What Is The Best 3d Software For Mac

 

May 27, 2020  Ask any 3D artist to name the best 3D modelling software, and most will choose Autodesk Maya. Largely seen as the industry standard for CG, Autodesk Maya boasts an unrivalled range of tools and features. This hugely extensible app isn't for the faint-hearted: its toolset is hugely complex and takes time to learn.

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  2. What Is The Best 3d Modeling Software For Mac
  3. The Best 3d 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.

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

What Is The Best 3d Software For Mac Download

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

What Is The Best 3d Software For Mac

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.

Best

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.

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

What Is The Best 3d Modeling Software For Mac

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

Software

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.

The Best 3d Software For Mac

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).

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.

Designing dresses and costumes is an art that requires a lot of creativity. The fashion trends keep changing, and if you are a designer, you have to come up with fresh designs that please the customers. It becomes tough to design clothes because most people don’t know what they want, and others might not look right in what they want to wear.
Technology is here to help the designers too. With clothing design software, they can come up with patterns and designs and get their 3D previews. This is much better than the old school way of sketching the designs with paper and pen because they give you the exact idea of how a particular design will look once you are done with it. Here are Top 10 Free Clothing Design Software for Mac users.
Must Read: -

1. Fashion Toolbox

With Fashion Toolbox, you can design clothes, textiles, and accessory designs. It has many CAD tools and design export options. You can even trace the design from a photo and create new designs from it.
It has a fabrics clip art gallery and design specs workbook which will guide you through the lessons for casting and fitting of your designs. The trial version can be downloaded and then upgraded to the complete Toolbox version to benefit from all the features.

2. eDraw Max

eDraw has a straightforward and flexible software experience to offer for fashion designers. All the templates are vector so that modification can be done easily. There are many skin tones and other accessories that can be chosen to go with the clothing designs.
With drag and drop tools, the designing is very easy even for beginners. You can also choose sub-element fashion and change the color or design. And apart from this, there are many templates and sketching tools to choose from.
Must Read: -
10 Best Software to Create Fabulous T-Shirt Designs

3. Digital Fashion Pro

Digital Fashion Pro comes with a training guide so that you can get familiar with the software without seeking much help from anywhere else. You can also download the trial version. In this, 200 different templates can be customized and redesigned.
About 110 digital fabrics can be chosen as the raw material for the clothing. And the software has a unisex approach to keep up with the latest trends and presentations. Still if you find the software difficult to use, there are training videos with step by step illustrations.

4. Cameo Apparel Pattern Software

Cameo Apparel Pattern Software is a complete package for designers. You can buy the entire package or get different modules. There are separate design software modules for children’s clothing, men’s clothing and similar design suites to select. So depending on the type of clothes you design, you can get the perfect software.

You can get models of custom sizes, make plans and drawings and other specifications on the design. With support for printing, you can print or save the design readily once you are done.

5. Designer Pro Apparel Edition

You can draft designs on 3D models with Designer Pro Apparel Edition. A 3D preview of the design can be seen. The created models can be exported as PDFs with added password security.

Latest designs and all color combinations and customization can be done either by using the templates or by creating new designs on your own. You can calculate the price of the materials and get estimations of the finished product.

6. FashionLab Studio

FashionLab Studio is a fast tool for designers. It has all the resizing and rotation/transformation tools. You can also draw patterns with lines and curves. The software is also suitable for making custom T-Shirt designs.
The finished design can be imported as an image (JPG and TIFF) or in PDF format. The software has basic vector design tools but is not suitable for advanced designers.

7. Dress Assistant

You can catalog the entire wardrobe on your laptop and see what models fit the best. You can upload photos from other devices and see what they look like. The software has a very intuitive interface. There are 12 wardrobes with six each for men and women.
You can save the designs and sync them with all your Apple devices using iCloud support. The software has many items, outfits, and events that can be associated with multiple wardrobes. You can duplicate outfits and sort them manually or automatically.

8. Optitex

Optitex is a brilliant software with 3D designing and creation suites. It can also be used by sewn product manufacturers and designers alike. It has a straightforward and interactive interface with marker making suite and cutting room optimization suite.
The software is powerful with such features that it is worth the money spent buying it. You can also get the trial version. The finished design can be downloaded as an image or as PDF.

9. eTelestia

eTelestia is a CAD program with which you can create and modify fashion and clothing designs. It has easy to draw design tools which use AB Fashion Design template. There are zoom and measuring tools in the working area so that you can create the designs with details and perfection.
Technical drawing and virtual fitting are just a couple of other features of this product. You can create your style library and work on multiple designs simultaneously. There is help with examples for beginners, and it supports multiple languages.

10. Browzwear

The simulations using Browzwear software are so realistic because they make use of many factors such as weight, mass and fabric type to come up with the previews. It has V-Stitcher for designers to create new patterns, V-Styler to attend to the colors and designs and
V-Viewer for merchants to see the different finished apparels. All of these are integrated to make your work easier. They can also be used with other software packages such as Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator.

Bottom Line

These clothing design software will be of great help to students and fashion designers. You have the freedom to create the designs from scratch or use the templates and add modifications and enhancements. The design ideas in your mind can be converted into products or be shared with others for reviews and appreciations.
Virtual studios can cut your costs as you can see the previews of your designs with originality even before you manufacture them. For students, who cannot have a fully functional designer studio at their early stage of learning, such designer software will be of much help. Even if you are not a professional designer, you can get some of these trial versions and create that one lovely dress for a special occasion.