Compare Alibre Design и FreeCAD

Benefits:

Extremely easy to learn. Other than proprietary snag of Dimension Drawings of other similar CAD software, switching is easy, simply import the 3D o... Read more

Extremely easy to learn. Other than proprietary snag of Dimension Drawings of other similar CAD software, switching is easy, simply import the 3D object and re-create great dimension drawings for manufacturing and incorporate the changes/dimensions/GD&T with ease. From then on, updates and/or revisions of a part for manufacturing are so simple, it is amazing. I literally had a lot of fun learning Alibre Design Professional.

Drawbacks:

Recreating the dimensional drawing for manufacturing was the only thing that I could find missing in converting from other similar software's. This... Read more

Recreating the dimensional drawing for manufacturing was the only thing that I could find missing in converting from other similar software's. This is simply a proprietary matter period.

Summary:

Switching a product line for concept to manufacturing was so easy. New designs could not be easier. I can not wait to try Alibre out for Automation... Read more

Switching a product line for concept to manufacturing was so easy. New designs could not be easier. I can not wait to try Alibre out for Automation Design projects in the near future.

Benefits:

This software is perfect for a small design team or individual use to create products from scratch. We used this software in the design and patenti... Read more

This software is perfect for a small design team or individual use to create products from scratch. We used this software in the design and patenting of a roadside barrier system to reduce injuries and fatalities, especially in cases where motorcyclists were involved. The software was inexpensive and was very easy to learn. Granted, there was some ramp-up to gain proficiency, but it took place very quickly. Also helpful during this process was Alibre's customer support team. They were easy to get hold of, and were able to work with us when we got stuck along the way. I would highly recommend Alibre for design work, especially work that needs to be done in order to get a product or a design patented.

Drawbacks:

Some features were a little cumbersome, but with customer support a workaround was nearly always available.

Summary:

We took a product that was purely conceptual in nature and created a design and working prototype that was used in obtaining a patent. Alibre was t... Read more

We took a product that was purely conceptual in nature and created a design and working prototype that was used in obtaining a patent. Alibre was the key software platform we used in doing the work.

Benefits:

It is similar enough to Solid Works, so it was not too hard to learn on the fly. There is a metal simulation portion of the software that is very u... Read more

It is similar enough to Solid Works, so it was not too hard to learn on the fly. There is a metal simulation portion of the software that is very useful for bending and shaping metal components with decent realism.

Drawbacks:

The commands are not too hard to learn, but the software is extremely clunky, not responsive, and does not give much of an hint if there is a mista... Read more

The commands are not too hard to learn, but the software is extremely clunky, not responsive, and does not give much of an hint if there is a mistake in the drawing (overlapping line, enclosed loop, etc.). The program crashes regularly even running a on a brand new Thinkpad laptop with up to date specs. Lines have trouble "snapping" to points even when that option is turned on. And my largest gripe are that the user manual is pathetic, and their website is even worse when it comes to understanding featuresbor troubleshooting.

Summary:

My overall experience is that yes, this is functional CAD software, but you will be at least three times faster and ten times less frustrated if yo... Read more

My overall experience is that yes, this is functional CAD software, but you will be at least three times faster and ten times less frustrated if you use a more reputable program like AutoCad or Solidworks.

Benefits:

Existe todos os recursos necessários de outros softwares, com um valor justo e acessivel. Possibilidade de fazer configurações em peças, sem a nece... Read more

Existe todos os recursos necessários de outros softwares, com um valor justo e acessivel. Possibilidade de fazer configurações em peças, sem a necessidade de fazer outo projeto.

Drawbacks:

Poderia ter uma biblioteca de Elementos padrões, como Parafusos, Rolamentos, etc. Mas nada que deixe a desejar

Summary:

Já utilizava outro Software CAD, porem, o Alibre Design atende as nossas necessidades tanto para Modelar peças complexas , como para Montagens de c... Read more

Já utilizava outro Software CAD, porem, o Alibre Design atende as nossas necessidades tanto para Modelar peças complexas , como para Montagens de conjuntos.

Benefits:

In comparison with other AutoCad softwares,it is one of the different version software. We can make 3 D drawing through this software at different ... Read more

In comparison with other AutoCad softwares,it is one of the different version software. We can make 3 D drawing through this software at different angles of projection which is is indeed the most fantastic feature. This software is used by everyone whether students or professionals but proved to be helpful to everyone.

Drawbacks:

Sometimes when we are updating modules, at that time some of the modules are not updated. So we feel that they will update in next versions of soft... Read more

Sometimes when we are updating modules, at that time some of the modules are not updated. So we feel that they will update in next versions of software. The learning curve of this software is quite difficult for the new users. For this sometimes some users have to take CAD classes in order to have good command on the usage of this particular software.

Summary:

Benefits:

Price (free), functionality: solid modeling (not just a collection of lines, arc and circles) , features, (eventual) ease of use, ability to create... Read more

Price (free), functionality: solid modeling (not just a collection of lines, arc and circles) , features, (eventual) ease of use, ability to create .stl files for 3D printer. The software is parametric meaning you can adjust dimensions and update the model, ability to create assemblies.

Drawbacks:

Steep learning curve but thankfully with YouTube... I haven't looked for awhile but the documentation was lacking when I first got into it. I haven... Read more

Steep learning curve but thankfully with YouTube... I haven't looked for awhile but the documentation was lacking when I first got into it. I haven't had to use the forum for help so I can't speak to that but in searching the forum it seems to be very active with volunteers answering questions.

Summary:

Love it. I used Pro/ENGINEER in the early 90's and it was such a wonderful leap over AutoCAD but hugely expensive. I used my outdated copy of AutoC... Read more

Love it. I used Pro/ENGINEER in the early 90's and it was such a wonderful leap over AutoCAD but hugely expensive. I used my outdated copy of AutoCAD for years until I discovered FreeCAD 5 or 6 years ago. Initially it was a steep learning curve but with the abundance of videos on YouTube and perseverance I am now quite adept at using it. I have designed/built a semi-automatic machine for my production and have several 3D printed tools used in that machine. FreeCAD has been a Godsend for developing and evaluating my ideas and I would definitely recommend it if you are a small business with minimal or no budget for expensive CAD software.

Benefits:

Can create any part you can imagine, exports to 3d printing friendly formats, sketching and part design workbenches are relatively easy to learn.

Drawbacks:

There are some software quirks on of them is you can not attach sketch to surface and modify the body that the sketch is attached it will mess up t... Read more

There are some software quirks on of them is you can not attach sketch to surface and modify the body that the sketch is attached it will mess up the part, while there are ways around that I wish they would fix it in the next iteration of the software. Also if downloading official release the UI is outdated.

Summary:

It's a powerfull CAD tool, and the best part it's totally free.

Benefits:

can be oriented by user script and easy to implement automatic CAD generation.

Drawbacks:

poor and very complicated user interface. 3D surface generation can not react that you desire.

Summary: