On this list you will find the best programs for drawing, digital painting and illustration, graphic design and 3D sculpting/modeling. For each of these programs I have added links so that you can download them, either in full paid version or in free or trial version, if available. Back to the Drawing Board is a powerful 2D CAD and technical drawing app. It is the perfect tool for creating 2D plans, elevations, details, schematics, diagrams, and charts on your Windows device. Back to the Drawing Board takes full advantage of the unique features of Windows to provide a great drawing experience on desktops, laptops and tablets.
- This software allows you to create and edit different infographics and display it in PDF or JPG formats. The basic version is free but additional elements are available for a small fee. However, unlike many other data visualization tools, Easelly is way cheaper. Best software for simple tasks.
- It works well on Windows XP, Mac OS X, Windows 95, Windows Me, Windows 2000, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8 operating system. This program holds a good rank among good drawing programs list and comes with several kinds of layers, colors, and brushes to add that special effects in your drawing. You also get the tutorial.
- The best drawing apps for mobile devices can make all the difference when it comes to creating a work of art, no matter if your canvas of choice is the iPad Pro and an Apple Pencil, the Galaxy.
If you need to work or learn how to use a CAD program, without spending too much money on a professional program like Autocad or others, you can use one of these free programs that provide all the functions of a CAD program.
Here is a list of the top 10 free programs to download for Windows PC, Mac and Linux for technical drawing in both 2D and 3D projects.
List of Free CAD Programs for technical drawing
FreeCAD
Free CAD is an open source program for Windows, Mac and Linux that directly addresses the engineering and design of products for mechanical use.
It can also be used for architectural projects or other engineering sectors based on 3D modeling.
Although free, FreeCAD is considered as an alternate of other popular CAD programs thanks to its ability to create real 3D solids, support for networks, 2D drawing and many other professional features. The program is modular therefore expandable with many extensions.
NanoCAD
NanoCAD is one of the best free and unlimited solutions for creating 3D CAD drawings.
Its most important feature is the native support to the DWG format which is then that of Autocad.
This means that a DWG file created with nanoCAD can be sent to other people who can then open it with Autocad without having need to convert.
Sculptris
Sculptris is a free 3D graphic design program for Windows and Mac.
Easy to use, it's not really a technical drawing program, but a software to draw 3D models like sculptures or figures.
NanoCAD is one of the best free and unlimited solutions for creating 3D CAD drawings.
Its most important feature is the native support to the DWG format which is then that of Autocad.
This means that a DWG file created with nanoCAD can be sent to other people who can then open it with Autocad without having need to convert.
Sculptris
Sculptris is a free 3D graphic design program for Windows and Mac.
Easy to use, it's not really a technical drawing program, but a software to draw 3D models like sculptures or figures.
As the name of this small software recalls, it serves to create virtual sculptures. In practical terms, it means that with Sculptris you can draw three-dimensional figures but not animations as you can do with the more complicated Blender.
SketchUp
SketchUp is one of the most popular 3D modeling programs used primarily for architectural works and other niches in the 3D project industry. Super five nights at freddys free download.
The program for Windows and Mac is complete and professional with all the tools included for free. You can also see the galleries of works done to understand that there are no limits of using this program.
LibreCAD
LibreCAD is a free, open source CAD drawing program for Windows, Mac and Linux.
A complete tool that is proposed as an alternative to Autocad. LibreCAD can be used for all 2D architectural engineering drawings, to design mechanical parts, for construction, simulation, interior design, creative design and diagramming.
DraftSight
DraftSight is another free 2D CAD editor for professional CAD users, students and teachers, to work on DWG files.
Best image compressor. The program is perfect for those who prefer minimal and simple CAD software. DraftSight can be downloaded for Windows, Mac and Linux. Lions slots free.
OpenSCAD
OpenSCAD is a 3D modeling platform ideal for engineers, to design parts of machines using script programming. So there is no button interface and it is only for programmers.
Best Drawing Programs For Windows 7 Free
Kicad
KiCAD is a free design tool for drawing printed circuit boards (PCBs), for Windows, Mac and Linux.
QCAD
QCAD is available for all computers to create technical drawings of buildings, mechanical parts or even diagrams.
Since it is open source, QCAD is modular and extensible. Its 2D CAD platform is powerful yet easy to use even for a beginner who has little or no experience.
3DCrafter
3DCrafter is a simple 3D modeling program that works simply through drag and drop. It is used to create animated models by drawing scenes in real time.
Cloud Citrix VDI
Get an easy and handy access your CAD software anytime on any device by loading it onto high performance Cloud Citrix VDI powered by Apps4Rent with excellent support.
Other guides on CAD:
Best Free Drawing Programs For Windows 10
Conclusions
For an engineer or architect AutoCAD is essential, since it is the main work tool. But if you are still at university or have multiple computers to work on, you can very well install one of the programs recommended in this guide, so that we can still work on 2D technical drawings and 3D projects without spending much on the various AutoCAD licenses.