Frequently Asked Questions

No. AViCAD is a complete 2D/3D CAD program on its own. It uses DWG as its native format, so it opens, edits and saves AutoCAD drawings directly, with no conversion.

No. AViCAD’s interface, commands, shortcuts, layers, blocks and dimensions work the way AutoCAD users expect, so most people are productive right away. Mostly what changes is the cost and the licensing.

AViCAD is always delivered as the Plus version, with every plan. It includes:

• The full Mech-Q Suite (piping, ducting, structural and mechanical)
• Express-style productivity tools
• PDF to DWG converter
• 2D and 3D PDF export
• IGES/STEP converter and SolidWorks import
• AEC tools for walls, doors and windows, 2D to 3D
• iCADLib block manager with 20,000+ symbols
• Templates for architecture, engineering, mechanical and electrical work

No. Mech-Q is built into AViCAD and ready to use as soon as AViCAD is installed.

Yes. AViCAD includes 3D modeling, plus 3D tools in Mech-Q and the AEC module that are easy for beginners to use.

Windows 10 or 11, 64-bit. 4 GB of RAM minimum (8 GB or more recommended) and 2 GB or more of free disk space. AViCAD doesn’t run on macOS.

Yes. A network license lets a team share floating licenses from a central server, and Flex licensing lets one person use AViCAD on two computers. See license types.

If you’d rather stay in AutoCAD or BricsCAD, Mech-Q adds the same engineering tools to the CAD program you already use.

Mech-Q is a suite of engineering tools that runs inside your CAD program. It has four modules: Piping, Ducting, Structural and Mechanical, with 2D, isometric and 3D drawing tools and an automatic Bill of Materials. Buy the Full Suite or a single module.

Monthly and yearly subscriptions run in AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT 2024 or later, and BricsCAD. A perpetual license also runs in ZWCAD, GstarCAD, CADMATE, CADian, progeCAD and other IntelliCAD-based programs. Mech-Q is also built into AViCAD.

Yes. Monthly and yearly subscriptions run in AutoCAD LT 2024 or later. For a perpetual license there’s a dedicated Mech-Q for LT edition for LT 2024–2027.

Yes, with a perpetual license. Subscriptions aren’t available for IntelliCAD-based programs yet. See Mech-Q perpetual.

A single module gives you one of Piping, Ducting, Structural or Mechanical. The Full Suite includes all four and costs less than buying two modules separately.

With a subscription, no: it stays compatible with each new AutoCAD release at no extra cost. With a perpetual license you get 12 months of free updates. After that, you only need an upgrade if you move to an AutoCAD version your Mech-Q doesn’t support. Upgrades cost more the longer you wait; see current upgrade pricing. If you stay on your current AutoCAD, your Mech-Q keeps working; keep a backup of your Mech-Q setup file.

1. Make sure your CAD program is already installed.
2. Request the download from our download page and open the link in your email.
3. Choose the Mech-Q version for your CAD program (AutoCAD, BricsCAD or IntelliCAD).
4. Run the installer and follow the prompts.
5. Open your CAD program and find the Mech-Q menu or ribbon.

Watch the 2-minute install video or see troubleshooting if something doesn’t load.

Mech-Q shows an application serial number (ASN) on its startup screen and under Maintenance → Authorize. After you buy, send us the ASN and we’ll email back a registration code that activates your license and removes the trial notice.

Quickly. Mech-Q is dialog-driven: pick a component, enter sizes and place it. Free tutorials and our support team are there to help.

Yes. Mech-Q draws standard CAD objects (lines, polylines, blocks and 3D solids), so anyone with DWG-compatible CAD can open and edit your drawings.

Yes. Pipes, flanges, pumps, motors and more, in metric and imperial sizes, generated to the settings you choose.

Yes. Mech-Q runs in full AutoCAD and its vertical products, so it can sit alongside Plant 3D for quick 2D and isometric work.

Unfolding software that creates flat 2D patterns from 3D shapes such as transitions, cones, elbows, branches and rectangle-to-round fittings, for metal, plastics and insulation work. Enter the dimensions in a dialog and it develops the pattern for you. See the full list of shapes.

