Try nanoCAD —
Powerful DWG‑native
CAD free for 30 days

How the nanoCAD Free Trial Works

Getting started with nanoCAD takes just a few minutes:

1. Fill out the form above with your name and email address. No credit card or payment information is required.
2. Receive your trial license key instantly via email. The license activates nanoCAD Platform with all features unlocked for 30 days.
3. Download and install nanoCAD from the link in your email. Installation takes about 5 minutes and requires Windows 8, 10, or 11 with at least 4 GB of RAM.
4. Start designing immediately. Open your existing DWG files, use familiar AutoCAD-style commands, and explore the full set of drafting, annotation, and 3D modeling tools.

After the 30-day trial period ends, you can purchase a full license starting at $260/year. Your trial work, settings, and customizations are fully preserved when you upgrade. View all nanoCAD pricing plans.

What You Can Do with nanoCAD

nanoCAD is a full-featured professional CAD platform -- not a stripped-down viewer or basic drafting tool. During your trial, you get access to everything the paid version offers:

• 2D drafting and annotation -- create and edit technical drawings with lines, arcs, polylines, dimensions, hatches, tables, and multiline text. All standard drafting commands work exactly as in AutoCAD.
• Native DWG file support -- open, edit, and save DWG files from AutoCAD versions R11 through 2018 without any conversion. DXF, DWF, and PDF import/export are also included.
• Layer and block management -- organize drawings with layers, create and insert blocks, use external references (xrefs), and manage drawing standards.
• 3D modeling -- create 3D mesh and solid objects, import/export STL, STEP, and IGES formats, and work with point clouds from laser scanning data.
• Customization and automation -- write LISP, .NET, and C++ scripts to automate repetitive tasks. Most AutoCAD LISP routines work in nanoCAD without modification.
• Plotting and publishing -- print to any plotter or printer, create multi-sheet PDF packages, and use both CTB and STB plot style tables.

Why Engineers Switch from AutoCAD to nanoCAD

nanoCAD has become the most popular AutoCAD alternative for professionals in the USA and Canada. The most common reasons engineers and designers make the switch:

• Cost savings of up to 87%. nanoCAD Platform costs $260/year vs. AutoCAD's $1,975/year. For a team of 10, that saves over $17,000 annually.
• Perpetual license option. Unlike AutoCAD, nanoCAD offers permanent licenses starting at $780 -- no recurring subscription fees.
• Zero learning curve. nanoCAD uses the same commands, keyboard shortcuts, and DWG format as AutoCAD. Most users are productive within the first hour.
• Lower system requirements. nanoCAD runs well on 4 GB RAM machines where AutoCAD requires 8 GB minimum.
• Network licensing. Share licenses across your team with nanoCAD's network license server. AutoCAD discontinued this option years ago.

Want a detailed side-by-side comparison? Visit our nanoCAD vs AutoCAD page with a complete feature-by-feature breakdown.

System Requirements

Design Machine is an official partner of the Norwegian company Nanosoft AS in the United States of America. Together, we reinforce our commitment to the affordability of CAD solutions on the global market by providing modern software for engineers, architects, surveyors, and artists to design, construct, and build a better life.