Top Pocket Plans Alternatives: Discover Your Next CAD Solution
Pocket Plans was a promising CAD application for Windows Phone 7, designed to bring DWFx viewing and basic file management to mobile users. With features like SkyDrive and Google Drive syncing, offline viewing, and URL downloads, it aimed to put CAD files in your pocket. However, as technology evolves, many users are now looking for more robust, cross-platform, or specialized CAD solutions. If you're searching for a powerful Pocket Plans alternative, you've come to the right place.
Top Pocket Plans Alternatives
Whether you're an architect, engineer, or hobbyist, finding the right CAD software is crucial. We've compiled a list of excellent alternatives that offer diverse functionalities, from 2D drafting to advanced 3D modeling and even BIM capabilities.
FreeCAD
FreeCAD is a general-purpose parametric 3D CAD modeler, making it an excellent open-source Pocket Plans alternative. Available for Free, Open Source, Mac, Windows, and Linux, it offers robust features like 3D modelling, Parametric Modeling, Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), DWG support, FEM, and BIM, surpassing Pocket Plans' basic viewing capabilities with comprehensive design tools.
SketchUp
SketchUp (formerly Google SketchUp) is a popular 3D modeling computer program ideal for architectural, interior design, and civil applications. As a Freemium and Commercial option available on Mac, Windows, and Web, it’s a powerful Pocket Plans alternative offering features like 3D modelling, 3d sketching, clear and fast workflow, and even browser-based access, providing a more versatile design environment.
LibreCAD
LibreCAD is an open-source 2D CAD application for Windows, Apple, and Linux, making it a strong Free and Open Source Pocket Plans alternative for those focused on two-dimensional drafting. Based on Qt, it provides features like BIM, construction layers, and drawing functionalities, expanding beyond Pocket Plans' DWFx viewing with full 2D creation capabilities.
Autodesk AutoCAD
Autodesk AutoCAD is a professional 2D and 3D CAD software with specialized tools for use across design and engineering disciplines. Available commercially for Mac, Windows, Web, Android, and iOS, it's a comprehensive Pocket Plans alternative, offering advanced features like Drawing 2D, DWG support, and batch plotting, making it suitable for professional-grade design work.
SOLIDWORKS
SOLIDWORKS is a leading 3D CAD software for design, analysis, and product data management, ideal for boosting productivity. As a Commercial Windows application, it's a robust Pocket Plans alternative that provides extensive 3D modelling, easy measurements, 2D drawing, parametric modeling, and simulation features, far exceeding basic viewing with powerful design and analysis tools.
BricsCAD
BricsCAD is an all-in-one CAD design solution in .dwg, covering 2D drafting, 3D modeling, mechanical design, and BIM. As a Commercial option for Mac, Windows, and Linux, it's a comprehensive Pocket Plans alternative that offers advanced features like 3D modelling, BIM import, DWG support, and mechanical simulation, providing a unified platform for diverse CAD needs.
Open CASCADE
Open CASCADE Technology is a software development platform freely available in open source. For developers and advanced users, this Free and Open Source option for Windows and Linux is a powerful Pocket Plans alternative as it includes components for 3D surface and solid modeling, visualization, and data exchange, enabling custom CAD application development.
Autodesk Inventor
Autodesk Inventor products offer a comprehensive, flexible set of software for 3D mechanical design, product simulation, and tooling creation. As a Commercial Windows solution, it’s a high-end Pocket Plans alternative, featuring parametric modeling, assembly files, extruding sketches, mechanical design, and prototyping, perfect for complex engineering tasks.
Designspark Mechanical
DesignSpark Mechanical is a free 3D modeling software for Windows, known for its ease of use, making it an accessible Pocket Plans alternative. It allows engineers to easily create and share models, offering 3D modeling capabilities that go beyond simple file viewing, enabling direct design manipulation.
nanoCAD
nanoCAD is a 2D computer-aided design software aimed towards professional use, featuring an open API and DWG support. As a Commercial Windows application, it's a strong Pocket Plans alternative for professionals, offering features like 3D modelling, DWG to PDF conversion, and PDF to DWG conversion, providing robust drafting and file compatibility.
The world of CAD software has expanded significantly since Pocket Plans. Whether you need a free, open-source solution, advanced 3D modeling, or specialized tools for engineering and architecture, there's a powerful alternative out there to fit your specific needs. Explore these options to find the best fit for your projects!