Choosing the best 3D CAD modeling software depends on what you need to build: industrial piping, precise general-purpose drawings, or a more approachable mix of 2D and 3D work. I rank AutoCAD Plant 3D 2022 first for facility and piping design because it connects 3D models with piping and instrumentation diagrams and can produce project drawings and material lists. DesignCAD 3D Max 2020 is my more flexible pick for hobbyists and general drafting, while DesignCAD 3D Max Version 17 offers accessible modeling features but comes with older software and thinner product information.
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The key tradeoff is specialization versus breadth. Plant 3D has the clearest industrial workflow, but it is Windows-only and its listing excludes online account access and technical support. The DesignCAD options cover drafting and modeling alongside presentation tools, yet neither description establishes the same plant-design workflow. I compare them by their modeling purpose, file compatibility, output tools, platform details, and how clearly the supplied information supports a buyer’s decision.
Key Takeaways
- AutoCAD Plant 3D 2022 is the strongest fit here for industrial facility models because it links piping and instrumentation diagrams to 3D work and supports isometric, orthographic, and material-list outputs.
- DesignCAD 3D Max 2020 is the broadest general-purpose option in this group, combining 2D drafting, 3D modeling, rendering, animation, and 3D-print checks.
- DesignCAD 3D Max Version 17 may suit a beginner seeking drafting and modeling in one older application, but its age and incomplete listing make compatibility and support harder to judge.
- All three products are described for Windows workflows; buyers seeking macOS software should look elsewhere.
- Before choosing either DesignCAD version, confirm the file formats and operating-system compatibility you need; Plant 3D is the more specific pick when piping documentation drives the work.
| AutoCAD Plant 3D 2022 Software for Single User |  | Best for industrial plant and piping design | Version: 2022 | License: Single user; described as perpetual | Operating system: Windows 10 or 11, 64-bit | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| DesignCAD 3D Max 2020 (PC Download) |  | Best for general-purpose 2D and 3D CAD value | Version: 2020 | Software type: 2D and 3D CAD | Platform: Windows | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| DesignCAD 3D Max Version 17 |  | Best for beginners exploring older all-in-one CAD | Version: 17 | Manufacturer: IMSI Software | Model number: 00D3MX17CC | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| 3D CAD modeling software | Version |
|---|---|
| AutoCAD Plant 3D 2022 Software | 2022 |
| DesignCAD 3D Max 2020 | 2020 |
| DesignCAD 3D Max Version 17 | 17 |
More Details on Our Top Picks
AutoCAD Plant 3D 2022 Software for Single User
AutoCAD Plant 3D 2022 earns my top spot because it addresses a specific, demanding CAD workflow that neither DesignCAD option claims to cover: designing industrial facilities while tying piping and instrumentation diagrams to the 3D model. That connection can reduce the gap between a schematic and a spatial layout, giving teams a more coordinated basis for plant documentation than a general-purpose modeling package alone. Its libraries of valves, pumps, and fittings also give users a starting vocabulary of industry components rather than requiring every part to be drawn from scratch.
The output tools strengthen its case for engineering work. The description says it can generate isometric drawings, orthographics, and material lists, so the model can support more than a visual representation. Those deliverables are a meaningful distinction from DesignCAD 3D Max 2020, whose stated strengths are broader drafting, modeling, rendering, animation, and 3D-print checks. If piping coordination and project documentation are central, Plant 3D is the more targeted choice; if the goal is a flexible tool for varied personal projects, DesignCAD 2020 is easier to justify.
That specialization is also its limit. Buyers who want general-purpose modeling, animation, or hobby-oriented tools may not benefit from a plant-design workflow, and the supplied description does not list those capabilities as a focus. The product is described as Windows-only, with Windows 10 or 11, 64-bit specified. The listing also says an online account and technical support are not included, which may matter to a team that depends on account-based collaboration or vendor help. Cloud collaboration is listed as supported, but buyers should clarify what setup and access it requires before relying on it.
