3d Drawing Software Free For Mac

  1. Drawing Software Free
  2. Easy 3d Drawing Software Free
  3. 3d Animation Software For Mac

If you’re looking for CAD software for Mac, you’re not without options. We’ve found some standout Mac and cloud-based CAD platforms for you.

Sep 15, 2019  Products had to be compatible with Mac and offer core CAD software capabilities, such as: 2D drawing or 3D modeling features; Collaborative editing of drawings; Products needed a minimum of 20 user reviews on Capterra (published in the last two years). Products had to have a high overall rating (an average of at least 4 out of 5 on Capterra).

You’re likely to hit a wall if you’re searching for computer-aided design (CAD) software designed for Mac. There are plenty of CAD software options for Windows—you’ll see many of them in our list of the top AutoCAD alternatives—but only a handful offer support for Mac.

And, if you think you’ll bypass the issue by using a cloud-based CAD tool, you’ll quickly find that CAD vendors haven’t embraced the cloud as much as other types of software vendors have, so the offerings are still largely on-premise. According to Gartner’s Hype Cycle for IT Evolution (full content available to Gartner clients), cloud-native CAD applications still have five to 10 years before they reach mainstream adoption.

But fear not, Mac users. We’ve done some digging and have put together this list of the top-rated CAD software for Mac. Read more about our methodology at the bottom of this article.

5 Best CAD Software for Mac (presented alphabetically)

Jump to:


  • CorelCAD

  • FreeCAD

  • Fusion 360

  • LibreCAD

  • Onshape

1. CorelCAD

CorelCAD offers 2D drafting and 3D design capabilities, such as the drawing constraints feature for creating different geometric shapes faster and the push and pull feature for 3D direct modeling.

3D modeling in CorelCAD (Source)

Common user feedback trends

Based on analyses of user reviews on Capterra, here’s an overview of the areas of CorelCAD they like best, as well as those they feel could use improvement.

What users like:

  • The short learning curve: Users mention that the tool is easy to use and beginners don’t have to spend a lot of time learning it.
  • Compatibility with multiple file types: Users like the fact that the tool is compatible with DWG, PDF, ACIS, DXF, STL, CDR, and other file formats.

What users think could be improved:

  • Software reliability issues: Some users mention that the software tends to crash at times.
  • Better dimension functionality: Some users would like a better dimensioning feature for more accurate drawings of angles and proportions.

Who can use CorelCAD

CorelCAD can be used by construction businesses for collaborative editing on multiple devices. It offers native iOS applications, which makes it easy for field crews to add annotations in graphics and share files using their iPhones and iPads. Additionally, the tool allows team members to leave recorded messages and instructions for colleagues embedded in the graphics using a voice note tool.

2. FreeCAD

FreeCAD is an open source CAD tool that works on Mac as well as Windows and Linux. It reads many common file formats such as STEP, IGES, STL, SVG, DXF, OBJ, IFC, and DAE.

It offers different modules, including a drawing sheets module that converts 3D models into 2D views, a rendering module that can export 3D objects, and an architecture module for a BIM-like workflow.

3D model of a building in FreeCAD (Source)

Common user feedback trends

Based on analysis of user reviews on Capterra, here’s an overview of the areas of FreeCAD they like best, as well as those they feel could use improvement.

What users like:

  • Feature-richness for a free tool: Users mention that, although it’s free, the tool comes with a full set of features.
  • Reliability: Users mention that the tool does not demand a lot of CPU power and works well on devices with low RAM.

What users think could be improved:

  • Steep learning curve: Users mention that the tool is not the most user-friendly solution and can be difficult for beginners to learn.
  • Dependent on community for updates: Users mention that modules ignored by the community tend to become outdated quickly.

Who can use FreeCAD

FreeCAD appears to be best for hobbyists and home users. It’s also good for users who don’t have a high budget for software but still want to tinker with CAD modeling.

3d design software for mac

FreeCAD could also be a good choice for businesses on a budget looking for a free and open-source option.

