### Contents - [**Articles**](#resources-articles) - [**Discussions**](#resources-discussions) - [**Reports**](#resources-reports) # General-Purpose CAD Software Resources ##### Articles, Discussions, and Reports to expand your knowledge on General-Purpose CAD Software Resource pages are designed to give you a cross-section of information we have on specific categories. You'll find [articles](#resources-articles) from our experts, [discussions](#resources-discussions) from users like you, and [reports](#resources-reports) from industry data. [ContentsExpand/Collapse Contents](#) - [**Articles**](#resources-articles) - [**Discussions**](#resources-discussions) - [**Reports**](#resources-reports) ## General-Purpose CAD Software Articles [![Computer-Aided Design (CAD): State of Category](https://learn.g2.com/hubfs/houses-businessman-man-hands-110469-1.jpg "Computer-Aided Design (CAD): State of Category")](https://www.g2.com/articles/computer-aided-design-cad-state-of-category) [ ### Computer-Aided Design (CAD): State of Category ](https://www.g2.com/articles/computer-aided-design-cad-state-of-category) Computer-aided design (CAD) software was developed as part of a project delivered in 1960 by MIT’s Electronic Systems Laboratory, in collaboration with the United States Air Force. [ ![Michael Gigante](/assets/transparent-ad5be28fbcd25b7b08d2cebe1d957125437fb5407d75ee717965ad22c8808791.gif "Michael Gigante") MG ](https://learn.g2.com/author/michael-gigante) by Michael Gigante [![SaaS-Based CAD is Taking Over](https://sell.g2.com/hubfs/pexels-2004161.jpg "SaaS-Based CAD is Taking Over")](https://www.g2.com/articles/saas-based-cad-is-taking-over) [ ### SaaS-Based CAD is Taking Over ](https://www.g2.com/articles/saas-based-cad-is-taking-over) Software as a service (SaaS), also known as software in the cloud, is increasingly penetrating the tech market. From education to finance, countless industries are implementing SaaS based solutions, and most of those industries are better because of it. [ ![Michael Gigante](/assets/transparent-ad5be28fbcd25b7b08d2cebe1d957125437fb5407d75ee717965ad22c8808791.gif "Michael Gigante") MG ](https://learn.g2.com/author/michael-gigante) by Michael Gigante [![How Generative Design Supports Sustainability](https://sell.g2.com/hubfs/time-lapse-photo-of-stars-on-night-924824.jpg "How Generative Design Supports Sustainability")](https://www.g2.com/articles/how-generative-design-supports-sustainability) [ ### How Generative Design Supports Sustainability ](https://www.g2.com/articles/how-generative-design-supports-sustainability) About seven years ago, 3D printing was all the rage. For a few months, even years, it was one of the most discussed technologies on the market, with the potential to truly revolutionize how we manufacture. [ ![Michael Gigante](/assets/transparent-ad5be28fbcd25b7b08d2cebe1d957125437fb5407d75ee717965ad22c8808791.gif "Michael Gigante") MG ](https://learn.g2.com/author/michael-gigante) by Michael Gigante [![Building Energy Modeling: The Future of Sustainability](https://sell.g2.com/hubfs/low-angle-photography-of-metal-building-on-grayscale-175771.jpg "Building Energy Modeling: The Future of Sustainability")](https://www.g2.com/articles/building-energy-modeling-bem-sustainability) [ ### Building Energy Modeling: The Future of Sustainability ](https://www.g2.com/articles/building-energy-modeling-bem-sustainability) In my previous column, we explored the various ways building information modeling (BIM) software has impacted sustainable architecture. Expanding on the theme of sustainability, this month’s column examines a new trend in sustainability software called building energy modeling (BEM). [ ![Michael Gigante](/assets/transparent-ad5be28fbcd25b7b08d2cebe1d957125437fb5407d75ee717965ad22c8808791.gif "Michael Gigante") MG ](https://learn.g2.com/author/michael-gigante) by Michael Gigante [![What Is CAD ( +The Most Used Types of CAD Software)](https://learn.g2.com/hubfs/G2CM_BI047_Backlog_Images_%5BWhat_is_CAD%5D_V1b.png "What Is CAD ( +The Most Used Types of CAD Software)")](https://www.g2.com/articles/what-is-cad) [ ### What Is CAD ( +The Most Used Types of CAD Software) ](https://www.g2.com/articles/what-is-cad) Have you ever wondered