# IronCAD Reviews **Vendor:** IronCAD **Category:** [Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/mechanical-computer-aided-design-mcad) **Average Rating:** 4.4/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 43 ## About IronCAD Design better, faster IronCAD is an intuitive 3D and 2D design solution that empowers engineers, increases productivity, and facilitates collaboration throughout the enterprise. IRONCAD 3D modeling software empowers designers to focus on design by giving them an intuitive platform that mirrors how we interact with the physical world. Easily reposition components with the patented TriBall™ visualization tool, resize objects by stretching them with handles, and drag and drop predefined shapes into the design scene for a better, faster design process. 3D models made in IRONCAD only require one file, no matter how complex. Assembly part data is integrated into a file’s unified design environment, rather than linking to external files. Feature, part, and assembly data can be stored in catalogs which can be pre-built to include frequently used parts and assemblies, freeing designers to be more productive and allowing them to extend the use of 3D data throughout the enterprise. ## IronCAD Reviews ### 1. Easier and faster than other CAD programs for general design but still powerful for complex models **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Packaging and Containers | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 30, 2022 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** IronCAD has several ways of doing the same thing so it is super easy to learn even for people with no previous CAD experience. Power users can when needed use the same technique as in the competitor's programs so it's not limited to just one way of working. I have stayed with IronCAD for 23 years and I have seen over the years how the competitors mimic things that have always been possible in IronCAD. It can do everything we need at our company, including the creation of advanced corrugated boxes with correct consideration of inside loss and more. We have also started using it for design of thermo formed trays and it works quite well. There is some improvements needed in this area but IronCAD is working hard to create those improvements. The programming API is well developed and we have created a large number of plugins ourselves. **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** It doesn't have as many options to offer as the competitors when it comes to solution partners for CAM, FEA and so on. **What problems is IronCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** It has parametric capability for quick creation of common models and these models are easily accessed from catalogs. On top of that, it also has attachment points and which makes it very fast to attach and configure several parametric models together. At least 50% of our modeling is custom made and we can do that several times faster than in any other CAD program using Innovative parts, handles and Triball. **Official Response from Sydni Roach:** > Thank you for the review. Please feel free to reach out to support@ironcad.com to provide more details on the functionality you are missing to get it on our enhancement list. ### 2. Agile in a time where change is key **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Jan G. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 13, 2023 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** Today you have to be prepared to iterate your design even in the long run. To be able to have all the geometries in one (1) file, combined with a huge forgiveness when shifting and deleting in the "constructing tree" is then a bliss. Also there is a real interest from the company to listening to users. On wish-list has stood a form of "inheritance" - think one Grandma object, with children, and grandchildren with further evolutions of there own. You change Grandma and that will echo down the family. So Cool and practical when having, for example, a 180 dgr revolved half-shell that will be put together with another ,slightly different, half-shell to a whole symmetrical 360 dgr shell. Later in the design process you have to change the revolving object that defines the two.... Well - just change GrandMa then :-) **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** Not much rely to dislike....besideThe 2D-editor (for ex. defining a extruded body) wich implements some standard commandos, like "rotate", in an odd non-standard way. Funny beacause you have all the "standard moves" in their CAXA program for 2D draft. **What problems is IronCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Industrial designs with a quick "time to market" in an accelerating product world. ### 3. Steep learning curve from other CAD software but very intuitive once it is understood **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Machinery | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 15, 2017 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** Once learned it becomes fast and efficient **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** Not enough resources for trying to get around a problem. Unlike most other CAD products, but it is getting better - slowly. **Recommendations to others considering IronCAD:** You have to stop thinking its like any other CAD system, not everything starts from a Sketch! **What problems is IronCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** I am the only one in my company using it, all others are using Solidworks. I can produce concert tooling models a lot quicker ### 4. Ironcad User / 5-Years **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Randy M. | Principle Engineer - Trio, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 15, 2022 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** Fast & easy to use 3D design tool for concepts with various configurations. As powerful as older 3D CAD tools for much less cost. Single scene 3D workspace is far superior to all of the multi-file mgt time wasted @ other cad systems. Yearly sortware updates & improvements are based upon user requests. Very good dealer / tech support. Annual subscription maintenance for upgrades & support is reasonably priced. **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** The 2D drawings package is still a bit clunky as compared to other brands. Ironcad still struggles when placing structured BOMs & Parts Lists for multi-level assembly models onto drawings. There are acceptable work-arounds when saving linked external files to the master 3D scene. Ironcad should provide more written instructions & current video "how to' examples. Much of Ironcad's online info is outdated - from previous software releases. **Recommendations to others considering IronCAD:** The single scene 3D workspace is far superior to other systems that rely upon multi-file mgt, etc. Best "Bang for the Buck" $$ regarding 3D/2D CAd software that I've used to date... starting back in the 1980's @ IBM :) **What problems is IronCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Using Ironcad to explore existing / legacy product improvements. 