3. Fusion 360

Fusion 360 is a CAD tool from Autodesk with design functionalities such as sketching and 3D modeling. It also supports project management with features such as task management, document management, and collaborative image editing.

Document management in Fusion 360 (Source)

Common user feedback trends

Based on analysis of user reviews on Capterra, here’s an overview of the areas of Fusion 360 they like best, as well as those they feel could use improvement.

What users like:

  • Comprehensive design features: User mention that the tool offers all the functionalities necessary for 2D and 3D designing.
  • Availability of training resources: Users like the fact that the tool comes with ample documentation and tutorials.

What users think could be improved:

  • System crashes: Users mention that the tool tends to crash, especially when designing and rendering large files.
  • Steep learning curve: Users mention that it can take a lot of time to learn the advanced functionalities of the tool.

Who can use Fusion 360

Fusion 360 is part of the Autodesk ecosystem designed for the AEC industry. This makes the tool suitable for construction businesses that are already using, or intend to use, other Autodesk solutions. Using a software vendor that offers multiple solutions will especially benefit larger businesses that invariably need software that can scale with their growing requirements.

4. LibreCAD

LibreCAD is an open source CAD tool that supports Mac, Windows, and Linux operating systems. The tool comes with 2D drawing features such as a snap tool, dimensioning, and annotations. It also supports multiple file imports and exports.

2D drawing in LibreCAD (Source)

Common user feedback trends

Based on analysis of user reviews on Capterra, here’s an overview of the areas of LibreCAD they like best, as well as those they feel could use improvement.

What users like:

  • Ease of use: Users mention that the tool offers an intuitive and easy-to-use interface.
  • Lots of tutorials: Users like the fact that there are ample video tutorials that help them get started with the tool.

What users think could be improved:

  • Software speed: Users mention that the software tends to lag, especially when trying to print designs.
  • Add support for 3D design: Users would like to see functionalities for creating 3D designs.

Who can use LibreCAD

LibreCAD is an exclusively 2D CAD tool for drawing and designing blueprints of buildings, layouts of parks, and the like. As a free tool, the solution can be used by small and midsize businesses across different industries, including manufacturing, engineering, architecture, and construction.

5. Onshape

Onshape is a cloud-only CAD solution that comes with features such as document management with version control, collaborative design creation/editing capabilities, and reporting dashboards to understand project status.

Importing documents in Onshape (Source)

Common user feedback trends

Based on analysis of user reviews on Capterra, here’s an overview of the areas of Onshape they like best, as well as those they feel could use improvement.

What users like:

  • Document version control: Users like the document management features of the tool, such as version history.
  • Intuitive interface: Users mention that the tool comes with an intuitive interface for easy image editing.

What users think could be improved:

  • Performance issues: Some users mention that the tool does not function well on non-Chrome browsers and has file loading issues.
  • Lack of features: Users mention that the tool should improve certain features such as 2D drawing and 3D surfacing.

Who can use Onshape

As a fully-cloud based tool, Onshape is ideal for businesses that need to manage design documents collaboratively with multiple stakeholders. The tool’s collaboration functionalities include document sharing, document editing, comments, and file downloads in multiple CAD formats, such as Parasolid, ACIS, STEP, and IGES.

Next steps

This report offers a mix of Mac CAD solutions—from free tools that can help you with basic 2D drawing to advanced solutions offering extensive 3D modeling functionalities.

If these tools don’t meet your needs, expand your search and check out more options. To help you, we’ve created a CAD software comparison page where you can explore products using different filters, such as features offered and pricing options.

If you’re looking to understand the CAD software market better, we also recommend that you read the articles listed below:

Methodology

To be shortlisted, products had to fulfill the following criteria:

  • Products had to be compatible with Mac and offer core CAD software capabilities, such as:
    • 2D drawing or 3D modeling features
    • Collaborative editing of drawings
  • Products needed a minimum of 20 user reviews on Capterra (published in the last two years).
  • Products had to have a high overall rating (an average of at least 4 out of 5 on Capterra).

