List of the Top 16 CAD Software for SOLIDWORKS in 2025

VisualCAD/CAM is recognized as an exceptional standalone CAD/CAM software solution in the current marketplace. It serves as the core CAD platform for VisualCAM, featuring a variety of specialized modules such as VisualMILL, VisualTURN, VisualNEST, and VisualART, which cater to the distinct requirements of various CNC manufacturing tasks. The software comes in five unique configurations: Express (XPR), Standard (STD), Expert (EXP), Professional (PRO), and Premium (PRE), ensuring that it meets the diverse needs of its users. The 2020 edition of VisualCAD/CAM continues to offer these five configurations to effectively serve different machining purposes. This adaptable program is especially beneficial for hobbyists, makers, and students embarking on their CAM programming journey. Additionally, with its capability to support both 2-axis and 3-axis machining techniques, this intuitive package not only proves to be efficient but is also attractively priced, making it a fantastic option for those on a budget who wish to delve into the realm of CNC machining. Its blend of functionality and user-friendliness empowers users to quickly learn and excel in their manufacturing projects, fostering a creative environment for growth and innovation.

ArtiosCAD is recognized as the premier structural design software tailored for the packaging sector, specifically designed to boost the productivity of experts involved in structural design, product development, virtual prototyping, and manufacturing activities. This intuitive software enables users to generate intricate designs without needing advanced mathematical expertise, as it takes care of all relevant measurements automatically. By effortlessly designing perfectly fitting packaging around any imported 3D CAD model, ArtiosCAD allows users to focus on their imaginative concepts without being sidetracked by technical details. In addition, it notably streamlines the design process by converting unique creations into reusable templates that can be easily accessed in your organization’s library. This holistic integration of structural and graphic design, alongside production documentation, minimizes the risk of costly mistakes later in the workflow. Moreover, the ability to visualize designs in 3D facilitates the detection of any discrepancies prior to the printing stage, which leads to a more precise final product. Consequently, ArtiosCAD not only enhances the effectiveness of packaging professionals but also fosters greater creativity and innovation in their projects. By using this advanced software, teams can collaborate more efficiently and bring their ideas to fruition with confidence.

Facilitate the sharing of your design information and promote open evaluation, discussion, feedback, and collaboration among all stakeholders involved. Organize all conversations pertinent to each design in a single, chronologically ordered location for easy reference. Focus on security while maintaining full transparency and accountability regarding all evaluations and discussions related to your design. Securely assess, discuss, and provide feedback on design data effectively and efficiently. Your team, partners, and customers can contribute detailed insights on product designs at any time and from anywhere. This platform serves as an optimal solution for quickly, securely, and efficiently sharing your designs with relevant parties. Ensure complete oversight and accountability for all interactions and discussions surrounding the designs. Collaborators, including team members, partners, suppliers, and customers, can easily view, evaluate, engage, and work together on both 2D and 3D designs you present. A range of productivity tools is available to streamline the process of handling design data, empowering discussion participants to share their thoughts conveniently through simple notes that connect to specific design elements, thereby nurturing a more collaborative atmosphere. By centralizing communication and feedback, you can significantly improve your design process, ensuring that every perspective is valued and taken into account. This collaborative approach ultimately leads to stronger design outcomes and greater innovation.

SEE Electrical is tailored specifically for professionals in electrical engineering. Its user-friendly interface enables quick usage with little training, making the creation of wiring diagrams simpler than ever. Available in three distinct tiers—Basic, Standard, and Advanced—this software offers a range of features at varying price points to cater to your specific requirements. Transitioning between levels is seamless, as you can access project data across all tiers without hassle. Additionally, SEE Electrical provides the flexibility to open multiple windows and work on several projects at once, enhancing productivity. Furthermore, with the integrated Microsoft ActiveX® interface, users can effortlessly incorporate documents from various Windows applications directly into their project framework, ensuring a cohesive workflow. This versatility makes SEE Electrical a valuable tool for any electrical engineering task.

