What is SkyCiv CloudCAD?
SkyCiv's CloudCAD is an intuitive, powerful and fully-functional 2D CAD software, built on the cloud. There's no installation - simply access the software via your web browser. High level features can be compared to Autodesk's 2D CAD products and include:
- Model, design, markup and export 2D documentation
- Import and Export DWG, DXF, PDF, PNG/JPG
- Intuitive operations, tools and custom shortcuts
- Trace over Images at scale, making it quick and accurate
- Purpose built for structural engineers - export models direct to Structural Analysis Software
- Completely cloud-based with nothing to install
- Share files via URL link (no account needed to view)
How do our features compare to AutoCAD LT?
Top section shows verified CloudCAD advantages. The remaining sections compare equivalent drafting workflows and broader CAD coverage.
| SkyCiv CloudCAD | AutoCAD LT** | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (monthly) * | US $29/mo | US $70/mo |
| Price (annual) * | US $290/yr | US $540/yr |
| CloudCAD Advantages | ||
| 100% Cloud Based (No Installation) | ✓ | — |
| More cost-effective | ✓ | — |
| Works on Any Device / OS (Mac, Windows, Chromebook, Tablet) | ✓ | — |
| Share Model via Live URL | ✓ | — |
| Live Chat Support | ✓ | — |
| Export direct to Structural Analysis (S3D) | ✓ | — |
| Export to Section Builder | ✓ | — |
| Customize Keyboard Shortcuts (via User Interface) | ✓ | — |
| 2D Drafting & Drawing | ||
| Lines | ✓ | ✓ |
| Polylines (with Arcs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Arcs (3-Point) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Circles | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rectangles | ✓ | ✓ |
| Polygons (n-Sided) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Splines | ✓ | ✓ |
| Points | ✓ | ✓ |
| Construction Lines (XLine / Ray) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hatching & Gradient Fills (incl. Holes) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Revision Clouds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ellipses | — | ✓ |
| Multiline (Parallel Lines) | — | ✓ |
| Donuts / Rings | — | ✓ |
| Center Marks / Center Lines | — | ✓ |
| Editing & Modification | ||
| Move | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy / Paste (Relative) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rotate | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mirror | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scale | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stretch | ✓ | ✓ |
| Offset | ✓ | ✓ |
| Trim | ✓ | ✓ |
| Extend | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fillet | ✓ | ✓ |
| Chamfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Array — Rectangular (Linear) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Array — Polar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Join | ✓ | ✓ |
| Explode | ✓ | ✓ |
| Match Properties | ✓ | ✓ |
| Modify Length / Lengthen | ✓ | ✓ |
| Split Line into N Segments | ✓ | ✓ |
| Split Line by Interval | ✓ | ✓ |
| Update Origin / Base Point | ✓ | ✓ |
| Grip Editing (Multi-Functional Grips) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Array — Path | — | ✓ |
| Break at Point | — | ✓ |
| Align | — | ✓ |
| Selection Tools | ||
| Single Click / Multi-Click Selection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Window / Crossing Selection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lasso Selection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Filter by Object Type | ✓ | ✓ |
| Show / Hide / Isolate Objects | ✓ | ✓ |
| Quick Properties Panel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Selection Cycling | — | ✓ |
| Precision & Snapping | ||
| Object Snaps (Endpoint, Midpoint, Center, Intersection…) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Grid Snap | ✓ | ✓ |
| Coordinate Input (Absolute & Relative) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Polar Input (Length + Angle) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dynamic Input / On-Screen Prompt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Typed Distance / Radius Input | ✓ | ✓ |
| Zoom to Extents / Zoom Window | ✓ | ✓ |
| Object Snap Tracking | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ortho Mode / Polar Tracking (Multi-Angle Guides) | — | ✓ |
| Annotation & Dimensions | ||
| Linear / Aligned Dimensions | ✓ | ✓ |
| Projected Dimensions (Horizontal / Vertical) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Angular Dimensions | ✓ | ✓ |
| Radius / Diameter Dimensions | ✓ | ✓ |
| Leader Text | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multi-Leader Text | ✓ | ✓ |
| Text & Multiline Text | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tables | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dimension Styles | ✓ | ✓ |
| Smart Dimensioning (Auto-Detect Type) | — | ✓ |
| Ordinate Dimensions | — | ✓ |
| Annotative Scaling | — | ✓ |
| Geometric Tolerances (GD&T) | — | ✓ |
| Fields (Auto-Updating Text) | — | ✓ |
| Layers & Organisation | ||
| Layer Create / Delete / Rename | ✓ | ✓ |
| Layer Colour / Linetype / Lineweight | ✓ | ✓ |