3D step file exports from legacy NX assembly models are brought into Ironcad relatively quick & painless to facilitate simple changes + new product development feasibility studies. **Official Response from Cary O'Connor:** > Thank you for the review! We have updates in the upcoming release on the help and structured BOM. Please feel free to reach out to support@ironcad.com with your feedback after the 2022 PU1 release. ### 5. Robust design software **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Bartosz G. | Marketing consultant / engenire, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 12, 2022 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** Program with clear menu and easy HUD navigation. The multitude of training materials available on the Internet allow even an amateur to achieve proficiency. Definitely on the plus side, the program can be used in many industries . **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** Lacks some features that SolidWorks, for example, has. Some things have to be done manually one at a time instead of automatically on a group of objects. Sometimes the arrangement of elements (buttons) is unintuitive. **Recommendations to others considering IronCAD:** Not bad, but ill wonder that SolidWorks can be better **What problems is IronCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** We use the program to design laboratory furniture. We use it practically every day and it is our basic working tool. The previous program was free with fewer functions. **Official Response from Cary O'Connor:** > Thank you for the review. Please feel free to reach out to support@ironcad.com to provide more details on the functionality you are missing to get it on our enhancement list. ### 6. IronCAD surpasses all other CAD software I work and have worked with. **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Patrick t. | freelance engineer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 25, 2022 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** The learning curve, intuitive use and development of IronCAD. Where other cad software lags behind, IronCAD goes along with the possibilities and developments. **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** There's nothing I don't like. IronCAD meets my expectations in its entirety **What problems is IronCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** As a freelancer in interior construction, mechanical engineering and sheet metal design, IronCAD offers me the opportunity to do this with one package. **Official Response from Sydni Roach:** > Thank you for the review, Patrick! Please feel free to reach out to support@ironcad.com and our team will gladly answer any questions you may have. ### 7. Outstanding for 3D Design of Custom Machinery **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Mining & Metals | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 26, 2022 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** The unified design environment. No headache if I start with a part or an assembly. Just open a scene and start the design. The structure can later be adjusted and saved to external files. **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** The sketcher could be better and it takes some time to get used to the new design approach if you come from a traditional design package like SW or IV. **What problems is IronCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** We work with a lot of external suppliers and working with different CAD systems poses no problems. Even 2D legacy data can easily be used with the build in drawing package. **Official Response from Sydni Roach:** > Thanks for the review! We would be happy to discuss some of the sketching needs and issues you encountered. Please feel free to reach out to support@ironcad.com to provide more information. ### 8. I used to use Solidworks but after trying IronCad , I was sold. Really easy to use. **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Gary M. | self employed, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 24, 2022 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** Triball makes things easy to mirror , duplicate , move around and navigate and do changes seamlessly. **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** I haven't found a downside yet . there are a few things that I found easier in Solidworks but I just need to learn the IrodCad equivalent. **What problems is IronCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** going from design to reality is faster **Official Response from Sydni Roach:** > Thank you for the review Gary! Please feel free to reach out to support@ironcad.com and our team will gladly answer any questions you may have about using IronCAD. You can also visit our Learning Center ( https://www.ironcad.com/learning-center/ ) where you can access and learn from self-paced interactive tutorials, comprehensive learning materials and webinars from the IronCAD Academy, or watch CAD training videos for an introduction to IronCAD's distinguishing features and explore more advanced topics. ### 9. An experience worth holding onto **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** xavier s. | Chef opérateur , dessinateur , laquage cabine, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 29, 2022 