SOLIDWORKS
SOLIDWORKS is a world-leading 3D design, CAD, and product development platform that has defined innovation for engineers and creators for over three decades. Built by Dassault Systèmes, it delivers a unified environment for design, simulation, documentation, and manufacturing—all with the goal of helping users bring ideas to life faster. The 2026 version marks a major leap forward with AI-powered automation, including selective loading for large assemblies, fastener recognition, and AURA AI, an intelligent design companion that boosts productivity. Deep integration with the 3DEXPERIENCE cloud ecosystem allows teams to collaborate securely, access designs anywhere, and connect real-time data from concept to production. With powerful simulation tools, electrical design integration, and streamlined workflows, SOLIDWORKS reduces manual effort and design iteration time dramatically. Its intuitive interface and broad compatibility make it ideal for both professionals and students. Trusted by innovators like Future Motion, Toyota, and Vermeer, SOLIDWORKS continues to shape the future of design and engineering. Whether you’re creating consumer products, vehicles, or complex machinery, it provides everything you need to go from idea to reality.
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AutoCAD
Autodesk AutoCAD is a complete computer-aided design and drafting solution that transforms the way professionals conceptualize, document, and deliver projects. Built for precision and creativity, AutoCAD supports 2D drafting and 3D modeling with intelligent tools for solids, surfaces, and meshes. The AutoCAD 2026 release integrates Autodesk AI, automating repetitive tasks like object placement, markup interpretation, and drawing comparisons to save hours of manual effort. Users can collaborate seamlessly using Autodesk Docs, ensuring consistent document management and version control across teams. With built-in AutoLISP, APIs, and the Autodesk App Store, the software is endlessly customizable for specialized workflows. Its seven industry-specific toolsets—including Architecture, MEP, and Plant 3D—optimize productivity and deliver specialized functionality for each discipline. AutoCAD’s cloud connectivity enables real-time co-authoring and access from any device. Whether for buildings, infrastructure, or products, AutoCAD remains the most trusted platform for professional design innovation.
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AutoCAD Mechanical
Accelerate your design process with a specialized toolset tailored for mechanical engineering, featuring over 700,000 smart components and functionalities. Effortlessly isolate and restore layer groups, while also defining linetypes and lineweights. Keep your geometry up to date automatically whenever modifications are made, thus reducing the need for manual redraws. Generate precise drawings incorporating standard components for greater accuracy. Analyze your designs effectively, utilizing generators for shafts, springs, belts, chains, and cams. Provide detailed native Inventor part and assembly models with ease. Leverage intelligent drafting tools specifically created for mechanical design projects. Build and publish a custom content library, enabling the creation and preservation of personalized content. Preview commands for fillet, chamfer, and offsets to streamline your workflow. With AutoCAD® at your fingertips, enjoy the flexibility of smart mechanical engineering dimensions. Create dimensions using concise dialog boxes for efficiency. The 2D DWG format comes with a view of the standards tab within the open options panel, ensuring compliance with international drafting standards. Ultimately, deliver design documentation that adheres to established standards for professional presentation. This comprehensive set of features empowers engineers to focus on innovation rather than tedious tasks.
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SolveSpace
SOLVESPACE is an open-source parametric 3D CAD software released under the GPLv3 license, allowing users to design 3D components and create drawings through various operations such as extruding, revolving, or using Boolean methods like union, difference, and intersection. It also enables the modeling of 2D parts by allowing users to draw a single section and export it in formats like DXF, PDF, and SVG, while the 3D assembly feature aids in checking component fit. For those interested in 3D printing, parts can be exported in STL or other mesh formats compatible with the majority of 3D printers. Additionally, it supports the preparation of CAM data, enabling the export of 2D vector art tailored for waterjet machines or laser cutters, or generating STEP and STL files for integration with third-party CAM software for machining processes. The tool is particularly useful for mechanism design, utilizing a constraint solver to simulate both planar and spatial linkages, accommodating various joint types such as pin, ball, or slide joints. Instead of relying on traditional trigonometry and spreadsheets, users can work with live-dimensioned drawings to handle plane and solid geometry, and they can sketch sections utilizing a variety of shapes including lines, rectangles, datum lines, points, circles, arcs, and cubic Bezier segments, along with C2 interpolating splines and more intricate designs. This comprehensive approach encourages creativity and efficiency in the design process, making SOLVESPACE a valuable asset for engineers and designers alike.
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