HiCAD
HiCAD: A Windows CAD system with broad engineering tools and quotation-based commercial licensing. Ranked #31 of 80 in 3D CAD Software by our editors (6.3/10); pricing: Free plan · pricing on request; best for steel, sheet-metal, and BIM-oriented design.
At a glance
- Editor score6.3 / 10
- PricingFree plan · pricing on request
- Best forSteel, sheet-metal, and BIM-oriented design
- Free planYes
- Assembly designYes
- Founded1977 · Dortmund, Germany
- Facts checked19 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Combines direct and parametric 2D/3D modeling with associativity
- Supports sheet-metal unfolding and steel fabrication documentation
- Generates bills of materials, drawings and NC/DSTV output
Where it doesn't
- Commercial licensing requires a vendor quotation
- The listed platform is Windows
- The free Education Edition is for students, not general use
Our verdict on HiCAD
HiCAD brings 2D and 3D design into one modular CAD system for engineering, structural and product design. Its range includes steel engineering, sheet metal, assemblies, façades, glazing and plant engineering, so it is aimed at teams whose work spans fabrication-oriented disciplines rather than designers looking for a narrowly focused modeler. Direct and parametric modeling, along with associativity between 2D and 3D, support different ways of developing a design within the same system.
For steel and sheet-metal work, the feature set connects modeling to production documentation. HiCAD supports sheet-metal unfolding and flat-pattern generation, steel connections and fabrication documentation, and automatic bills of materials, drawings and NC/DSTV output. It also includes freeform surface modeling and assembly structures. This breadth may suit organizations that want design and downstream documentation in one environment; buyers needing only basic part modeling may find the discipline-specific range more than they need.
Exchange options are a notable part of the product's fit. HiCAD supports BIM and CAD data exchange, with interfaces and formats including IFC, DWG, DXF, STEP, IGES, Parasolid, ACIS, SolidWorks, Inventor, CATIA and Creo Parametric. The listed platform is Windows. Commercial package selection and pricing are handled through vendor quotations; the vendor documents a free Education Edition for students, rather than a general unrestricted free tier. HiCAD is worth considering for steel, sheet-metal and BIM-oriented engineering teams that need fabrication outputs and interoperability. Buyers who require published commercial pricing or a non-Windows platform should look elsewhere.
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HiCAD pricing
HiCAD fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| Modeling method | Hybrid |
| Assembly design | Yes |
| Sheet-metal tools | Yes |
| Surface modeling | Yes |
| Cloud collaboration | Not verified |
| Supported platforms | Windows |
| File import and export | STEP, IFC, DXF, DWG, IGES, ACIS, Parasolid, CATIA, Creo Parametric, JT, PLM XML, NX, SolidWorks, Inventor, MicroStation, Solid Edge, VDAFS |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows |
| Integrations | 13 integrations: HELiOS, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Inventor, CATIA, Creo Parametric … |
| Pricing | Free plan · pricing on request (source) |
| Website | hicad.us |
| Facts checked | 19 Sep 2026 |
HiCAD integrations
HiCAD lists 13 integrations on its own site.
- HELiOS
- AutoCAD
- SolidWorks
- Inventor
- CATIA
- Creo Parametric
- Parasolid
- ACIS
- IFC
- DXF
- DWG
- STEP
- IGES
Alternatives to HiCAD
- Siemens NXDeep hybrid CAD with Teamcenter integration for large engineering organizations.9.4
- CATIAA deep engineering suite for complex products, with enterprise pricing to match.9.3
- SOLIDWORKSFull mechanical CAD with broad design, manufacturing, simulation, and collaboration tools.9.2
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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