Drawing Software Free

Note: The content in this piece that provides opinions and points of view expressed by users. It does not represent the views of Capterra.

Looking for Construction Management software? Check out Capterra's list of the best Construction Management software solutions.

Drawing doesn’t need definition. Still, it is the game of pencil and few colors operated by one’s mind and heart. In the world of digital technology, can’t we draw online with the help of software? So the answer to this question is Yes. You can draw and color them online with the help of amazing software. Painting software is not at all new. It has measured a very long distance in the past few lucky years. Now, there are superb programs present in the technology world completely free which will provide you with a realistic simulation of watercolors, oils, pastels, charcoal, and many more. Probably the most recent painting programming additionally gives you a chance to work in three measurements, making your very own models and after that applying your very own surfaces and paint impacts. You can consolidate these with 2D outlined components to make fabulous scenes.

Digital Painting Or Traditional Painting?

So the biggest question in every mind reading this link. Why should I opt for digital painting? What is the difference between traditional and digital painting? The answers to your basic questions are given below. Firstligital painting is considered as a non-linear process. That is an artist can simply arrange his painting in layers and it can also be edited without any complications. The best thing we like about the digital painting is that one can easily undo and redo so that the change in the process of creativity doesn’t lead to a wastage of the whole process. There are disposal several tools available for a digital artist like a virtual palette consisting of millions of colors, almost any size canvas or media, erasers, pencils, spray cans, combs, brushes, and also a variety of 2D and 3D effect options.

Now let us see a few best free drawings software available for Windows and Mac:

1. Vectr

The first drawing software available is the popular Vectr. Most designers might have surely heard of this software and used on a daily basis. The Vectr have real-time sharing i.e. it provides with a URL for every new Design. Other users can conveniently observe you make and edit designs live, whether you’re in the web application or desktop version. The application is very simple to utilize pen apparatus – make bent and straight ways and alter them in free of cost. Not only this but the application also provides you with an Intuitive freehand illustration apparatus – draw custom shapes. Okay, you saved your art and now you want to add some more shapes into it. Don’t worry, you can include lines, circles, square shapes and control them even after saving them. Grouping layers is no more a tough task. Thus it is one of the Best Free Drawing software.

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Platforms: Windows/Mac

2. GNU IMAGE MANIPULATION PROGRAM (GIMP)

Coming to GIMP, it is considered one of the best free drawing software for mac. Though, it works properly in every kind of system. The application is basically a free, open-source option to Adobe Photoshop and has been formulated around 1995. It packs everything you need to edit and modify your amazing photographs and save your vector-based art for added effects and for making the picture look more realistic. You can even make ravishing paintings from scratch in a digital way. It’s an application every artist trying to modernise the painting way should not live without. The app has a total complete graphic design solution for all of your requirements. The toolbox offers you with the features like a pencil, blurring, sharpening, smudging, cloning, erasing, and much more.

Platforms: Windows/Mac.

3. Medibang Paint

If you really love manga books and comics, then pause for a second. This application available on digital technology is made just for you. MediBang Paint is a great drawing program and is considered as one of the best free drawing software due to the exclusive features available in the app. The application offers different devices including more than 800 tones/foundations, brushes which are more than 50 brushes, and 20 textual styles style. It’s a basic and integral asset for individuals who are simply beginning with their funnies or manga maker’s voyage and need an apparatus which can enable them to learn and move forward. The application likewise offers cloud matching up crosswise over stages. It makes your work is adjusted crosswise over gadgets. It’s certainly a decent choice for a growing manga or funnies maker.

Platform: Windows, Mac

4. Microsoft Paint 3D

Everyone has heard of Microsoft! Isn’t it? So Microsoft paint was used and liked by many users and is thus considered as best free drawing software for windows. Now here comes the second version of the same known as Microsoft Paint 3D. Paint 3D makes it very simple to unlock your amazing creativity and bring your ideas to real life. This software will basically allow you to download even the simplest design and in any dimension. If the collection of artworks including the shape and you wished to add some filters then you can simply enter options which include matte, gloss, dull metal, and polished metal. Multiple models can also be made at different depths and densities which can be combined very conveniently to make a fabulous screen. The thickness of the 3D effect is still left for that perfection.