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** The configurable aspect of the software makes things faster for the future. **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** Initially, much slower than another software, requires perseverance to become more efficient. **What problems is IronCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** the control of a CNC machine is quite magical. ### 10. Why not - IronCAD is the best **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Gerald H. | Owner, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 11, 2022 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** Relatively simple to use, generally quick to get to the finished outcome **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** No actual weld forms, that could be switched on or off with associated symbols. It would be nice to have the ability to generate NC codes for Lathes, Mills etc. **Recommendations to others considering IronCAD:** Spend quality time learning the software. Be prepared to be not as productive early. Spend time setting drawing templates. **What problems is IronCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** The ability to prototype within Ironcad before actually making an actual prototype and I am more productive **Official Response from Cary O'Connor:** > Thanks for the review Gerald! We will place an enhancement request in for the weld forms (currently we only have the callouts that can be placed). For the NC codes, we partner with specific partners to generate the codes. Feel free to reach out to support@ironcad.com with more details and possibly the machines you interface with so that we can research a good solution for your needs. ### 11. Awesome CAD software! **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Dr. Paul Y. | Program Manager, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 10, 2022 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** It is simple to use. My son has a student version and learned how to use most functions on his own in a couple hours by watching the training videos. **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** It would be great if, when importing other formats, it would make them editable. Fusion, I can modify and STL for example. **What problems is IronCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** I design parts for 3D printing and more recently, parts for CNC mill and lathe work, using SprutCAM (which integrated into it) for the CAM **Official Response from Cary O'Connor:** > Thanks for the review Dr. Paul Y! When you import CAD formats, IronCAD can directly edit them (Direct Face Modeling). Basically select to the face and handles will appear to allow you to modify them. You can also right-click on the face to get options like Edit Radius, Move, Match, etc. For STL imported data, you first need to right-click on the model and select Convert to Solid. Then you can perform the similar type of operations. Note: Since STL is a facet model, some geometry will convert to faceted faces so it will make it slightly more difficult to modify. ### 12. I have been using IronCAD since the start - 25 years! **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Bob F. | Consultant/Contractor, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 12, 2022 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** East of use. With drag-and-drop shapes and TriBall you can be modeling quickly. **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** I have had occasional issues with very large assemblies. **Recommendations to others considering IronCAD:** Give it a spin! **What problems is IronCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Taking rough product concepts to a stage that the client can start to visualize the product, and doing this quickly. **Official Response from Cary O'Connor:** > Thanks for the review and the long-time usage of IronCAD!! It would be great to get your view on how the product progressed over the years. If you are interested, reach out to support@ironcad.com and we will make contact with you. ### 13. Easy, intuitive, and very powerful **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Industrial Automation | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 11, 2022 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** Once your catalogs are set up it is so easy and fast to design and the support is second to none! **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** It is so powerful and we do not have the time to implement **What problems is IronCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** sales configurations with pricing for customized solutions **Official Response from Cary O'Connor:** > Thank you for the review! Feel free to reach out to support@ironcad.com to see how we may be able to assist you in implementation. ### 14. My IronCAD Experience **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Furniture | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 12, 2021 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** Having a Single model environment and innovative design **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** The drafting and detailing side of IronCAD **What problems is IronCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Creating a catalog of repeated components and assemblies **Official Response from Cary O'Connor:** > Thanks for the review! We would be happy to discuss some of the drafting needs and issues you encountered. Please feel free to reach out to support@ironcad.com to provide more information. ### 15. Triball is great! **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Furniture | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 11, 2022 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** Triball is a great tool. it is very helpful to precisely position and change size of models. **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** Sometimes it is hard to attach dimension in the 2D mode. **What problems is IronCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Wood and furniture industry. **Official Response from Cary O'Connor:** > Thank you for the review! Yes the TriBall is an awesome tool that all users learn to love and create amazing