IntelliCAD vs nanoCAD

IntelliCAD is commercial 2D/3D CAD software and a development platform for building CAD solutions. The IntelliCAD Technology Consortium licenses it to commercial members, who market and support products for architects, designers, engineers, surveyors, and other CAD users. The platform reads and writes native DWG files, with legal compatibility described for releases 2.6 through 2020. It also supports DXF files and PDF underlays. Developers can use LISP, DCL, VBA, COM, .NET, and C++ extensions. Version 15 adds Drawing Compare, AI feature previews, and a modernized LISP API. Supported AI previews can connect with Claude, Google Antigravity, or ChatGPT to query drawings and run generated LISP code. BIM tools attach IFC, Revit RVT, and Revit RFA files as underlays. IntelliCAD 15 requires 64-bit Windows 10 or 11; the Mobile Viewer is available for Windows desktop and Android. Pricing is on request, and end-user support comes from the selling member.

nanoCAD is Windows software for 2D and 3D engineering drawing and design. It uses a hybrid modeling approach and supports parametric and direct modeling, assembly design, sheet-metal tools, and surface modeling. The platform is compatible with DWG natively and supports import and export formats including DXF, 3D PDF, DWF/DWFX, STL, Parasolid, IGES, STEP, ACIS, VRML, JT, COLLADA, C3D, and glTF/GLB. nanoCAD Free provides 2D engineering drawing tools without a time limit, while a 30-day trial includes all modules. The nanoCAD 26 Platform starts at $289 a year for one workstation license; other listed plans include nanoCAD Pro at $459 a year and nanoCAD Max at $849 a year. Listed prices exclude taxes, VAT, or levies. Network licenses work on computers on a local network and require the supplied License Server. The API supports JavaScript, VBS, Python via COM, LISP,.NET, and C++. Support includes email and help desk for subscribers, plus community forum support. The maker is headquartered in Lillestrøm, Norway.