Best Mechanical Design Softwares For 3d Modeling

Posted July 8th, 2021

There are a variety of engineering and design jobs that use CAD (computer-aided design software).

We often get asked what CAD software companies use. As a busy staffing agency for engineers, and designers we know it depends on the particular industry a company is in.

Different CAD systems are tailored towards certain industries, with crossover and competition between the various CAD software companies.

Interested in learning about the best CAD software for engineers, designers, and drafters? Keep reading.

We list CAD software packages you should consider learning, some of their features, potential career paths, and the industries that create jobs for them.

Popular types of CAD software companies use include SolidWorks, Inventor, Revit, AutoCAD, Civil 3D, MicroStation, CATIA, Creo, and Siemens NX.

1. SolidWorks

As a popular mechanical design software with a large community of users, employers are frequently seeking job seekers with SolidWorks experience. This 3D modeling CAD software is used heavily in the mechanical engineering and design industries. It is the industry standard for product development.

Some features including:

Product design simulation
3D solid modeling
Product data management
Cost estimation, manufacturability checks
Created with ease of use in mind
Used by mechanical and electrical engineering departments

Jobs that use SolidWorks CAD software

Mechanical engineer, designer, and drafter
Manufacturing engineer
Industrial engineer
Electrical engineer, designer, and drafter
Product development engineer

What Industries use SolidWorks?

Aerospace & Aviation
Consumer products
Manufacturing
Medical Device
Industrial products
Oil & Gas

2. Inventor

A 3D modeling software and the main competitor of SolidWorks, used in mechanical design, engineering, and product development.

Some features including:

Parametric modeling for 3D objects
Product data management
3D Solid Modeling
Simulation
Visualization

Jobs that use Inventor CAD software

Mechanical engineer, designer, and drafter
Manufacturing engineer
Industrial engineer
Product development engineer

What industries use Inventor?

Aerospace & Aviation
Consumer products
Manufacturing
Medical Device
Industrial products
Oil & Gas equipment

3. Revit

Software for BIM (building information modeling) used in construction projects with a suite of tools to create 3D models of buildings. This software supports all disciplines of building construction projects including, architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical aspects. If you're asking what cad software should I learn for building design or construction this is it. The demand for employees with Revit skills grows continually year after year.

Some features including:

3D modeling and 3D visualization
MEP modeling and detailing
Structural steel modeling
Construction documentation of the project
Models components for building and fabrication

Jobs that use Revit CAD software

Mechanical engineer, designer, and drafter
Electrical engineer, designer, and drafter
Structural engineer, designer, and drafter
Architects, architectural designers, and drafters
Interior Architect, Interior designer
Plumbing designer, HVAC designer, MEP designer
BIM Coordinator

What industries use Revit?

Architectural
Construction
Engineering

4. AutoCAD

One of the oldest and most used CAD software for 2D / 3D drafting & design. It has the ability to create blueprints, equipment layouts, section planes, model documentation, and more. Learning AutoCAD and additional 3D CAD software is a recipe for success.

Some features including:

2D drawing, drafting, and annotation
Extended workflows
Xrefs and block palettes
Dynamic blocks
3D Mesh, solid and surface modeling

Jobs that use AutoCAD CAD software

Architects, Architectural designer, and drafter
Electrical engineer, design and drafter
Electronics engineer, design and drafter
Plumbing designer, HVAC designer, MEP designer
Interior designer
Industrial engineer
Manufacturing engineer
Mechanical engineer, design and drafter
Structural engineer, designer, and drafter

What industries use AutoCAD?

Aerospace & Aviation
Consumer products
Manufacturing
Medical Device
Industrial products
Oil & Gas
Civil, Structural, MEP

5. Civil 3D

An Autodesk product originally created as an add-on for AutoCAD, Civil 3D is a standalone software used by civil engineers and other professionals to plan, design, and manage civil engineering projects including transportation, land development, and wastewater. Job seekers with Civil 3D design experience are one of the most sought after skills for employers in the civil engineering field.

Some features including:

Corridor modeling
Plan production tools ( plan, profiles & sections)
Terrain Grading
Support for BIM (Building Information Modeling)
Surface creation tools

Jobs that use Civil 3D CAD software

Civil engineer, designer, and drafter
GIS technicians
Survey technicians

What Industries use Civil 3D?

Civil & Transportation engineering
Utilities
Oil & Gas

6. MicroStation

A 3D / 2D CAD software used by architects and engineers to visualize, model, draft, and document projects. MicroStation frequently is used in the Civil Transportation industry for city and state DOT projects.

Some features including:

3D Parametric Modeling
Ability to visualize and analyze data on models
BIM workflows
Produce animations and renderings

Jobs that use MicroStation CAD software

Architects, architectural designer, and drafter
Civil engineer, designer, and drafter
Interior designer
Transportation engineer

What Industries Use MicroStation?:

Architectural & Planning
Civil water & wastewater engineering
Construction
Process manufacturing
Oil & Gas
Electrical & gas utilities

7. CATIA

CAD software used by OEM's (original equipment manufacturers) for surface modeling, design, and visualization. Want an engineering or design job in the Automotive or Aerospace industries? Put this one on your list.

Some features including:

3D Modeling
Digital prototyping
Highly detailed surface modeling and shape manipulation
Virtually create and analyze products during development

Jobs that use CATIA CAD software

Mechanical engineer, designer, and drafter
Electrical engineer, design and drafter
Industrial designer
Product development engineer

What Industries use CATIA?:

Aerospace & Aviation
Automotive
Shipbuilding

8. Creo

Formerly known as Pro/Engineer, Creo is a 3D CAD software for product development, generative design, and top-down design. It is used by some of the biggest companies in the world including Coca-Cola.

Some features including:

3D Modeling & Design
Parametric surfacing
Generative design
Plastics part design

Jobs that use Creo CAD Software

Mechanical engineer, designer, and drafter
Product development engineer
Industrial, Sheet metal, Tool & die designers

What Industries use Creo?

Automotive
Food & Beverage
Manufacturing
Industrial
Product development
Plastics

9. SIEMENS NX

Once known as Unigraphics, Siemens NX is a 3D CAD software used for design, simulation, and manufacturing. This is another popular CAD software in the aerospace and automotive industries.

Some features including:

Advanced geometry creation tools
3D Modeling and plotting tools
Convergent Modeling
Advanced geometry creation tools
Generative Engineering
Parametric design

Jobs that use Siemens NX CAD software

Mechanical engineer and designer
Manufacturing engineer and designer
Product development engineer and designer

What Industries use Siemens NX?

Aerospace
Automotive
Medical Manufacturing
Consumer products

This list of nine popular CAD systems is by no means exhaustive, however, it gives you a general idea of some of the more commonly used CAD systems employers and CAD staffing agencies are seeking.

If you are seeking CAD design job opportunities nation wide check out our list of the best job search websites.

Interested in jobs that use CAD or looking for CAD talent ? Need a top engineering staffing agency? Reach out to Apollo Technical