Rating
4.4
194 reviews
Starting price
$399
Categories
2
Founded
1964
Employees
3
Sketch, draw and present. The ultimate 2D CAD software from start to finish. Native to macOS, built with the latest technologies and designed for the future, MacDraft is a feature-rich solution, that gives you all the tools you need for a truly collaborative 2D CAD experience. MacDraft makes floor plan design, architectural layout and illustration easy on the Mac. Designed for architects, engineers and construction services as well as professional CAD users, designers, educators and hobbyist.
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(194 reviews)
Pros: I was able to quickly learn the program and start using it for my projects.
Cons: I would like the print function to be more flexible; often I want to print just a portion of a page on my at-home 8 1/2 x 11" printer, but there doesn't seem to be a way to hone in on a specific part of the layout for this.
clare m. · President · Architecture & Planning · April 15, 2023
Pros: simple, intuitive software that can be used for complex projects
Cons: sometimes complicated to achieve a perfect precision to the millimeter and to join well all the lines
Julien C. · Designer · Design · February 13, 2023
$76
Pros: I usually start projects in MacDraft and increasingly just stay with it through the project. I do use AutoCAD a lot, but it is 'indirect' and difficult to be spontaneous with it or to try things out quickly. In MacDraft I work directly and 'experimentally' with no downside; it encourages spontaneity and is fast and direct. The drawings look great, and often other designers or drafters ask what software they were made it. In planning meetings MacDraft docs are usually the conversation starters. It's easy to combine photos or even loose pencil sketches with MacDraft in the same document, and it looks great. I do believe it shortens the approval cycle. Also, it's just fun to use. I usually go to MacDraft first before SketchUp or AutoCAD. The tools are *actually* intuitive, and the interface is appealing and easy on the eyes (and brain).
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Domain confidence 98%
Cons: MacDraft is a bit challenging to use with the deadly accuracy of, say, AutoCAD, as it only resolves to two decimal places. Also oftentimes I need to zoom in to make sure I hit the point I was aiming at— even when Smart Snap is in use. Also— you cannot snap to intersections. I know MD *recognizes* intersections, because you can trim accurately to them.End marks (arrows) look perfect in-app, but when you make a PDF or plot them, they come out larger than in-app and overrun the object they are meant to point to. This is relatively easy to compensate for or edit, but it is annoying.Also it would be good to be able to customize key assignment. The existing ones make solid sense, so this not a big 'issue'. Just needs more of them— real time-savers, the shortcuts.
Michael Y. · Owner · Architecture & Planning · February 8, 2023
I seriously like the program. I’ve done all the upgrades after starting with the Personal Edition and then going to the pro edition.
Pros: I like how much you can do with this software and the depths it goes on being a full fledged CAD program
Cons: I absolutely hate the way the screen does not go back to what I was working on when I change a tool or add an option. It drives me nuts! I’m sure 3D rendering is in the works. I’d love to draw a landscape and then be able to fly through it or look around it.
John W. · Journeyman Electrician · Construction · February 8, 2023
MacDraft allowed me to work with clients by showing them what they knew they needed, but could not visualize until I drafted it for them. By listening to them, and then adapting their ideas and needs to pixels, I could draft their ideas in a meaningful way. MacDraft allowed me to do this quickly. I got a lot of signed contracts due to MacDrafts usability back when I knew the earlier program.
Pros: MacDraft has served me well over almost my entire construction career. It was intuitive and fairly easy to use in the earlier iterations. I made a lot of business happen because I could produce designs fairly quickly on MacDraft.
Cons: When MacDraft would no longer work on a newer version of MacOS, I was forced to upgrade. Not good for me. I suppose I was a "bad boy!" for not upgrading very often (that is the business model, right?), but I was way, way, way behind on the changes to the program. I do not know if I can ever catch up. I used to be able to draw amazing things - now I do not know where to go. This is probably my fault because MacDraft is for people that keep up. MacDraft is not very explanatory from within itself in a pedagogical way.
Curt C. · Project Mgr., General Contracor · Construction · February 7, 2023
Overall I feel this is the best software for my application as a small construction company.
Pros: I love the fact that I can quickly make a small drawing to get dimensions on an ongoing project and I can create professional drawings for clients for both giving them a visual and for submitting for permits.
Cons: As a limited user, I often have to look up how to do some of the more complex moves to achieve the drawing I’m trying to do.
Kevin F. · Owner · Construction · February 7, 2023
Horrible.
Pros: Nothing. Nada. Zilch. Zero. Naught. Cero.
