Free CAD Software for Mobile Devices

Cadalyst Labs Report: Cadalyst Labs investigates free apps for CAD on the go.

eDrawings Viewer v2.0.1 (Android)
Mobile CAD viewer
Overall Grade: A-

Pros: Opens a variety of 2D and 3D specialty file formats.

Cons: No markup tools in free version; lack of visual style control.

Price: Free

Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks
800.693.9000
www.solidworks.com

CAD professionals and engineers working with mechanical designs may find the eDrawings Viewer application from SolidWorks to be just what they've been waiting for. In the category of mobile mechanical CAD viewers, eDrawings Viewer stands out as an excellent option.

The application is simple to install, quick to respond to both file opening and multitouch input, and supports SolidWorks files as well as native DXF and DWG format files. While performance was smooth overall, eDrawings Viewer did crash a handful of times for no apparent reason during testing on an iPad 2 tablet.

Output and sharing options in eDrawings Viewer.   The eDrawings Viewer offers viewing in exploded model mode.

The application is available in free and Pro versions for both Android and iOS; I reviewed the Android version. The free version offers viewing of multiple component mechanical assemblies with eDrawing's excellent rendering, animated viewing, and exploded assembly tools. No account is required for use of the free version; no online storage is included with the application.

An in-app purchase ($7.99) unlocks the Pro version, key to which is a fantastic system for dynamic section views that is intuitive and renders quickly. This easy-to-use tool makes creating section views as easy as dragging your finger. Inquiry and markup tools allow for easy information gathering and collaboration with coworkers. Marked-up files are easily shared via e-mail.

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