HiCAD
by HiCAD
What HiCAD is
HiCAD is freemium Windows 2D/3D CAD software for engineering steel, facade, cladding, glazing, stairs, railings, and sheet-metal projects. Its hybrid approach allows 2D and 3D work in one drawing and combines these disciplines in one model. Model changes can update connections, panels, stairs, profiles, and drawings. From a 3D model, it can generate bills of materials, NC data, STEP and IFC files, and fabrication drawings. Steel tools provide 3D-driven detailing plus automatic sections, details, dimensions, part positioning, recognition, and connections. Facade tools include automated cladding layouts, panel libraries, glazing, curtain walls, and building-envelope work. Stair configurators cover straight, L-shaped, U-shaped, spiral, and multi-flight designs. HiCAD supports assembly, sheet-metal, and surface modeling and imports or exports many formats, including STEP, IFC, DXF, DWG, IGES, ACIS, Parasolid, CATIA, Creo Parametric, JT, PLM XML, NX, SolidWorks, Inventor, MicroStation, Solid Edge, and VDAFS. It integrates with LogiKal and scanner workflows, while PDM handles project organization, revisions, and access control. A free plan and free trial are listed; other pricing is on request.
Who it suits
HiCAD is intended for structural engineers, steel fabricators, designers, construction professionals, industrial manufacturers, and educational institutions working on complex engineering projects.
What it does well
- Unified 2D/3D engineering model
- Steel, facade, stair, and sheet-metal tools
- Automatic production and fabrication outputs
- Broad import and export format list
- Free plan and free trial
What to know first
- Windows-only platform
- Detailed system requirements are still forthcoming
- Pricing beyond free access is on request
- Some maintenance services may require separate charges
Verdict
HiCAD brings multiple engineering disciplines, automation, fabrication outputs, and broad file compatibility into one Windows CAD system. Its free access option can support evaluation, while larger deployments should review system, maintenance, and pricing details.
Facts from HiCAD's own pages
- 2D and 3D
- Users can work in 2D and 3D in the same drawing, with changes reflected across the model. · hicad.us, 9 Oct 2026
- Assembly design
- Yes · hicad.us, 19 Sept 2026
- Automation
- Changes to a model update connections, panels, stairs, profiles, and drawings across the model. · hicad.us, 8 Oct 2026
- Company
- HiCAD is provided in the United States by ISD Group USA Inc. · hicad.us, 8 Oct 2026
- Company history
- ISD Group says it was founded in June 1977 in Dortmund, Germany. · isdgroup.us, 9 Oct 2026
- Data protection
- ISD says remote support uses an encrypted 128-bit SSL connection and requires customer authorization before screen contents are transmitted. · isdgroup.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Facade tools
- Facade features include automated cladding panel layouts, manufacturer panel libraries, and tools for glazing, curtain walls, and building envelopes. · isdgroup.us, 9 Oct 2026
- File formats
- The maker says HiCAD connects to other software through formats including IFC, STEP, DXF, and DWG. · isdgroup.us, 9 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 1977 · hicad.us, 28 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · hicad.us, 19 Sept 2026
- Free trial
- ISD Group USA advertises a 30-day HiCAD test at no charge and without obligation. · isdgroup.us, 9 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- Dortmund, Germany · hicad.us, 28 Sept 2026
- Industries
- One model can combine steel engineering, sheet metal, glazing, cladding, stairs, and railing elements. · hicad.us, 8 Oct 2026
- Integration
- HiCAD integrates with LogiKal for aluminum system planning, profile selection, structural checks, and fabrication preparation. · hicad.us, 8 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The maker lists LogiKal by Orgadata for windows, doors, and facade elements, and FARO and Leica scanners for point cloud workflows. · isdgroup.us, 9 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The maker describes HiCAD Steel Engineering for structural engineers, steel fabricators, designers, construction professionals, industrial manufacturers, and educational institutions. · isdgroup.us, 9 Oct 2026
- Maintenance terms
- The maker's maintenance agreement states that support includes access to updates, upgrades, and patches during the contract term, and that the agreement renews annually unless notice is given at least three months before term end. · hicad.us, 9 Oct 2026
- Modeling method
- hybrid · hicad.us, 19 Sept 2026
- Partners
- The maker lists FARO, Forterro, 3A Composites, FLEXIJET, WB&E, and AT-NET as core partners. · hicad.us, 8 Oct 2026
- Platform
- HiCAD 2026 is listed as compatible with 64-bit Windows 11; HiCAD 2025 and 2024 also list Windows 10 compatibility. · isdgroup.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Product
- HiCAD is 2D/3D CAD software for engineering. · hicad.us, 8 Oct 2026
- Production output
- HiCAD can generate bills of materials, NC data, STEP/IFC files, and fabrication drawings from a 3D model. · hicad.us, 9 Oct 2026
- Project data management
- HiCAD PDM supports project data organization, revision management, access control, and access to project files from HiCAD. · isdgroup.us, 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- HiCAD is 2D/3D CAD software for engineering complex steel, facade, cladding, glazing, stairs, railings, and sheet metal projects. · hicad.us, 9 Oct 2026
Where HiCAD stands on Freedom251
- 3D CAD Software#29 of 79