Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

FreeCAD VS CMS IntelliCAD

Compare FreeCAD VS CMS IntelliCAD and see what are their differences

FreeCAD logo FreeCAD

An open-source parametric 3D modeler

CMS IntelliCAD logo CMS IntelliCAD

CMS IntelliCAD® is a full-featured Compatible CAD Software.
  • FreeCAD Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-23
  • CMS IntelliCAD Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-07-19

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.

CMS IntelliCAD features and specs

  • Cost-Effectiveness
    CMS IntelliCAD is often more affordable compared to other CAD software, making it accessible for smaller firms or individual users with budget constraints.
  • DWG File Compatibility
    The software offers strong compatibility with DWG files, ensuring seamless work with files generated by other popular CAD platforms, particularly AutoCAD.
  • Feature-Rich
    IntelliCAD provides a comprehensive set of features suitable for a variety of design tasks, including 2D drafting and 3D modeling.
  • Customizability
    The software allows for extensive customization through APIs and support for custom scripts, which can be beneficial for users needing tailored solutions.
  • Intuitive Interface
    With an interface similar to AutoCAD, users who are familiar with other CAD systems can transition to CMS IntelliCAD with minimal learning curve.

Possible disadvantages of CMS IntelliCAD

  • Limited Advanced Features
    Although feature-rich, CMS IntelliCAD may not offer some of the advanced functionalities available in higher-end software used by large enterprises.
  • Performance
    Some users report slower performance with large or complex files compared to more optimized, expensive CAD systems.
  • Support and Community
    The user community and third-party support may not be as extensive as that of more established CAD programs like AutoCAD.
  • User Interface Design
    Though similar to AutoCAD, some may find the UI less polished or intuitive compared to other modern CAD applications.
  • Cross-Platform Limitations
    CMS IntelliCAD primarily supports Windows-based systems, which might be a limitation for users seeking a cross-platform solution.

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

CMS IntelliCAD videos

CMS IntelliCAD New Compare feature

More videos:

  • Review - Autocad, Revit, Alternative CMS IntelliCAD 10.0 Premium Edition Plus

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to FreeCAD and CMS IntelliCAD)
3D
98 98%
2% 2
CAD
94 94%
6% 6
Architecture
97 97%
3% 3
3D Modeling
97 97%
3% 3

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 CMS IntelliCAD

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

CMS IntelliCAD Reviews

We have no reviews of CMS IntelliCAD 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

CMS IntelliCAD mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of CMS IntelliCAD yet. Tracking of CMS IntelliCAD recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing FreeCAD and CMS IntelliCAD, you can also consider the following products

SketchUp - 3D for Everyone

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

Autodesk AutoCAD - Autodesk AutoCAD is a commercial computer-aided design (CAD) and drafting software application.

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

DraftSight - Discover Dassault Systèmes®' DRAFTSIGHT™ Professional CAD software that lets you create, edit, view and markup any kind of 2D drawing. Learn more here.

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.