Nanosoft AS is a Norwegian software company that develops nanoCAD — a professional DWG-compatible CAD platform used by engineers, architects, and designers in over 90 countries. Headquartered in Sandefjord, Norway, Nanosoft distributes its products through a global network of authorized partners, including Ask4CAD in the United States and Canada.
Company History and Background
Nanosoft was founded as a Norwegian entity to bring nanoCAD technology to the global market. The company’s roots trace back to the development of the nanoCAD platform — an ambitious project to create a professional-grade CAD system that could compete with industry leaders like AutoCAD while remaining accessible to a much wider audience.
The nanoCAD platform was built from the ground up with native DWG file support at its core. Unlike many AutoCAD alternatives that rely on file conversion or third-party libraries, nanoCAD reads and writes DWG files natively — the same format that AutoCAD uses as its primary file type. This design decision made nanoCAD immediately compatible with millions of existing engineering drawings worldwide.
Over the years, the platform has grown from a basic 2D drafting tool into a comprehensive CAD ecosystem with specialized modules for mechanical engineering, construction, and 3D solid modeling. Today, nanoCAD is available in version 25 and supports everything from simple technical drawings to complex parametric 3D assemblies.
Mission: Making Professional CAD Accessible
Nanosoft’s core mission is to make professional CAD software affordable without compromising on functionality. The company recognized that the rising cost of industry-standard CAD tools — particularly after Autodesk moved AutoCAD to a subscription-only model at $1,975 per year — was pricing out small businesses, freelance engineers, and companies in emerging markets.
nanoCAD addresses this gap by offering comparable 2D drafting capabilities at up to 87% lower cost, with plans starting at $260 per year. The company also maintains licensing options that major competitors have discontinued, including perpetual (permanent) licenses and network licensing for shared team access.
The nanoCAD Product Family
Nanosoft develops and maintains several nanoCAD products, each targeting specific engineering workflows:
- nanoCAD Platform — the core 2D/3D CAD application with full DWG support, layer and block management, plotting, and LISP/.NET API access. This is the foundation that all other products build upon.
- nanoCAD Pro — adds the 3D Solid Modeling module for parametric design, solid body operations, 3D assembly constraints, and support for STEP, IGES, and STL exchange formats.
- nanoCAD Mechanica — includes Pro features plus specialized mechanical engineering tools: weld seam notation, thread drawing, fastener calculators, and a parts library with thousands of standard components.
- nanoCAD Construction — adds architectural and construction design modules for building plans, structural layouts, and reinforcement detailing.
- nanoCAD Max — the complete package combining all available modules into a single license.
All nanoCAD products share the same DWG-native engine and support the same command structure, keyboard shortcuts, and API ecosystem as AutoCAD. This means engineers can switch from AutoCAD to nanoCAD with virtually no learning curve — existing drawings, blocks, templates, LISP scripts, and plot styles work without conversion.
Key Technical Capabilities
Under Nanosoft’s development, nanoCAD has grown to include capabilities that rival and in some areas exceed what AutoCAD offers:
- Native DWG format — supports versions R11 through 2018, broader than AutoCAD’s own R14-2018 range
- Full API ecosystem — LISP (with DCL), .NET, C++, VBScript, and JavaScript scripting
- Point cloud support — import LAS, PTS, PCD, XYZ files from laser scanning
- Raster image processing — built-in raster cleanup, calibration, and conversion tools that AutoCAD lacks
- 3D solid modeling — parametric 2D and 3D design with constraints and history-based editing
- IFC import — for BIM interoperability in construction workflows
- Lower system requirements — runs on 4 GB RAM (AutoCAD requires 8 GB minimum)
For a detailed feature-by-feature comparison, see our nanoCAD vs AutoCAD page covering 12 categories with over 80 individual features compared.
Global Distribution and Ask4CAD Partnership
Nanosoft distributes nanoCAD through a network of authorized resellers and partners worldwide. In North America, Ask4CAD (Design Machine) serves as the official nanoCAD reseller for the United States and Canada.
Through the Ask4CAD partnership, American and Canadian customers receive:
- Direct purchasing in USD with standard US payment methods
- Local technical support and license activation assistance
- Access to all nanoCAD products, bundles, and licensing options
- Free 30-day trials with full functionality
- A 10% introductory discount with code NANO10
Support and Training Resources
Nanosoft provides multiple support channels for nanoCAD users. Licensed customers receive email-based technical support for installation, activation, and usage questions. The company also maintains:
- Official documentation and user guides for each nanoCAD version
- Video tutorials covering common workflows and advanced features
- A knowledge base with solutions to frequently encountered issues
- Community forums where users share tips, scripts, and best practices
For users transitioning from AutoCAD, the learning curve is minimal. nanoCAD uses the same command names, keyboard shortcuts, and interface conventions. Most AutoCAD users report being productive in nanoCAD within the first day.
Why nanoCAD from Nanosoft AS?
In a CAD market increasingly dominated by expensive subscription models, Nanosoft AS has carved out a clear position: professional-grade DWG-compatible CAD at a price that makes sense for businesses of all sizes. The company’s commitment to perpetual licensing, network license support, and backward compatibility with legacy DWG files sets it apart from competitors who have moved to restrict these options.
For engineers and designers who need reliable, affordable CAD software that works with their existing DWG files and workflows, nanoCAD from Nanosoft AS is the strongest alternative to AutoCAD available today.