Think about downloading the Autodesk Design Review software? Is it possible to get the program for free? I have written this article to clarify why you should look for this software only on the official website and what alternatives you can use instead.
Autodesk Design Review is a free program for creating and viewing DWF files. In this software, you can view, mark, print, and track changes made to 2D and 3D files without using original design software.
Yes, the program is completely free.
The program supports such file formats – DWF, DWFx, DWG and DXF (you need to install the free DWG TrueView software); Adobe PDF; as well as .bmp, .jpg, .gif, .pcx, .pct, .png, .tif and others.
You can view the PDF file and print the markup in this format. But it isn’t yet possible to save data as PDF.
No, this program is compatible with Windows only.
Autodesk has released a free A360 mobile application that is designed to view and collaborate on 2D and 3D models. Architects, engineers and designers extensively use this app.
Using the application, you can view 2D and 3D CAD models from cloud storage, device memory, and email. Thanks to convenient navigation functions, you can show the properties of objects, switch from one layer to another in a quick way, examine the 3D model on an enlarged scale and from all sides.
Developers also integrated tools for cooperative work. You can document the progress of work by uploading photos from the device to your account, as well as send invitations to users for collaboration. The application works in offline and online modes, so everyone from a team, always knows about the changes and updates.
Even though the program is completely free, you can still come across download links shared on dubious websites. How safe is it to download Autodesk Design Review from third-party resources?
The main problem that users face when downloading unlicensed software is the violation of the US law. In fact, you steal a product created by another person. According to the American copyright law, you have to pay a fine of several thousand dollars, may be disposed of your property or serve a prison term.
Only licensed software owners can enjoy program updates. If you downloaded Autodesk 3D Design Review from an unofficial platform, you won’t get any updates and have to work with outdated tools.
Your computer may be severely damaged if you install an illegal version of the software, as such files typically contain different viruses, which quickly get on your PC. If you think that your system is fully protected because you use the best free antivirus software, you are wrong, since Trojans have become really crafty and can outflank your antivirus.
If the functionality of Autodesk Design Review seems to scarce for you, take a look at the alternative programs. They can also be used for free.
Onshape is an all-in-one service that integrates CAD, workflow, collaboration, analytics and APIs with 50+ engineering applications. Thanks to Onshape, designers can easily work in a team, and managers can make informed decisions using real-time analytics.
You can use this Autodesk Design Review alternative right in a browser. The functions of the program include 2D drawing and 3D modeling, export of documents and drawings, and file management.
The biggest disadvantage is that you can use the program for free for a limited period of time and then you have to switch to a paid version, which is quite expensive.
DraftSight is another 2D and 3D CAD program for architects, engineers, construction service providers, and designers. This program is rather an alternative to free version of AutoCAD, because you can not only view documents and comment on them, but also create files and edit them. A great plus is the familiar user interface, thanks to which you will quickly master a new program.
As for the interesting features, you can use the Image Tracer to convert raster images to DWG files and work with functions. The program is available for free for 30 days.
FreeCAD is an open source customizable 3D modeler used for product design. The main functions of FreeCAD are geometric cores, rendering, sketch, modular architecture, and robot simulation.
In addition, the program comes with the pre-installed Python interpreter and API, which help handle the representation of geometry, interface, and applications.
FreeCAD also supports the STEP and IGES formats, Boolean operations, fillets and geometric entities. If you are a beginner user and want to replace Autodesk Design Review, this is a nice variant, since the developers provide documentation and training manuals.
LibreCAD is a free, open source 2D design program. There are no 3D functions, but there are many tools and various options for creating complex projects from a basic 2D model.
Thanks to a customizable interface, you can drag and drop items across the workspace for convenient work. The graphical interface is built on Qt4 libraries, so you can work on different platforms, and the design and performance of the program won’t change.
IrfanView is a full-fledged image viewer. It also includes a photo editor, a batch file converter, and a scanner interface. If this isn’t enough, you can also extend the functionality of the program using plug-ins.
The program has shortcuts to make it easier for you to perform standard tasks, and the catalog viewer makes it easy to navigate through folders searching for the necessary images.
InfraView is frequently referred to as the best photo viewer, which supports many file formats, including DXF, DWG, HPGL, CGM, SVG.
Now you know what problems users face when downloading unlicensed software. Use legal programs from developers not to violate the US law.
Eva Williams
Hi there, I'm Eva Williams - a professional blogger, read more