

That, among other reasons, causes many people to look for AutoCAD alternatives. As of now, an annual subscription costs $1,598, while a monthly subscription costs $220/month (always check the purchase page for updated pricing information, as the price is subject to change). You can create solids, surfaces, and more, and you can automate many tasks as well, such as model comparisons. Using AutoCAD, you can draft and design both 3D and 2D models.

Landscapers and other construction professionals rely on it heavily as well. Many people use AutoCAD, from engineers to architects to students to contractors. Wrapping It Up: What Is The Best Free AutoCAD Alternative?Ībout AutoCAD & Why Do You Need Alternatives.Vectorworks And ConnectCAD (For Students And Educators) About AutoCAD & Why Do You Need Alternatives.Notice that the viewpoint has changed to display a 3-D view of the rectangle that you converted to a box. Scroll through the list of views (e.g., "Top," "Left" or "Right") until you see the views labeled "Isometric." (Isometric views are 3-D views that show an object's parallel lines as parallel, in contrast to the realistically converging lines shown by perspective views.)Ĭlick any of the "Isometric" views (e.g., "SE Isometric," "NE Isometric" or "NW Isometric"). Although you can't see it from your current viewpoint (the top view), you've just converted the rectangle to a box.Ĭhange to a 3-D view so that you can see the box: Click the "View" tab, then locate the "Views" panel. Scroll through the properties window until you locate the "General" tab, then look for the "Thickness" property under this tab.Ĭhange the number in the "Thickness" text box to the number you jotted down in Step 3. Right-click any part of the rectangle and choose "Properties" from the pop-up menu. You'll use this number to set the thickness of the box you make from the rectangle. Jot down either the height or width dimension that appears. Click any part of the rectangle to select it, then hover your mouse pointer over any of the rectangle's blue handles. Add thickness to the rectangle, which will expand it into 3-D space.
