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← Design guidelinesSoftware guide / October 2026

From your first sketch to finished parts

Great parts.
Start with
the right CAD.

Choose a design tool that fits the way you work. Explore our favorite CAD software for laser-cut profiles, formed sheet metal, and CNC-machined parts—including free options to get started.

Explore the software Why we prefer Onshape ↗
Onshape / Native part designSketch → Part
A sheet metal bracket in Onshape with its editable sketches, extrudes, fillets and sheet metal features visible
Work from the design itself. A native model keeps the features behind your part within reach.

The Xeon NC favorite

Your design. Our engineers.
The same native model.

Onshape is our preferred CAD platform because our engineers can work with you directly in your native part design. With the right sharing permissions, we can review sketches, dimensions, features, and sheet metal geometry together, then help refine the part for manufacturing.

Explore Onshape Work with our engineers ↗

Onshape Free is for noncommercial work and uses public documents. For private commercial designs, choose an appropriate paid plan. Check current plans ↗

  1. Build your part in Onshape.

    Keep sketches, features, and sheet metal design intent together in the original Part Studio.

  2. Share the design with our team.

    Contact us with your document link and intended revision. Coordinate access with your engineer; enable editing when you want us to help make changes.

  3. Refine it together.

    Discuss dimensions and manufacturability in the context of the actual design, with the model’s feature history available.

  4. Release a clear manufacturing file.

    Confirm the final revision, then export STEP or DXF for quoting. A neutral export remains useful, but it does not carry the original editable feature history.

02 / Explore the alternatives

Find your
design tool.

Onshape is our first choice. These nine alternatives offer other ways to model parts, draw cutting profiles, or turn artwork into geometry.

New free option

CADCraft

A newer free option for precise 2D drafting

ArtCraft's free drafting application brings command entry, object snaps, layers, dimensions and constraints to a modern interface. It reads and writes DXF, making it an option for drawing flat parts.

Runs on
Windows, macOS and Linux; self-hosted WebAssembly build available
Access
Free and open source
Export
DXF; also PDF, SVG and PNG (use DXF for manufacturing)

Use it for 2D DXF profiles. Its published features do not establish a sheet-metal unfolding or STEP-solid workflow; check dimensions and closed contours in your exported drawing.

Explore CADCraft
3D CAD

FreeCAD

Free parametric 3D CAD with local files

Build dimensioned sketches and editable solid models without a subscription. FreeCAD offers a broad workbench ecosystem, STEP exchange and local project files for makers and engineers who want open software.

Runs on
Windows, macOS and Linux
Access
Free and open source, including commercial use
Export
STEP solids; DXF profiles; SheetMetal add-on for unfolded profiles

Sheet metal work uses the community SheetMetal workbench. Check its unfolding settings and export only the intended solid or a clean flat profile for fabrication.

Explore FreeCAD
3D CAD

Autodesk Fusion

Mechanical parts with a CAD and CAM workflow

Bring parametric modeling, sheet metal and manufacturing tools into one workspace. Fusion suits brackets, enclosures and mechanical parts, with STEP exports for solids and sketch DXF exports for flat profiles.

Runs on
Windows and macOS; browser access for eligible commercial and education accounts
Access
Paid subscription; free Personal Use for qualifying noncommercial projects
Export
STEP solids; DXF sketches and sheet-metal flat patterns (plan/workflow dependent)

Personal Use has eligibility and feature limits, including limited drawings and CAM. STEP remains available; free DXF export comes from a sketch, not the general export menu.

Explore Autodesk Fusion
3D CAD

SOLIDWORKS

Detailed mechanical assemblies and sheet metal

A comprehensive mechanical design system for parts, assemblies and production drawings. Its dedicated sheet metal tools support formed components and flat patterns, making it practical for established engineering teams today.

Runs on
Windows desktop; separate SOLIDWORKS xDesign product runs in a browser
Access
Paid commercial licenses; separate paid Makers offering
Export
STEP solids; DXF drawings and sheet-metal flat patterns

Makers native files are digitally watermarked and cannot open in commercial or academic SOLIDWORKS. Use a neutral STEP export when sharing a Makers model for manufacturing.

Explore SOLIDWORKS
3D CAD

Shapr3D

Hands-on modeling across tablet and desktop

Sketch and shape solid parts with an interface built for pen, mouse and keyboard. Shapr3D is approachable for exploring concepts, refining dimensions and moving a model toward a manufacturing handoff.

Runs on
iPadOS, macOS and Windows; visionOS support
Access
Free Basic for learning; paid Pro for STEP and DXF exports
Export
STEP solids and DXF sketches/drawings on Pro or higher

Basic exports only low-resolution STL and 3MF, with two projects. Choose Pro or another qualifying plan before relying on STEP solids or DXF profiles for Xeon NC.

Explore Shapr3D
2D drafting

AutoCAD

Professional 2D drafting and existing DWG workflows

Create precise profiles, layouts and technical drawings with familiar drafting tools. AutoCAD fits teams working in DWG, with desktop DXF export providing a practical route from drawing to cut parts.

Runs on
Windows and macOS desktop; companion web and mobile apps
Access
Paid subscription; trial and eligible education access available
Export
DXF from desktop; STEP through AutoCAD Mechanical or conversion

For flat parts, export a clean, full-scale DXF from the desktop application. STEP export requires the Mechanical toolset or a separate conversion workflow, rather than standard AutoCAD.