work! ### 16. Best 3D modelling and Real time rendering experience **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Shiv K N. | Business Operations Manager, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 17, 2021 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** 3D drawing is the best feature and Bill of material flexibility in 2D as well as 3D drawings is amazing. **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** It is not about IronCAD but every design software that we don't get course completion modules with targets and reward 100 first scholars to get more subscribed days just like few learning apps. **What problems is IronCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** I am majorly working with packaging solutions for cargo with and without containers. So I get exact placement idea about commodity fixing inside and actual material requirement. My job becomes perfect and error free. My customers appreciate the drawings and presentations made through IronCAD ### 17. Greate tool for production **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Packaging and Containers | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 22, 2021 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** The pre installed profiles and library, and fast model creation **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** Interface should be more trendy and user friendly, and 2d drawing representation **What problems is IronCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** I am doing packaging design in IronCad, pre installed profiles reduced my production time and increases the productivity. ### 18. IronCAD my past experience **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Sai Bharat D. | N/A, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** April 02, 2021 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** The best is the user interface. I love the pre-existing tools. Hundereds of learning content **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** The team should improve online collaboration and the rendering quality. Above all the design of interface is too good and **Recommendations to others considering IronCAD:** Primarily, people and students these days consider learning the software based on its popularity. I must say IronCAD is one such. It is a good one for them to gain hands over. I really recommend them Using this software. I request the IronCAD to bring up some student challenges and programs to make it more successful. **What problems is IronCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** I have not used IronCAD for commercial use. Instead, I used it during my academic in College. It is entirely User friendly. At first, it was difficult for me to use it. Later after getting deep into the options, it looked easy. ### 19. Great design system for businesses with design changes or prototyping **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Terry O. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 19, 2020 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** The best aspects are feature-based modeling without needing a history and working in true 3D and Excel-like configuration capability. IronCAD is extremely good at modeling and with IronCAD Mechanical adds structural, mechanical, bill of material, and export functionality deeper than other CAD products on the market. The pricing and licensing are similar to the other CAD vendors circa the 1990s. A user will get requested feature updates that the developers will read instead of offering more jack of all trades ( and master of none), me-too features. **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** A few menus are in odd units (meters) which should be in optionable to mm or inches. A few requested 3D sketching enhancements have taken longer than desired to implement. Training has taken a while to expand but in now on par with other systems with releases this year (free). IronCAD Mechanical should just be a part of the core product. You can't go back once you try it. **Recommendations to others considering IronCAD:** Take the free trial. Take the time to talk to the resellers. They have already solved your challenges directly or have someone in the IronCAD team who has. Consider that daily users will become extremely proficient in a month of day to day use. Excellent sheet metal and sheet metal tooling capability. Awesome tools for fasteners and steel - especially with IronCAD mechanical. The resellers make a living designing so these are not people who cannot walk the walk. Non-predatory licensing practices. You will speak with a reseller who talks to IronCAD weekly - your requests do no go into a black hole. Most importantly, IronCAD is freakishly stable running large models and the program isn't a crash-fest with the release of a new version. 32, 48, or 64 gb of ram makes it a dream to run with a $400-$600 video card. You will actually see improvements with a faster video card because the computer hardware isn't bogged down by hundreds of useless sketch constraints to make rectangles with holes in them. Design Data Manager can deal with your PLM requirements including your current CAD system. It can import native CAD with the Translator and modify STEP files so changing systems doesn't require spending tens, hundreds, or millions of dollars having your files converted. It won't accept native drawings from other systems so that is the only potential hangup. Then again, IRONCAD has the bulk drawing creator so transitioning isn't quite as difficult depending on how seriously you need new PDF's of the current drawing that is already used in sourcing. **What problems is IronCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Full production product release for manufacturing. Analysis preparation. Design of all sorts. We do a lot of work related to steel fabrication. It can export IGES files on the fly with IronCAD Mechanical for 3D pipe cutting or flats for DXF files. Plan layout reviews. The software is also great in the way it handles meta-type data. All of those changes can be made at the end and independent of the model. The catalog feature is amazing and allows you to copy designs in 2 seconds and modify without worrying about