Cons: Expensive and still did not provide for basic elevations. I downloaded and found lack of functions. They would not refund and advised I had to upgrade further to get elevation function. I found a $50 product that did everything I wanted and just had to eat the $500 I spent with these folks.
Pete S. · Ceo · Legal Services · February 7, 2023
It is a powerful vector drawing and illustration application for macOS. It is used for various technical drawings, illustrations, and designs. It allows professionals to create detailed technical drawings, vector illustrations, and designs, with precision, in a range of vector formats. The main benefits of using MacDraft Professional are increased accuracy and efficiency when creating designs with speed and clarity.
Pros: The most impactful features include its powerful vector-based drawing engine, layered design structure, context-sensitive editing tools, and comprehensive selection of editing and drawing features. It is relatively easy to use MacDraft Professional, though users will benefit from some familiarity with basic CAD principles. Navigation, drawing, and other features are intuitive. Integration with existing business processes will depend on the type and scale of your project. Export/import settings, data formatting, and targeted compatibility/scaling are all essential considerations.
Cons: Features that could be improved in MacDraft Professional include the ability to import logos and line art, an improved alignment and snapping tool, the ability to customize print sizes, and the ability to use specific measures for elements such as text boxes, objects, pictures, and tables. Aspects of the product that are difficult to use are the limitations of symbols and the lack of style options. Integration with existing business processes can be complex with MacDraft Professional due to the lack of features that make it easier to export and share the diagrams with other installations.
Tara C. · Researcher's · Education Management · February 4, 2023
20+ long years using it so I must like it. It's simple, cost effective and easy to use for small and midsized projects. I would say the most important improvement would be to allow custom shortcut key assignment.
Pros: I've been using it for well over 20 years. It's a simple drawing program for small to mid projects. Not too complex for small projects. Don't make it more complex or it will loose its value.
Cons: Some of the changes from one version to another don't improve the use. Presently we lost a simple dual key Group/ungroup or bring to front/send to back are gone. There is a leader that is too long on some of the side located dimensions. The transition from dimensioning and some other line commands to other commands is cumbersome. I can't get to the esc sometimes.
Craig E. · architect · Architecture & Planning · February 3, 2023
Pros: I purchased this software many years ago when I was designing my own home. At the time it was the best option for a Mac user. Since then, I have used it for 2 more homes. I also use MacDraft for every project I build in my wood shop. It's great.
Cons: The snap to grid feature drives me crazy. When you paste something, it does not snap to the grid, so I am constantly entering the x and y positions.
Paul C. · Home Owner · Architecture & Planning · February 3, 2023
It’s an easy to use drafting program that has many good features. Just don’t expect full autocad. It’s also not the price of autocad. My drawing needs are simple as I don’t require 3d renderings. It is priced right for my needs.
Pros: Ease of use and easy learning curve. My needs are geared to simple line drawings so this product fulfills my needs without the autocad pricing.
Cons: I was used to the older versions. The new upgrade has a lot of new features but some of the old features are in different places so it’s a bit to get used to.
Greg H. · Lighting Designer · Entertainment · February 3, 2023
MacDraft has very simply allowed me to produce documents to support my designs and convey the design intent to my clients.
Pros: Forst and foremost, MacDraft is deigned for the Mac, not just ported over from the PC environment. This allows full integration of features with the Mac interface and structure. Mac's were based on a Graphical User Interface, and what could be better for a drafting platform?Like any software package, there is a learning curve with MacDraft, but even though the software is powerful, it is also easy to learn and implement.I have yet to come across a situation where I needed a feature that was not available in MacDraft. Also, the documentation makes it easy to find and pickup new (to me) features and capabilities.
Cons: The one aspect of MacDraft that could use improvement is with regard to exporting to DWG/DXF. While this is not a failure of MacDraft (AutoDesk doesn't make it easy for any competing software to produce documents in "their" formats, even though they do not offer any fully functional alternatives for the Mac), it would be great if anyone could open an exported file and have it look the same as the original in MacDraft.
Charles C. · Consultant · Design · February 3, 2023
Pros: See my explanation below, please. I'm NOT happy with this newest release
Cons: The previous version I had purchased LOTS of templates along with the app. When I updated the app ONLY to the newest version, none of my previous templates are usable and support never replied to my request for help.
Eric S. · Chf Audio Engineer · Music · February 3, 2023
Pros: The improved ability to draw connecting lines and complete objects.
Cons: The instructions are difficult for me, but on second and third tries, I usually get the idea. Again, this might just be me.
Robert J. · owner · Machinery · February 3, 2023
We are Mac users, so there is a limited field selection for products in the drafting arena. The MacDraft programs have not let me down in the last 25 years of using it.
