3D mechanical engineering design software

What is 3D mechanical engineering design software?

Engineers and designers use mechanical engineering design software to model, validate, and communicate ideas before production. Additional tools are available and sometimes integrated in 3D engineering software for manufacturing products on a CNC machine or 3D printer. Mechanical engineering design software is employed across many industries, including industrial machine, automotive, and consumer product design.

What is mechanical design?

All machines, whether used by consumers or industry, rely on myriad different parts, components and interworking systems, and these need to be designed carefully to ensure that they work as intended and without errors. This is the role of mechanical design engineers. They must consider how each individual part and component will work alongside each other, and within the wider environment. Mechanical engineering software like Fusion 360 gives them the tools and data they need to plan, test and implement their designs. Mechanical drawing software can also be used to refine already existing designs and find ways to make them better.

3D engineering in the cloud

Software for mechanical engineering is at its most effective when it’s at your fingertips whenever you need it. Fusion 360 gives you that versatility by offering fully integrated CAD, CAE, CAM and PCB mechanical design capabilities wholly within the cloud. This means that you can take your CAD mechanical engineering work on the road, work from multiple offices seamlessly or collaborate with colleagues across the planet easily and without obstacles.

Types of mechanical engineering design

Computer-aided design (CAD) for mechanical engineering

CAD engineering software is commonly used by mechanical design engineers. The models created by CAD software such as Fusion 360 and AutoCAD are often used as inputs for other mechanical engineering design tools.

 


Computer-aided engineering (CAE)

CAE covers a broad range of analyses. CAE software allows you to perform complex tasks such as finite element analysis (FEA) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) virtually before creating physical prototypes.

 


Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)

CAM refers to the use of mechanical engineering software to help automate the manufacturing process. CAM is typically used to create toolpaths for 2.5-axis to 5-axis CNC milling, turning, and mill-turn.

 


Featured 3D mechanical engineering design software

Get Inventor + AutoCAD + Autodesk Fusion + more—Professional-grade tools for product development and manufacturing planning.


Professional-grade product design and engineering tools for 3D mechanical design, simulation, visualization, and documentation.


Cloud-based 3D CAD/CAM/CAE software for product design


2D and 3D CAD tools, with enhanced insights, AI-automations, and collaboration features. Subscription includes AutoCAD on desktop, web, mobile, and seven specialized toolsets.


CAD-embedded finite element analysis software


Integrated 2.5- to 5-axis CAD/CAM programming solution for Inventor and SOLIDWORKS—available as Inventor CAM and HSMWorks


How is 3D mechanical engineering software used?

DIS-TRAN

DIS-TRAN has reduced mechanical design errors and eliminated a substantial amount of rework through the use of Inventor and Vault.

 


Swissomation

Swissomation uses Fusion 360’s mechanical engineering capabilities for 3D modeling, CAM, and live review for collaboration with customers from any location on any device.

 


KMP

KMP is a fast-paced team of mechanical engineers using Fusion 360 to design and make specialized components for their high-performance race cars.

 


Mechanical design software libraries

Mechanical design can take a long time if you have to start from scratch every time. Fortunately AutoCAD comes complete with a mechanical toolset that features more than 700,000 intelligent parts and features to get you started or to enhance your designs. This means you can rapidly create AutoCAD mechanical drawings with standard components in no time at all. You can also easily import models from elsewhere to bolster the tools at your disposal for your mechanical designs.

Save time with parametric modeling

Even the smallest changes in a mechanical design model can mean a substantial amount of work. Fortunately our Fusion 360 mechanical engineering software employs parametric modeling to save you time and help you uncover the best designs. Parametric modeling allows you to tweak a single feature or measurement, and have that change carried out in a relational way across the whole model. Particularly useful for experimenting with prototypes or fine-tuning optimizations, it’s mechanical engineering design done smart.

Product Design & Manufacturing Collection

Design and make anything with Inventor, featuring integrated mechanical design tools for advanced simulation and 5-axis CAM. Collection also includes access to Fusion 360 for mechanical engineers, helping you get on the path to the future of making things with our cloud-based product innovation platform.

3D mechanical engineering design resources

Whether you’re just getting to know Inventor or are a seasoned user of 3D CAD engineering software, check out these tutorials to see how you can put Inventor to work for you.

 

Experience the power of cloud-based 3D CAD engineering software. Learn 3D modeling and 3D printing with beginner and advanced tutorials.

 

As technology, manufacturing, and workplace collaboration take new shape, adapt with new engineering skills to stay at the top of your game.

 

The Internet of Things (IoT) is radically transforming industries. Learn the essentials of IoT and the advanced mechanical design skills engineers will need to design smart products.

 

Learn more about free Autodesk software access for students, educators, and administrators from qualifying educational institutions.

 

Explore Autodesk partner WorldSkills and how competitors leveraged Inventor to develop their entries for the mechanical engineering design competition.

 

3D mechanical engineering FAQs

What are some common applications of AutoCAD for 3D mechanical engineering?

You can use AutoCAD for a wide range of steps in the engineering process. You can design in 3D to fully visualize your products, plans and prototypes including machines, consumer goods and tools. When it comes to manufacturing, you can generate AutoCAD mechanical drawings from your 3D engineering designs to guide the process. It can also be used to analyze the performance of existing products, so you can improve on them and create new models.

What subscription options are available for Autodesk's 3D engineering software?

You can choose from a number of different 3D engineering software subscription plans. Each product can be bought on a Standard, Premium or Enterprise plan. Standard is ideal for individuals and small teams, and includes full use of the software, product usage reporting, single sign-on and 8x5 live support. If your team is medium or large then Premium is ideal, featuring directory sync, coaching for users and 24x7 live support. And for extra-large teams, the Enterprise plan gives you the ability to add your own metadata to your 3D engineering software, control download access, and gives you a managed success plan.

Can I use AutoCAD for wireframe modelling?

Yes, both AutoCAD and Fusion 360 allow you do design using wireframe models, allowing you to modify your designs more easily using iterative design processes. Changes can be made and tested quickly without the need for time-consuming rendering operations.  

What are the main benefits of 3D engineering software?

Thanks to Autodesk's 3D mechanical engineering design software you can create more accurate and precise models in less time. There are also substantial reduced physical costs as realistic 3D models negate the need for endless physical prototypes, and engineers are freer to innovate and test new designs with even limited resources.

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