messing up all of the parts files that don't need to exist. IronCAD is working on some great improvements which will continue to speed work and reduce mistakes in the design stage. ### 20. Comparing to solidworks Ironcad is easy to use . **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Automotive | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 29, 2021 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** Functional keys are easy to understand also it does not take much of your ram . **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** Expecting more features and wish to see lot more tutorials. **Recommendations to others considering IronCAD:** I highly recommend Ironcad because it is easy to use and learn . **What problems is IronCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** As I said solidworks crashes at times because of lack of high graphics,Ironcad helps me solve that issue. ### 21. Quick modeling for different products **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Furniture | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** April 28, 2021 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** very speedy modelling and real time rendering, so that you can see the result quickly **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** lighting optins are not much, model look too sharp **What problems is IronCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** I can make model quckly so that I can see the result very first ### 22. speed and versatility **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Gino P. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 13, 2020 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** The speed with which complex 3D models can be created. The possibility of finding plugins for many industrial sectors. **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** 166/5000 Layer management in Caxa Draft is not tied to the materials used in the 3d model. The materials assigned to 3d models cannot be associated with layers in Caxa. **Recommendations to others considering IronCAD:** Being able to drag basic 3d shapes onto the screen saves a lot of time. The versatility of the triball tool helps you create assemblies quickly. Easily create personal drag and drop catalogs of shapes, assemblies or materials. **What problems is IronCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** I am an airport furniture designer and often I have to engineer very complex desks. After creating the 3d model with the insertion of the hardware, I have the opportunity to simulate the movement and check for collisions before making the piece of furniture physically in the laboratory. ### 23. Drafting with 2d and 3d is very easy and user friendly but it's not reachined everyone. **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** M.Naveen P. | Composite Technician, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 18, 2021 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** Easy shortcuts,Fast drafting, easyly can understand **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** Change the brand name and introduce this to everyone. **Recommendations to others considering IronCAD:** Worth to buy your profession **What problems is IronCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Hole co-ordinate point are hard to get in other software, but in iron cad we can get by single click . ### 24. Readily available structures and shapes made my Cadding days much simpler **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Civil Engineering | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** April 16, 2021 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** Readily available structures and shapes. **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** Nothing as such like I can remember...... **Recommendations to others considering IronCAD:** Try it and wont regret it. It is the simplest versions i have ever used **What problems is IronCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Developing BIM. Faster and accurate ### 25. Innovative revolution on CAD **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Patrick t. | Bestuurslid, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 14, 2020 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** The ease of use is excellent and continues to improve. The use can be learned quickly. IronCAD is easy to use architectural, mechanical, interior and more. Outsiders are still impressed when given a demonstration. **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** In the past, there were some minor issues that were disruptive. The IronCAD team continuously develops. Responded adequately to inpoint of users. Disturbing little things are a thing of the past. **Recommendations to others considering IronCAD:** Convince yourself by downloading a trial version without restrictions. If a one-month trial is not long enough, an extension is usually possible in consultation with IronCAD. **What problems is IronCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Elaborating and adjusting complicated shapes is easy. Difficult bottlenecks can be solved quickly and easily in the design phase. ### 26. Easy to use and intuitive software **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 20, 2020 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** Ease of creating standard parts with a lot of premade options. **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** The interface has a bit old look and that can be unappealing. **Recommendations to others considering IronCAD:** Ease of use and short time for adaptation on software. Powerful and intuitive tool for many purposes. If you are new in the CAD modeling business this can be a great starting point in the beginning and also you can use it in the future :) There are a lot of similarities to other CAD programs which makes it easy to adapt and use. **What problems is IronCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Easy and fast creation of simple parts for 3d printing etc. ### 27. Fast tool and easy to learn **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Automotive | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 13, 2020 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** The