What is GstarCAD, and what should you check when choosing CAD software?
GstarCAD is CAD (computer-aided design) software from Beijing-based Gstarsoft that works with the DWG file format. This page summarises GstarCAD neutrally from its public sources and lists the questions to ask when choosing CAD software in Turkey.
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What is GstarCAD?
GstarCAD is CAD software used for 2D technical drawing and, depending on the edition, 3D modelling. It opens and saves drawings directly in DWG and DXF format; according to Wikipedia it uses the Open Design Alliance libraries to read and write DWG. Its command structure and interface are familiar to users of DWG-based programs. It is used to prepare plans, sections, details and manufacturing drawings in fields such as machinery, architecture, construction, surveying and building services.
Gstarsoft and a short history
- Gstarsoft Co., Ltd., which develops GstarCAD, was founded in 2001 (its predecessor dates back to 1992) and is headquartered in Beijing.
- The first GstarCAD release came out in 2003; the English version took it to international markets in 2007.
- The mobile CAD app GstarCAD MC followed in 2011, DWG FastView and GstarCAD Mechanical in 2014, GstarCAD Architecture in 2016 and GstarCAD 3D in 2020.
- In 2024 the cloud-based GstarCAD 365 and a Linux version were announced.
- The company went public on the STAR Market of the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2023.
- According to Gstarsoft, GstarCAD and DWG FastView together have more than 100 million users in over 175 countries and regions. That figure includes users of the free DWG FastView viewer.
The GstarCAD product family
The core product is GstarCAD for 2D and 3D drawing. Alongside it are industry products: GstarCAD Mechanical for mechanical drawing, GstarCAD Architecture for architectural drawing, GstarCAD Point Cloud for point cloud processing, GstarBIM for BIM and 3D modelling and GstarCAD 365 for team sharing and cloud collaboration. The free DWG FastView lets you view DWG files and make simple edits on a computer, a mobile device or in a web browser.
Customisation and programming interfaces
GstarCAD supports the LISP, VBA, .NET and GRX programming interfaces. According to Wikipedia, the GRX interface aims to let applications written for the ARX interface run without code changes. In practice this depends on a GstarCAD build of the add-on you use being available, so we recommend running your own add-ons in the trial before you buy.
Sources: GstarCAD home page, Gstarsoft, “About”, Wikipedia, “GstarCAD”; accessed 29 October 2026.
What are the GstarCAD editions, and how do licensing and pricing work?
The current release is GstarCAD 2027. The vendor’s online store offers the product in three editions:
- GstarCAD Standard: 2D drafting, working directly with DWG and DXF files. It can orbit and view 3D models and point clouds, but does not create 3D models.
- GstarCAD Professional: everything in Standard plus 3D solid modelling and editing (ACIS-based), union, intersection and subtraction, rendering, importing models from other 3D programs and an advanced block editor.
- GstarCAD Premium: everything in Professional plus parametric constraints and broader 3D, PDF and IFC tools; the product site states that this edition also includes mechanical standards, balloons and bill-of-materials (BOM) tools.
Licence options are a perpetual licence, a one-year subscription and an upgrade for existing perpetual licence holders; according to Wikipedia there is also an academic edition for education. There is a 30-day free trial. Amounts vary by region, edition, licence type and number of users, so get a current quote from the vendor or its authorised reseller in Turkey.
Which operating systems does it run on?
On the desktop GstarCAD runs on Windows, and since 2024 the vendor also offers a Linux version. No desktop version for macOS is listed; on mobile devices and in the browser, drawings can be viewed and edited with DWG FastView. If your team uses macOS or Linux distributions such as Pardus, clarify which distributions and functions the Linux version supports before you buy.
How is GstarCAD bought in Turkey?
GstarCAD is sold in Turkey through its authorised distributor and resellers, and there is a Turkish product site. When evaluating, we recommend looking at local technical support, training, migrating your existing templates, LISP routines and add-ons and the three-year total cost alongside the licence price.
Sources: GstarCAD online store page, GstarCAD UK, “GstarCAD Professional”; accessed 29 October 2026.
How should you evaluate GstarCAD with the trial?
1. Start with real drawings from your archive
Instead of sample files, open the large and complex DWGs your team uses every day, projects with external references (Xrefs), dynamic blocks, tables and text styles. Reopen the saved file in the program your partner uses and check that the layout and dimensions have not changed.
