AutoCAD
also: DWG · AutoCAD LT
Autodesk's long-established 2D drafting and 3D CAD tool; still the default for floor plans, panel layouts, installation drawings, and DWG exchange.
AutoCAD is used across architecture, construction, facilities, and manufacturing for 2D drawings: floor plans, equipment layouts, control panel, and wiring drawings, and site plans. Its DWG format is the de facto exchange format for 2D drawings, and industry toolsets add electrical and mechanical libraries.
Where it bites: 2D drawings don't carry the intelligence of 3D models or BIM, so changes must be propagated by hand; layer, block, and plotting standards vary between firms; and licensing is by subscription.
Outside help is worth it for installation and layout drawings for pilot sites, control panel drawings, cleaning up DWG/DXF files for laser cutting and sheet metal, and setting drawing standards.
Common requests
- Equipment layouts and installation drawings
- Control panel and wiring drawings
- DWG/DXF cleanup for laser cutting and sheet metal
- Drawing standards and title blocks
our team works in AutoCAD
Founder takeaway
Send fabricators clean DXF files at 1:1 scale with one closed profile per part; it avoids most quoting and cutting errors.
official site: autodesk.com/products/autocad/overview · Autodesk
engineer review pending