DesignSpark Mechanical

Free plan Windows

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What DesignSpark Mechanical is

DesignSpark Mechanical is Windows software for 2D and 3D mechanical design. It uses direct modeling and also lists surface and parametric modeling. Pull, Combine and Blend tools shape solids, while parametric equations can define custom curve patterns in two and three dimensions. Its free Explorer plan includes basic direct modeling and bill of materials generation; Creator and Engineer have free 7-day trials, with paid prices not printed. Creator adds advanced file import and export, 3D Mirror and drawing-sheet detailing. Engineer includes the Assembly Tool, which supports constraints, movement, exploded views and tracelines. The integrated library contains over one billion manufacturer-approved 3D part models, and RS product codes can help create bills of materials and production quotes. Drawing annotations support ASME, JIS, ISO and GB standards, including ASME Y14.5 GD&T. Supported Windows versions are 10 and 11 (64-bit) and Windows Server 2016 and 2019 (64-bit). Cloud collaboration is not available.

Who it suits

It suits mechanical designers who work in Windows and need direct modeling, with more specialized file handling or assembly design available in higher plans. Teams can also use its RS product codes and bill-of-materials tools for production quotes.

What it does well

Explorer is free with no hidden fees.
Supports 2D and 3D modeling.
Part library contains over one billion models.
Engineer includes assembly constraints and exploded views.
Drawing annotations support four named standards.

What to know first

Cloud collaboration is not available.
Creator and Engineer prices are not printed.
Assembly Tool is available in Engineer.

Limits

Explorer is limited to basic direct modeling and BOM generation. Creator and Engineer trials last 7 days, and plan capabilities and file formats vary by tier.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Explorer	Free plan · Basic direct modeling · BOM generation	On request
Creator	billed yearly · 7-day free trial · Advanced file import and export · 3D Mirror and drawing-sheet detailing	On request
Engineer	billed yearly · 7-day free trial · Assembly Tool · Advanced file import and export	On request

As rs-online.com lists them, read 27 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Download and install the Windows application for a supported 64-bit system
Start with the free Explorer plan or begin a Creator or Engineer 7-day trial
Create a 2D or 3D design using direct, surface or parametric modeling
Import supported design files or select parts from the integrated library
Use drawing annotations, BOM features or the Assembly Tool where included
Export the model in a format supported by your plan

Verdict

DesignSpark Mechanical offers a free entry plan for direct modeling, with advanced file options and assembly tools in paid tiers. Check plan-specific format support and Windows compatibility before choosing it.

Questions

Is DesignSpark Mechanical free?

Explorer is free and has no hidden fees. Creator and Engineer show free 7-day trials.

Which operating systems are supported?

It supports Windows 10 and Windows 11 64-bit, plus Windows Server 2016 and 2019 64-bit.

Does it support cloud collaboration?

No. Cloud collaboration is not available.

What modeling methods are included?

The software lists direct, surface and parametric modeling for 2D and 3D work.

Which formats can it handle?

Supported formats include STEP, IGES, STL and DXF. Creator and Engineer add broader imports and exports such as OBJ, SKP, DWG and GLB/GLTF.

Which plan includes assembly design?

The Assembly Tool is included in Engineer, with constraints, movement, exploded views and tracelines.

Facts from DesignSpark Mechanical's own pages

Assembly design: Yes · rs-online.com, 23 Sept 2026
Assembly tool: The Assembly Tool supports constraints, movement, exploded views and tracelines, and is available in Engineer. · rs-online.com, 27 Sept 2026
BOM and quotes: Models use RS product codes to help create bills of materials and production quotes. · rs-online.com, 27 Sept 2026
Cloud collaboration: No · rs-online.com, 23 Sept 2026
Engineer adoption: The page says DesignSpark is trusted by 1.4 million engineers. · rs-online.com, 27 Sept 2026
Complex geometry: Pull, Combine and Blend tools transform solids into desired shapes. · rs-online.com, 27 Sept 2026
Customization options: Users can customize shortcuts, workspace views, rendering, shading, colors and toolbar layout. · rs-online.com, 27 Sept 2026
Drawing standards: Drawing annotations support ASME, JIS, ISO and GB standards and ASME Y14.5 GD&T. · rs-online.com, 27 Sept 2026
File import and export: Explorer imports RSDOC, RSDOCX, DSPCB IDF, TXT, JPG, BMP, PNG; exports RSDOCX, STL, OBJ, 3D PDF. Creator/Engineer also import OBJ, SKP, DXF, DWG, STEP, IGES, AVI, WMV, MKV; export AMF, DXF, DWG, STEP, IGES, GLB/GLTF, OBJ, VDB, 3D PDF, SKP, STL, XAML, JPG, PNG. · rs-online.com, 23 Sept 2026
Founded: 2010 · rs-online.com, 28 Sept 2026
Free plan: Yes · rs-online.com, 23 Sept 2026
Free tier: The Explorer plan is free and has no hidden fees. · rs-online.com, 27 Sept 2026
Headquarters: Birchington Road, Weldon, Corby, Northamptonshire NN17 9RS, United Kingdom · rs-online.com, 28 Sept 2026
Modeling method: The software uses gesture-based direct modeling with push-pull tools. · rs-online.com, 27 Sept 2026
Parametric sketching: Parametric equations define custom curve patterns in 2D and 3D space. · rs-online.com, 27 Sept 2026
3D part library: The integrated library contains over one billion manufacturer-approved 3D part models. · rs-online.com, 27 Sept 2026
Pricing display: Explorer is free; Creator and Engineer show monthly billing yearly, but no prices are printed. · rs-online.com, 27 Sept 2026
Project limits: The comparison lists unlimited projects and design size for DesignSpark Mechanical plans. · rs-online.com, 27 Sept 2026
Reverse engineering: Plans include reverse engineering a solid model from a 3D-scanned mesh such as STL. · rs-online.com, 27 Sept 2026
Sheet-metal tools: No · rs-online.com, 23 Sept 2026
Supported formats: It imports and exports STEP, IGES, STL and DXF formats. · rs-online.com, 27 Sept 2026
Supported platforms: Windows 10 (64-bit), Windows 11 (64-bit), Windows Server 2016 and 2019 (64-bit) · rs-online.com, 23 Sept 2026
Support resources: Support includes questions, tutorials, advice and help from fellow engineers. · rs-online.com, 27 Sept 2026
Team management: Multi-user solutions let teams manage and reassign licenses as they evolve. · rs-online.com, 27 Sept 2026