hatches on large scale and aslo the 3D modelling in AutoCAD also lags some time with respective of quantity of project. the hatch lag is the most problem I face. I hope it changes soon

Pros

Well I love the way its all commands work
The Layers and properties style is very helpful for differentation
The page setup and Layout styles plus the use of dynamic Blocks

Cons

It need to work on lags caused due to Hatches
Need to work on 3D modelling material renders and its animations
Also for 3D modelling it has to prepare some easy shortcuts keys abd the command acces

Most Important Features

Preparing 2D palns and Drafting projects
Prepaing basic drawings projects for add Autodesk 3D softwares.
Creating Detail Drawings

Return on Investment

Well postively said more clients asks to work on AutoCAD for base start
Now likely evry another one wants 3D model as its upragade for 2D so need to use other tha AutoCAD
Well AutoCAD is the most majorily used one

Alternatives Considered

Revit, SketchUp, CSI ETABS and Bentley STAAD

Other Software Used

Revit, CSI ETABS, Bentley STAAD, Navisworks, SketchUp, Autodesk 3ds Max, Autodesk Bim 360

Verified User

Engineer in Information Technology (201-500 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

AutoCAD has become an integral part of AEC industry over the years and being a part of software development as well as architectural team, I can definitely say that it is one of the most developer friendly and robust application out there. There are a number of viewer or model creating software but the wide range of functionalities AutoCAD provides are unmatched.

Pros

Compatibility of different file formats, and also exports to different file formats.
CLI Commands as well as internal functions which are exposed can be used for automation of various tasks.
The new 2025 comes with .NET Core support which helps AutoCAD to connect with Cloud based features.

Cons

AutoCAD can improve on optimization of loading large model but it is already industry best.
AutoLisp or commands can be provided in form of Document while purchase.
AutoCAD can be better integrated with environment of AutoDesk.

Return on Investment

AutoCAD is very convenient and affordable.
It provides a wide range of functionalities.
It is great for businesses because it is popular in the students and new employees.

Usability

Alternatives Considered

SketchUp, FreeCAD and BricsCAD

Other Software Used

Revit, Autodesk Platform Services, Zoho People, Blackwave Trading Platform

Verified User

Employee in Engineering (1-10 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We use AutoCAD to draft layout and materials plans for design. AutoCAD allows us to create construction documents that a contractor can then build from. It also allows for precision drafting which is very important in our field. It also lets us coordinate our drawings with other disciplines and update our own drawings with them.

Pros

Curved lines on a specified radius
External reference management
Showing what has changed in a drawing in the xref

Cons

Dimensioning
Annotative scales
References breaking

Return on Investment

Efficient drafting
Xrefs
Cost of licenses is high

Usability

Alternatives Considered

Rhino 3D

Other Software Used

SketchUp, Adobe PhotoShop, Bluebeam

Verified User

Engineer in Engineering (501-1000 employees employees)

Pros

2D drawing
Ability to run macros and custom templates.
User friendly interface.
Shortcut keys for legacy users who learned without using the mouse for everything.

Cons

Does not integrate changes across multiple files.
Does not compile data across multiple files.
Some menu options are from older versions and could be reorganized better.

Most Important Features

Best product available for handling legacy DWG. files
Ability to use templates.
Ability to use plugins like bluebeam for compiling drawings.

Return on Investment

Saves us time when working with existing projects vs. converting them to different software.
AutoCAD keeps our legacy jobs editable and improves customer retention.
New single license increases the cost over discontinued server licensing.

Alternatives Considered

FreeCAD, NanoCAD and DraftSight

Other Software Used

Microsoft Teams, Bluebeam Revu

AutoCAD

What is AutoCAD?

Categories & Use Cases

Key Features

Top Performing Features

2D Drafting

Compatibility with other software and formats

Customization and Extensions

Areas for Improvement

Rendering and Visualization

Parametric Design

Simulation and Analysis

Most Frequent Users

Manufacturing

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Construction

Reviews

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

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Return on Investment

Usability

Other Software Used

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

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Most Important Features

Return on Investment

Alternatives Considered

Other Software Used

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Pros

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Return on Investment

Usability

Alternatives Considered

Other Software Used

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Pros

Cons

Return on Investment

Usability

Alternatives Considered

Other Software Used

Pros

Cons

Most Important Features

Return on Investment

Alternatives Considered

Other Software Used

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