Pros: The MacDraft program system is a very complete program and easy to learn and use.
Cons: Only draw back in the 8.0 version is that they eliminated some of the keyboard shortcuts that I was accustomed to over the years.
Wes S. · VP/General Manager · Construction · February 1, 2023
Spending less time designing
Pros: Not that hard to use Easy to install Has a decent selection of tools to choose from. While drawing
Cons: Needs dynamic zoom in and out Adjust position of object clicked on and have to put it back in place Has issue with selecting object at times Also likes to crash while drawing
John G. · President · Machinery · January 31, 2023
Love working in and with MacDraft. Has been a pleasure building with it!
Pros: The software allowed us the flexibility to use it at our discretion. Giving us freedom to update and revert as needed.
Cons: The zoom feature is the only issue. I wish it would allow the user to flow in and out with ease using the Magic Mouse or trackpad options.
Joshua L. · IT Service Coordinator · Religious Institutions · January 31, 2023
It’s easy to use and quick
Pros: Very difficult to open DWG to the correct size from another user
Cons: DWG issue
Ian W. · Md · Architecture & Planning · January 31, 2023
Pour ce qui on connut la table à dessin ils s’adapteront rapidement et pour les autres qui ont aucune connaissance avec un peu de logique et devrais vite arriver à sortir un dessin, MacDraf est beaucoup plus maniable et moins lourd que Autocad
Pros: la facilité de dessiné et je retrouve un peux la table a dessin
Cons: j'utilise MacDraf 5 depuis 1998 ,pour l'instant je ne vois que des avantage il me faudra quelque temp pour voir les inconvénients.
Philippe B. · retired metal stair worker · Legislative Office · January 27, 2023
Drawing: Works fairly well, but you're on your own when you have questions.
Pros: The fact that it is 2D and fairly simple
Cons: There are few ways to get advice. There needs to be many more tutorials.
Steven E. · Architect · Architecture & Planning · January 27, 2023
Pros: This is the software I have been asking for for 30 years. I was a user of MacDraw in college and used it professionally for years afterwards. When it fell out of production I tried many other drawing/CAD programs to fill the void, but none were the perfect combination of tools and speed of the old MacDraw. Now finally years later I have found my software solution. MacDraft offers a very comprehensive set of tools for complex and precision drawing. It has user definable rulers and a user definable grid. This combination is essential for scaled drawing with a definable amount of precision. As an example, 1" = 1' with 1/4 grid, or 3" increments. The measuring tools are a huge advantage from the old days. Line control fill control all exactly what I need. Keep up the good work!
Cons: When you use the measure tool between two anchor points (lines) and move one of the lines, the measurement should be showing live updates as the line is being dragged smaller or larger. This is a very necessary update to the incredibly useful Measure tool. Thank you.
John C. · Designer · Real Estate · January 26, 2023
Pros: MacDraft Pro was my first introduction to basic CAD back in the 90s. Next to AutoCAD, I find MacDraft's approach to drafting and elevation plans a welcoming environment. Easy to use, edit information, and quickly build out drawings for a project.
Cons: The one feature/update I would like to see is the ability to have the spacebar toggle the move function and return to the previous tool selected. Quick keys are handy, but I find most other software I use has a similar function and would like to see MacDraft adopt it as well.
Timothy L. · Designer · Consumer Electronics · January 26, 2023
Pros: Après avoir utilisé la version 7 qui n'était qu'en anglais, la version 8 en français a été la bienvenue. Ce logiciel est aussi convivial que les produits Apple, donc facile a utiliser.
Cons: Son prix que j'ai trouvé assez élevé. Venant de la version 7, cela aurait mérité une réduction plus importante que celle qui m'a été accordée.
Jean Noel L. · Retraité · Individual & Family Services · January 26, 2023
This program has created a streamlined way to design and communicate the plans to the clients.
Pros: This drafting program is very easy to use and can be used across many spectrums of the drawing and design industry. I use this product for cabinet drawings, home layouts, site layouts, and project elevation drawings.
Cons: There is a limited ability to provide styling to enhance the drawings. The symbol library is pretty simple and not very updated.
Nathaniel L. · Project Manager · Construction · December 16, 2021
I am a woodworker, and I make engineering drawings of my projects prior to building them.
Pros: This program has all the easy use features of the original MacDraft of which I was a Beta Test professional in the mid-1980's.
Cons: I did not like the fact that I purchased MacDraft and within a year had to purchase it again due a change in the Mac operating system.
Walter B. · retired · Arts and Crafts · January 8, 2021
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