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FreeCAD VS Autodesk Design Review

Compare FreeCAD VS Autodesk Design Review and see what are their differences

FreeCAD logo FreeCAD

An open-source parametric 3D modeler

Autodesk Design Review logo Autodesk Design Review

Design Review lets you view, mark up, print, and track changes to 2D and 3D files.
  • FreeCAD Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-23
  • Autodesk Design Review Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-07-27

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.

Autodesk Design Review features and specs

  • Free of Charge
    Autodesk Design Review is available for free, making it accessible for users and businesses without the need for a financial investment.
  • Supports Multiple File Formats
    The software supports a variety of file formats including DWF, DWG, and PDF, allowing for flexibility in document reviewing and sharing.
  • Markup Tools
    It provides a comprehensive set of markup and annotation tools, enabling users to add comments and suggestions directly onto the design files.
  • 3D Model Interaction
    Users can interact with 3D models, allowing for better visualization and understanding of complex designs.
  • Measuring Features
    The application includes tools for measuring distances, areas, and more, which are crucial for precise review and modification of designs.
  • Offline Access
    Since it is a standalone application, Design Review can be used without an internet connection, offering convenience in various environments.

Possible disadvantages of Autodesk Design Review

  • Limited Editing Capabilities
    Autodesk Design Review is primarily a viewing and markup tool, so it has limited capabilities for making actual design changes or edits to files.
  • Windows Only
    The software is only available for Windows operating systems, which can be a limitation for users on MacOS or Linux.
  • Outdated Interface
    The user interface is considered outdated by some users, lacking the modern design and user experience found in other contemporary software.
  • Infrequent Updates
    Autodesk Design Review does not receive frequent updates, leading to potential compatibility issues with newer file formats or systems.
  • No Mobile Version
    There is no mobile version of Design Review, which limits users who need to review documents on the go.

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

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

Autodesk Design Review videos

Introduction to Autodesk Design Review

More videos:

  • Tutorial - Revit Tutorials: Autodesk Design Review For Beginners
  • Tutorial - CAD tutorials, introduction to Autodesk Design Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to FreeCAD and Autodesk Design Review)
3D
93 93%
7% 7
Architecture
96 96%
4% 4
CAD
89 89%
11% 11
3D Modeling
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 FreeCAD and Autodesk Design Review

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

Autodesk Design Review Reviews

We have no reviews of Autodesk Design Review yet.
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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.

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

Autodesk Design Review mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Autodesk Design Review yet. Tracking of Autodesk Design Review recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing FreeCAD and Autodesk Design Review, you can also consider the following products

SketchUp - 3D for Everyone

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.

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

ZWCAD Viewer - Cross-Platform .DWG | .DXF | .DWT R12-2013 Viewer

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

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