Software Alternatives & Reviews

ActCAD VS SolidWorks

Compare ActCAD VS SolidWorks and see what are their differences

ActCAD logo ActCAD

ActCAD is one Software for many applications covering the primary domains of – Architecture, Engineering, Construction (AEC) including Structural, Electrical, and Mechanical.

SolidWorks logo SolidWorks

Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp. develops and markets 3D CAD design software, analysis software, and product data management software. SolidWorks is the leading supplier of 3D CAD product design engineering software.
  • ActCAD Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-01-24

ActCAD is a native DWG & DXF Software under which it offers three specific types of CAD Software namely – ActCAD Standard for 2D Drafting Power Users, ActCAD Professional for 2D Drafting and 3D Modeling and ActCAD BIM (Building Information Modeling) which has all the features of ActCAD Professional along with BIM features. It is one Software for many applications covering the primary domains of – Architecture, Engineering, Construction (AEC) including Structural, Electrical, and Mechanical. Besides, ActCAD also offers other solutions like ActCAD Nesting, ActCAD Dials & Scales and ActCAD CNC Post Processor.

ActCAD uses the latest IntelliCAD 10.1 Engine, Open Design Alliance, dwg/dxf Libraries, ACIS 3D Modeling Kernel, and many other Technologies which ensures file support right from the early R2.5 to the latest 2022 Version of dwg/dxf. It also supports other file formats like .dgn, .step/.stp, .iges/.igs, .stl, .obj, 2D PDF, 3D PDF, .svg, .dae, etc. The interface and commands are designed in a manner that are familiar and easy for migration from any CAD Software.

  • SolidWorks Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-15

ActCAD

Website
actcad.com
$ Details
paid Free Trial $199.0 / One-off
Platforms
Windows
Release Date
2022 January

SolidWorks

Pricing URL
-
$ Details
-
Platforms
-
Release Date
-

ActCAD features and specs

  • Support for 2022 dwg & dxf files: yes
  • IntelliCAD 10.1 Engine & ODA 21.11 Libraries: yes
  • IntelliCAD 10.1 Engine & ODA 21.11 Libraries: yes
  • Support for 3D Connexion Space Mouse: yes
  • Support for Shape Files: yes
  • DimBreak Command: yes
  • Dynamic view transitions: yes
  • One click program defaults restore: yes
  • Insert and Edit Dynamic Blocks: yes
  • Support for Autodesk® Revit® 2021 files: yes
  • Simplified Trial Process: yes
  • Import of map files (.shp, .sdf, .sqlite files): yes
  • Many new commands and features: yes
  • High Speed and Performance: yes

SolidWorks features and specs

No features have been listed yet.

ActCAD videos

What's New in ActCAD 2022

More videos:

  • Tutorial - Features of ActCAD
  • Demo - ActCAD 2022 Professional
  • Demo - What's New features in ActCAD 2022

SolidWorks videos

First Look at SOLIDWORKS Software - SOLIDWORKS

More videos:

  • Review - SOLIDWORKS 2018 Overview
  • Review - SOLIDWORKS 2019 - Large Design Review Mode

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to ActCAD and SolidWorks)
3D
45 45%
55% 55
CAD
55 55%
45% 45
Architecture
24 24%
76% 76
Office & Productivity
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare ActCAD and SolidWorks

ActCAD Reviews

10 Free AutoCAD Alternatives
TrueCAD was specially designed for builders, architects, mechanical engineers and GIS, and it brings all the main features of a modeling and design software that the user will appreciate very much. It is therefore an alternative for AutoCAD easy to use and very easy to learn, compatible with DWG whose initial and maintenance costs are quite affordable. It offers features...
Source: solidface.com

SolidWorks Reviews

7 Best 3D Modeling Programs Like SketchUp | EASY RENDER
If it’s flexibility and modeling capability you’re looking for, you could do a lot worse than SolidWorks. Not only is it probably the best 3D modeler on this list, it has been a mainstay in the visualization industry for decades, and has been constantly developed to be more powerful and easier to use. SolidWorks is most commonly used by mechanical and industrial designers,...
Best SolidWorks rendering software [2020 Guide]
There are numerous SolidWorks rendering programs available but we have compiled the very best below in terms of functionality.
Looking for a SketchUp alternative? Check out the 10 best options
SolidWorks is another popular CAD software on par (and arguably above) the likes of Autodesk Inventor or Fusion 360. Though definitely harder to learn than SketchUp, SolidWorks is packed with advanced features that companies use to design and manufacture products. All this functionality certainly doesn’t come cheap, however – you’ll have to contact their site to get a quote...
Source: all3dp.com
Top 10 of the best 3D modeling software for architecture
Solidworks is a 3D modeling software mainly used by engineers. It can be a great solution if you need a 3D software for a project, and you just want to create a quick design. You can’t do complex rendering, with a lot of material or texture as it is not a CAD program dedicated to architecture. But it is possible to design a building and get a good overview of your...

What are some alternatives?

When comparing ActCAD and SolidWorks, you can also consider the following products

Civil 3D - Civil 3D supports BIM for civil engineering design and documentation for rail, roads, land development, airports, water and wastewater, and civil structures.

FreeCAD - An open-source parametric 3D modeler

AutoCAD MEP - AutoCAD MEP software helps you draft, design, and document building systems.

SketchUp - 3D for Everyone

DataCAD - DataCAD is a computer-aided design and drafting software for 2D and 3D architectural design and drafting

LibreCAD - An open source 2D CAD application for Windows, Apple and Linux.