triball makes my work easy in Ironcad. **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** Compatability new files, with old licens **Recommendations to others considering IronCAD:** IronCAD lets me get from idea to end result fast. **What problems is IronCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** I use it with point clouds from 3d scanners to create new layouts for factories. With IronCAD I can create new layouts very fast compared to other CAD softwares ### 28. The Power of IronCAD **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Todd W. | Creative Media Designer, Government Administration, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 19, 2018 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** The modeling and rendering capabilities of IronCAD are amazing, especially when compared to other modeling programs such as Sketchup, Vectorworks, and Blender. I only wish other software would make use of a similar tri-ball system that IC utilizes. The ability to integrate 3D modeling, drafting, rendering, and an export service all in the same software package makes IC a one-stop-shop. As with any modeling and drafting software there is a learning curve, but I've found IronCAD to have provided the least amount of frustration in my getting to the point where I was able to make the software do what I wanted it to do. **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** The price. $3K to $4K to get started with an annual $800 renewal fee. Great for companies, but hard for independent start-ups to utilize out of the gate. **Recommendations to others considering IronCAD:** As I've stated previously, IC is a one-stop shop for all 3D modeling, drafting, and rendering needs. **What problems is IronCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** The ability to model buildings and rooms with ease makes space planning a cinch. Also great for rendering and designing trade show exhibits. The benefits include speed getting to a final product. IC is fast. The more you use it, the faster you'll find yourself getting where you need to be. Of all the 3D softwares I've used (AutoCAD, 3D Studio MAX, FormZ, Vectorworks, etc...) I've never felt more productive and confident in my abilities to create finished renderings of projects than I have when using IronCAD. ### 29. Excellent tool when designing parts and modeling in 3d in a simple and quality way **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Roberto C. | Supervisor of Technical Services , Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 27, 2018 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** The interface and easy use allows to design and model parts in 3D which guarantees a good work of excellent quality, without any doubt this tool can satisfy the needs in relational design of parts in general, can give solutions in different areas of knowledge such as engineering, of which the specialties of mechanics, electrical and industrial are some of the most benefited, without any doubt the management of this software is indispensable and of great utility in the organization. **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** Like all design software, although it is easy to deduce, a prior professional training is required, however for those users who have experience in similar programs they can work without any problem, since the interface is similar to the previous software of this category. **Recommendations to others considering IronCAD:** Excellent product of guarantee and quality, in addition its interface allows the development of the designs in a more efficient way, without any doubt it is highly recommendable, solves many problems in relation both to the production of different products and services as well as serves as an instrument for professionals of scientific areas. **What problems is IronCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Support and innovation in the design, reduction of operating costs with respect to internal problems of the organization, as well as the creation of special pieces required for the installation and maintenance of the company's production system, also promotes the creation of purely national products to give solution to the operational problems within the organization as well as its clients, suppliers and partners at national and international level. ### 30. Long time user of modeling programs **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Robert M. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 26, 2018 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** - Catalog of shapes allow me to get closer to the end design without work planes and sketches - The Triball is an amazing feature, it allows me to place any shape/part or assembly anywhere I need it without constraints. - Smart attachment points allowed me to build parts add them to the catalog and when I dropped them in an assembly they snapped exactly where they needed to go. - Not having to use constraints to build an assembly is a wonderful thing. - Having a single file contain all of the assembly it fantastic.Now I send only one file instead of 100's. - Drag & Drop process. I found this allows me to get closer to the end product faster. **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** - I still like paper manuals, so I would like a paper manual but this is the future I guess. - I would like Draft's paper space to be more like AutoCAD's paper space. - Having tow drafting environments can be confusing. - Would like more add on programs. - Better understanding of color usage. **Recommendations to others considering IronCAD:** I have used, sold and trained hundreds of users on AutoCAD, SolidWork, Inventor and IronCAD and I have not found an easier program to use. I have not have had to make a single work plane in the 8 years I have been using IronCAD. I only use constraints when I want my assembly to move. I no longer have to gather hundreds of assembly files when I send an assembly to someone. **What problems is IronCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** I have been modeling since the mid 1980's and have used AutoCAD, Mech Desktop, Inventor, SolidWorks and more than a few others. I found with IronCAD