how engineers and architects design roads or buildings with such detail and precision? [ ![Michael Gigante](/assets/transparent-ad5be28fbcd25b7b08d2cebe1d957125437fb5407d75ee717965ad22c8808791.gif "Michael Gigante") MG ](https://learn.g2.com/author/michael-gigante) by Michael Gigante Show More ## General-Purpose CAD Software Discussions 0 Question on: SketchUp [want to use it for free at home no company i am retired](/discussions/26607-want-to-use-it-for-free-at-home-no-company-i-am-retired) want to use at home for own entertainment Same here. I have access to MicroStation on my company computer, but this would be to dream about a new house, not for work. Answered: Tom Harper on January 18, 2021 [Your answer](/discussions/26607-want-to-use-it-for-free-at-home-no-company-i-am-retired/comments/new?remote=true) 0 Question on: CMS IntelliCAD [How can you import a BIM Revit file and filter categories?](/discussions/how-can-you-import-a-bim-revit-file-and-filter-categories) CMS IntelliCAD allows an user to import a .rvt or .rfa file as underlay. CMS IntelliCAD Premium Edition Plus supports BIM allows you to importing a BIM file (.ifc, .rvt or .rfa) as underlay. Run CMS IntelliCAD and open a new drawing. Then run command "BIMATTACH" and select the respective BIM file. Also notice that you can explode the imported entity allowing you to edit individual inserted objects. You can take a look at this online short presentation video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWS5dXbDwIU Answered: Vitor Neves on November 30, 2019 [Your answer](/discussions/how-can-you-import-a-bim-revit-file-and-filter-categories/comments/new?remote=true) 0 Question on: SOLIDWORKS [What is SOLIDWORKS used for?](/discussions/what-is-solidworks-used-for) What is SOLIDWORKS used for? SOLIDWORKS IS USED FOR MULTIPLE WORK LIKE 2D & 3D CAD MODELING, ASSEMBLY MODELING, SHWWET METAL MODELING, SURFACE MODELING, RENDERING, SIMULATION, 3D PRINTING & ETC... Answered: Yagnik Patanvadiya on December 7, 2023 Solidworks is a CAD software which is used in 3D and 2d design so far, although you can use this software for simulation and analysis as well...this is a multitasking software like whatever you design in the software you can estimate the cost as well for your design. In this software every command on your fingertips, so easy to used. Answered: Shivam Singh on January 18, 2024 A person can use SolidWorks for many things, Part modeling, Assembly Testing, rendering, Creating working animation of any machine or product. Start Exploring and you will find so many things to do in solidworks, Answered: Tanish S. K. on October 26, 2023 [See more answers (2)](javascript:void(0);) [Your answer](/discussions/what-is-solidworks-used-for/comments/new?remote=true) - [‹ Prev‹ Prev](/categories/general-purpose-cad/resources) - [1](/categories/general-purpose-cad/resources) - 2 - [3](/categories/general-purpose-cad/resources?discussions_page=3) - [4](/categories/general-purpose-cad/resources?discussions_page=4) - [5](/categories/general-purpose-cad/resources?discussions_page=5) - [6](/categories/general-purpose-cad/resources?discussions_page=6) - … - [43](/categories/general-purpose-cad/resources?discussions_page=43) - [44](/categories/general-purpose-cad/resources?discussions_page=44) - [Next ›Next ›](/categories/general-purpose-cad/resources?discussions_page=3) ## General-Purpose CAD Software Reports Mid-Market Grid® Report for General-Purpose CAD Summer 2026 G2 Report: Grid® Report Grid® Report for General-Purpose CAD Summer 2026 G2 Report: Grid® Report Enterprise Grid® Report for General-Purpose CAD Summer 2026 G2 Report: Grid® Report Momentum Grid® Report for General-Purpose CAD Summer 2026 G2 Report: Momentum Grid® Report Small-Business Grid® Report for General-Purpose CAD Summer 2026 G2 Report: Grid® Report Enterprise Grid® Report for General-Purpose CAD Spring 2026 G2 Report: Grid® Report Small-Business Grid® Report for General-Purpose CAD Spring 2026 G2 Report: Grid® Report Mid-Market Grid® Report for General-Purpose CAD Spring 2026 G2 Report: Grid® Report Grid® Report for General-Purpose CAD Spring 2026 G2 Report: Grid® Report Momentum Grid® Report for General-Purpose CAD Spring 2026 G2 Report: Momentum Grid® Report