Envision evCreator is a robust graphics application that seamlessly integrates 2D drawing and image editing with advanced 3D model management, allowing users to produce technical illustrations, product visualizations, animations, charts, and text among other creative outputs. With its impressive 3D visualization capabilities, the evCreator empowers users to leave behind low-quality screenshots and embrace high-caliber 3D model handling that doesn’t require any prior CAD experience. - Effortlessly rotate, pan, and zoom into your models for detailed precision. - Utilize linear, spherical, and cylindrical explode modes for enhanced clarity. - Manage individual parts by ghosting, hiding, or isolating them as needed. - Generate accurate cross-section views through cutting planes. - Automatically create BOM tables and smart labels derived from metadata. - Save and modify your visualizations for future use. In addition, the software simplifies animation creation, making it an invaluable tool for effectively demonstrating product-related processes in assembly and MRO contexts. Moreover, Envision evCreator is equipped with user-friendly 2D graphics tools that facilitate the creation of precise technical illustrations while allowing for easy shape modification. Users can create and manipulate shapes, polygons, and multigons, draw flawless arcs and curves, utilize various vector brushes for freehand drawing, and benefit from smart lines and shapes that enhance their artistic workflow.

The Envision Cloud Platform seamlessly integrates the evCreator application for both 2D and 3D graphics with features for document storage, collaborative efforts, annotation, review processes, and interactive viewing, all presented as a comprehensive solution. This platform can be deployed on our AWS infrastructure or within your own private cloud environment. Users of the document viewer will find it straightforward to access and engage with digital instructional materials that feature accurate 2D graphics, narrated animations, and interactive 3D models. Such interactive digital instructions have been shown to enhance the speed of task completion while simultaneously minimizing errors. Countless professionals rely on access to extensive product data, including 3D CAD models, which is crucial for their success. However, many face challenges due to insufficient data access and a lack of necessary training and tools to utilize that data effectively. The platform offers a variety of capabilities, such as: - 2D drawing and vector graphics - Image editing - 3D CAD visualization - Animation accompanied by text-to-speech features - Flow charts and process diagrams - Intelligent annotation and dimensioning tools - Various charts, tables, and symbols - Text formatting and document layout - Export options including JPG, PNG, PDF, MP4, and more These features empower users to not only visualize but also manipulate data in a way that enhances their overall productivity and effectiveness.

The all-encompassing product version, which incorporates every enhancement developed to date, offers a unique and reliable solution that integrates the complete design process for a well-rounded design experience. ThinkDesign Professional effectively bridges communication gaps during different phases of product definition, allowing for adjustments without jeopardizing the progress made by other teams. Moreover, the benefits of solid modeling, the flexible nature of free-shape surface models, and the extraordinary editing features of GSM empower users to implement changes with remarkable creativity and precision, irrespective of whether the shapes are native or imported, while maintaining full associativity and drastically cutting down the time required compared to conventional methods. To meet the varied demands of clients, DPT provides the ThinkDesign Drafting solution, which retains the traditional 2D design methodology and allows for the reuse of existing legacy data through an intuitive, user-friendly interface that conforms to Windows standards. This dual functionality not only boosts efficiency but also ensures a smooth transition for users accustomed to traditional design approaches, ultimately leading to improved productivity and satisfaction. Additionally, this innovative approach positions users to embrace future advancements with confidence and ease.

Unveil the premier 3D design software designed specifically for hobbyists, where accuracy is a key aspect that guarantees perfect compatibility of parts every time. Whether you're working on a standalone item or a detailed assembly comprising up to 1000 elements, your creative horizons are boundless. The software allows you to easily export your creations in multiple formats like STL, STEP, SAT, DWG, or DXF, ensuring compatibility with your 3D printer or CNC equipment. You can also produce detailed 2D drawings that include measurements, serving as practical references during your construction process. With a user-friendly yet powerful toolkit, it steers clear of overwhelming options, enabling a rapid start and streamlined workflow. Furthermore, there are no ongoing subscription costs, allowing you to possess the software and work offline whenever needed. From designing precise parts for small machines to realizing grand-scale undertakings, whether it’s a remarkable pinewood derby car or intricate artistic sculptures, if it can be machined, it can be visualized. The software supports tailor-made projects for your router table and adapts to meet the needs of your design, whether that be simple components or more complex creations. You can send any design directly to a 3D printer, start with a basic sign, replicate a damaged item, or let your imagination run wild by building a completely new robot. The array of opportunities it offers makes this tool an essential asset for all budding designers, ensuring that your potential is only limited by your imagination. With its versatility, you'll find that the software not only enhances your skills but also enriches your creative journey.

