CAD Services: Free CAD tools on Windows and iOS Coming
Autodesk, the makers of the leading CAD platform AutoCAD, has every right to be nervous. Two household names, Microsoft and Apple, are straying into what has more or less been their kingdom.
The Windows CAD Offering
Windows 8.1 will include tools to produce inputs for 3D printers. According to Microsoft, creating those inputs will be as simple as editing a document in Microsoft Word. This is how they describe the new 3D CAD functionality:
- It will have plug-n-play support for printers
- Apps will be able to send jobs to a connected 3D printer as easily as to a normal printer
- It will understand various 3D file formats, implying that it can read designs created on other CAD platforms (such as AutoCAD or Solidworks)
Apple’s iOS CAD Offering
The new iOS 7 will contain some fascinating CAD tools for the iPAD. Rulers, protractors and t-squares will all be accessible from the touchscreen using multi-touch commands. Apple also plans to roll out an add-on stylus to enable precision CAD drafting.
Our Take
3D printing is the flavour of the month, and the above tools make it easy for the hobbyist to quickly design small parts (most probably for replacement). If you need to design very intricate or large parts, however, you had better get the help of TMG’s 3D CAD services!
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