The license is described as perpetual and for a single user, with a disc listed among the included components. Those details should be checked against the seller’s current delivery and activation terms before purchase, particularly because the listing also excludes an online account. I rank it above both DesignCAD choices because the industrial workflow is the most distinctive and integrated capability in this set, not because it is the right tool for every kind of 3D modeling.
Pros:- Links piping and instrumentation diagrams with 3D plant models.
- Can generate isometric drawings, orthographics, and material lists.
- Includes libraries for components such as valves, pumps, and fittings.
- Lists cloud collaboration support for team-oriented workflows.
Cons:- The listing says an online account and technical support are not included.
- The stated platform is Windows 10 or 11, 64-bit.
- Its specialized plant workflow may be unnecessary for general modeling or hobby projects.
Best for: Windows-based plant designers, piping engineers, and facility teams who need a 3D model connected to piping and instrumentation diagrams and project drawing outputs.
Not ideal for: Mac users, hobbyists seeking broad creative modeling tools, or buyers who require included technical support and clearly documented account setup.
- Version:2022
- License:Single user; described as perpetual
- Operating system:Windows 10 or 11, 64-bit
- Primary workflow:Industrial facility modeling and piping design
- Drawing and data outputs:Isometric drawings, orthographics, and material lists
- Component libraries:Includes valves, pumps, and fittings
- Collaboration:Cloud collaboration is listed
- Included component:Disc
Our verdict“I recommend Plant 3D for buyers whose CAD work centers on industrial facilities and piping documentation, but not as a general-purpose first choice.”
DesignCAD 3D Max 2020 (PC Download)
DesignCAD 3D Max 2020 is my pick for buyers who want one Windows application to cover precise 2D drafting, 3D modeling, and basic presentation work. Compared with Plant 3D, it is less specialized: the description does not claim linked piping diagrams, plant component libraries, or automated isometric documentation. That makes it a weaker match for industrial facility projects, but a more natural fit for mixed personal, DIY, and precision-drawing tasks that do not need those dedicated tools.
Its breadth is the main reason it ranks ahead of Version 17. The 2020 release lists rendering, lighting, animation, and 3D-print checking alongside its CAD tools, providing a route from drawing and modeling toward visual presentation or a printable model. It also supports AutoCAD 2020 files and SketchUp import and export, which can help when a project starts in another application or needs to move between workflows. These compatibility claims are specific to the formats named in the description, so I would verify the exact file types and version requirements for a real project.
That mix does not make it a universal replacement for professional engineering software. Buyers need to distinguish general CAD flexibility from Plant 3D’s more focused piping-and-facility workflow. DesignCAD 2020’s listed 3D-print check may be helpful for preparing a model, but the information supplied does not explain the depth of the checking process or establish that it handles specialized engineering documentation. For plant designers, Plant 3D remains the clearer choice; for users who want broad drafting and model-making features in a single package, DesignCAD is more relevant.
The download format may appeal to buyers who prefer software delivery without a physical disc, and the stated compatibility includes both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows. However, the product information does not specify system requirements, which leaves an important practical question unanswered. It is also Windows-only, so it is not a fit for macOS users. I place it second because its tool range is more adaptable than the older Version 17 listing, while its general-purpose character and missing system details keep it behind the specialist Plant 3D option for industrial work.
Pros:- Combines 2D drafting with 3D modeling.
- Includes rendering, lighting, animation, and a 3D-print check.
- Lists AutoCAD 2020 and SketchUp 2020 import and export support.
- Supports both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows.
Cons:- Designed for Windows only.
- The description does not specify system requirements.
- Does not list Plant 3D’s piping-diagram links or plant-component workflow.
Best for: Windows users doing hobby, DIY, or precision-drawing projects who want 2D drafting, 3D modeling, rendering, and file exchange in one application.
Not ideal for: Mac users, plant-design teams needing linked piping documentation, or buyers who need published system requirements before selecting software.
