Full-featured CAD and 3D modeling at an affordable price
March 16, 2020

Full-featured CAD and 3D modeling at an affordable price

Herm Harrison | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with CorelCAD

CorelCAD is not our primary CAD software, but it could be. It's a versatile alternative to AutoCAD LT and for most users a suitable replacement for AutoCAD. CorelCAD saves in AutoCAD .dwg or .dxf formats allowing convenient exchange with other companies. All-in-all, it's a powerful package for 2D and 3D drawing.

Why don't we use it as our primary package? Primarily because have thirty-plus years' worth of drawings in another format. When do we use CorelCAD? When interfacing with customers who use AutoCAD or other software that interchanges with AutoCAD. If we were starting from scratch, it would likely be our primary choice as a more economical alternative to AutoCAD with all the features most users will ever require.

Pros

  • 2D and 3D mechanical drawings
  • Interchange with AutoCAD users and other CAD users.
  • Publish technical data sheets and drawings.
  • Creating PDF documents

Cons

  • For those unfamiliar with AutoCAD the interface can be a little overwhelming.
  • Expanded 3D functionality
  • CorelCAD easily pays for itself even when not a primary product.
  • Due to its similarity to AutoCAD, it's a reasonable solution with a shortened learning curve for existing AutoCAD users.
AutoCAD compares favorably to TurboCAD at a comparable price point to its mid-line product. TurboCAD offers both higher level and lower level products that expand on the capabilities of CorelCAD, but for the majority of users, CorelCAD offers a good compromise of features to price point while maintaining a structure that will be familiar to AutoCAD users.

When compared with AutoCAD products, it aligns most closely with AutoCAD LT and compares favorably in terms of functions and features. AutoCAD has moved primarily to a subscription model which I personally do not like. With CorelCAD, buy it, own it, and upgrade when new features are needed.
Corel's support has always been outstanding. Technical support is always available to assist with installation and licensing issues and there is generally additional free assistance for a time period after purchase. Corel also offers online tutorials and other self-help resources. Ongoing and available support is one of the outstanding features Corel has always provided.

Do you think CorelCAD delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with CorelCAD's feature set?

Yes

Did CorelCAD live up to sales and marketing promises?

Yes

Did implementation of CorelCAD go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy CorelCAD again?

Yes

CorelCAD is ideally suited for creating mechanical 2D drawings for metal parts and assemblies. It is equally suited for architectural drawings. It is less well suited for creating 3D models. It also works well as an intermediary to convert between different CAD systems.

CorelCAD offers a compelling and relatively low-cost solution that covers the vast majority of business needs creating both internal use drawings, drawings for fabricated parts, and creating more elaborate drawings to incorporate within CorelDraw documents.

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