#1 most frequent
United States of America
53.1%768 installations of 1,446
What is DraftSight?
DraftSight is a 2D and 3D CAD solution for architects, engineers and construction service providers, as well as professional CAD users, designers, educators and hobbyists. DraftSight lets users create, edit, view, and markup any kind of 2D and 3D DWG file with greater ease, speed, and efficiency. Its familiar user interface helps to facilitate a quick transition from other CAD applications.
DraftSight Offerings:
DraftSight Offerings:
- DraftSight Professional: the advanced 2D CAD drafting solution with time-saving functionalities and an API to help bring designs to life quickly and easily. Ideal for companies, individuals and designers.
- DraftSight Premium (3D): a robust 2D drafting and 3D design experience with full 3D capabilities and constraints features to help meet any drafting, modeling, prototyping, manufacturing, laser cutting and 3D printing needs. Created for individuals, designers, companies, manufacturers and makers.
- DraftSight Enterprise and Enterprise Plus: a comprehensive 2D drafting and 3D design solution created to meet various drafting, modeling, prototyping, manufacturing, laser cutting, and 3D printing requirements. Designed for large organizations with many users or multiple sites.
Categories & Use Cases
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Top Performing Features
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
3D Modeling
Allows users to create and manipulate 3D objects with precise measurements and control.
Category average: 8.1
Areas for Improvement
Documentation and Annotation
Allows users to create detailed technical drawings, including the ability to add dimensions, annotations, and symbols.
Category average: 6.8
Assembly Design
Enables users to create and manage assemblies of multiple components, including the ability to define relationships and constraints between parts.
Category average: 7.2
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
Who Buys & Uses DraftSight
#2 most frequent
Canada
8.9%129 installations of 1,446
#3 most frequent
France
8.6%125 installations of 1,446
Using DraftSight in chemical engineering
Use Cases and Deployment Scope
I use DraftSight extensively in designing the entire emission control system for customer manufacturing processes. The design includes a General Arrangement (GA) plan and elevation layouts, details of components, sectional views of process equipment, and Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&ID). I export the detailed design drawings, typically as .dwg files, to customers and construction contractors for installation of equipment. It would be a challenge to work with both customer engineers and their construction crews without DraftSight, which greatly facilitates my work.
Pros
- It allows me to quickly fit equipment into tight spaces because it is very flexible.
- It is easy to learn and use, and its numerous features give me many options in the design phase.
- It provides me with a single tool to design everything from layouts to instrumentation drawings.
- It enables independent small users like me to wield the design capability of a large enterprise.
Cons
- It would be more efficient to have direct access to Help Support, although the Help feature and Forum can often answer questions.
- For instrumentation, an embedded symbol library would be valuable. I currently have to create my own library.
- For layouts, an embedded equipment symbol library (for example, pumps, motors) would be helpful.
Most Important Features
- The ability to quickly commit new features into an existing design
- Ease of use once you understand the various tools
- A great variety of design tools
Return on Investment
- Now that I use DraftSight, I can parlay a small investment in the software to a consulting rate of $300 per hour, thereby paying for it in 30 minutes.
- Using DraftSight, I can easily compete with larger enterprises and be more nimble.
- The use of DraftSight has actually extended my skill set, allowing me to add new features to my designs.
- My work is now presented in a more professional manner, and has gained me more respect.
Usability
Alternatives Considered
AutoCAD
Other Software Used
Microsoft 365 Business Premium, Wix, Box
Great Value Industry Standard CAD
Use Cases and Deployment Scope
We use DraftSight for quick, familiar 2D drafting, utilizing familiar commands at an outstanding price.
As a previous AutoCAD user, I can highly recommend this product. I use it daily and will continue to do so.
As a previous AutoCAD user, I can highly recommend this product. I use it daily and will continue to do so.
Pros
- Simple interface
- AutoCAD similarities
- Native DWG file type
- Import/Export
Cons
- Better technical support
- No phone support
- Offer a paid support option
Usability
Alternatives Considered
AutoCAD LT and Autodesk Fusion
Other Software Used
Autodesk Fusion
A great software tool
Use Cases and Deployment Scope
BCL uses DraftSight for product design, large scale (500m²+) site layouts and assessments in both .dwg and .dxf formats.
Product development is in both 2D and 3D.
It is cost effective and versatile to use without the issues of some 3D work for the more traditional user. I have used both SolidWorks and Inventor and DraftSight offers far more options without needing a bank of computers to process things, just may laptop with a RTX 2070 card.
Pros
- 2D Design
- 3D Design
- Large area 3D assessment
Cons
- Faster rendering
- Better options for custom toolbar control
- Reduced log in, I don't always want to log into 'ContentCentral'
Return on Investment
- Without DraftSight basic CAD would cost 3x current ROI
- The package offers everything a business could need for 2D and 3D work
Usability
Alternatives Considered
AutoCAD, SOLIDWORKS and Autodesk Inventor
Other Software Used
Microsoft Powerpoint, Doodly
Cost-effective drafting solution
Use Cases and Deployment Scope
We use DraftSight to create flat pattern layouts to cut on our laser.
Pros
- It's easy to use.
- Interface is customizable.
- Price is reasonable.
Cons
- I would like to see it interact with inventor files better, but that is more of an inventor issue.
Most Important Features
- simple design
- lets Non CAD people open and edit files
Return on Investment
- Cost savings over using AutoCAD
Usability
Alternatives Considered
AutoCAD
Other Software Used
SOLIDWORKS
DraftSight vs AutoCAD
Use Cases and Deployment Scope
We use DraftSight for structural steel detailing, custom fabrication, and custom designed steel products. DraftSight is an affordable replacement for AutoCAD with LISP routine capability in "DraftSight Professional" and 3D capability if using "DraftSight Premium". The cost savings of using DraftSight has allowed us to upgrade hardware sooner than if we were paying for AutoCAD.
Pros
- Integrate LISP routines
- save into multiple DWG and DXF versions
- commands are almost all the same as AutoCAD
Cons
- In my opinion, stability is slightly lacking
- In my experience, auto-stack dimension feature doesn't seem to work as it should
- In my experience, rendering with materials is lacking capability
Return on Investment
- In my experience, cost savings between DraftSight and AutoCAD are substantial!
- In my experience, transitioning from AutoCAD to DraftSight is seamless
- In my opinion, rendering & Materials are not great
Usability
Alternatives Considered
AutoCAD
Other Software Used
Microsoft 365, Adobe Acrobat