2. Run your customisations and add-ons
Test your LISP routines, menu and toolbar customisations, templates and drawing standards. If you use an ARX-based add-on, ask its vendor whether a build for GRX is available.
3. Decide which edition you need
If you draw only in 2D, Standard may be enough; if you need 3D solid models, look at Professional, and for parametric constraints and bills of materials, Premium. GstarCAD Mechanical and Architecture are separate products with tools for mechanical and architectural drawing, and GstarBIM is offered separately for BIM.
4. Calculate the total cost over three years
Add up the licence type (perpetual or subscription), upgrade fees, any need for network licences, and training and migration services. Do the same calculation for the other programs you are evaluating and compare.
Questions to ask when choosing CAD software in Turkey
Whichever program you evaluate, the answers to these questions decide how easy the switch is and the total cost.
- Does it open and save DWG files natively, without conversion? Do your archived drawings and blocks look the same?
- Are the commands, shortcuts and menus close to what the team is used to? Do your LISP routines and templates run?
- Can you stay on the same platform as you move from 2D to 3D, mechanical design or BIM?
- Is the licence perpetual or a subscription? Is a network licence available? How are updates and support provided?
- Which operating systems does it run on: Windows, macOS, Linux (including Pardus)?
- Where are your drawings stored? With desktop CAD, files stay on your own computers and servers; if a cloud sharing service will be used, ask in which country the data is stored and whether KVKK, Turkey’s data protection law, would require a transfer abroad.
- Is there an authorised partner in Turkey providing installation, training and support in Turkish?
- What is the three-year total cost including licences, maintenance, training and adaptations?
Answering these questions with BricsCAD
MechSoft is an Octave BricsCAD Premium Partner. We can evaluate BricsCAD against these criteria together, on your own drawings.
Native DWG
BricsCAD uses DWG as its own file format, so you work with your archive, templates and partners’ files without conversion.
A familiar way of working
A familiar command structure, menus and LISP support make switching easier and keep the team’s habits.
One platform from 2D to BIM
The Lite (2D), Pro (2D and 3D), Mechanical, BIM and Ultimate editions share one platform; you move up an edition as needs grow.
Windows, macOS and Linux
BricsCAD runs on Windows, macOS and supported Linux distributions.
Your files stay with you
BricsCAD is desktop CAD software; your drawings are kept on your own computers and servers.
Support in Turkish, in Turkey
Installation, training, migration and support are provided in Turkish by the MechSoft team; you can start with a 30-day free trial.
Frequently asked questions about GstarCAD
What is GstarCAD used for?
GstarCAD is used to prepare 2D technical drawings such as plans, sections, details and manufacturing drawings in DWG format. The Professional and Premium editions also offer 3D solid modelling and rendering.
Which country is GstarCAD from?
Gstarsoft, which develops GstarCAD, is a software company founded in 2001 and headquartered in Beijing, China. Since 2023 it has been listed on the STAR Market of the Shanghai Stock Exchange.
Is GstarCAD free?
No. GstarCAD is paid software; the vendor offers a 30-day free trial. After the trial you buy a perpetual licence or an annual subscription. The free DWG FastView is a viewer, not a full CAD program.
What does GstarCAD pricing depend on?
Pricing depends on the edition (Standard, Professional, Premium), the licence type (perpetual or subscription), and the number of users. Get a quote from the authorised reseller in Turkey for the current amount.
Does GstarCAD open DWG files?
Yes. GstarCAD opens and saves DWG and DXF files directly. Before switching, we recommend testing complex drawings, blocks and LISP routines from your own archive with the trial.
Does GstarCAD run on Linux?
The vendor announced a Linux version of GstarCAD in 2024. We recommend confirming with the reseller which distributions and functions are supported for the edition you use.
Does MechSoft sell GstarCAD?
No. MechSoft is an Octave BricsCAD Premium Partner and provides BricsCAD sales, training and support in Turkey. If you are evaluating GstarCAD, we can help you compare BricsCAD with it against the same questions, on your own drawings.
Continue with CAD selection
Let’s assess your CAD needs together
Let’s talk through the drawings you produce, your DWG archive and how your team works, and show BricsCAD on your own files.