AutoCAD

AutoCAD

Price: $

In this modern era, every profession has its software you must be familiar with if you want to be successful in what you do. For any engineer, especially mechanical and civil engineers, AutoCAD is the one tool they absolutely must get to know.

AutoCAD is used for drafting and computer-aided design (CAD). It was originally released in 1982 and today, it's the most popular CAD tool available. Its price is quite hefty ($1690/year) but, if you're a student, you can get the 1-year student license. Also, you can get a 30-day free trial anytime!

AutoCAD is used for 2D and 3D drawing and modeling. Its features are difficult to count and you can use it for many different project types. You can easily create new 3D objects with solids, surfaces, or mesh objects, come up with 2D drawings, and automate some repetitive tasks you do inside the program. What sets AutoCAD apart are industry-specific toolsets for industries such as architecture, electrical, civil, and mechanical engineering. Specialized toolsets can also be used for industrial plant 3D design and map design.

AutoCAD makes designing and drawing blocks and objects for these industries as easy as possible. You can check out your drawing history and see just how your drawing has evolved over time or compare it to changed external references. You can add industrial standards and be notified if your work breaches any standard you add. You can save blocks you've once created and build your own library for reuse. Engineering is all about precision. You can easily measure anything on your drawing simply by hovering your mouse or compare your drawing to a different DWG file without leaving the project.

Dimensioning your drawing is easy as dimensions can be created automatically. All data can be linked to Excel spreadsheets, extracted easily, and dynamically changed from within the spreadsheet. You can view your object from different angles and, more importantly, save these views for later use. Each parameter of your objects can be constrained and described by math. Regarding 3D modeling, you can get as realistic as you wish. Various visual effects can be applied (edges, lighting, shading) and everything is rendered to create a unique and stunning appearance.

Finally, AutoCAD 2021 brings easy project sharing and access. There are web and mobile AutoCAD apps for easy access to your projects. You can even edit and create drawings with these apps. You get exclusive access to Autodesk's cloud and you can even use it to run 3D rendering without using your computer's resources. AutoCAD is not a choice but rather a standard if you are serious about engineering. Its hefty price is usually paid by your company but the benefits you receive are hard to count!