I could model 3 times faster than I could with my SolidWorks system. ### 31. Good expierience **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Harrison O. | Student Researcher, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 31, 2018 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** Great for modeling and I love that sketches are not a pain I have to deal with on this software. **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** It’s a very pricey and other CAD programs are cheaper for usage. **Recommendations to others considering IronCAD:** Use it for a faster CAD experience! **What problems is IronCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** It’s much faster to produce models which is necessary for the projects I’ve worked on requiring my usage of CAD. ### 32. Simple to learn to use it **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Performing Arts | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 30, 2018 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** It is very easy and quick to use. Its price is unbeatable. You won't find a better program for less money. It is an ideal tool for home or small jobs, it is very good for doing small things. **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** Perhaps it falls short of resources regarding free libraries, they should add more. **What problems is IronCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** The greatest benefit is that with a minimal investment compared to what these programs usually cost, we can create a multitude of designs without investing a large amount of money. ### 33. Wonderful product and so powerful **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Government Administration | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 30, 2018 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** IronCad has been my go to solid modeling choice. It's intuitive and is great for conceptual design through to production. **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** It tends to crash once in awhile, not sure if it is the program or our server that is the issue. Our IT department will be looking into it. **What problems is IronCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** It offers the ability to import and export all standard CAD file formats. The mobile format has greatly helped our employees in the field being able to access information. ### 34. IronCad is excellent for prototyping and testing small fit parts **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Jien C. | sql devolper, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 30, 2018 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** Ease of use and familiarity with other CAD programs **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** Depending on the computer hardware, processing and rendering takes awhile **Recommendations to others considering IronCAD:** Speed up renderings and make menus more user friendly **What problems is IronCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** creating prototypes to test and fit parts for machineary ### 35. IronCAD System Review **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Utilities | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 30, 2018 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** IronCAD user-interface design it is one of the best tools for putting geometry together easily. IronCAD provided the least amount of issues in getting designs done **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** Not enough of resources available to solve the problem faced during design or drafting, lack of parametric-based design which can be implemented in future **Recommendations to others considering IronCAD:** Can try to implement parametric design modeling **What problems is IronCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Easy for beginners, flexibility of drawing, reliable design software ### 36. Excellent for rendering and modeling **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Architecture & Planning | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 30, 2018 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** This software works extremely well for modeling and 3d rendering, would highly recommend. **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** There is a limited selection of add-on programs which makes the expensive price less enticing **Recommendations to others considering IronCAD:** If you need additional add-on software, look elsewhere. Otherwise it does the job well. **What problems is IronCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** It does the job of modeling well. Prefer this and Autocad. ### 37. Iron cad review **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Architecture & Planning | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 31, 2018 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** IronCAD is a very efficient software for 3D and 2D design work. Its easy and can be used in conjunction with other software **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** It is quite expensive to purchase for an individual **Recommendations to others considering IronCAD:** Great modelling software, I would definitely recommend to others **What problems is IronCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** I can design buildings and different spaces using this software. ### 38. Good for prototype an free shape design **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Information Technology and Services | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 30, 2018 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** The triball feature is very usefull to move shapes **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** The use of restrictions and the drawing plugin are not very good **What problems is IronCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Fast design specially with plant design ### 39. Good mechanical design CAD package **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 31, 2018 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** The exclusive features dedicated to design mechanical systems **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** Limited