- Version:2020
- Software type:2D and 3D CAD
- Platform:Windows
- Architecture:32-bit and 64-bit compatibility listed
- File support:AutoCAD 2020 and SketchUp 2020 import and export
- Modeling and drafting:2D drafting and 3D modeling
- Additional tools:Rendering, animation, and 3D-print check
- Delivery format:PC download
Our verdict“I would choose DesignCAD 3D Max 2020 for broad personal CAD work, but choose Plant 3D when industrial piping coordination is the priority.”
DesignCAD 3D Max Version 17
DesignCAD 3D Max Version 17 is the beginner-oriented option in this group, with 2D drafting, 3D modeling, rendering, and animation described in one application. It also includes texture mapping, configurable lighting, and a raster-to-vector conversion tool. That last feature gives it a distinct use case: a user with scanned drawings may be able to convert raster artwork into editable CAD material, rather than beginning a tracing job from an empty file.
Compared with DesignCAD 3D Max 2020, Version 17 has a similar broad ambition but a less reassuring product listing. The 2020 description explicitly names AutoCAD 2020 and SketchUp 2020 import and export, plus a 3D-print check. Version 17 instead names DXF and DWG support and AutoCAD layouts, and its information is stated to be incomplete. I would favor the newer DesignCAD listing when those named formats and 3D-print workflow are relevant. Version 17’s raster-to-vector tool may tip the decision the other way for someone working with scanned plans.
Its main drawback is the age of the release: the supplied details give an availability date of October 2, 2001. That does not, by itself, prove a particular compatibility problem, but it makes current operating-system behavior, file exchange with newer applications, and access to help harder to establish from the information provided. Unlike Plant 3D, it is not presented as an industrial plant-design system, and its stated features do not include linked piping diagrams, dedicated plant libraries, or automated material lists. Buyers should not treat general 3D modeling tools as a substitute for that documented workflow.
I rank Version 17 third because its accessible feature range is offset by the oldest release and the least complete description. It can still make sense for a buyer who specifically wants basic drafting and modeling functions, values raster-to-vector conversion, and can confirm compatibility before buying. For a more clearly described general CAD workflow, I would compare it against DesignCAD 2020; for industrial facility work, Plant 3D is the more purposeful choice.
Pros:- Combines 2D drafting and 3D modeling.
- Lists rendering, texture mapping, and 3D animation.
- Supports AutoCAD layouts and multiple DXF and DWG features.
- Includes raster-to-vector conversion for scanned drawings.
Cons:- The listing is incomplete and cuts off mid-description.
- The release dates to 2001, leaving current compatibility unclear from the supplied details.
- The product information does not establish the same named 3D-print workflow as DesignCAD 2020.
Best for: A beginner or legacy-software buyer seeking combined 2D drafting and 3D modeling, especially when raster-to-vector conversion is useful and compatibility can be checked.
Not ideal for: Buyers who need clearly documented current system requirements, modern version-specific file workflows, or industrial piping and plant-design functions.
- Version:17
- Manufacturer:IMSI Software
- Model number:00D3MX17CC
- Supported formats:DXF and DWG
- CAD functions:2D drafting and 3D modeling
- Presentation tools:Rendering, texture mapping, and animation
- Lighting:Up to eight light sources
- Additional tool:Raster-to-vector conversion
- Date first available:October 2, 2001
Our verdict“I would consider Version 17 only when its raster conversion or older workflow is specifically useful and the buyer can verify compatibility first.”
How We Picked
I ranked these products around the practical question behind a search for 3D CAD modeling software: which one best supports the kind of work a buyer intends to do? The supplied descriptions point to three different use cases rather than three interchangeable modeling packages. Plant 3D is built around industrial facilities and piping documentation; DesignCAD 3D Max 2020 combines drafting and modeling with presentation and 3D-print features; Version 17 is positioned as an accessible older CAD application with raster-to-vector conversion.
