GstarCAD vs Live Home 3D

GstarCAD is 2D and 3D CAD software for working with technical drawings. It supports native DWG and DXF files, and the maker describes it as compatible with AutoCAD data formats. Its toolset includes more than 100 tools, such as Area Table, Auto Layer, Viewport to Layout, and AutoXlsTable. The maker says multi-core processing is designed to handle complex drawings with faster processing and less lag. GstarCAD 2027 adds Dynamic Block Parametric Constraints, Automatic Input Method Switching, and floating drawing windows. The developer environment supports LISP, C/C++, VB/VBA, and.NET, along with COM and GRX APIs; the maker says LISP and VBA applications can run without modification. A perpetual license provides lifetime usage rights, and yearly subscription and upgrade licensing are also offered. Plans listed for GstarCAD 2027 start at $239 a year, with prices excluding VAT and service fees. A free 30-day trial is available, but there is no free plan.

Live Home 3D is a home design app for drawing floor plans and creating 3D views of rooms, houses, exteriors and terrain. It runs on Android, iOS, macOS and Windows and is described for both amateur designers and professionals. Floor-planning tools let users draw walls, trace a plan image, mark dimensions and create multiple stories. A design can then be viewed in 3D, walked through, and changed by rearranging furniture and finishes. The Mac app page lists a library of 2,400 3D models and 2,100 materials. Listed imports include objects from Trimble 3D Warehouse and models from Sketchfab; using Sketchfab requires a free account. Mac import and export options include common 3D model formats, PDF floor plans, images, panoramas and walkthrough videos. Offline on-device ray-tracing renders are supported, while AI cloud rendering uses purchased credits. The free version is limited to two stories, and its exports contain watermarks; formats vary by platform. Paid options start at $5.99 per month, with annual and lifetime licenses also listed.