number of applications, the cost of the license **What problems is IronCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Design of gearbox and drivetrain components of a vehicle ### 40. Extremely powerful CAD **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Pharmaceuticals | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 31, 2018 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** Relatively intuitive menus, beautiful renderings. **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** Frustratingly unclear error messages, hard to locate common mistakes. **What problems is IronCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Product design and visualization ### 41. IronCAD - The Very Best Conceptual 3D CAD. **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Joe B. | PRESIDENT, Computer Software, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** April 13, 2017 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** IronCAD has 5 features that make it the most productive CAD design tool. 1. Single Model Environment - This is by far the most productive all of 3D CAD features. 2. Drag & Drop Design and the Catalog - Common parts at your fingertips 3. Copy/Paste from Different Parts and Assemblies, mandatory when Reusing Models for new design, 4. The only integrated history/direct edit modeling, making direct editing part of you design process 5. The Incredible Tri-Ball - The very best feature, part and assembly manipulator. **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** I wish the surfacing and 3D wireframe were more robust making is a hybrid modeling. The drawing is a separate file. I wish it were integrated into the same file as the model. **Recommendations to others considering IronCAD:** If you are a Solidworks or other Pro/e Clone user, realize even though you can do sketch, sketch, constrain, constrain design, realized this product based on dragging and dropping negative and positive shapes, plus a variety of tools, fasteners, etc from standard and custom catalogs. You design by dropping these shapes and push/pulling them into position. Each of these shapes is based on a sketch that you can edit. **What problems is IronCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** We are a design house and provide engineering departments for small manufacturing companies. IronCAD provides 5X productivity in conceptual design and 10X when changing or using existing models for new design. ### 42. FIrst Viable 3D Cad software I used **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Automotive | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 10, 2015 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** More time spent designing then planning how to build a model **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** earlier versions had serious gltiches that would corrupt your file, had to get in the practice of saving backups of files everytime because would not now it was corrupted until the next time you tried to open it. **Recommendations to others considering IronCAD:** This product is a great value, especially to small design firms that need a flexible tool at minimal cost **What problems is IronCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** switching from 2-D autocad to this tool was our major leap forward in design efficiency ### 43. Easy, fast and free change of history **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Jur v. **Reviewed Date:** March 26, 2013 **What do you like best about IronCAD?** The speed you can design parts and if the parts need a small modification in the end it isn't allot of work to change the design. No restrictions towards your history. **What do you dislike about IronCAD?** Need of more free catalogs. **Recommendations to others considering IronCAD:** Easy to master. Fast with designing Flexibility with making changes. ## IronCAD Discussions - [What is IronCAD mechanical?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-ironcad-mechanical) - 2 comments - [View IronCAD pricing details and edition comparison](https://www.g2.com/products/ironcad/reviews?section=pricing&secure%5Bexpires_at%5D=2026-05-25+06%3A12%3A28+-0500&secure%5Bsession_id%5D=19352f41-779e-4e07-a387-5d500b81b318&secure%5Btoken%5D=6050a43dc68ffc0f415af2e7b651eed89cc76d20a0e1c33e8a0b79446a3a0d15&format=llm_user) ## IronCAD Features **Design** - Sculpting - Topology - Drawing - Brush Variety - Effects **Design** - Drawing - Modeling - Visualize - Rendering **File Options** - Import files - Export files - View 2D files - View 3D files - Batch convert files - File size **Design** - 3D/solid modeling Tools - Drawing Tools - Editing Tools - Rendering tools **Tools - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)** - 3D/solid modeling Tools - Rendering Tools - Drawing Tools - Editing Tools - Text Editing Tools **Move** - Animate - Render - Views **Edit** - File Import - Push/Pull - Views - Grips **Tools** - Dimensioning tools - Change units - 3D/solid modeling tools **Tools** - Fluid analysis - Finite element analysis - Multibody dynamics **File Options - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)** - Export Files - Import Files - File Interoperability - Backwards compatibility - File size **Store & Manage** - Pipeline - Controls - Template library **Collaboration** - Annotate - Documentation - Data Extract **Design** - Drawing **Work** - Discrete event modeling - Continuous event modeling - Mechanical event simulation - Manufacturing process simulation - Integrate **Customization - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)** - Custom Commands - Custom Scripts - Custom Menus - Custom Interface **Environment** - Hardware support - Task - Manage Multiple Profiles - Command Clarity **Generative AI** - AI Text-to-Image - AI Text-to-3D **Environment - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)** - Hardware support - Task-based interfaces - Manage Multiple Profiles - Command Clarity ## Top IronCAD Alternatives - [SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks/reviews) - 4.5/5.0 (628 reviews) - [Inventor](https://www.g2.com/products/inventor/reviews) - 4.4/5.0 (423 reviews) - [AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad/reviews) - 4.4/5.0 (1,829 reviews)