Multimedia & graphics Windows
CadStd Lite
Draw 2D plans and mechanical designs with CadStd Lite, a free Windows CAD program with object snaps, linear dimensions and DXF export.
- Operating system
- Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP, NT, ME, 98 and 95 (OSR2), as listed by the publisher
- Architecture
- Publisher lists support for 32-bit and 64-bit Windows; installer architecture not independently inspected
- Download package
- EXE installer
Publisher compatibility statements, not an installation test. Exact patch version and release date of the linked package were not established.
Link checked · Download guidance
What is CadStd Lite?
CadStd Lite is a free 2D CAD and drafting program for Windows. Use it for house plans, mechanical drawings, schematics and other vector-based designs. Its drawing tools include lines, polylines, arcs, circles, B-splines, arrows, text and linear dimensions. Object snaps help position geometry at endpoints, intersections, centers and other reference points.
Lite can read drawings made in CadStd Pro, import simple non-blocked Revision 12 DXF files, and export DXF or HPGL/1 files. That makes it useful for basic drafting and exchanging supported drawings with other CAD software, but DXF import is not unrestricted.
The free edition has four undo/redo levels. PDF, PostScript and SVG exports carry a watermark; the publisher's history describes it as a non-commercial-use watermark. More complex blocked DXF import, trim, offset, fillets, chamfers and radial or angular dimensions belong to Pro. Check those differences before choosing Lite for an existing CAD workflow.
The publisher lists support for 32-bit and 64-bit Windows, including Windows 11 and 10. The linked download is the publisher's EXE installer; its response was checked with HEAD only, not downloaded or run. The reference screenshot is the publisher's historical CadStd Pro interface image, also used in Softonic's Lite gallery; it does not demonstrate a current Lite build or entitlement to Pro tools.
What it offers
- Create lines, polylines, arcs, circles, B-splines, arrows, text and linear dimensions for 2D drawings.
- Position geometry with snaps including endpoints, midpoints, centers, intersections, tangents and perpendicular references.
- Import simple non-blocked Revision 12 DXF files and export DXF or HPGL/1 files.
- Read drawings created in CadStd Pro.
Good to know
- Undo/redo is limited to four levels in Lite.
- PDF, PostScript and SVG exports are watermarked; the publisher describes a non-commercial-use watermark.
- Blocked Revision 12 DXF import, HPGL/1 import, trim, offset, fillets, chamfers and radial or angular dimensions require Pro.
Product images
Sources
References used for this listing. Retrieval dates do not indicate hands-on testing.
- CadStd Lite — publisher feature comparison and download ↗Retrieved
- CadStd.com — CAD software and publisher screenshot ↗Retrieved
- CadStd Frequently Asked Questions — 2D drafting purpose ↗Retrieved
- CadStd History — publisher identity and edition distinction ↗Retrieved
- CadStd Lite - Download — observed Windows page and gallery ↗Retrieved
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