Download BricsCAD for macOS

BricsCAD V24 now installs independently of earlier versions, so you can keep your existing setup while trying the latest build. Before you launch, check the basics. Here's what your Mac needs and which edition fits your workflow.

• macOS 12 (Monterey) or higher, including Ventura and Sonoma
• Intel processor — Apple Silicon runs via Rosetta 2
• All editions in one installer: Shape, Lite, Pro, Mechanical, BIM, and Ultimate
• Interface in English or Russian
• Reads and writes the .dwg format, familiar to AutoCAD users

Pick the edition that matches what you build. Lite handles crisp 2D drafting; Pro adds 3D direct modeling. Mechanical and BIM push further into part design and building workflows. Ultimate bundles everything. The single installer lets you choose at launch, so you're never locked in too early.

Crosshair tweaks for tight cursor control

The defaults are fine, but a few quick changes make BricsCAD feel more like your own tool. Head to Preferences early and adjust these before you start a real drawing.

• Cursor and crosshair size. On a Retina display the default crosshair can feel thin. Bump the size under Display > Cursor to around 6 or 7 — it stays out of your way while snapping.
• Background colour. The dark grey model space is easy on the eyes, but if you share screens or print previews often, switch to a plain white or off-black background in Display > Colors.
• Right-click behaviour. By default, a right-click repeats the last command. If you prefer a context menu (like other Mac apps), change it under User Preferences > Right-click. Takes thirty seconds, saves hours of muscle-memory confusion.
• Autosave interval. The default is every 10 minutes. For large 3D models on Rosetta 2, drop it to 5 minutes. The slight background pause is worth it when a complex file goes sideways.
• Snap and grid settings. Turn off the visible grid unless you're laying out floor plans from scratch. Keep endpoint and midpoint snaps on, and add intersection if you work with polylines often.

One more worth doing: open the Workspace switcher in the top-right corner and pick Drafting or Modeling depending on what you build. It reshuffles the ribbon panels without you dragging toolbars around manually.

Who clicks with BricsCAD fastest

Not every Mac user needs a full-fat CAD tool, but a few groups settle into BricsCAD almost immediately.

• Architects and building designers who already know AutoCAD. The command line, snaps, and .dwg handling feel familiar from day one. Custom menus and scripts come across with minimal fuss, so years of AutoCAD muscle memory stay useful.
• Mechanical engineers moving between 2D layouts and 3D parts. The Mechanical edition bundles standard parts libraries and sheet metal tools that make more sense inside a single environment than hopping between separate apps.
• Small fabrication shops and furniture makers. The Lite edition covers detailed 2D production drawings without loading features you'll never touch. It runs cleanly on older Intel Macs still kicking around workshop benches.
• Students and researchers who need .dwg compatibility but not a subscription. The Shape edition (included in the installer) strips things back to basic 3D push-pull modeling, which is enough for concept studies and early design reviews.

If your day involves GIS data, raster-heavy visuals, or pure rendering, you're better served elsewhere. BricsCAD shines when the final output is a dimensioned drawing, a CNC-ready profile, or a BIM dataset.

Where BricsCAD lands between AutoCAD, ARES, and SketchUp

Three alternatives come up often when Mac users look at BricsCAD. Each solves a different slice of the same problem.

AutoCAD for Mac. The obvious comparison. Both read and write .dwg natively, both use a command line, and both support LISP routines. BricsCAD leans harder into 3D direct modeling inside the base Pro edition, where AutoCAD keeps 3D in separate toolkits. Interface-wise, AutoCAD feels more polished on macOS, but BricsCAD gives you six editions from one installer — you pick the feature level without uninstalling anything.

SketchUp Pro. SketchUp's push-pull modeling is quicker for early massing studies and interior layouts. But it struggles with precise 2D documentation. BricsCAD flips that: the 2D drafting engine is the backbone, and the 3D tools build outward from accurate linework. For permit drawings or fabrication sheets, BricsCAD is the sharper instrument.

FreeCAD. Open-source and genuinely capable for parametric modeling, but the macOS build still feels rough around the edges. FreeCAD suits hobbyists who enjoy tweaking the tool itself. BricsCAD is for people who need to ship files to a structural engineer or a laser cutter by Thursday and want the software to stay out of the way.

Good to know: if you're trying bricscad on an Apple Silicon Mac, the Rosetta 2 translation adds a tiny launch delay but nothing you'll notice during a session. Heavy 3D regenerations feel about the same as they do on a mid-range Intel machine.

• macOS 10.15 or later
• Intel processor