ENCY Robot is a comprehensive offline programming solution encompassing CAD, CAM, and OLP functionalities, designed to deliver highly accurate toolpath calculations, facilitate the creation of digital twins, and manage advanced kinematics across various robotic applications such as milling, welding, painting, additive manufacturing, and pick-and-place tasks. It stands out as an all-inclusive package that integrates design, technology setup, and toolpath calculations while supporting robots with any kinematic configuration. Additionally, it optimizes robot kinematics to avoid singularities and ensure collision-free movements. The platform features a zero-code digital twin builder for creating robotic cells effortlessly and includes high-quality 3D models of robots and pre-defined postprocessors from leading brands. By utilizing ENCY Robot, users can design and simulate robotic operations with safety and efficiency, significantly enhancing productivity and minimizing the need for manual intervention in intricate production settings. This innovative solution ultimately transforms how robotic processes are executed, leading to streamlined workflows and improved operational outcomes.

ENCY represents a cutting-edge evolution in CAD/CAM technology, merging sophisticated CAM functionalities with an easy-to-navigate interface and a seamless workflow. This innovative software is well-equipped for multi-axis milling, G-code generation, as well as both 2D and 3D CAD modeling. Key Features: - Enhanced Toolpath Optimization: Tailored toolpaths that enhance both the efficiency and safety of the machine - High-Fidelity Simulation: Detailed solid-voxel simulations for material removal, collision detection, and processes like additive manufacturing and painting - Effortless Integration with ENCY Clouds and ENCY Tuner Notable Aspects: - Sleek dark theme complemented by a contemporary interface - Extensive technological features - Supports Multi-axis Milling and Swiss Turning alongside additive and hybrid manufacturing - Machine-Savvy Technology: Toolpath calculations take into account the digital replicas of the machine - Directly edit toolpaths - Cutting-edge simulation capabilities - Postprocessor creation tools With ENCY, users can expect a robust, user-friendly experience that pushes the boundaries of traditional CAD/CAM applications.

Utilize the power of Simpleware software to seamlessly manage 3D and 4D imaging data obtained from MRI, CT, and micro-CT scans. Dive deep into your data with advanced visualization tools, comprehensive analysis, and accurate quantification techniques. Create precise models that are ready for design, simulation, and 3D printing applications. The most recent update, Simpleware W-2024.12, boosts the integration of AI-powered segmentation tools and enhanced design capabilities, greatly accelerating your 3D image processing and analytical tasks. Our state-of-the-art platform for 3D imaging and model development transforms 3D and 4D image data into workflows and products that easily connect with design and simulation software. Featuring an intuitive interface, the software ensures easy access to all essential tools and functionalities. Perform in-depth analyses on even the most complex 3D image datasets, guaranteeing the creation of high-quality models that are ready for design and simulation, all while adhering to your rigorous standards. This upgrade empowers users to harness cutting-edge technology, ultimately leading to superior outcomes in their projects and research endeavors. With Simpleware, you can elevate your imaging capabilities to new heights.

BobCAD-CAM's Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software delivers an advanced design experience with a modern and intuitive interface that simplifies the creation and adjustment of both basic and complex parts. The thoughtfully designed ribbon bar interface ensures that even those new to CAD can easily access its various features without difficulty. This software is equipped with a vast selection of professional drawing and modeling tools specifically crafted for workshop applications. With hundreds of user-friendly geometry creation and editing tools available, users can swiftly and effectively develop intricate part models. Moreover, the program includes an extensive variety of robust wireframe, surface, and solid modeling tools, allowing users to design everything from simple flat patterns to detailed 3D models. BobCAD-CAM's design software is tailored to meet the needs of both beginners and occasional users, while also offering the sophisticated tools necessary for seasoned designers, thus making it an adaptable option for industry professionals. By combining ease of use with comprehensive functionality, the software enhances user productivity and fosters creativity in all design endeavors, making it an invaluable asset for anyone involved in the design process. Additionally, the seamless integration of tools and features promotes a more efficient workflow, encouraging users to explore innovative design possibilities.