My comparison gives weight to modeling purpose, the relationship between 2D drawings and 3D models, useful output formats or tools, and how well the listing explains platform and workflow limits. I give Plant 3D the lead because its linked diagrams, component libraries, and automated project outputs form the most clearly defined professional workflow in this lineup. DesignCAD 2020 follows for buyers who need a wider mix of general CAD tasks rather than plant-specific tools. Version 17 ranks third because its beginner-oriented feature set has potential, but the listing is incomplete and identifies a much older release.
I do not treat software age, a feature list, or a product title as proof of current compatibility. The information provided does not establish current operating-system support beyond the stated details, update policies, licensing verification procedures, or vendor support beyond the Plant 3D listing’s explicit exclusion. I also do not assume that either DesignCAD release matches the depth of a specialized industrial design system. These rankings reflect the stated capabilities and the clarity of the available product information, not hands-on testing.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Best 3D CAD Modeling Software
I would start with the work the software must support, then check whether its platform, file handling, and delivery details fit your setup. These three choices span a specialist plant-design workflow and two broader CAD packages, so the right pick is less about a single feature count and more about matching the application to the project.
Match the software to the kind of model
For industrial facility and piping work, Plant 3D is the clear specialist in this comparison. Its described ability to connect piping and instrumentation diagrams with 3D models, use component libraries, and generate project drawings and material lists sets it apart from the DesignCAD options. If your work centers on objects, DIY plans, or general drafting, DesignCAD 2020 is the broader fit. Version 17 also offers general CAD tools, but its age and incomplete listing make it a less certain choice.
Do not select a product simply because it says 3D modeling. A model used to communicate a hobby project has different documentation needs from a plant model coordinated with diagrams and piping components. Write down the deliverables you need—such as editable drawings, orthographic views, or printable models—and compare them with the stated tools.
Check the relationship between 2D drafting and 3D work
All three products include a relationship between drawing and modeling, but the workflows differ. Plant 3D is described around connecting diagrams and 3D plant layouts. DesignCAD 2020 brings 2D drafting and 3D modeling together for general projects, with rendering and animation available for presentation. Version 17 has the same broad drafting-and-modeling framing and adds a route for converting scanned images into editable CAD content.
Think about where project information starts and where it needs to go. If existing files are central, check the named formats and versions rather than assuming all DWG, DXF, AutoCAD, or SketchUp files behave alike. The 2020 listing identifies AutoCAD 2020 and SketchUp 2020 import and export, while Version 17 names DXF and DWG support and AutoCAD layouts.
Separate engineering outputs from visual tools
Rendering, lighting, and animation help communicate a model, but they do not replace engineering deliverables. DesignCAD 2020 and Version 17 list visual presentation tools; Plant 3D instead emphasizes isometric drawings, orthographics, and material lists. Consider which outputs are actually required by clients, fabricators, or colleagues. A polished render cannot substitute for a drawing package, and an industrial drawing workflow may be unnecessary for a personal model.
For 3D printing, only DesignCAD 2020 explicitly lists a 3D-print check. The supplied information does not explain its scope, so confirm what it checks and whether the export formats suit your printer or downstream software. Avoid inferring capabilities that are not specified in the product description.
Treat platform and requirements as a buying filter
The listings describe the software as Windows-focused. Plant 3D specifies Windows 10 or 11, 64-bit; DesignCAD 2020 lists Windows support for both 32-bit and 64-bit systems but does not provide system requirements; Version 17’s supplied details do not clearly state current operating-system requirements. If your computer is a Mac or runs a different setup, verify compatibility before purchase rather than assuming a Windows application will work natively.
System requirements affect more than installation. A larger or more detailed model can place greater demands on a computer than a simple drawing, while older software may not behave like a current release on a modern system. The information here does not settle those questions for every product, so check with the seller or software publisher when the exact operating-system and hardware fit matters.
Confirm license, delivery, and support details
Plant 3D is described as a single-user perpetual license and lists a disc, while the DesignCAD 2020 product is a PC download. These descriptions do not answer every question about activation, transfer to another computer, updates, or long-term access. Plant 3D’s listing specifically says an online account and technical support are not included, a limitation worth weighing if setup help or account services are part of your workflow.
