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AutoCAD

Score7.9 out of 10

559 Reviews and Ratings

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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

Key Features

Learn about the best (and worst!) features AutoCAD has to offer, as determined by TrustRadius' reviewers.
Based on 559 ratings of AutoCAD's features
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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

  • 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

Areas for Improvement

  • 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

Reviews

What users are saying about AutoCAD.
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AutoCAD Review

Osman ShaikhView 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

the best software

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

AutoCAD the industry best software for Modeling and Development

Incentivized
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

AutoCAD review

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

Industry Standard for Drafting and Designing

Incentivized
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

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