ProNest®, an innovative CAD/CAM software tailored for advanced mechanized cutting, is specifically engineered to enhance your efficiency, productivity, and overall profitability. This state-of-the-art application is capable of optimizing various cutting technologies, including plasma, waterjet, oxyfuel, and laser machines. By maximizing nesting yields, it not only improves profitability but also minimizes material expenses. With its user-friendly interface and numerous beneficial features, ProNest is remarkably simple to operate and learn. This software uniquely provides full support for Hypertherm's SureCut™, incorporating tools like True Hole®, Rapid Part™, and True Bevel™, which significantly streamline bevel setup time. Additionally, its modules for Common Line Cutting, Chain, and Bridge Cutting contribute to increased efficiency while decreasing cutting time and wear on equipment. ProNest equips users with robust functionalities, enabling comprehensive management of the entire cutting process, ensuring seamless operations from start to finish.

To prevent the inefficiencies associated with post-implementation troubleshooting, it is vital to create testing models and rigorously assess them in a simulated environment through software such as SOLIDWORKS, Autodesk Inventor, or PTC Creo. By making quick adjustments, you can enhance kinetic sequences and timing without dedicating excessive hours to physical prototypes. Incorporating your mechanical CAD data with authentic control system logic allows for the creation of a Dynamic Digital Twin, which enables real-time observation and validation of system performance. Once this digital twin is fully optimized and refined, it can be utilized as a training resource for your operators, helping to sustain smooth operations and increase profitability. This strategy substantially shortens the time required to test small modifications and comprehensively check logical sequences and timing, thereby improving overall efficiency. Furthermore, adopting this technology encourages a culture of ongoing improvement and innovation within your team, fostering an environment where proactive problem-solving becomes the norm. Embracing such advanced methodologies can ultimately lead to greater competitiveness in the market.

You can transform your 3D CAD files into optimized mesh formats suitable for various visualization applications like rendering, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), web design, and 3D printing. With Meshmatic, the conversion and optimization of your files are done automatically based on your specific objectives. Key features of Meshmatic include: - Compatibility with various formats such as Solidworks, CATIA, STEP, FBX, OBJ, 3ds Max, STL, SKP, and Creo. - Utilization of one of the most accurate tessellation algorithms available in the market. - Automated processes that enhance your files and prepare them for the subsequent stages of your 3D workflow, including mesh cleanup, hierarchy adjustments, and duplicate instantiation. Additionally, users can remove small components, eliminate internal parts, generate Levels of Detail (LODs), and unwrap UVs. - Meshmatic functions as a desktop application, giving you the flexibility to store your files on your local machine or network. - The optimization process is fully automated, making it accessible even to those without extensive knowledge of 3D design. - No need for programming expertise to utilize its features, which further simplifies the workflow for users at all skill levels.

Have you ever wondered why the tool paths you meticulously create in your CAM system look perfect on screen but don’t perform well when put into action on your milling machine? Thankfully, that confusion can be alleviated with CAMplete TruePath, which effectively bridges the gap between your CAM systems and 5-axis machines. This cutting-edge software provides an all-encompassing approach for post-processing, confirming, and simulating 5-axis tool paths within a 3D environment. Tailored for ease of use, CAMplete TruePath facilitates a seamless transition from your CAM software to your machine, emphasizing both efficiency and safety throughout the process. By leveraging toolpath data from leading CAM systems, TruePath's versatile post-processor allows you to create NC programs that meet your specific requirements without needing any adjustments directly on the machine. With its sophisticated features for 5-axis simulation, visualization, and verification, you can confidently understand how your machine will behave before running any G-code. In addition, CAMplete maintains strong partnerships with CAM software developers, application engineers, and end users to ensure smooth compatibility across different platforms. This dedication not only enriches the user experience but also significantly boosts the reliability of tool path execution, thus reducing the likelihood of errors during machining. Ultimately, the integration of CAMplete TruePath represents a transformative step towards optimizing the efficiency and accuracy of milling operations.