Best Free CAD Software.

[dr_clyde]

Hello. Is there 2D software for just hobby guys just doing plasma cutting?? Other than Fusion 360 and Inkscape… Thats easier to use and understand ??? I know its a loaded question !!! But thought I would just throw it out there ??

Unfortunately, with Draftsight going to a paid model, I don't know of a free software that I can recommend.

That said, if you're going to be using it often, $250/year isn't so bad for Draftsight. It's easy to use, fast and has good support. IMO, if you can afford a CNC plasma cutter, you can afford the software to run it. I find Draftsight to still be a very good value if you use it more than a few times a month.

If you can get ahold of an older version of AutoCAD that would be perfect for this too, but sadly most software is going to a subscription based model now and you can't buy just a perpetual license of AutoCAD.

Librecad may do what you want, but the UI is not very user friendly. I just downloaded it to see, and it has some pretty glaring faults that make it difficult to do just simple parts. I also downloaded FreeCAD just to see and that software is a hot mess as well.

Good CAD software is expensive, and unless you're willing to pay at least a little bit, you're stuck with the free stuff that leaves a bit to be desired IMO.

Fusion is probably your best bet for free and supported software. It's got a whole lot of people who have used it and it has a lot of online support.

 

[2point2]

I found that 'free' 2d options made me want to punch a wall. I tried a handful of them. Draftsight doesn't feel like professional software to me, but I'm extremely bias having 20y of experience with AutoCAD.

F360 was ok but I switched to solidworks because it was better for my resume and more intuitive for me.

A yearly student subscription to Solidworks is a good option for a hobbyist. You can right-click any face of an object and export to .dxf. Drafting a 2d 'sketch' is efficient with the use of relations etc.

I'm not sure if it's easy to go from a SW exported .dxf to do 2d laser cutting but I would assume so.

also, half the cost of draftsight. something to think about.

 

[Innovate1]

I have used Fusion some for making models and milling them out. Really great IMHO. I took some machining classes at the local community college so was able to get the full features. They have reduced the features for the personal use license. Contemplating taking some more classes to get full version and other student deals. It still is pretty good but things like tool change would be handy but not hard to do a file for each tool. If you want to make drawings and 2d will be enough there are other programs that can do that and are easier/simpler.

 

[slodat]

For 2D and 2.5D I started out with Vectric Aspire. Their less expensive products would substitute just fine if a person doesn't need their additional features. Coming from Vectric products to a parametric 3D modeling program was really difficult for me at first. The two types of software work quite differently. Once I wrapped my head around the differences between the two types of CAD software, things started going a bit better for me.

I am a Fusion 360 user. I pay for the subscription and have for several years. I like it for lots of reasons. The machining toolpaths are great and can't be matched without spending significantly more money on another CAM solution. My lasers need 2d vector art work. I design everything in Fusion, even a 2d part for the laser. Then I export to .dxf. This workflow has worked out well for me.

I'm happy to elaborate more on this workflow if it's of interest.

 

[Jehannum]

I don't think well in 3D when dealing with shapes on a screen.

In my day job, I work a lot with the C programming language, so I leverage that skillset with OpenSCAD, which is completely free, but procedurally specified (rather than visual drag/drop). For my usage, it's the best thing in my toolbox.

I can understand if that's not the way most people work though.