No. Plate ‘n’ Sheet runs on its own, and you don’t need to draw or model anything.

Yes. Print full-size patterns across multiple sheets, or export DXF files for AutoCAD, BricsCAD and other CAD programs and for CNC, plasma and profile cutters. If AutoCAD is installed, models and patterns can be sent to it directly.

No. Plate ‘n’ Sheet is a one-time purchase that you keep. Network licenses are available for teams.

Yes. Five PDF tutorials cover creating patterns, material thickness and lap joints, dimensioning, DXF export and global settings. Get the tutorials.

30 days, for AViCAD, Mech-Q and Plate ‘n’ Sheet, with no credit card needed. The trials have a few limits that are removed when you register:

• AViCAD: prints carry a trial watermark.
• Mech-Q: shows a trial reminder.
• Plate ‘n’ Sheet: some features, such as exporting and dimensioning, are restricted.

If you decide not to buy, simply uninstall it.

From our download page. Enter your email and we’ll send you the download link. You can turn a trial into a paid license at any time.

Already have AutoCAD or BricsCAD? Choose Mech-Q to add piping, ducting, structural and mechanical tools to the CAD program you use now.

Need a CAD program? Choose AViCAD. It’s a complete AutoCAD-like CAD program and includes the full Mech-Q Suite.

Need flat patterns for sheet metal? Choose Plate ‘n’ Sheet. It runs on its own, no CAD needed.

Yes, for trial users too. See our video library and the getting started videos. If you get stuck, contact us.

Monthly suits a single project. Yearly costs less over time and keeps you on the latest version. Perpetual is a one-time purchase you keep. See plans and pricing for a side-by-side comparison and 3-year costs.

Visa, MasterCard, American Express and PayPal, processed securely online. For the fastest processing, we recommend paying by credit card. Purchase orders are accepted from recognized businesses and institutions for perpetual licenses only, not for monthly or yearly subscriptions.

You’ll receive an email receipt and can download the software right away, then use it in trial mode while we issue your registration. Registration details usually arrive within 1–3 hours (allow up to 1 business day), sent to the email used at checkout.

Yes, at the end of your current term. You can move from monthly to yearly or perpetual, or from yearly to monthly. A perpetual license can’t be traded in for a subscription, but you can add a subscription seat alongside it, for example one perpetual seat and one subscription seat.

Log into your account and cancel; you won’t be charged again. You can also contact us to cancel. Monthly plans can be cancelled at any time. For yearly plans, cancel at least 3 days before the renewal date.

No. Because every product has a free 30-day trial, please make sure the software fits your work before you buy. See our terms for details.

No. Upgrades are optional. A perpetual license includes 12 months of free updates and keeps working for as long as you like. If you later want a newer release, you can upgrade for a fee that costs more the older your version is; see current upgrade pricing. Monthly and yearly subscribers get new releases included.

Single user: one person using the software on one computer at a time.

Flex (AViCAD): an add-on to a perpetual license that lets you share it between computers, such as an office PC and a laptop. See Flex License pricing.

Network: floating licenses served from a central license server. With two floating licenses, anyone can install the software, but two people can use it at once. Available for AViCAD, Mech-Q (AutoCAD and BricsCAD) and Plate ‘n’ Sheet.

Site: for larger companies. Contact us for a quote.

For AViCAD, add a Flex License. A Mech-Q single-user license can be registered on two computers owned and used by the same person, such as an office PC and a laptop that isn’t on your network. Licenses for other people are discounted; ask us.

• Free technical support by email
• Email notice of new releases
• 12 months of free updates on perpetual licenses (new releases included on subscriptions)

See our troubleshooting page. If that doesn’t solve it, contact us and include your product, version and CAD program.

In Windows, open Settings → Apps → Installed apps, find Mech-Q, AViCAD or Plate ‘n’ Sheet, and choose Uninstall. Follow the prompts to finish.

Send us your idea. We read every suggestion and take them seriously.