Explore AutoCAD
2D drafting

QCAD

Focused 2D CAD for dimensioned flat profiles

A dedicated drafting program with layers, blocks, dimensions and precise construction tools. QCAD works well for plates, panels and other flat profiles when you want direct control over your geometry.

Runs on
Windows, macOS and Linux
Access
Free Community Edition; paid Professional edition
Export
DXF R15 in Community Edition; broader DXF/DWG support in Professional

Community Edition supports DXF R15. Broader DXF versions, DWG support and several advanced tools require Professional; remove the trial add-on to keep using the free edition.

Explore QCAD
2D drafting

LibreCAD

Free 2D drawings and simple cut profiles

A free, community-developed 2D CAD program for drawing precise outlines and dimensions. LibreCAD is useful for simple plates, brackets in flat form and editing DXF files without a recurring subscription.

Runs on
Windows, macOS and Linux
Access
Free and open source
Export
DXF drawings and profiles; no STEP solids

LibreCAD is a 2D drafting tool, so it does not provide a 3D solid or sheet-metal unfolding workflow. Confirm units and close all intended cutting contours.

Explore LibreCAD
Vector design

Inkscape

Artwork, signs and decorative cut profiles

Draw and refine vector artwork for signs, logos and decorative panels. Inkscape is useful when your starting point is an illustration, with DXF export available after preparing clean cutting paths.

Runs on
Windows, macOS and Linux
Access
Free and open source
Export
DXF R12/R14; SVG must be converted before ordering

Convert text and artwork into clean paths, then export DXF and verify scale and closed contours. SVG is an editing format here; Xeon NC needs a supported manufacturing file.

Explore Inkscape

“Free options” includes tools with a free route to useful exports; eligibility and conversion requirements still apply. Capabilities and plan details reviewed October 24, 2026. Check the official links before choosing a plan.

03 / From CAD to Xeon NC

Good software.
Clean handoff.

The application is your choice. The file should clearly communicate the part you want us to make.

STEP / STP

For the finished 3D part.

Send a solid model for a machined component or a formed sheet metal part. Keep bent parts in their formed shape and verify the final configuration.

DXF

For a flat cutting profile.

Export at 1:1 scale with clear units. Keep closed contours and cutouts; remove duplicate lines, dimensions, title blocks, and construction geometry.

STL

For a 3D printing request.

Use a closed mesh and confirm scale. Send printing files through our custom quote request. For machined or formed parts, choose a solid STEP model when available.

Follow the CAD file preparation guide ↗Export a STEP from Onshape ↗Upload STEP or DXF for a quote ↗

Before you choose

A few useful
distinctions.

Is a CAD kernel the same as a CAD application?

A kernel is the geometry engine inside a CAD application: it helps calculate solid shapes and operations. The tools above are the applications you use to design parts. For a manufacturing handoff, useful modeling tools and reliable STEP or DXF export matter more than choosing a kernel by itself.

Do I have to use Onshape to work with Xeon NC?

No. Onshape is our favorite for working together in the native model, but you can use any CAD software that produces a suitable file. Start with a solid STEP for 3D parts or a clean, full-size DXF for flat profiles. Our preparation guide covers the handoff.

Which CADCraft is listed here?

This guide links to ArtCraft’s CADCraft, the free, open-source drafting project at getartcraft.com ↗. Several unrelated products use similar names. Treat this newer tool as an option to evaluate: reopen an exported DXF and check scale, closed contours, and missing entities before sending it for cutting.

Can I upload SVG, DWG, or a software’s native project?

For the standard quoting workflow, prepare STEP/STP or DXF. Convert artwork from Inkscape to a clean DXF and check its size. A native project or drawing can help explain requirements; coordinate those files and any supporting documents with our team through a custom quote request.

Official product information & sources

OnshapeOnshape Free plan and supported devices Onshape export documentation Onshape plans and pricing

Autodesk FusionAutodesk Fusion Personal Use terms and comparison Personal Use export limitations Fusion system requirements and browser eligibility

SOLIDWORKSSOLIDWORKS Design features and licensing SOLIDWORKS system requirements Makers platforms and file restrictions SOLIDWORKS export formats Sheet-metal DXF export

FreeCADFreeCAD features and supported formats FreeCAD platform downloads FreeCAD manual and commercial-use license Official FreeCAD SheetMetal tutorial

Shapr3DShapr3D plans and platforms Supported formats and export restrictions Shapr3D Basic limitations

CADCraftArtCraft CADCraft features, formats and downloads

AutoCADAutoCAD subscription and platform access AutoCAD trial and education access AutoCAD DXF export guidance AutoCAD STEP export requirements

QCADQCAD features by edition QCAD downloads and free Community Edition instructions QCAD licensing

LibreCADLibreCAD features, license and platforms LibreCAD drawing and file commands LibreCAD DXF workflow documentation

InkscapeInkscape overview Inkscape export formats Inkscape license and platforms

Recommendations reflect Xeon NC’s workflow preferences. Product names and logos belong to their respective owners and identify the software discussed; no vendor sponsorship or endorsement is implied. LibreCAD logo © LibreCAD, used unchanged under CC BY 4.0.

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