HeeksCAD

HeeksCAD is an open-source alternative for computer-aided design. The application can import solids from STEP and IGES files and allows drawing construction geometry along with lines and arcs.

Installing the tool on the system does not entail too much effort from the user and at the end of the procedure the application launches a straightforward and intuitive interface.

Most of the layout is occupied by the drawing area while in the left hand side there are panels that allow customization of the elements composing the sketches.

Among the most significant features of the application is the possibility to modify the solids using blending or boolean operations as well as making solids by extruding a sketch or by lofting two sketches.

HeeksCAD can work with cuboids, spheres, cylinders and cones as basic 3D solids but more geometric objects can be created by sweeping or connecting 2D shapes.

The application can be used to draw ellipses, infinite lines, points as well as gears. Moreover, it comes with support for creating a new dimension and to add text strings.

The toolbar hosts all drawing options and permits tracing back the steps of the project in case something needs to be altered.

HeeksCAD is not a professional tool but it manages to pack sufficient punch to make it a worthy competitor. It integrates the necessary options for importing projects and working with both 2D (sketches) and 3D (solids) objects.

All this adds to the possibility to create more elaborate projects without the need of other applications. On the other hand, the application crashed on us at one point of the testing.