CAD SOFTWARE OVERVIEW – WHAT IS ON THE MARKET?

In this article, we are going to talk about CAD software and we will cover some of the most popular ones on the market available today.

Audio: CAD software overview – what is on the market?

CAD software is a tool that every mechanical design engineer should be proficient with. We researched 150 jobs in Fortune 500 companies, and every company stated that CAD knowledge is required. We believe that in addition to the benefits of using CAD software and the real need in the job market, learning CAD software is crucial for any mechanical design engineer’s career.

In this article, we will cover some of the most popular CAD software on the market available today.

Table of Contents

NX CAD

About NX CAD

NX Siemens, developed by Siemens Digital Industries Software, is a comprehensive software suite for computer-aided design, manufacturing, and engineering (CAD/CAM/CAE). It provides advanced tools and functionalities for product development, simulation, and manufacturing processes. NX offers a robust platform for creating complex 3D models, performing simulations and analyses, generating manufacturing instructions, and managing product data. With its integrated capabilities, NX enables seamless collaboration, enhances productivity, and supports the entire product lifecycle from concept to production.

Features

From NX Siemens official website, here is the list of the features:

  • CAD industrial design and styling
  • CAD product modeling design
  • Model-based definition (MBD)
  • Reuse of CAD data
  • Design validation
  • Mechanical routing

Pricing

On the official website, I only found the option to contact sales. So I found one blog post in the German language that you can read for more details about the price. However, I am not sure about the accuracy of the information. Here is what is written in that blog post:

“Let’s look at a concrete example. The basic package NX Mach 2 Product Design [NX92100] in the purchase variant (permanent license) costs €22,160 plus €4,876 annual software maintenance. The subscription model for the bundle NX Mach 2 Product Design [NX92100] is €776 per month or €9,312 per year. “

System requirements

I was not able to find the official requirements for NX CAD official website, but I found this blog post:

Operating System:   Windows 10 Enterprise or Professional (64-bit) or later

CPU:                          –

Memory:                    32 GB RAM or more

Graphics Card:         Official list of recommended graphics cards 

Disk Space:                25 GB disk space for NX installation

Considering that this is not an official website, I can not guarantee this is correct.

CATIA

About CATIA

CATIA (acronym of computer-aided three-dimensional interactive application) is a multi-platform software suite developed by the French company Dassault Systèmes. It serves as a comprehensive solution for computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), computer-aided engineering (CAE), 3D modeling, and product lifecycle management (PLM).

Features

Here is the list of features I found on the official CATIA website:

  • Mechanical Design
  • Product Synthesis
  • Analysis
  • Infrastructure
  • Web-based Learning Solutions
  • Shape Design & Styling
  • Equipment & Systems Engineering
  • Machining
  • CAA-RADE

Pricing

Dassault Systèmes bases his sales on authorized resellers. The price could vary depending on your country and offers from the resellers. However, my search on the web showed that the fully functional base license cost 11200$ + 2000$ yearly maintenance. There is a possibility to lease the license on a quarterly base for 1700$ or yearly for 4500$.

System requirements

My research on the web found a lot of different contradictory answers on different sites, but I was not able to find any minimum system (hardware) requirements on the official Dassault Systèmes website. However, I found the certified workstation list; you can look it up here.

SOLIDWORKS

About SOLIDWORKS

SOLIDWORKS is a comprehensive 3D CAD software that simplifies product development. Its user-friendly interface and powerful features allow engineers and designers to create, simulate, and visualize designs with precision. From conceptualization to manufacturing, SOLIDWORKS offers modeling, simulation, and documentation tools. It fosters collaboration through integrated design communication and data management. With its intuitive workflow and vast component library, SOLIDWORKS

Features

Available features are based on the purchased package. SOLIDWORKS offers three packages standard, professional, and premium. From SOLIDWORKS’s official website, here is the list of the features:

SOLIDWORKS Standard:

  • SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD
  • Part and Assembly Modeling
  • 2D Drawings
  • Design Reuse and Automation
  • Collaborate and Share CAD Data
  • Interference Check
  • First-Pass Analysis Tools
  • CAM Programming (SOLIDWORKS CAM)
  • Design for Manufacturing (DFM)
  • Productivity Tools
  • Advanced CAD File Import/Export and 3D Interconnect
  • Xtended Reality (XR) Exporter

SOLIDWORKS Professional:

  • Everything from SOLIDWORKS Standard +
  • CAD Libraries (SOLIDWORKS Toolbox)
  • Design for Cost (SOLIDWORKS Costing)
  • ECAD/MCAD Collaboration (CircuitWorks)
  • CAD Standards Checking (Design Checker)
  • Collaboration with eDrawings Professional
  • Automated Tolerance Stack-Up Analysis (TolAnalyst)
  • Advanced Photorealistic Rendering (SOLIDWORKS Visualize)
  • SOLIDWORKS File Management
  • Reverse Engineering (ScanTo3D)

SOLIDWORKS Premium:

  • Everything from SOLIDWORKS Standard and Professional +
  • Time-based Motion Analysis
  • Linear Static Analysis for Parts and Assemblies
  • Pipe and Tube Routing
  • Electrical Cable and Wiring Harness Routing
  • Advanced Surface Flattening
  • Rectangular and Other Section Routing

Pricing

Dassault Systèmes bases his sales on authorized resellers (same as for CATIA). The price could vary depending on your country and offers from the resellers.

As SOLIDWORKS is based on three different packages, here is what I found on the web regarding the prices:

SOLIDWORKS Standard  ≈ 4000$ + subscription ≈ 1300$/year

SOLIDWORKS Professional ≈ 5500$ + subscription ≈ 1500$/year     

SOLIDWORKS Premium ≈ 8000$ + subscription ≈ 2000$/year

System requirements

From SOLIDWORKS’s official website:

Operating System:  Microsoft® Windows® (Windows 11 (from SOLIDWORKS 2022+) and Windows 10 (64-bit)

CPU:                            64-bit; Intel or AMD

Memory:                     16 GB or more

Graphics Card:          Official list of recommended graphics cards            

Disk Space:                SSD drives are recommended for optimal performance

Autodesk Inventor

About Inventor

Autodesk Inventor is a leading 3D CAD software designed for mechanical design, simulation, and documentation. It provides a comprehensive set of tools for creating and visualizing precise 3D models. Inventor offers advanced simulation capabilities to validate designs and optimize performance. With integrated data management and collaboration features, it facilitates seamless teamwork and efficient project workflows. From conceptualization to production, Inventor empowers engineers and designers to bring their ideas to life and deliver innovative products to the market.

Features

From Autodesk Inventor’s official website:

  • Product design
  • Design automation
  • Parametric modeling
  • Assembly modeling
  • Drawing creation
  • Shared view collaboration
  • Work with non-native data
  • BIM interoperability
  • Design configurations
  • Automated frame design
  • Sheet metal
  • Model-based definition
  • Content center
  • Shape Generator
  • Simulation and visualization

Pricing

You can purchase monthly, yearly, or three-year licenses. Price can change, but current prices are (June 2023):

Monthly license stands at 300$.

Annual license 2415$

Three-year license 7245$

System requirements

From Autodesk’s official website for Inventor 2024:

Operating System:    64-bit Microsoft® Windows® 11 and Windows 10.

CPU:                            2.5 GHz or greater (recommended: 3.0 GHz or greater, 4 or more                                                 cores)

Memory:                    16 GB RAM for less than 500-part assemblies (recommended: 32 GB                                         RAM or more)

Graphics Card:          1 GB GPU with 29 GB/S Bandwidth and DirectX 11 compliant                                                      (recommended: 4 GB GPU with 106 GB/S Bandwidth and DirectX 11                                          compliant)

Disk Space:              Installer plus full installation: 40 GB

Autodesk Fusion 360

About Fusion 360

Fusion 360, developed by Autodesk, is a cloud-based software platform that encompasses a wide range of functionalities, including 3D modeling, CAD (Computer-Aided Design), CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing), FEA (Finite Element Analysis), and PCB (Printed Circuit Board) design. It caters to the needs of product design and manufacturing, offering a robust set of tools and capabilities.

