Are you overwhelmed by the specialized nature and cost of many CAD software options? Wondering if there is cheap CAD software available for students? Indeed, there are, but they require some searching and discovery. To save your time, this article will introduce the 5 best CAD software for students. Make it easier for you to complete projects and tasks.
Top 1. ZWCAD
ZWCAD is advanced 2D CAD software ideal for students. It is easy to learn and use and supports multiple formats including DWG and DXF. It provides customized interfaces and various advanced tools to help you learn and practice architectural and engineering design skills efficiently. In terms of price, ZWCAD supports one-time purchases. You can continue to use it even if they work after graduation, without the need for continuous payments.
Pros
- Offers familiar interface names and aliases, helping you quickly learn and master CAD design skills.
- Runs smoothly without lag from opening files to usage, everything is quick.
- Integrates advanced functions and innovative functions. Advanced features such as Flexiblock, Point Cloud, PDF Import, and more. Innovative features such as Smart Plot, Smart Mouse, and more.
- Able to adjust toolbar and command settings according to personal preferences and work needs.
- No need to worry about long-term subscription fees, invest once and use it for a long time.
Cons
- Not compatible with macOS.
Top 2. Solidworks
Another popular 3D CAD software among students is Solidworks. It has 3 versions: Standard, Professional, and Member Edition. You can choose the most suitable version based on your needs and skill level. One of the attractive points of Solidworks is its academic certification program, which offers students a chance to fully understand the standards practiced in the industry and the application of these standards in real-life projects.
Pros:
- Offers multiple version options to cater to users at different levels.
- Supply rich online resources, including tutorials, to help students quickly master and explore advanced functions.
- Academic certification programs enhance the student learning experience and provide industry-certified skills.
- Integrates advanced component and assembly modeling, 2D drawing, design automation, and collaboration tools.
Cons:
- Around $2,800 a year, the price is not cheap for students.
- Mainly 3D CAD, not an expert in 2D.
Top 3. BricsCAD
BricsCAD is quite famous among the student community for its student-friendly policies and comprehensive features. Most notably, BricsCAD offers students free use for one year. This is undoubtedly a great blessing for students who are learning CAD, and they can make full use of the basic functions of this software without bearing financial pressure.
Pros:
- Allows students to learn and practice for free for a year.
- Covers all aspects of CAD design.
- Relatively simple to use.
- Supplies rich customization tools and extensions to enhance user experience.
Cons:
- It crashes sometimes.
- Lacks certain commands that you may need.
Top 4. Creo CAD
Creo CAD is a rather professional piece of both widely acknowledged by academia and industry CAD software. The design of the interface and setting of functions provide great help for teachers to teach the students how to understand complex CAD concepts and master relevant skills. Moreover, it gives special access to certifications for the students in studying and devising projects in full detail.
Pros:
- Highly regarded in industrial and academic circles.
- Supports a range of functions catering to project requirements from basic to advanced.
- Provides students with an accessible learning opportunity through the student certification program.
Cons:
- Expensive, with the lowest version costing around $2800 per year.
- Requires hardware specifications necessitating a powerful computer system.
- The abundance of features may entail an adaptation period for beginners.
Top 5. FreeCAD
FreeCAD is known for simple user interfaces and powerful parametric design functions, something that makes this open-source CAD software quite popular. Based on this, the software is especially recommended to students who require a no-budget solution.
Pros
- Easy enough for beginners to quickly get the hang of.
- Offers parametric design for flexible and efficient design modification.
- Completely free, and suitable for students with limited budgets.
- Compatible with various software, facilitating work across different platforms.
Cons
- Lack of some advanced features found in paid software.
- May not offer customer support compared to commercial software.
What Should Look For When CAD for Students Selection
When selecting CAD software for students, consider the following key factors:
- Ease of Use. An intuitive, easy-to-use interface will make your learning journey much easier. After all, who doesn’t love a tool that’s both powerful and easy to use?
- Training Resources. Excellent training resources are like navigational aids in a vast domain of software. They are indispensable not only to understand the baseline but more so to delve into deeper realms of what this particular application can do.
- Community Support. A vibrant community, and strong customer support when things get tough can be the difference makers. The former is going to make it easier for you to share with peers and learn while the latter is bound to provide useful advice and suggestions that are going to improve your ability to learn and solve problems.
- Stay Current. Choose software that is updated regularly and will keep you on the cutting edge of technology.
Conclusion
| Software | Type | Price | Simplicity | Highlights |
| ZWCAD | 2D/3D | 30-day free trial, $322/year, $899/one time fee | Easy | Cost-effective and full-featured |
| Solidworks | 2D/3D | 30-day free trial, $2,800/year | Complex | Academic Certification Program |
| BricsCAD | 2D/3D | One-year free trial, $1,596/year(Pro) | Easy | One-year free |
| Creo CAD | 2D/3D | 30-day free trial, $2,800/year for the lowest version | Difficult | Professional |
| FreeCAD | 2D/3D | Free | Easy | Free and open-source |
As a student, selecting proper CAD software is without doubt the first step for mastering other related skills along with interior design software. Hence, your choice should be established on your own actual situation and need. Surely, if now you are still hesitating and cannot make up your mind, then ZWCAD is highly recommended. It is cost-effective and powerful while caring for long-term career development needs. Take a chance and afterward, you will never regret having this tried.
