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DWG FastView Plus VS FreeCAD

Compare DWG FastView Plus VS FreeCAD and see what are their differences

DWG FastView Plus logo DWG FastView Plus

DWG FastView Plus is a drawing viewer that supports the fast view of many drawing formats, flexible measure, and easy share of drawings.

FreeCAD logo FreeCAD

An open-source parametric 3D modeler
  • DWG FastView Plus Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-20
  • FreeCAD Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-23

DWG FastView Plus features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    DWG FastView Plus provides an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced users.
  • Compatibility
    Supports a wide range of CAD formats, including DWG, DXF, and DWF, which ensures smooth collaboration with users of different CAD software.
  • Performance
    Offers fast and efficient handling of large files without compromising performance, thus enhancing productivity.
  • Annotation and Editing Tools
    Provides a comprehensive set of tools for annotating and making minor edits to CAD drawings, adding versatility to its functionality.
  • Affordable Pricing
    Available at a lower price point compared to some other CAD software, making it a cost-effective solution for budget-conscious users.

Possible disadvantages of DWG FastView Plus

  • Limited Advanced Features
    Lacks some advanced CAD features found in more expensive software, which might be a drawback for users needing extensive functionality.
  • Occasional Stability Issues
    Some users have reported occasional crashes or bugs, particularly when handling very complex designs.
  • Customer Support
    Support services might not be as robust or responsive as those offered by larger, more established CAD software companies.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Users
    While it's user-friendly for beginners, advanced users may find the transition challenging due to differences in interface and workflow compared to other CAD applications.
  • Non-Cloud Based
    Lacks cloud integration features, which can be a disadvantage for users who require seamless access and collaboration over the internet.

FreeCAD features and specs

  • Open Source
    FreeCAD is free to use and its source code is open to the public, allowing for customization and extension by the community.
  • Cross-Platform
    FreeCAD is available for Windows, MacOS, and Linux, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
  • Parametric Modeling
    Users can create models with parameters that can be adjusted on-the-fly, offering a high degree of flexibility and ease of use.
  • Modular Architecture
    FreeCAD's modular design allows users to add or remove functionality through modules and extensions, catering to specific needs.
  • Community Support
    An active community of users and developers offers a wealth of tutorials, documentation, and forums for support.
  • Multi-Domain
    FreeCAD supports a wide range of engineering domains, including architecture, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering.

Possible disadvantages of FreeCAD

  • Steep Learning Curve
    The software can be challenging for new users due to its complex interface and extensive features.
  • Performance Issues
    FreeCAD can be slower in terms of performance, especially when handling large or complex models.
  • Limited Documentation
    While community support is strong, official documentation can sometimes be lacking or incomplete.
  • Occasional Bugs
    Users may encounter bugs and stability issues, especially when using less stable versions or experimental features.
  • Limited Advanced Features
    Although FreeCAD covers many basics, it may not offer all the advanced features available in commercial CAD software.
  • Not Industry Standard
    FreeCAD might not be accepted as an industry standard in many professional environments, which could limit its use for certain projects.

Analysis of FreeCAD

Overall verdict

  • FreeCAD is considered a good choice for users who want a versatile and cost-effective tool for 3D modeling and design, particularly where open-source flexibility and community support are valued. However, it may not be on par with professional, high-end CAD software in terms of specific advanced features and intuitive interface, which could lead to a steeper learning curve for some users.

Why this product is good

  • FreeCAD is a popular open-source parametric 3D modeler that is highly valued for its flexibility and wide range of applications in engineering and product design. Being open-source, it benefits from a community-driven development approach that continually adds new features and improvements. It supports a wide range of file formats and is compatible with many operating systems, enhancing its accessibility. It's particularly appreciated among hobbyists, makers, and those working in engineering fields who need a cost-effective CAD solution.

Recommended for

  • Hobbyists
  • Small business owners
  • Engineering students
  • Freelancers in design and engineering fields
  • Anyone looking for a cost-effective, open-source CAD solution

DWG FastView Plus videos

DWG FastView Plus -

More videos:

  • Review - Drawing Compare in DWG FastView Plus

FreeCAD videos

Is FreeCAD any good?

More videos:

  • Review - FreeCAD vs Fusion360 - What is the Best FREE CAD Program?
  • Review - FREECAD review | the best free cad software to download for free ! | mechanical modeling program

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to DWG FastView Plus and FreeCAD)
CAD
8 8%
92% 92
3D
2 2%
98% 98
Architecture
3 3%
97% 97
3D Modeling
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare DWG FastView Plus and FreeCAD

DWG FastView Plus Reviews

We have no reviews of DWG FastView Plus yet.
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FreeCAD Reviews

15 Best Sketchup Alternatives 2022
From the description “FreeCAD” you can decipher that this software is free to use. Hence, you can use it on Windows, Mac, and Linux amongst other operating systems.
9 Free CAD Software to Download
Although it is open source and free, FreeCAD is on par with other popular CAD programs due to its capability in creating real 3D solids, support for meshes, 2D drafting, right hand coordinate system plus many more features.
10 Free AutoCAD Alternatives
Its tools and concepts are quite similar to those of AutoCAD. So those who are already familiar with CAD will feel very comfortable using it. The FreeCAD source code can be downloaded, used and transformed as the user wants, because it is free. One of its most striking features is that by having a free source code, FreeCAD users have constantly changing software available...
Source: solidface.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, FreeCAD seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 2 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

DWG FastView Plus mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of DWG FastView Plus yet. Tracking of DWG FastView Plus recommendations started around Mar 2021.

FreeCAD mentions (2)

  • SOLIDWORKS for Linux
    Important note[0] from author: > With the help of my script, You get a way to install Solidworks on your Linux system. > Certain packages and programs that are required will be set up for You, but it's important to know, that my script only helps You to get the program to run and nothing more! Personally I may recommend try & use SolveSpace[1,2] and FreeCAD[3] — free & open-source 2D/3D... - Source: Hacker News / over 3 years ago
  • STL to Gcode for CNC Router?
    Also FreeCAD has a gcode workbench for full 3D. I've used it a little and would describe it as "usable once you work out the quirks". Https://freecadweb.org/. Source: about 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing DWG FastView Plus and FreeCAD, you can also consider the following products

Autodesk DWG TrueView - Get a free DWG viewer to view, open, edit, and convert .dwg files, the native file format for AutoCAD files. DWG Trueview includes DWG TrueConvert.

SketchUp - 3D for Everyone

eDrawings Viewer - View, print, and review all types of eDrawings files Built-in Viewer

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

DWGSee - A lite and fast dwg viewer, let you view, print, markup, measure dwg files. Supports AutoCAD 2020 drawing format!

Blender - Blender is the open source, cross platform suite of tools for 3D creation.