This content is currently locked.

Your current McLean & Company subscription does not include access to this content. Contact your account representative to gain access to Premium SoftwareReviews.

Contact Your Representative
Or Call Us:
1-877-281-0480 (US/CAN) or
+1-519-936-2659 (International)

Computer-Aided Design & Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) Software

Computer-Aided Design & Manufacturing

What is Computer-Aided Design & Manufacturing Software?

Computer-Aided Design & Manufacturing (CAD) software uses computers to design and manufacture products. Features include 3D modeling, digital architecture, raster graphics, pipe modeling, circuit or motion simulation, and more.

Common Features

  • Collaboration
  • Analytics and Reporting
  • 3D Modeling
  • Digital Architecture
  • Simulation
  • Raster Graphics
  • Plant Design
  • Parts and Assembly Mode
  • Laser Scanning
  • Technical Drawings

Top Computer-Aided Design & Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) Software

2024 Data Quadrant Awards

2024 Emotional Footprint Awards

At SoftwareReviews, we take pride in recognizing excellence. Each year, we present the Data Quadrant Awards to top-performing software products based solely on authentic user reviews, without any paid placements or analyst opinions. These awards highlight software products that excel in terms of features, vendor capabilities, and customer relationships, earning them the highest overall rankings.

At SoftwareReviews, we take pride in recognizing excellence. Each year, we present the Emotional Footprint Awards to top-performing software products based solely on authentic user reviews, without any paid placements or analyst opinions. These awards shine a spotlight on software vendors who excel in crafting and nurturing strong customer relationships.

Switch to Emotional Footprint
Products: 11
Next Award: Apr 2025

Top Computer-Aided Design & Manufacturing Software 2024

Filter by
Autodesk Inc

AutoCAD

Composite Score
8.8 /10
CX Score
9.1 /10

AutoCAD is computer-aided design (CAD) software that is used for precise 2D and 3D drafting, design, and modeling with solids, surfaces, mesh objects, documentation features, and more. It includes features to automate tasks and increase productivity such as comparing drawings, counting, adding objects, and creating tables. It also comes with seven industry-specific toolsets for electrical design, plant design, architecture layout drawings, mechanical design, 3D mapping, adding scanned images, and converting raster images. AutoCAD enables users to create, edit, and annotate drawings via desktop, web, and mobile devices.

Scorecard
Scorecard

Pros

  • Reliable
  • Trustworthy
  • Performance Enhancing
  • Enables Productivity
Badge Winner
Badge Winner
Dassault Systemes

SOLIDWORKS

Composite Score
8.6 /10
CX Score
8.9 /10

SOLIDWORKS® and the 3DEXPERIENCE® Works portfolio unite your entire ecosystem, allowing you to connect the people, applications, and real-time data from every aspect of your business for improved productivity, increased collaboration, and accelerated innovation. Adding DELMIAWorks Manufacturing ERP provides added visibility specifically for your factory’s environment.

Scorecard
Scorecard

Pros

  • Helps Innovate
  • Respectful
  • Trustworthy
  • Efficient Service
Badge Winner
Badge Winner
Composite Score
8.2 /10
CX Score
8.4 /10

Best in class product development software applications, delivered on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, enabling 3D Design, Engineering, 3D CAD, Modeling, Simulation, Data Management and Process Management.

Scorecard
Scorecard

Pros

  • Trustworthy
  • Efficient Service
  • Effective Service
  • Caring
Badge Winner
Trimble Navigation Limited

Trimble SketchUp Pro

Composite Score
8.0 /10
CX Score
8.0 /10

SketchUp is a premier 3D design software that truly makes 3D modeling for everyone, with a simple to learn yet robust toolset that empowers you to create whatever you can imagine. SketchUp is useful from the earliest stages of design to the end of construction. Programming, diagramming, design development, detailing, documentation, RFIs—wherever you need drawings, you need SketchUp Pro.

Scorecard
Scorecard

Pros

  • Efficient Service
  • Effective Service
  • Caring
  • Fair
Composite Score
7.8 /10
CX Score
8.2 /10

AVEVA is a leader in engineering design and information management software solutions for the plant, power and marine industries. AVEVA Engineering enables multi-discipline teams of engineers to work effectively together to develop and maintain the detailed definition of all the key engineering items involved in plant or marine projects. AVEVA Engineering is highly versatile and configurable. It is typically used as an authoring tool for the process and mechanical disciplines, but is equally well suited for pipe stress, safety or other specialist disciplines.

Scorecard
Scorecard

Pros

  • Performance Enhancing
  • Trustworthy
  • Unique Features
  • Saves Time
Badge Winner
Robert McNeel & Associates

Rhino 8

Composite Score
7.7 /10
CX Score
7.8 /10

Rhinoceros is a 3-D modeling software with thousands of modeling and editing tools including support for both large files and large teams. Rhino can create, edit, analyze, document, render, animate, and translate NURBS curves, surfaces and solids, subdivision geometry (SubD), point clouds, and polygon meshes. There are no limits on complexity, degree, or size beyond those of your hardware.

Scorecard
Scorecard

Pros

  • Acts with Integrity
  • Trustworthy
  • Transparent
  • Friendly Negotiation
Composite Score
7.6 /10
CX Score
7.9 /10

Creo is the 3D CAD solution that helps you accelerate product innovation to build better products faster. Easy to learn, Creo uses a model-based approach to seamlessly take you from the earliest phases of product design to manufacturing, and beyond. Creo combines powerful, proven functionality with new technologies, including generative design, real-time simulation, advanced manufacturing, IIoT, and augmented reality.

Scorecard
Scorecard

Pros

  • Respectful
  • Performance Enhancing
  • Over Delivered
  • Continually Improving Product
Composite Score
7.4 /10
CX Score
7.7 /10

SpaceClaim Engineer is a 3D Direct Modeling software which allows engineers to work with CAD data from any source, regardless of origin. SpaceClaim is used in a number of applications including concept modeling, bid modeling, 2D to 3D transition, manufacturing, reverse engineering, sheet metal manufacturing and model prep.

Scorecard
Scorecard

Pros

  • Trustworthy
  • Client Friendly Policies
  • Acts with Integrity
  • Transparent
Composite Score
7.4 /10
CX Score
7.6 /10

CADWorx and analysis solutions work together to give you the power to tackle the most challenging and complex projects with greater ease and with superior results that were never before achievable. Our plant design and analysis offerings are easy to use, extremely flexible, totally scalable and are trusted by over 80% of the leading plant engineering companies and owner operators worldwide to deliver accurate, reliable results.

Scorecard
Scorecard

Pros

  • Helps Innovate
  • Respectful
  • Appreciates Incumbent Status
  • Efficient Service
BENTLEY SYSTEMS, INCORPORATED

Bentley MicroStation

Composite Score
7.2 /10
CX Score
7.5 /10

Mitigate the risk of building in a utility-congested underground environment with Bentley Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE). The software’s 3D modeling capabilities allow you to automatically create 3D models from survey information, CAD artifacts, GIS, Excel spreadsheets, databases, and more. Bentley SUE maintains a relationship between CAD and GIS utility source and target civil features to help you ensure that data is always synced and up to date.

Scorecard
Scorecard

Pros

  • Client Friendly Policies
  • Fair
  • Acts with Integrity
  • Generous Negotitation
Badge Winner