# PadCAD > Easy-to-use CAD app for small projects, with export options. (iPhone/iPad app by Plugworks Inc..) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/padcad/id479935212 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Plugworks Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/868826693) - Category: Productivity, Utilities - Price: $14.99 - Rating: 1.85/5 from 26 App Store ratings · 90 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 6.0 · 23 MB - Languages: English - Released: 2011-11-17 - Data updated: 2026-06-10 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/padcad/id479935212/reviews.md ## What is PadCAD? PadCAD is an easy to use CAD application designed for small to medium sized projects such as home additions, remodeling projects, cabinetry work, and site surveys. With PadCAD anyone can produce clean, clear CAD drawings. If you want to save or export your drawings to a professional CAD application like AutoCAD, you can export your drawings in several popular formats, including PDF or DXF files. PadCAD is designed with ease of use, speed and mobility in mind and is NOT a full blown CAD application. It's the prefect starting point for your drafting projects. PadCAD is ideal for general contractors, carpenters, architectural firms, appraisers and real-estate professionals. PadCAD has a very shallow learning curve, and no previous CAD experience is necessary. A comprehensive set of instructions are provided with the app. Main Features : 1) Intuitive finger-based drawing and editing: Draw walls with your finger, then adjust them by dragging or stretching them. 2) Fine-tune controls: For greater precision, every element can be fine-tuned with numeric values. 3) Unlimited Undo and Redo: You can Undo all the way back to the beginning of your session or Redo to your current state. 4) Take Pictures: From within the app you can use your iPad's built in camera to take a photos and associate them with your CAD drawing. You can also use your iPad's built in microphone to create and include audio annotations in your drawings. 5) Intuitive Zoom & Pan: Use two fingers to zoom in and out of your drawing, just like you would with any other picture on the iPad. You may also pan the drawing simply by dragging your finger. The drawing area is larger than the iPad screen which allows you to export projects as large as 170' x 128'. Feel free to contact us with any questions: support@plugworks.com ## Key features - Intuitive finger-based drawing - Fine-tune controls with numeric values - Unlimited Undo and Redo - Associate photos and audio annotations - Intuitive Zoom & Pan functionality - Export to PDF and DXF ## Recent user reviews (10 of 90) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/padcad/id479935212/reviews.md ### 1/5 — Program crashes *2024-12-15* Program crashes when I try to save, or program just randomly closes. Support email listed is defunct. ### 1/5 — App fail *2024-12-12* App won’t save drawings despite paying the 15$ fee ### 1/5 — Closes on save - does not save *2024-12-10* On save or export, the app closes and you lose all work. Tried it several times, rebooted tablet, still does not save or export. Not worth $15, or free. ### 1/5 — Won’t open *2023-07-17* App will not open want a refund! ### 1/5 — Stopped working 2023 *2023-02-08* What’s going on with padcad ? Why is it giving me a blank blue screen? ### 1/5 — Poor customer service *2022-12-31, version 1.9.11* The app says that my files are exported via email, however the files never show up in my email (including Junk). I emailed support about this issue and never received any response ### 1/5 — Rubbish *2022-08-12* Although it is a decent CAD app you cannot export drawings and so it is a complete waste of money ### 1/5 — Recommended Upgrades *2021-11-02, version 1.9.11* It is no longer working on iOS15. ### 2/5 — Exporting is awful! *2021-03-26, version 1.9.11* When trying to export a drawing to my outlook email, it takes anywhere from hours to days before I receive it! If I export to gmail, it it usually quicker, but I don’t understand the delay! ### 1/5 — Horrible not updated in years *2021-01-31, version 1.9.11* Don’t waste your money if you want to save something. I drew something and saved it but went back for it and one file was empty and the other one was gone. Asked for money back but not holding my breath. ## Frequently asked questions about PadCAD ### What is PadCAD used for? PadCAD is an easy-to-use CAD application designed for small to medium-sized projects such as home additions, remodeling projects, cabinetry work, and site surveys. It allows users to produce clean, clear CAD drawings without needing previous CAD experience. ### What are the main features of PadCAD? Key features include intuitive finger-based drawing and editing, fine-tune controls with numeric values for precision, unlimited undo and redo functionality, the ability to take pictures and record audio annotations within drawings, and intuitive zoom and pan controls for easy navigation. ### Can I export my drawings from PadCAD? Yes, you can save or export your drawings to professional CAD applications. PadCAD supports exporting in several popular formats, including PDF or DXF files, allowing for seamless integration with other design software. ### Is PadCAD suitable for beginners? Absolutely. PadCAD is designed with ease of use and a very shallow learning curve in mind. No previous CAD experience is necessary to start creating professional-looking drawings. ### What kind of projects can I create with PadCAD? PadCAD is ideal for smaller-scale projects like home additions, remodeling plans, cabinetry designs, and site surveys. The drawing area is large enough to export projects as big as 170' x 128'. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.9.11 — 2017-02-28 This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon. 1 Big Bad Bug Fix ### 1.9.9 — 2017-02-25 Bug Fixes & Improved Performance. ### 1.9.4 — 2013-11-22 DXF exporting has been fixed and tested with AutoCAD 2014 ### 1.9.3 — 2013-11-13 Improved export performance and greater stability. Improved editing of elements. User Interface refresh to support smaller screens. Lots of bug fixes. Added Freeshape tool. We now have iPhone support but we HIGHLY recommend you use a stylus with the app. ### 1.9.1 — 2013-05-16 Bug Fixes: File saving bugs have been solved. All drawings are now saved locally to your iPad instead of our servers. You are no longer required to have an internet connection to save or load your files. This makes working in the filed without access to the internet a possibility. Due to security & privacy issues, we have disabled the saving of your files to our remote servers. For those who are upgrading, you will still have read and delete access to your remote files until December 31, 2013. ## Apps similar to PadCAD | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Bender Connect](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bender-connect/id1528293656) | — | Free | Productivity | | [Construction forms & templates](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/construction-forms-and-templates/id1600953899) | 5.0 (2) | Free | Productivity | | [GraphPad R7 Configurable V4](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/graphpad-r7-configurable-v4/id1521154890) | 2.3 (3) | Free | Productivity | | [iPocket Draw Lite](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ipocket-draw-lite/id315887414) | 3.6 (16) | Free | Productivity | | [Survey2Slide](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/survey2slide/id1449630039) | 5.0 (2) | Free | Productivity | | [InfiLog - Daily Tracker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/infilog-daily-tracker/id514720973) | 5.0 (3) | $2.99 | Productivity | ## More apps by Plugworks Inc. - [PadCAD Lite](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/padcad-lite/id488645046) All apps by Plugworks Inc.: https://appshunter.io/developer/868826693 --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*