Features

The list of features is clearly shown on Fusion 360 official website.

  • 3D design and modeling
    • 3D modeling,
    • Direct modeling,
    • Surface modeling,
    • Parametric modeling,
    • Mesh modeling,
    • Freeform modeling,
    • Rendering,
    • Sheet metal,
    • Assemblies.
  • Documentation
    • 2D manufacturing drawings,
    • Rendering,
    • Animation.
  • Manufacturing
  • Electronics
  • Data management and collaboration
  • Additive manufacturing
  • Generative design
  • Simulation

Pricing

Despite its powerful capabilities, Fusion 360 stands out for its affordability. It provides a remarkable value proposition, offering a number of features at a relatively low cost compared to other software solutions in the market. This makes it accessible to a broader range of users, from individual designers and small businesses to large enterprises.

You can purchase monthly, yearly, or three-year licenses. Price can change, but current prices are (June 2023):

The monthly license stands at 70$.

Annual license 545$

Three-year license 1635$

In addition, Fusion 360 can be expanded with additional paid modules.

System requirements

From Fusion 360 official website:

Operating System:    Apple® macOS  (macOS 13 Ventura – (Version 2.0.15289 or newer),                                             macOS 12 Monterey, macOS 11 Big Sur);
                                     Microsoft® Windows® (Windows 11, Windows 10 (64-bit) Version 1809                                      or newer).

CPU:                           x86-based 64-bit processor, 4 cores, 1.7 GHz or greater; 32-bit not                                               supported
                                     (recommended: 3 GHz or greater, 6 or more cores)

Memory:                   4 GB of RAM (recommended 8 GB or greater)                 

Graphics Card:      DirectX11 (Direct3D 10.1 or greater) (recommended: DirectX 11 (Direct3D                                    11 or greater)
                                 Dedicated GPU with 1 GB or more of VRAM (recommended: Dedicated                                    GPU with 4 GB or more VRAM)
                                  Integrated graphics with 6 GB or more of RAM

Disk Space:              8.5 GB of storage

Autodesk AutoCAD

About AutoCAD

AutoCAD is a powerful computer-aided design (CAD) software used for creating precise 2D and 3D designs. It offers a wide range of tools and features for drafting, modeling, and documentation, making it a versatile solution for architects, engineers, and designers. With its intuitive interface and extensive libraries, AutoCAD enables users to create detailed drawings and designs, collaborate effectively, and streamline their design workflows. It is a trusted industry standard for professional CAD work and visualization.

Features

From Autodesk AutoCAD official website:

  • 2D drafting, drawing, and annotation
  • 3D modeling and visualization
  • Smart Blocks
  • My Insights
  • Floating windows
  • Activity Insights
  • Drawing History
  • Share
  • Markup Import and Markup Assist
  • Push to Autodesk Docs

Pricing

You can purchase monthly, yearly, or three-year licenses. Price can change, but current prices are (June 2023):

The monthly license stands at 245$.

Annual license 1955$

Three-year license 5865$

System requirements

From Autodesk’s official website for AutoCAD:

Operating System:   64-bit Microsoft® Windows® 11 and Windows 10 version 1809 or                                                above.

