DraftSight

There is no doubt that computer-assisted design requires specialized software for everything to go smoothly. CAD is the kind of thing that requires proper knowledge of before even getting into the field, as the software on offer happens to be very comprehensive to satisfy a discerning target audience.

One such example is DraftSight, a CAD-focused program where users can create 2D and 3D drawings for prototyping and manufacturing, making it fit for architects, designers, engineers, educators, as well as students. The interface serves to streamline the process, making the software accessible to anyone wanting to get into the field.

This program makes for a good introduction to the computer-assisted design field if you're starting out. The interface, while understandably a bit complex at first, opens up to you the more time you spend with it. The tab-based design at the top helps familiarize users with the main functions of the program: you can import a .DGN file to start working on any leftover projects right away.

You can commence your work by illustrating elements on a sheet: draw segments, add curves, and create your blueprint. To further assist with that, the software also offers you the possibility to convert raster images in .jpg, .png, and .bmp, allowing you to render accurate lines from them. In more complex projects, the Layers functionality ensures that you prioritize what's most important.

The Sheets feature integrates perfectly with the Models function: what you draw in the former will reflect in the latter, which is a full 2D-to-3D conversion. For instance, any points you draw on your sheets will automatically be applied to the model.

When you want to customize the properties of your drawing, you can do so in the adjacent menu, which is situated on the right side of the viewer: painstakingly adjust the geometry values, and much more.

DraftSight is a comprehensive CAD tool to empower your projects: there's certainly a learning curve to attuning to it, but the extensive toolset on offer makes it all worth it.