Before ordering, confirm that the license description matches your intended use and that the delivery method works for your computer. For Version 17, ask for clarification about what is included because its listing is incomplete. Clear purchase terms matter especially when the software will support recurring work rather than occasional personal projects.
Choose between DesignCAD 2020 and Version 17 carefully
These two DesignCAD listings share a general-purpose 2D and 3D focus, so the distinctions matter. DesignCAD 2020 has the clearer stated workflow for named AutoCAD and SketchUp file exchange and 3D-print checking. Version 17’s most distinctive listed capability is raster-to-vector conversion, which may help users working from scanned drawings. But Version 17 is an older release and the product information is incomplete, so I would ask about compatibility and included components before relying on it.
If you do not have a specific reason to choose the older version, the 2020 listing is easier to evaluate from the available details. If raster conversion is essential, treat Version 17 as a conditional option and verify that its file handling and installation requirements match your current workflow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which software is best for industrial plant and piping design?
AutoCAD Plant 3D 2022 is the strongest match in this roundup because its description specifically covers industrial facility models, links piping and instrumentation diagrams, and lists plant component libraries. It can also generate isometric drawings, orthographics, and material lists. The two DesignCAD products focus on broader CAD tasks and do not list the same plant-oriented workflow. Check the single-user license details, Windows requirements, and support exclusions before buying.
Which option is the broadest choice for general 2D and 3D projects?
DesignCAD 3D Max 2020 has the broadest stated mix for general-purpose work: 2D drafting, 3D modeling, rendering, animation, and a 3D-print check. Its AutoCAD 2020 and SketchUp 2020 import and export support can also help with file exchange. It is not described as a substitute for Plant 3D’s industrial piping tools, and the listing does not specify system requirements, so verify the computer fit before choosing it.
Is DesignCAD 3D Max Version 17 a good choice for a first-time CAD user?
It may suit a beginner who wants drafting and modeling features together, and its raster-to-vector tool is a useful distinction for someone working from scanned drawings. However, the supplied listing is incomplete and identifies a release first available in 2001. I would not assume it will work with a current computer or modern files without confirmation. Compare it with DesignCAD 2020, whose described file support and 3D-print feature are more specific.
Can I use these applications on macOS?
The provided product information presents these options as Windows software: Plant 3D specifies Windows 10 or 11, 64-bit, and both DesignCAD listings are identified as PC or Windows products. The information supplied does not establish native macOS support. If you use a Mac, confirm compatibility with the publisher or seller before purchasing, or compare applications explicitly listed for your operating system.
What should I verify before purchasing CAD software from these listings?
Check that the named version, license, delivery format, file compatibility, and operating-system requirements fit your project and computer. For Plant 3D, pay attention to its single-user perpetual-license description and the listing’s statement that online account access and technical support are not included. For DesignCAD 2020, request system requirements; for Version 17, seek clarification because its description is incomplete. Confirm any activation, update, and file-exchange details that matter to your workflow.
Conclusion
My recommendation depends on the kind of CAD work you need to deliver. Choose AutoCAD Plant 3D 2022 if industrial facility modeling, piping and instrumentation diagrams, and generated project documents define your workflow; it is the most specialized pick here, with Windows and support limitations to check. Choose DesignCAD 3D Max 2020 for a wider range of personal or precision-drawing projects that combine 2D drafting, 3D modeling, presentation tools, and 3D-print checks. Consider DesignCAD 3D Max Version 17 only if its raster-to-vector feature or older workflow suits a specific need and you can confirm compatibility.
For most buyers, the decision is straightforward: prioritize Plant 3D for plant engineering, DesignCAD 2020 for general-purpose CAD breadth, and Version 17 for a narrowly matched legacy workflow. I would verify the operating system, file formats, and license terms before ordering any of them.
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