SolidWorks and AutoCAD are advanced programs designed to create graphics of electrical schematics (SolidWorks) and drawings in the field of architecture, such as buildings (AutoCAD), as well as designs and mechanical layouts in 2D and 3D. Engineers, industrial designers and architects (AutoCAD) are the most important users of the two programs, together with casual users such as students.
When it comes to the differences, next to the more basic ones, SolidWorks provides a greater number of writable and readable file types and allows the user to test and revise designs comfortably, which in turn shortens the work time. AutoCAD does not support MAC platform, however instead of supporting all the popular operating systems (Mac OS X, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012 Standard Edition, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8) which are supported by SolidWorks, AutoCAD provides support only for Windows 7 and 8. SolidWorks also requires two times less RAM space (2GB). AutoCAD is slightly more expensive than SolidWorks (from 4,195$ AutoCAD and 3,995$ SolidWorks), students may also find some cheaper versions.
Below there is a table which compares these two programs, helping to point out their most basic similarities and differences.
When it comes to the differences, next to the more basic ones, SolidWorks provides a greater number of writable and readable file types and allows the user to test and revise designs comfortably, which in turn shortens the work time. AutoCAD does not support MAC platform, however instead of supporting all the popular operating systems (Mac OS X, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012 Standard Edition, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8) which are supported by SolidWorks, AutoCAD provides support only for Windows 7 and 8. SolidWorks also requires two times less RAM space (2GB). AutoCAD is slightly more expensive than SolidWorks (from 4,195$ AutoCAD and 3,995$ SolidWorks), students may also find some cheaper versions.
Below there is a table which compares these two programs, helping to point out their most basic similarities and differences.
