CAD

CAD has revolutionized the way we approach and think about design. Today, there are few industries which haven’t been impacted by the creative possibilities opened up by CAD software. As the digital economy booms, CAD has expanded outside of its traditional fields of architecture and engineering, and has become the go-to design tool for game designers and digital content creators. This category plunges headfirst into the world of CAD. We talk about the software that can help you make an impact; the new developments that are changing the design world; and the wide range of applications that go far beyond our traditional perceptions of what CAD is and does.
Corner of building against sky. CATIA models

13 Sites with Free CATIA Models

Corner of building against sky. CATIA models

Developed by Dassault Systèmes, CATIA is an industry-acclaimed 3D modeling software that provides solutions for CAD, CAM, and CAE. With its sophisticated capabilities and tools, CATIA is widely used across a myriad of industries for the design of parts, assemblies, and…

FreeCAD application icon on pink background

FreeCAD: Learn The Basics In 1 Hour

FreeCAD application icon on pink background

If you are an architect, mechanical engineer, or robotics/mechatronics engineer, you may need to learn FreeCAD 3D computer-aided design (CAD) modeling program. FreeCAD is one of the most commonly used CAD software used in architectural & BIM, designing mechanical engineering parts,…

CIT format to DXF/DWG, Scan2CAD logo

How to Convert CIT Images to DXF/DWG

CIT format to DXF/DWG, Scan2CAD logo

Working with CAD software will regularly require you to use reference images as bases for drawings and plans. The standard raster image formats such as JPEG, PNG, and BMP are usually what you’ll be getting, but sometimes you’ll encounter less well-known…

Solid Edge logo, Scan2CAD logo

Solid Edge: Learn The Basics in 1 Hour

Solid Edge logo, Scan2CAD logo

Solid Edge is a drafting and solid modeling CAD program that offers tools for mechanical design, electrical design, simulation, manufacturing, and collaboration. It is owned by Siemens PLM software. Solid Edge is a multifaceted software that is used by both large…

Import Images into Revit

How to Import Images into Revit

Autodesk Revit is a building information modeling (BIM) software specifically designed for AEC professionals. This includes architects, engineers, construction professionals, and space designers. Although commonly known to be owned by Autodesk, Revit was actually developed and released in 1997 by Charles…

CATIA vs Inventor

CATIA vs Inventor: CAD Software Compared

There are so many computer-aided design (CAD) software developed by different companies around the world to help designers, engineers, architects, and manufacturers with product development from conceptualization, design, and engineering to manufacturing. Although the wide variety of CAD applications provide engineers,…

CATIA vs Fusion 360

CATIA vs Fusion 360: CAD Software Compared

For any computer-aided design (CAD) software category in existence today, Autodesk has its in-house proprietary software. Despite being a force to reckon with, competitors exist and they also do well, ultimately rising to industry-leading standards. To this end, as Scan2Cad, we’ve…

CATIA logo, Scan2CAD logo

How to Insert an Image into CATIA

CATIA logo, Scan2CAD logo

If you work with CAD software, you would most likely be familiar with the French CAD development company, Dassault Systèmes. They’re responsible for big names in the CAD and computer modeling industries such as Solidworks and, the subject of this article,…

ArchiCAD logo, Scan2CAD logo

Top 5 ArchiCAD Alternatives

ArchiCAD logo, Scan2CAD logo

   ArchiCAD by Graphisoft is one of the most commonly used Building Information Modelling (BIM) 2D and 3D CAD software used by interior designers, urban planners, architects and designers. It was developed by a Hungarian company called Graphisoft and can run…

Inventor logo, Scan2CAD logo,

13 Sites with Free Autodesk Inventor Models

Inventor logo, Scan2CAD logo,

Inventor is a 3D mechanical design software, by Autodesk, for product design, design communication, simulation, visualization, and documentation. Its high-grade tools facilitate the creation of parts and assemblies designs ranging from simple to very complex. It is not uncommon for beginners…

Revit logo, Scan2CAD logo

Revit Keyboard Shortcuts – With PDF Cheat Sheet!

Revit logo, Scan2CAD logo

Revit is a BIM CAD modeling software application, from Autodesk, that comes with all the necessary tools and features for all things building design and modeling. It is used for architectural design, building modeling, structural design and construction, MEP (Mechanical, Electrical,…

AutoCAD vs Fusion 360 application logos

AutoCAD vs Fusion 360: CAD Software Compared

AutoCAD vs Fusion 360 application logos

Finding the right CAD program for your needs is a tricky endeavor. With the constantly advancing nature of the AEC industry, the software dedicated to helping produce technical drawings grows with it. What we get with that is a veritable smorgasbord…

freecad logo

FreeCAD Keyboard Shortcuts – With PDF Cheat Sheet!

freecad logo

If you are an architect, mechanical engineer, programmer, teacher or student looking for a lightweight 3D CAD modeling program, FreeCAD is a good choice.  FreeCAD is a free open-source 3D computer-aided design (CAD) modeling program. It is a parametric modeling program…

Sketchup logo, Scan2CAD logo

SketchUp Free vs Pro – What’s The Difference?

Sketchup logo, Scan2CAD logo

SketchUp is one of the most used 3D modelling computer programs in architecture, landscape architecture, interior design, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, film industry, and video game industry. One of its main advantages is that it is light for computers and easy…

autocad icon, bricscad icon

AutoCAD vs BricsCAD: CAD Software Compared

autocad icon, bricscad icon

The introduction of computer-aided design has undoubtedly increased the quality of CAD designs. As a result of the continuous development of various CAD applications, users from varying industries have a handful of applications to choose from. Choosing the most suitable program…

AutoCAD icon

AutoCAD Web App Review: Can It Replace AutoCAD Desktop?

AutoCAD icon

We’ve talked about AutoCAD in quite a few articles here on Scan2CAD, and for good reason. It’s the top most-used CAD program in the global market and is one of the best choices for producing technical drawings and diagrams. Autodesk has…

ArchiCAD logo, AutoCAD logo

ArchiCAD vs. AutoCAD: CAD Software Compared

ArchiCAD logo, AutoCAD logo

Before the advent of CAD software applications, designs, whether mechanical or architectural, were done on a sheet of paper placed on a drawing board using pencils, set squares, and other drawing instruments. The design process was very time-consuming and tedious. If…

Mac laptop, Scan2CAD logo

Are MacOS Computers Good for CAD?

Mac laptop, Scan2CAD logo

The use of Computer Aided Design, CAD for short, is an integral part of the workflow of many industries. Although the concept was primarily to help the architecture, engineering, and construction industries produce better technical drawings, other modern niches such as…

A Brief History of ArchiCAD

ArchiCAD is an architectural BIM software application developed for architects for two and three-dimensional design. The software’s capabilities and add-ons enable users to create building models using structural elements such as doors, windows, slabs, and many others. The program comes with…

ArchiCAD logo, Revit logo

ArchiCAD vs. Revit: CAD Software Compared

ArchiCAD logo, Revit logo

Computer-aided design plays a vital role in the world of design. It is used extensively in different fields such as Engineering, Aerospace, Automotive, Industrial design, and many others. Due to its wide range of applications in many industries, a plethora of…