Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software has changed many fields for decades, from architecture and engineering to product design and production. However, because there are so many choices, it’s hard to say which CAD software is the most used and popular.
It is because CAD software is used in a variety of specialised fields, including architecture, engineering, and product design. Sometimes different fields use different CAD software. For example, there are different CAD software for use cases such as designing buildings, creating mechanical parts, or developing prototypes.
This article tries to answer your question about the CAD software that is used the most in business. We will talk about the things that affect how it is used and list the top 5 CAD software options.
Factors Influencing CAD Software Usage
There are several factors that contribute to the popularity and widespread adoption of specific CAD software. As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, industry specificity is one of the most important factors. Some industries may prefer one software over another due to its widespread adoption or the features that it provides. To break it down, here are some of the factors influencing CAD software usage:.
- Industry Specificity: Different industries often favour software tailored to their specific needs. For instance, the construction sector might prioritise software with robust 2D drafting capabilities, while the aerospace industry may require advanced 3D modelling features.
- Ease of Use and Learning Curve: Software with an intuitive interface and a gentle learning curve is more likely to attract a broader user base, especially for beginners or those new to CAD altogether.
- Cost and Licencing: The cost of acquiring and maintaining licences can significantly impact software adoption. Subscription-based models or open-source alternatives can offer greater accessibility compared to perpetual license with hefty upfront costs.
- Features and Functionality: The software’s feature set plays a crucial role. Users gravitate towards software offering the specific functionalities they require for their projects, be it 3D printing capabilities, simulation tools, or collaborative features.
- Community and Support: A large and active user community can provide valuable learning resources, troubleshooting assistance, and even custom add-ons that enhance the software’s functionality.
Before we get into the details of the top 5 CAD programs used in business, some of you may just be interested in learning more about the subject or be new to it. To learn more about that, read our article on the 5 best CAD software for beginners.
What is CAD most commonly used for?
CAD software can be used for many things. In architecture and engineering, though, it is used a lot. It is because of its ability to create detailed and precise 2D and 3D models that are important for designing buildings, structures, and mechanical components. Aside from architecture and engineering, CAD software has numerous applications, including:
- Architecture and Engineering: Creating detailed 2D and 3D models of buildings, structures, and infrastructure, as well as generating construction documents and plans.
- Mechanical Engineering: designing and simulating mechanical parts, assemblies, and machinery, including analysing their performance and functionality before physical prototyping.
- Product Design: Developing product concepts, 3D models, and technical drawings for various manufactured goods, ranging from furniture and electronics to consumer products.
- Manufacturing: streamlining production processes by generating toolpaths for CNC machining, 3D printing, and other fabrication methods.
- Urban Planning and Landscape Design: Visualizing and planning the development of cities, parks, and other outdoor spaces.
Top 5 Most Used CAD Software in the Industry
While definitively crowning a single “most used” CAD software is challenging due to industry-specific preferences and regional variations, several software options consistently rank high in terms of popularity and user base. Therefore, we attempt to compile a list of the 5 most popular CAD software, based on information from Apollo Technical.
1. AutoCAD
AutoCAD, which was made by Autodesk, has a long history as one of the first CAD platforms. It is widely used in many fields, especially architecture, engineering, and construction, because it is flexible, can do both 2D and 3D modelling, and has a huge selection of industry-specific tools.
Jobs that use AutoCAD
- Architects, Architectural designer, and drafter
- Electrical engineer, design and drafter
- Electronics engineer, design and drafter
- Plumbing designer, HVAC designer, MEP designer
- Interior designer
- Industrial engineer
- Manufacturing engineer
- Mechanical engineer, design and drafter
- Structural engineer, designer, and drafter
Industry that uses AutoCAD
- Aerospace & Aviation
- Consumer products
- Manufacturing
- Medical Device
- Industrial products
- Oil & Gas
- Civil, Structural, MEP
What is the most used CAD software (Image by Freepik @cliqnclix)
2. SolidWorks
A lot of people in the mechanical design industry use this Dassault Systèmes software. SolidWorks is mostly used by mechanical engineers and product designers because it has an easy-to-use interface, powerful 3D modelling tools, and strong simulation features.
Jobs that use SolidWorks
- Mechanical engineer, designer, and drafter
- Manufacturing engineer
- Industrial engineer
- Electrical engineer, designer, and drafter
- Product development engineer
Industry that uses SolidWorks
- Aerospace & Aviation
- Consumer products
- Manufacturing
- Medical Device
- Industrial products
- Oil & Gas
3. Inventor
Inventor is another product from Autodesk that is designed specifically for people who work in mechanical engineering. It has a full set of tools for making, simulating, and documenting mechanical designs. These tools include features for designing with sheet metal, frames, and tubes, as well as design automation tools that are built in.
Jobs that use Inventor
- Mechanical engineer, designer, and drafter
- Manufacturing engineer
- Industrial engineer
- Product development engineer
Industry that uses Inventor
- Aerospace & Aviation
- Consumer products
- Manufacturing
- Medical Device
- Industrial products
- Oil & Gas equipment
4. CATIA
The company Dassault Systèmes created CATIA, a powerful and advanced CAD program designed for difficult projects in the shipbuilding, aerospace, and automotive industries. For complicated and difficult tasks, its complete design, simulation, and analysis tools provide unmatched abilities.
Jobs that use CATIA
- Mechanical engineer, designer, and drafter
- Electrical engineer, design and drafter
- Industrial designer
- Product development engineer
Industry that uses CATIA
- Aerospace & Aviation
- Automotive
- Shipbuilding
5. Revit
It has a set of tools for making 3D models of buildings and is used in construction projects for BIM (building information modelling). This software helps with all areas of building projects, such as the structural, mechanical, electrical, and architectural parts. This is the CAD software you should learn if you want to design or build buildings. Every year, there is a greater need for people with Revit skills.
Jobs that use Revit
- Mechanical engineer, designer, and drafter
- Electrical engineer, designer, and drafter
- Structural engineer, designer, and drafter
- Architects, architectural designers, and drafters
- Interior Architect, Interior designer
- Plumbing designer, HVAC designer, MEP designer
- BIM Coordinator
Industry that uses Revit
- Architectural
- Construction
- Engineering
That’s the end of our list of the five most popular CAD programmes in business. If you are interested in learning more about the software, you can check out our other article, “How to Use CAD Software: Choosing Your Fields and Learning the Techniques You Need“.
Conclusion
Which CAD software is the most popular is a matter of opinion and depends on a number of factors unique to each industry. It does, however, show the variety of CAD software and the features that make them popular among the contenders that were looked at in this article. There will probably be even more CAD software options in the future as technology changes and user needs vary.