CPU:                            2.5–2.9 GHz processor (base) ARM Processors are not supported                                                (recommended: 3+ GHz processor (base), 4+ GHz (turbo))

Memory:                   8 GB (recommended: 32 GB RAM)
Graphics Card:        2 GB GPU with 29 GB/S Bandwidth and DirectX 11 compliant                                                       (recommended: 8 GB GPU with 106 GB/S Bandwidth and DirectX 12                                          compliant)

Disk Space              10.0 GB (suggested SSD)

PTC Creo

About PTC CREO

PTC Creo, formerly known as Pro/ENGINEER, is a powerful suite of computer-aided design (CAD) software tools developed by PTC. It offers a comprehensive set of features for 3D modeling, simulation, analysis, and product documentation. Creo enables engineers and designers to create innovative and precise designs, optimize product performance, and streamline the product development process. With its intuitive interface and extensive capabilities, Creo empowers users to bring their ideas to life and drive efficient collaboration across teams and disciplines.

Features

PTC Creo offers five packages design essentials, design advanced, design advanced professional, design premium, and design premium professional.

From the official PTC Creo website, every package includes:

  • 3D Part & Assembly Design
  • Automatic 2D Drawing Creation
  • Parametric & Freestyle Surfacing
  • Assembly Management & Performance
  • Sheet Metal Design
  • Mechanism Design
  • Plastic Part Design
  • Direct Modeling (Flexible Modeling)
  • Additive Manufacturing
  • Augmented Reality
  • Multi-CAD Collaboration
  • Piping & Cabling
  • Rendering
  • Design Exploration
  • Fastener Design
  • Advanced Framework Design
  • Human Factors Design
  • Legacy Data Migration

Design essentials package includes additionally:

  • Augmented Reality Design Visualization

Design advanced package includes additionally:

  • Augmented Reality Design Visualization
  • Top-Down Design & Concurrent Engineering
  • Prismatic & Multi-Surface Milling
  • Mathcad

Design advanced professional package includes additionally:

  • Everything in Design advanced package +
  • Advanced Surfacing & Additive Manufacturing
  • GD&T & Tolerance Analysis
  • Mold Design & Mold Machining

Design premium package includes additionally:

  • Everything in Design advanced professional package +
  • Advanced Multi-CAD Collaboration
  • Simulation, Basic CFD, & Fatigue Advisor
  • Production Machining

Design premium professional package includes additionally:

  • Everything in Design premium package +
  • Advanced Simulation & CFD
  • Options Modeler & Topology Optimization
  • Metal Printing & Complete Machining

Pricing

The only thing I managed to find on their website regarding the pricing is this “Creo Design Packages start at $2,780 (Locked License Price).”

System requirements

From PTC Creo’s official website:

Operating System:    Windows 10 64-bit Editions: Windows 10, Pro, and Enterprise                                                      Windows 8.1 64-bit Editions: Windows 8.1, Pro, and Enterprise

CPU:                          Intel Core, AMD Athlon, AMD Opteron, Note: Single-, dual- and quad-                                       core processors are supported.

Memory:                   minimum 4 GB

Graphics Card:      3D capable graphics card with OpenGL support CPU, Intel Pentium (4,                                    M, D), Intel Xeon, Intel Celeron

Disk Space:            Minimum 2 GB

Closing words

There are many CAD software available on the market today. Which one to select depends on multiple criteriums. We aimed in this article to give you an overview of the most popular options on the market right now. It is interesting to see how far the CAD software has improved in the past years.

When I was in high school back in 2007, I learned 3D modeling in Autodesk Inventor. Later on, I switched to SolidWorks and worked some time in NX in the drafting module. Lately, I used Autodesk Inventor, SolidWorks, AutoCAD professionally, and Fusion 360 privately for creating content. Each of these software is unbelievably more powerful than the one I started working with. I can only say that I am really excited to see what the future will bring.

Most of the time, companies already have CAD software implemented in their system, and you will have no choice but use them. On the other hand, if you did get the job, you probably already know how to use it. It could happen that your company wants to switch CAD software, so it is always good to have an overview of the most popular options on the market. Usually, the popular options are popular for the reason.

Now you have an excellent overview of the most popular CAD software. 

To make it easier for you to find related posts, check the “Further reading” chapter below. Do you have any questions or need something to be clarified better? Leave a comment below, and I will give my best to adjust the post accordingly.

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Further reading

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