AutoCAD Vs SolidWorks | Top List Of Differences To Know

It is very common to hear people debating whether AutoCAD is better than SolidWorks or vice versa. However, the truth is that both are very good software to create drawings and models.

In many situations, they serve wholly different purposes and concentrate on different aspects of the design. So, in this blog, we will look at AutoCAD vs Solidworks in detail. So, let’s get started!

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AutoCAD vs SolidWorks: Detailed List Of Differences

Here is the detailed list of differences between AutoCAD vs Solidworks

Design Applications

AutoCAD and SolidWorks can both draft and model in 3D and 2D, but each focuses on either of the two. SolidWorks is primarily a 3D modeling software, whereas AutoCAD is mainly a 2D drafting tool.

Building drawings, layouts, floor plans, and inspection plans may all be created quickly and easily with AutoCAD's 2D designs. It does it by using a variety of annotation and editing tools. SolidWorks' 3D modeling, on the other hand, helps in the creation and visualization of animations, machine components, and detailed assemblies, as well as the editing of patterns, assemblies, and surfaces.

With proprietary sketching and modeling features, each software makes up for its shortcomings in either 2D or 3D design. In its classic view, AutoCAD allows for 3D modeling, while SolidWorks allows for 2D drafting. AutoCAD 3D and SolidWorks 2D drafting, on the other hand, are not advanced enough to be used alone.

Industrial Use And Simulation

AutoCAD is a prominent CAD program used by experts in the construction industry, such as civil engineers, architects, and mechanical and electrical engineers. Mechanical engineers, aerospace and automotive businesses, manufacturing facilities, and technicians, on the other hand, use SolidWorks to create mechanical components and accessories that require machining. Because of its virtual prototyping capabilities, SolidWorks has an advantage over AutoCAD.

This enables professionals to put a new design to the test and understand how machine parts work in the actual world. This assists them in identifying failure locations and redesigning such portions.

The user's subscription tier determines whether or not simulation capabilities are available in SolidWorks. Static linear and time-based motion are available in the Standard version. Design optimization, heat transfer testing, and multi-physics simulations are among the additional simulations available on the professional option. Additional modeling options available with the premium membership include dynamic loading and nonlinear and dynamic response.

In SolidWorks, simulations of liquid and elemental forces are utilized to perform life cycle assessments on 3D objects. Designers can also use photo-realistic visualization to see how a model will look in different lighting circumstances before it is built. These simulation tools are useful for speeding up the modeling and drawing processes, but they are not available in AutoCAD.

Compatibility And Multilanguage Capabilities

SolidWorks is exclusively available on Windows operating systems, while AutoCAD is available on both macOS and Windows operative. When working for firms that only utilize Mac PCs, the lack of SolidWorks on Macs creates a problem.

AutoCAD supports a wider range of inbound API file types, including VBA, LISP, and.NET. SolidWorks improves export capabilities and adds support for Microsoft's Storage File format. Designers who need to import a lot of data should use AutoCAD, while those who need to export a lot of data should use SolidWorks.

Software's broad application necessitates multilingual capabilities. SolidWorks is only available in English for some reason, but AutoCAD is multilingual and supports English, German, Italian, Chinese, French, and Russian. This means that AutoCAD supports cross-platform communication with teams that do not speak English fluently.

Free Version And Pricing

Both software programs have different price components. SolidWorks offers a $150 per year student edition, as well as regular, professional, and premium subscriptions. Standard subscriptions cost $3995 for a license and $1295 for annual maintenance, whereas professional subscriptions cost $5490 and $1495 for annual maintenance. Its premium subscription is extremely expensive, costing $7995 for a license and $1995 for annual maintenance.

Each of SolidWorks' subscription tiers has its own set of features. The most basic subscription is the ordinary subscription. Cost estimation, advanced simulation, and part libraries are among the extra features available with the professional membership. On the premium version, you receive all of the capabilities of the standard and professional versions plus environmental effect analysis, structural part and assembly analysis, and pipe routing.

AutoCAD, on the other hand, provides a completely free edition for students and educators. AutoCAD Limited Technology, or AutoCAD LT, is a $420 yearly subscription for customers who don't need 3D modeling features. Like SolidWorks, it doesn't have a tiered subscription structure. Its normal subscription, which includes customer support and upgrades, costs $1600. AutoCAD is the less expensive of the two software alternatives.

User Community And Support

SolidWorks' user community is more active and well-organized than AutoCAD's. SolidWorks users have an online community where they help one other when they get stuck using the software. The official user group on SolidWorks' website provides access to an instructional library, showcases user designs, and allows users to try out the software before purchasing a membership.

AutoCAD strives to establish a user community by delivering software tutorials that address frequently asked questions and provide assistance with problems encountered while using the product. Despite this, it lacks an official user group. As a result, users are unable to effortlessly communicate inside a designated group to exchange insights and solutions with other users.

SolidWorks technical assistance is also more efficient because to an official webpage that categorizes user problems by kinds, such as upgrade difficulties, best practices, and instructions. AutoCAD provides contact methods such as phone calls, help tickets, and live chat, which are all over general and lack categorization, as well as a guaranteed response time.

Conclusion

We have gone through every important aspect of AutoCAD vs SolidWorks. Both are great software for 2D and 3D modeling and drawing. Hopefully, your every doubt about AutoCAD vs SolidWorks has cleared by now and you can choose the best technology to accomplish your purpose.

Sanjeev is a professional content writer and tech enthusiast. He helps students and beginners in understanding the technical concepts by writing blogs on complex topics in simple words. He also helps students in their assignments. He graduated with h