BricsCAD vs AutoCAD, How Do They Compare?

Introduction

Do you get confused when choosing CAD software that suits and fulfills your needs? There are plenty of CAD software available.

The invention of computer-aided designs has undoubtedly increased the quality of CAD designs. As there is continuous development in CAD applications, users have a variety of various CAD applications to choose from.

In this blog, we are going to discuss BricsCAD and AutoCAD. BricsCAD and AutoCAD are two well-known CAD software platforms. They both have some similarities with some differences.

Let us try to find out which one is the best, BricsCAD or AutoCAD. What are the similarities and what are the differences between the two software?

BricsCAD

BricsCAD software has all the latest features added and it is compatible with Windows operating system, Linux, and Mac operating system.

BricsCAD is comparatively cheaper than AutoCAD software. It provides various licensing options.

BricsCAD software has a perpetual license option, which is a lifetime license, buy only once and use it for a lifetime, which most CAD software applications do not have. BricsCAD offers subscription-based licenses and a free version for educational purposes too.

About BricsCAD

• 1. BricsCAD is based on the DWG file format and it supports hundreds of third-party applications.

• 2. BricsCAD has AI tools too that improve your workflow. They help to save time by understanding your intent faster and optimizing your 2D drawings and 3D models.

• 3. The main products of BricsCAD are BricsCAD BIM, BricsCAD Mechanical, BricsCAD Shape, BricsCAD 24/7, BricsCAD Lite and BricsCAD Pro.

• 4. BricsCAD is a software mainly used for design and technical documentation purposes.

• 5. BricsCAD uses parametric blocks, thus one can independently control the parametric values. Apart from this, all software versions of BricsCAD include other powerful AI and machine learning tools, such as Blockify, Copy Guided/Move Guided, and QUAD Cursor.

• 6. BricsCAD is useful for interior designers, many independent workers, planners, architects, and BIM engineers.

AutoCAD

AutoCAD was the first CAD software to run on personal computers when it was released. AutoCAD, today which is well known for its plethora of tools, was initially created for mechanical engineers for 2D drafting.

About AutoCAD

• 1. AutoCAD software is largely used for designing in 2D and 3D by engineers, architects, drafters, and building professionals.

• 2. The toolsets of AutoCAD software include various tools. Some of them are AutoCAD Classic, AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD Mechanical.

• 3. AutoCAD is used by most professionals including designers, automobile engineers, architects, structural engineers, manufacturers, mechanical engineers, cartographers, geographers, plumbers, chemical engineers, plant engineers, and production engineers.

Other Features of BricsCAD and AutoCAD

2D Drafting:-

To work with basic 2D drawings utilizing the DWG file format, BricsCAD Lite and AutoCAD LT are solid applications. These are also the most economical CAD versions. These lite versions are excellent to start learning with.

They both allow you to work with blocks, though in a few different ways. BricsCAD software uses Parametric Blocks while AutoCAD LT uses Dynamic Blocks. You can independently control the parametric values in BricsCAD.

Both programs, BricsCAD Lite and AutoCAD LT include all the fundamental features needed by users.

One can run LISP in BricsCAD Lite:-

BricsCAD Lite runs custom LISP programming for custom routines. This is the advantage of BricsCAD Lite over AutoCAD LT. On the other hand, AutoCAD LT requires you to get a full version to utilize LISP.

3D Modeling:-

For 3D modeling, one needs to choose BricsCAD Pro or the full AutoCAD license. These versions of software allow you to work in both 2D and 3D.

Both of these versions of software have 3D drawing capabilities, walkthrough navigation, various camera views, and more. The format of both of these software lets you design first and adjust later.

Only the full version of regular AutoCAD supports custom LISP programming with AutoLISP whereas BricsCAD’s all versions support custom LISP programming.

System Requirements:-

BricsCAD software works on three operating systems - Windows, Mac, and Linux (Ubuntu). However, AutoCAD is compatible with Windows and macOS.

BricsCAD System Requirements:-

• 1. Operating System (OS): 64-bit, MacOS 10.13 or higher with Intel-based machines; Win 10 or newer, compatible with Ubuntu v18.04 or higher

• 2. RAM: Min 8 GB, 16GB or higher

• 3. Required disk space for installation: 2GB

AutoCAD System Requirements:-

• 1. Operating System (OS): Win 8.1, 64-bit, MacOS 10.15

• 2. RAM: Min 8 GB, 16GB or higher

• 3. Required disk space for installation: 7GB

Licensing:-

AutoCAD’s license is no longer available. All users are forced into a 'named user' policy instead of a license. Each user will now have his/her own login credentials to use AutoCAD.

As every user will have to pay for a license as an annual subscription, this will cost your company much more money in the future.

BricsCAD allows you to rent the software through annual subscriptions or buy the software and own it completely. One can buy BricsCAD once and own it forever.

Network Licensing:-

AutoCAD no longer supports its network license option. However, BricsCAD still embraces network licenses. Thus, you can still get a network license of BricsCAD and can share it among multiple users across your network.

Conclusion

As we have seen, both BricsCAD and AutoCAD are good platforms for 2D drafting and 3D modeling design work. Both will give you excellent results.

Due to the changes in AutoCAD’s license policy, many AutoCAD users have turned off. Thus many users are looking for other options. Thus, BricsCAD is proving itself to be the best option among all others.

BricsCAD is an optimal CAD software platform. BricsCAD software is easy to use, runs fast, when compared to AutoCAD. It costs less than AutoCAD software. It is more useful especially over the long run.

BricksCAD is available as a perpetual or lifetime license. That is, pay once and own for a lifetime! It also offers a ‘network license’ that can be shared among users. No need to buy a separate license for each user.

BricsCAD has less maintenance cost than AutoCAD. It is up to the user if he/she is ok with giving AutoDesk more money for the same tool or wants to go with BricsCAD!

So, if you want to save your or your organization’s investment in CAD software, then choose BricsCAD over AutoCAD..!