What is the most used 3D CAD software?

Answer 1

I think SolidWorks. Most of my friends use that and I don't know of people switching away from it . Also, check out Google Trends - it shows the search volume on "solidworks" is way higher than any of the others.

Answer 2

Most Popular 3d Cad Software

Answer 3

I was told Mastercam is used by 33% of the machine shops in North America for prototype,design and machining.
That does not mean it is the best or even the most used. it is the most affordable for what it can do.
The Automotive and Aerospace industries use Catia and they prefer their vendors to use that system as there would be less of a translation error.
Auto Cad was made for Architecture but Mechanical Desktop (Autocad) has been used for mechanical engineering but it is very limited and still has many translation problems.
I would say AutoCad is most widely used because it is easy to use and anyone can have it at home.
Just a guess though.

Answer 4

AutoCAD/Mechanical Desktop has a pretty loyal following. AutoCAD is pretty much the original CAD softward, in my opinion. For a sample of its widespread use, the DWG and DWF formats orginate from AutoCAD.

That said, Solidworks is definately well established. I was struggling with Mechanical Desktop when my company transitioned to Solidworks. I think Solidworks has done well with upgrades and listening to the users to put more value into the product. I love it and just would not go back to Desktop. But that's my opinion. Niether is cheap, but I pretty much self-taught myself Solidworks in a fraction of the time I spent struggling with Desktop.

I think one of the CAD trade magazines had some statistics about sales or installations, but those are hard to believe. Who really wants the competition to know exactly how well your software is selling or not.

Answer 5

AutoCAD from Autodesk is the oldest and most used (also most sold and most pirated) CAD program. It appeared in the sixties and was designed for Architects.
It has evolved since to offer very useful 3D modelling.
SolidWork is well implanted as well.
Both of these programs are in the range of 2-3000 $, hence the pirated versions.
If you are a teacher, you can get AutoCAD free...

Answer 6

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What is the most used 3D CAD software?

Answer 7

Incredible 3D Animation Software - http://3dAnimationCartoons.com/?dgMC

Answer 8

In the mid level market I would say that Solid Works seems to be the most widely used.

I have no evidence to back that up, other then my own observations and people I work with and know, but it's what I see.

Answer 9

If I look around me, I'd say Autodesk Inventor and Solidworks. Mechanical desktop is old and limited, and replaced by Inventor (MD is discontinued anyway), so I'm surprised to see people still mention that here. I'm a mechanical designer and MD is worthless these days, I'd count it out.

Answer 10

It depends on the application, the Autodesk programs such as AutoCAD are very popular in architecture, while Catia by Dassault is the standard in the aerospace industry (and for Frank Gehry).