CAD SOFTWARE

What is CAD software?

CAD software, or computer-aided design and drafting software, is used to help architects, engineers, designers, and mapping professionals build models and drawings throughout design, construction, and operation of buildings, bridges, roads, factories, processing plants, rail networks, mines, substations, tunnels, water and wastewater plants, and more.

Our best-selling CAD Software

Which building professions use CAD software?

Bentley 3D CAD and 2D CAD software is used by engineers, architects, owners, and construction professionals across every discipline. See which CAD programs are built for each building discipline.

• Architects

  Design with 2D and 3D CAD and BIM applications to document buildings of any type or scale and efficiently coordinate with all engineering trades.

  AECOsim Building Designer Bentley Navigator GenerativeComponents MicroStation PowerDraft

• Structural Engineers

  Model, analyze, detail, and document steel, concrete, and timber structures of all types with leading 3D design software.

  AECOsim Building Designer RAM STAAD ProStructures Bentley Navigator MicroStation PowerDraft

• Mechanical Engineer

  Design complex MEP systems. Model fully parametric air-handling, piping, and plumbing systems with advanced CAD and BIM software. 

  AECOsim Building Designer Bentley Navigator MicroStation PowerDraft

• Electrical Engineer

  Design lighting, power, fire-detection, and other electrical subsystems with both 2D and 3D CAD workflows and coordinate efficiently with other trades.  

  AECOsim Building Designer Bentley Navigator MicroStation PowerDraft

• Draftsman

  Design with 2D and 3D CAD and BIM applications to document buildings of any type or scale and efficiently coordinate with all engineering trades.  

  AECOsim Building Designer MicroStation PowerDraft

Which civil engineering professions use CAD software?

CAD design software and civil engineering BIM software is used by civil engineers throughout design and construction of sites, roads, rail, bridges, and other civil works projects. See which CAD programs and 3D modeling software applications are made for civil engineering.

• Civil Engineer (Roads)

  Design with 2D and 3D CAD and BIM applications to document buildings of any type or scale and efficiently coordinate with all engineering trades.

  OpenRoads Descartes MicroStation PowerDraft

• Civil Engineer (Site)

  Model, analyze, detail, and document site designs more efficiently with superior 3D modeling software and CAD design capabilities.

  SITEOPS Descartes MicroStation PowerDraft

• Geotechnical Engineer

  Document and produce subsurface reports for virtually any type of geotechnical or geoenvironmental project.

  gINT MicroStation PowerDraft

• Rail Track Engineer

  Use 3D modeling software and software to produce CAD drawings for rail lines, tunnels, and bridges from concept through construction.

  OpenRail Descartes MicroStation PowerDraft

• Structural Engineer

  Model, analyze, detail, and document steel and concrete civil engineering structures of all types with leading CAD design, modeling, and analysis software.

  STAAD ProStructures MicroStation PowerDraft

• Bridge Engineer

  Produce models, analyze bridge designs, and deliver 2D documentation for any bridge project.

  LEAP RM Bridge LARS Bridge MicroStation PowerDraft

• Hydraulic Modeler

  Design and analyze any water, storm, sewer or detention and retention structures.

  Haestad MicroStation PowerDraft

• Surveyor

  Create maps, terrain models, and produce contours and survey deliverables.

  Bentley Map OpenRoads ContextCapture MicroStation PowerDraft

Which process/industrial engineering professions use CAD software?

Process engineering professionals involved in petrochemical refining, food processing, pharmaceutical, chemical, and nuclear projects need computer-aided design software, including 3D modeling software, and software to produce CAD drawings to deliver high-quality projects.

• Instrument and Controls Engineer

  Model and document electrical systems, including 2D layouts, 3D equipment models and reports, cable system layout, routing, and material estimating.

  Promis.e MicroStation PowerDraft

• Mechanical/Piping Engineer

  Model, analyze, detail, and document site designs more efficiently with superior 3D modeling software and CAD design capabilities.

  AutoPIPE OpenPlant Bentley PlatWise Bentley Navigator MicroStation PowerDraft

• Process Engineer

  Use 2D and 3D CAD software and BIM applications to deliver conceptual plant designs to optimize construction, maintenance, and operability.

  AXSYS Bentley PlantWise OpenPlant MicroStation PowerDraft

Which utilities professions use CAD software?

Professionals involved in the design, construction, and operations of gas, electric, communications, water and wastewater networks, and plants use a variety of CAD programs and technical drawing software as well as BIM and GIS applications.

• Communications Network Engineer

  Model and document communications systems, including 2D layouts, 3D plant and network models, and reports with a variety of CAD software products.

  Bentley Communications MicroStation PowerDraft

• Substation Engineer

  Create 3D models and drawings of substation physical layout, drawings, electrical schematics, reports, and construction deliverables.

  Bentley Substation Bentley Raceway and Cable Management Bentley Navigator MicroStation PowerDraft

• Gas/Electric Network Engineer

  Design, document, and manage models and drawings of electrical networks.

  Bentley Map OpenUtilities MicroStation PowerDraft

• Hydraulic Modeler

  Design and analyze any water, storm, sewer or detention and retention structures.

  Haestad MicroStation PowerDraft