| Layer Visibility (On / Off / Freeze) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Layer Lock | ✓ | ✓ |
| Groups | ✓ | ✓ |
| Block Insert / Block References | ✓ | ✓ |
| Block Library / Tool Palettes | ✓ | ✓ |
| External References (Xrefs) | — | ✓ |
| Design Center (Browse & Reuse Content) | — | ✓ |
| Layer States Manager | — | ✓ |
| Image & Media | ||
| Image Attach (JPG / PNG) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Image Transparency / Scale / Freeze / Order | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scale by Reference Length | ✓ | ✓ |
| Save Canvas as Image | ✓ | ✓ |
| OLE Object Embedding | — | ✓ |
| Import & Export | ||
| DXF Import / Export | ✓ | ✓ |
| DWG Import | ✓ | ✓ |
| PDF Import (with Page Selection) | ✓ | ✓ |
| PDF Export (Multi-Page) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Export to SkyCiv Structural 3D | ✓ | — |
| Export to SkyCiv Section Builder | ✓ | — |
| DWG Native Save / Export | — | ✓ |
| DWF / DWFx Publish | — | ✓ |
| eTransmit (Package for Sharing) | — | ✓ |
| Collaboration | ||
| Share via URL / Shared Views | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cloud File Storage & Access | ✓ | ✓ |
| Count Objects / Quantities | — | ✓ |
| DWG Compare (Drawing Diff) | — | ✓ |
| Markup Import & Markup Assist | — | ✓ |
| Activity Insights (Who Changed What) | — | ✓ |
| Trace (Overlay Feedback Without Editing) | — | ✓ |
| Layout, Plotting & Documentation | ||
| PDF Multi-Page with Frames | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paper Space / Model Space | — | ✓ |
| Layout Viewports | — | ✓ |
| Plot Styles / Page Setup | — | ✓ |
| Sheet Sets / Batch Plot | — | ✓ |
| Named Views | — | ✓ |
| Customisation & Automation | ||
| Keyboard Shortcuts / Aliases | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interactive On-Screen Guidance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Command Line Interface | ✓ | ✓ |
| LISP / AutoLISP Scripting | — | ✓ |
| Action Recorder / Macros | — | ✓ |
| Custom Tool Palettes | — | ✓ |
| Customise Ribbon / UI | — | ✓ |
| Purge / Audit Cleanup Tools | — | ✓ |
* = Pricing as of Mar 2026. Pricing may be differ based on region and Autodesk promotions or price changes.
** = This table is a guide-only and is based on our interpretation of Autodesk features, which may not be exhaustive or totally accurate with the current version of the product. Please refer to Autodesk's official website for comprehensive product details and pricing.
Benefits of CloudCAD
100% Cloud Based
Being 100% cloud-based provides users with the following benefits:
- Share your project with easy to share URL links (no SkyCiv account needed)
- Works on PC, Chromebooks, Macs and Tablets
- Always on the latest version
- Have questions? Ask our team in real-time via our Live Chat
Being on the cloud provides clear benefits, helping us become one of the best CAD software on the market and best value for money.
Trace Drawings, to Scale.
Moving from CAD Drawings to a Structural Model has never been easier. SkyCiv's 2D CAD is purpose built to help engineers move through their designs faster. Go from CAD to SkyCiv Structural 3D in 4 easy steps:
- Import PNG or PDF files
- Easily set a scale using a reference measurement
- Trace over your plans
- Import directly into Structural 3D Analysis Software
Easy to learn, powerful when mastered
- Intuitive Operations, clearly labeled info tips and guides
- Customize your own Keyboard Shortcuts
- Intuitive Interface, easy to learn
- Right Click and Search Capabilities
- Console and Command functions, for fast execution
Work with DWG, DXF, PDF and Images
SkyCiv's 2D CAD integrates with a variety of file formats, so you can quickly import existing data. CloudCAD supports the following:
- Import PNG/PDFs, scale and trace
- Import DXF and DWG files directly
- Export PDFs with custom viewpoints
- Export DXF Files, ready to transfer to most other CAD software
- Export directly to Structural Analysis and Section Builder Software
Integrate with analysis software, in seconds.
Export a single floor or an entire structures directly into CAD. The export will automatically label your members and generate member schedule tables with a click of a button - making this process quick and easy.
Integrate your tasks, and work faster as an engineer with SkyCiv.
Share drawings quickly, with cloud collaboration
Having the ability to single-click and share your drawings with others is a key feature of being on the cloud.
Once shared, recipients can review your drawings via a live link. No need to login, no need to create an account - simply share your drawings with others for easier review.
Why Make the Switch?
"The ease of use and the presentation of the results are both awesome.
I have had ongoing interaction with the support team and
everyone is excellent!"
It is used for various civil and mechanical engineering courses and the students
love it. We are happy with the continuous updates to SkyCiv as well,
highly recommended.
"It was easily the most intuitive package available to learn; it is particularly easy to build the 3D model and define nodes, members, supports, materials, sections, then apply loads & combinations."