Easy 3d Drawing Software Free

Platforms: Windows 10

5. Autodesk Sketchbook

The next software is Autodesk Sketchbook. It has a very wonderful user interface. The UI is incognito unless you’re completely ready to drag a pencil, pen, marker, or paintbrush and start painting. Even if you are a designer, or an illustrator, or an animator this software will help all of them to make amazing art. There are endless features available in the software which surely makes it one of the best free drawing software. The support for unlimited layers, extraordinary blending modes, the grouping of layers, and many more options are available for an artist. Not only this but you also have access to more than 140 designer brushes. What else you’ll wish for? There is also high-class support for rulers, custom perspective guides, predictive stroke, and more to help you in your imaginative creations.

Platform: Windows/Mac.

6. Krita

Krita is one of the amazing and best free drawing software available throughout the technology world. Well designed brushes and tools are present in the software which attracts the majority of the population. There are an accessible interface and handy drawing aids. Krita is the proficient quality painting programming made by a group of specialists with the respectable point of putting first-class inventive instruments inside the reach of everybody. There is the feature of panel templates, halftone filters, and perspective tools in addition to the usual brushes, fills and pens. Each paintbrush available is completely customizable, and you can also save your favorite brushes to use again later. You also avail the features like layers, masks, various transform tools, HDR support, without paying any charges. This software, in short, is a destination for all type of artist.

Platform: Windows/Mac.

7. RawTherapee

RawTherapee is firstly a free and open source software which has some exclusive features. It empowers clients to address distortion, help in changing the colors of the image, recoup details and substantially more, which means clients can make changes to their photographs until the point when they’re looking precisely how they need. This free, open-source programming likewise accelerates your work process by enabling you to cluster process pictures. You can likewise send pictures to other programmings softwares, for example, GIMP, on the off chance that you wish to. Lastly, you can easily save the images in the form of 16-, 24- and 32-bit raw HDR DNG images, as well as standard JPEG, PNG (8- and 16-bit) and TIFF.

Platforms: Windows/Mac.

3d Animation Software For Mac

8. Inkscape

The eighth app in the list is Inkscape. Even if you are an illustrator, designer, web designer or just someone who needs to produce some amazing vector imagery, Inkscape is surely made for you! The features of this software include Flexible drawing tools, Broad file format compatibility, strong text tool, Bezier and spiro curves. It does not end over here. There are some broad options too available for dear artists which includes object creation, object manipulation, color selector, node editing, path conversion, multi-line text support, support for almost all the major file formats,anti-aliased display, and more. It can work as an alternative to illustrator. Being less popular software, it is completely available for free. So you don’t need to worry if the features were less for your hunger.

Platforms: Windows/Mac.

9. FireAlpaca

There are few customers who don’t like to upgrade the computers, so, if you’re one of them, then FireAlpaca is made for you. It is a lightweight tool with some extremely basic features. Being light in terms of weight and features, it can be run on old computers efficiently. While the more dominant applications like Illustrator and Corel Painter offer huge amounts of highlights, they additionally require a calm competent PC or Mac to run. Then again, FireAlpaca may be light on highlights when analyzed the heavyweights however it can likewise effectively keep running on more established equipment. I observed this to be an extraordinary device for novices who can’t bear to purchase an amazing PC or Mac. Likewise, the apparatus itself is totally for nothing out of pocket so you don’t have to spend a dime to begin.

Platform: Windows/Mac.

Final Words

So we have come to an end of our wonderful discussion. We have seen various amazing free software available through the electronic world. They all provide various features and charge nothing for it. Now you must enlist your requirements and try to match with the features of the software. If the software is able to comply and provide your all necessary requirements, you must surely opt for that respective software. Now let us wave a goodbye hand to each other. Keep Painting!