Mac CAD software for Mach3

[mrzimmerman]

Looking for a good CAD program for a Mac to draw and import to windows using Mach3 2.0. Does this exist?

[adbuch]

CorelDraw and Inkscape both have versions for Mac. Inkscape is free. CorelDraw can be purchased outright (perpetual license) for $399 one time purchase version 2021. CorelDraw is also offered on a subscription basis (monthly or annual). They offer a free 15 day trial so you can try it out.


https://www.coreldraw.com/en/product/co ... 2YEALw_wcB

coreldraw.jpg

coreldraw 1.jpg

I purchased the Windows version of Coreldraw 2020 from Amazon about a year ago and I am very happy with it. Cost was just over $100. It is also available for Mac - see link. You would need to check to make sure this is compatible with your current Mac OS.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08B1 ... =UTF8&th=1

coreldraw 2.jpg

[adbuch]

Inkscape download for Mac.

https://inkscape.org/release/1.2/mac-os-x/

Inkscape mac download.jpg

LightBurn is another one I like and occasionally use.

https://lightburnsoftware.com/pages/tri ... re-you-buy

LightBurn.jpg

Any of these you could use on your Mac for design, then save dxf or svg and transfer files to your PC for further editing or post processing.

David

[adbuch]

Fusion 360 - free for hobbyists - would be another possibility, but more geared towards mechanical parts than artistic ones. It is available for Mac.

Does Fusion 360 work on Mac?
Fusion 360 for Mac is compatible with macOS Big Sur 11. x, Mojave 10.14, and Catalina 10.15. Fusion also requires a CPU with a minimum of 4 cores (1.7GHz or greater), 4GB of RAM, and 3GB of storage.

I personally use Fusion 360, Inkscape, sometimes LightBurn, and am just getting my feet wet with CorelDraw. You could most likely do everything you need with the free programs. If I were spending some money, I would go for CorelDraw (I did). My main editing program is Design Edge, but it does not run on a Mac and is expensive (single seat license for design only around $3k).

If you have any specific questions about any of these programs, let us know and we will try to help.

David

[plasmanewbie]

I am a fan of CorelDraw but really you can choose whatever software you like so long as they have a version for Mac, the Mach 3 thing really has nothing to do with it. Fusion 360 is great also but geared more towards mechanical design rather than artistic design.