What is ZWCAD, and what should you check when choosing CAD software?
ZWCAD is CAD (computer-aided design) software from China-based ZWSOFT that works with the DWG file format. This page summarises ZWCAD neutrally from its public sources and lists the questions to ask when choosing CAD software in Turkey.
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What is ZWCAD?
ZWCAD is CAD software used mainly for 2D technical drawing, with 3D modelling in its Professional edition. It opens and saves drawings in DWG format, also works directly with DXF and DWT files, and can import PDF files into a drawing. 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 and building services.
ZWSOFT and a short history
- ZWSOFT, which develops ZWCAD, was founded in August 1998 in Guangzhou, China, where it is still headquartered.
- According to Wikipedia, the first version of ZWCAD was released in October 2000. In 2002 the company turned to developing its own CAD platform.
- In 2010 ZWSOFT acquired VX Corporation’s CAD/CAM technology and launched the 3D design product ZW3D.
- The company went public on the STAR Market of the Shanghai Stock Exchange in March 2021 (code 688083).
- According to ZWSOFT, its products are used by more than 1.4 million professionals in over 90 countries and sold through more than 800 channel partners.
Main features of ZWCAD
The product page highlights parametric drawing, blocks whose shape can be changed (Flexiblock), point cloud processing, the Sheet Set Manager, PDF import, comparing two drawings (File Compare), area tables and helper tools under the “Smart” name (such as Smart Select, Smart Plot and Smart Voice). For customisation there are LISP, VBA, ZRX and .NET programming interfaces; which ones are available depends on the edition. A separate ZWCAD Mobile app is available for viewing and editing drawings on mobile devices.
Sources: ZWCAD product page, ZWSOFT, “About”, Wikipedia, “ZWCAD”; accessed 28 October 2026.
What are the ZWCAD editions, and how do licensing and pricing work?
The current release is ZWCAD 2026. According to ZWSOFT’s edition comparison, the product comes in three main editions:
- ZWCAD Standard: 2D drafting and basic 3D viewing; LISP only for customisation. Positioned for architects and teams doing general drafting.
- ZWCAD Professional: everything in Standard plus solid, surface and mesh modelling, photorealistic rendering and the VBA, ZRX and .NET programming interfaces.
- ZWCAD MFG: a 2D edition for mechanical and manufacturing drawing: a library of standard-compliant parts, shaft and gear generators, associative balloons and automatic bills of materials (BOM), and engineering calculations. It does not include 3D modelling.
The pricing page also lists an option called ZWCAD 365. According to the Turkish product page, ZWCAD can be bought with a perpetual licence, a subscription or a network licence, and there is a 30-day free trial. Amounts vary by region, edition, licence type and number of users, so get a current quote from ZWSOFT or an authorised reseller.
Which operating systems does it run on?
The product page describes running on Windows. Wikipedia notes that the Linux version of ZWCAD is offered only in the Chinese market, and the product page does not list a macOS version. If your team uses macOS or Linux distributions such as Pardus, clarify this before you buy.
How is ZWCAD bought in Turkey?
ZWSOFT has a Turkish product page, and the product is sold in Turkey through authorised resellers. When evaluating, we recommend looking at local technical support, training, migrating your existing templates and LISP routines and the three-year total cost alongside the licence price.
Sources: ZWSOFT, “Differences Between ZWCAD Standard, Professional, and MFG”, ZWCAD Turkish product page; accessed 28 October 2026.
How should you evaluate ZWCAD 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 and text styles. Reopen the saved file in the program your partner uses and check that nothing changed.
2. Run your customisations
Test your LISP routines, menu and toolbar customisations, templates and drawing standards. If you have applications written in VBA, ZRX or .NET, keep in mind that they are supported in Professional and MFG, not in Standard.
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 mechanical manufacturing drawings with bills of materials, MFG. For parametric 3D part and assembly design ZWSOFT offers a separate product, ZW3D; BIM functions are not part of ZWCAD’s edition comparison.
4. Calculate the total cost over three years
Add up the licence type (perpetual or subscription), maintenance and update 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 ZWCAD
What is ZWCAD used for?
ZWCAD is used to prepare 2D technical drawings such as plans, sections, details and manufacturing drawings in DWG format. The Professional edition adds 3D solid, surface and mesh modelling, and the MFG edition includes a parts library and bill-of-materials tools for mechanical drawing.
Which country is ZWCAD from?
ZWSOFT, which develops ZWCAD, is a software company founded in 1998 and headquartered in Guangzhou, China. Since 2021 it has been listed on the STAR Market of the Shanghai Stock Exchange.
Is ZWCAD free?
No. ZWCAD is paid software; ZWSOFT offers a 30-day free trial. After the trial you buy a perpetual licence, a subscription or a network licence.
What is the difference between ZWCAD Standard and Professional?
Standard offers 2D drafting and basic 3D viewing and supports only LISP for customisation. Professional adds 3D solid, surface and mesh modelling, rendering and the VBA, ZRX and .NET programming interfaces.
Does ZWCAD open DWG files?
Yes. ZWCAD opens and saves DWG, DXF and DWT files directly. Before switching, we recommend testing complex drawings, blocks and LISP routines from your own archive with the trial.
Does MechSoft sell ZWCAD?
No. MechSoft is an Octave BricsCAD Premium Partner and provides BricsCAD sales, training and support in Turkey. If you are evaluating ZWCAD, 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.