01
2D Drafting & Detailing
Create dimensioned engineering drawings, component profiles, section views, annotations, and manufacturing documentation with precise drafting tools.
Mechanical Design & Manufacturing
Engineering & Product Development
Mechanical Design CAD Software
Turn engineering concepts into precise 2D drawings and detailed 3D models with xCAD. Develop mechanical parts, explore design alternatives, document dimensions, and prepare technical drawings with tools designed for practical engineering workflows.
From individual components and repeated patterns to sheet metal designs and complex assemblies, xCAD supports a range of mechanical design tasks for engineers, designers, manufacturers, makers, and technical drawing professionals.
Designed for Mechanical Workflows
From Engineering Concepts to Detailed Designs
Mechanical engineering combines engineering principles, physics, and materials science to design, analyze, and manufacture components and mechanical systems. CAD software helps translate these concepts into accurate geometry, clear technical drawings, and useful design documentation.
Whether you are developing a custom component, refining an existing part, or documenting a product for production, xCAD provides a computer-aided design environment for creating and editing mechanical designs in two and three dimensions.
02
3D Parts & Modeling
Build three-dimensional components, develop solid geometry, refine shapes, and inspect designs from different viewpoints as your project evolves.
03
Engineering Documentation
Organize drawings, add dimensions and notes, and prepare technical views that communicate design intent and important project specifications.
Mechanical CAD Capabilities
Tools for Every Stage of Mechanical Design
Bring geometry creation, part refinement, drawing preparation, and model exchange into a more organized design workflow. Available tools vary by xCAD product and edition.
A
Solid Modeling & Editing
Create and modify 3D geometry using available solid modeling and editing operations. Refine shapes, adjust components, and explore alternative design configurations.
B
Dimensions & Annotations
Communicate design intent through dimensions, drawing notes, labels, and technical annotations. Keep critical measurements clear and easy to review.
C
Patterns & Repeated Features
Create repeatable design elements where supported, helping you develop components that use regularly spaced holes, repeated shapes, and patterned geometry.
D
Sheet Metal Design
Develop sheet metal components using available tools for bends, flanges, and related geometry. Review part shapes as you work through the design process.
E
Technical Views & Sections
Use drawing views, sections, and intersections where supported to communicate internal features, component geometry, and design details more clearly.
F
CAD File Interoperability
Work with supported CAD file formats to exchange drawings and geometry between compatible applications and project workflows. Check each edition for its specific import and export capabilities.
A Practical Design Process
Move from Drawings to 3D Models
Mechanical projects often move between two-dimensional documentation and three-dimensional geometry. xCAD helps bring these activities together in a CAD environment where you can create, revise, and communicate your designs.
- Start with sketches, profiles, or existing CAD drawings.
- Develop component geometry using available modeling tools.
- Refine dimensions and design details as requirements change.
- Prepare technical drawings and supporting annotations.
- Exchange supported files with downstream design workflows.
Precision & Clarity
Make Design Intent Easier to Understand
Clear dimensions, well-organized geometry, and consistent technical documentation help communicate how a component is intended to be designed and manufactured.
xCAD provides drafting and modeling tools to support these tasks. Always validate dimensions, tolerances, materials, and manufacturing requirements against your engineering specifications.
Parts, Components & Drawings
Build Detailed Mechanical Designs
Develop individual parts and their accompanying technical documentation with a workflow that connects geometry, dimensions, and drawing details.
Component Design
- Create and edit component profiles and solid geometry.
- Develop repeated features and patterns where available.
- Work with supported hole, slot, and groove creation tools.
- Explore sheet metal geometry using compatible design tools.
- Review and refine component shapes during development.
Drawings & Detailing
- Add dimensions to communicate sizes and spacing.
- Prepare annotations and drawing notes.
- Organize views to make components easier to understand.
- Use supported section and intersection workflows.
- Prepare drawings for review and technical communication.
CAD Interoperability
Work with Existing Engineering Files
Engineering teams frequently exchange designs with customers, suppliers, manufacturers, and other CAD applications. Compatible file formats help reduce friction when moving geometry and drawings between project stages.
Depending on the selected xCAD product and edition, supported workflows may include DWG, DXF, STEP, IGES, STL, OBJ, and PDF. Verify individual format support and whether import, export, or both are available before choosing an edition.
Choose the Right Format for the Task
2D Drawings
DWG and DXF are commonly used for exchanging technical drawings with compatible CAD systems.
3D Geometry
STEP and IGES can support the exchange of engineering geometry between compatible applications.
3D Printing
STL is widely used to prepare models for compatible slicing and additive manufacturing workflows.
Visualization
OBJ and other supported formats can help move geometry into compatible rendering and visualization tools.
Applications
Mechanical CAD for Different Design Needs
Select a suitable xCAD solution according to the complexity of your projects, the modeling operations you need, and your drawing and file-exchange requirements.
Mechanical Engineers
Develop components, explore geometry, and prepare drawings to support engineering design and documentation tasks.
Product Designers
Translate concepts into CAD geometry, refine product shapes, and communicate design details throughout development.
Makers & Fabricators
Create custom parts and technical drawings for suitable workshop, fabrication, prototyping, and DIY projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mechanical Design Software FAQs
What is mechanical design CAD software?
Mechanical design CAD software is used to create, edit, and document mechanical components and systems through 2D drawings and 3D models. It helps designers define geometry, communicate dimensions, and prepare technical documentation.
Can xCAD be used for both 2D drafting and 3D modeling?
xCAD offers CAD solutions for 2D drafting and 3D design. The available modeling capabilities depend on the product and edition you choose.
Does xCAD support sheet metal design?
Sheet metal design is available in supported xCAD 3D professional workflows. Review the relevant product's feature list to confirm the specific tools included.
Can I exchange files with other CAD programs?
xCAD supports CAD file interoperability, with format availability varying by product and edition. Check the product's import and export list to confirm compatibility with your existing workflow.
How do I choose the right xCAD edition?
Consider whether your work requires 2D drafting, advanced 3D solid modeling, sheet metal tools, or particular file translators. Compare the official product specifications before making your selection.
Bring Your Mechanical Designs to Life
Explore xCAD solutions for technical drafting, 3D modeling, and mechanical design documentation. Find the tools that match your engineering workflow.
Explore xCAD CAD Software