
QCAD
Open-source 2D CAD software for technical drawings and computer-aided manufacturing.
QCAD is a free and open-source 2D CAD (Computer-Aided Drafting) application designed for creating various technical drawings such as architectural plans, mechanical parts, schematics, and diagrams. It offers an intuitive user interface, making it accessible even for users without prior CAD experience. QCAD runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, providing a cross-platform solution for drafting needs. Beyond basic drafting, QCAD also offers a professional version, QCAD Professional, which includes support for DXF and DWG formats. For manufacturing applications, QCAD/CAM extends QCAD Professional with Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) capabilities. This allows users to generate toolpaths from CAD drawings and export G-Code for controlling CNC machines like milling, engraving, and laser cutting machines. The CAM module is highly configurable through an ECMAScript-based output configuration, enabling the generation of various machine-readable formats. QCAD is ideal for engineers, designers, hobbyists, and anyone needing to create precise 2D technical drawings or prepare designs for CNC manufacturing. Its modular, extensible, and portable design, combined with a rich feature set, makes it a powerful yet user-friendly tool for both drafting and CAM processes.

