Bibliocad is a CAD library that allows you to download and exchange CAD and BIM (building information modeling) resources. It offers a huge range of over 120,000 user-uploaded files. Bibliocad’s content tends to focus more on architecture projects, but there’s still a wide variety of files available in other categories such as vehicles, machinery, symbols, and many more.
Bibliocad’s free subscription allows you to download a limited number of files per day from a smaller (but still impressive) library of free files. Paying a monthly or annual subscription fee allows access to the premium files and also increases your number of downloads per day to 200.
Before we jump into our list of 10 great alternatives, we’ll take a look at some reasons why Bibliocad is so widely used.
Bibliocad’s library is huge, but also notable for its wide variety of file formats, including DWG, RVT, RFA, MAX, 3DS, and SKP, among others. Based in Argentina, Bibliocad’s language is Spanish by default, but the English and Portuguese versions are just as good as the original Spanish.
Even though the free section of the library is enormous and includes over 40,000 files, by upgrading to the premium plan you gain access to more than 80,000 additional files. One unique aspect of Bibliocad is that you’re also able to access premium files in exchange for contributing your own files to the library, without paying for a subscription.
Bibliocad’s main purpose is as a comprehensive library of files, but in addition to that, there are also some useful tutorials and interviews available on the website that allow users to learn about different CAD tools and design processes for free.
Below, we’ll explore 10 alternatives to Bibliocad, each with their own strengths. Some have even larger libraries, some are more cost effective, and some specialize in particular types of files. Whatever you’re looking for, there’s sure to be a library that suits your needs.
BIMobject offers over 300,000 files in a huge variety of formats, including 3DS, DWG, OBJ, SKP, and STL to name just a few. The focus, however, is right there in the name – BIM objects.
Usefully, if you’re searching according to standard classifications, there are files that have been tagged as MasterFormat, Uniformat, and OmniClass.
BIMobject has also published some free plug-ins for popular CAD software, that allow you to browse the catalog of files directly from your CAD of choice. Plug-ins are available for AutoCAD, ArchiCAD, Revit, Vectorworks, and SketchUp.
BIMobject is a very well-organized website with basic but useful filters and a handy search bar. All files are free, but registration is needed before you can download anything.
CAD Blocks is a valuable source of CAD blocks and other quality content for AutoCAD. Usefully, all the available files are optimized to support the AutoCAD 2007 format.
The website has a considerable range of blocks, mostly free and some paid. Users, by uploading their own CAD blocks, can receive a small fee whenever their works are downloaded. This makes it a wonderful place for artists to share their ideas and also get paid for their work.
With a gallery for previews, it’s easy to find whatever you’re looking for quickly, and you can be sure of what you’re going to get. Plus, you don’t need an account for downloading the free models, so it’s a great option if you’re in a hurry!
DWG Models is another alternative that focuses strictly on DWG files. Though it has a significantly smaller selection than some of the other sites on this list, the limited focus makes it a useful platform for architects and artists.
Most of the 2D CAD blocks available from DWG Models are free, though some premium files have a small cost attached. Files are can be filtered by paid or free, or when searching the full collections, the free files are labeled with a green mark.
There are some useful categories including architectural details, bridges, maps, graphic symbols, and urban planning. Fortunately, you don’t have to register to get access to the files on this website so it’s a good choice if you’re looking to quickly download a model.
CADdetails is a huge library that has some valuable files with a focus on building and construction. The site includes over 50,000 free 2D CAD blocks and some 10,000 3D BIM models. Besides hosting the products of third-party manufacturers, CADdetails also have some of their own blocks available.
Digital resources are provided in a wide range of formats, including DWG, RVT, and SKP, and search results can be filtered either using the MasterFormat or regular Product Type navigation.
All the files are accessible and ready to download free of charge, but registration is needed to do so.
Aplus is a modern, easy-to-navigate website with a large library of almost 20,000 CAD blocks, symbols, and details, all free to download. Each block is available to download individually and you don’t even need to register to download. The only downside is that only DWG files are available, which might be limiting, depending on your needs.
Aplus is also an Autodesk-authorized developer and markets a bespoke AutoCAD overlay for architects, described as the most powerful AutoCAD add-on on Earth!
TurboSquid offers an archive used by architects, engineers, students, game developers, and professional designers. This site stands out for its around-the-clock support and straightforward returns process, both of which are very handy features.
Many different formats are available on this website, but from the roughly 20,000 files, only 270 DWG models are free; you’ll need a premium subscription to access the rest of the library. Registration is also required in order to use this website, but it’s a very simple process and worth it for the other advantages!
Archweb is another source for CAD blocks, with a wide range that is free to download. The website’s homepage is in Italian but, conveniently, the list of categories and other useful content is also available in English
Evidently, Archweb is one of the most comprehensive CAD file libraries out there, with a significant collection of 28,000 CAD blocks available for free. All of the 2D files are stored in the DWG format, and many files are available in 3D formats. The website’s categories filter down to very specific terms, so it’s easy to find what you’re looking for.
Since registration is not needed in order to use this website, it’s another good choice if you’re looking to quickly download models.
CAD Blocks Free is a well-organized site offering a stunning range of CAD blocks, although it’s a bit limited in quantity compared to its competitors. Over 1,900 files are stored in the DWG format, both 2D and 3D, and some of which are supplied by the designers themselves. This makes Cad Blocks Free a great marketplace for artists who want to share their work.
There are some paid items available in different membership plans, but there’s also a great range of free stuff that you can download without any registration needed. The site is also available in several languages other than English.
Over 20,000 CADs are ready to purchase and download from Boss888.net. The DWG files on this website are compatible all the way back to the AutoCAD 2000 format, which is a big plus for some users.
The website is organized into a long list of categories which is useful if you know exactly what you’re looking for, but less helpful if you want to browse a variety of models.
Registration is not necessary in order to download the significant number of free files available. However, among the paid CAD drawings, you can find quality models designed by great artists, so it’s worthwhile to look beyond the free options!
Everything available on CAD-blocks.net is completely free. The site offers a good selection of CAD models with high-quality previews and brief descriptions even in the search results, so it’s easy to spot what you need and you know exactly what you are downloading.
There are thousands of DWG files that can be downloaded with no registration needed. This a practical option with some genuinely quality files, suitable for students, architects, and designers.
Lead image source: Boss888.net
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