DesignSpark Mechanical 2026: Benefits, Features & Pricing

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Overview
Pricing and Plans
Features
User Reviews

Overview

DesignSpark Mechanical

4.4

(17)

Pricing

Pricing available upon request

About DesignSpark Mechanical

DesignSpark Mechanical is a 3D modelling software for Windows desktop machines. It is built for rapid prototyping and helps sketch the outline of the target object easily. It allows users to simply push/pull objects to convert them to 3D for further editing. This enables engineers, industrial designers, and concept artists to quickly translate their concepts into usable products. It is a helpful tool for engineering designs and graphics as well as for 3D printing.

DesignSpark Mechanical Screenshots

DesignSpark Mechanical Pricing and Plans

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Free Trial

Free Version

Basic

Pricing available upon request

No plan information available

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DesignSpark Mechanical Features

Popular features found in 3D CAD
2D Drawing
Animation
Bill of Materials Management
Data Import/Export
For 3D Printing
For Architects
For Manufacturers
More features of DesignSpark Mechanical
3D Design & Modeling
Annotations
API
Architectural Symbol Library
Bills of Material
Component Library
Configurable Workflow
Content Library
Customizable Templates
Design Management
Drafting
Drag & Drop
File Management
Image Editing
Multiple Format Support
Multiple Projects
Projections
Sketching and Annotation Tools
Version Control

DesignSpark Mechanical User Reviews

Overall Rating

4.4

Ratings Breakdown

41%

53%

Secondary Ratings

Ease of Use

4.4

Value for money

4.6

Customer support

4.2

Functionality

3.8

Oral T.

Verified reviewer

Consumer Services

Self-Employed

Used other for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed October 2018

My Design Spark Mechanical Review

I mostly used the software for editing SketchUp files. Since Sketch Up Pro is an expensive product, everyone could use Design Spark Mechanical for free to edit *.skp files.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Functionality

Pros:

It is the first and maybe the only software which imports SketchUp (*.skp) files. If you're a maker person then this software enables a wide array of electronics components via its "RS Components" connection. Actually, the software is launched by them.

Cons:

Its user interface is a little bit unfamiliar comparing to other well-known CAD softwares.

Ryan R.

Verified reviewer

Food Production

11-50 employees

Used monthly for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed December 2020

Fantastic Software for Free!

Overall, I'd say that this software works great for me. I've used a number of other 3D modeling packages, and I keep coming back to this one when I need to model up a small part for 3D printing. They seem to be continuing the development of this software and they've kept it free, so what is there to complain about!

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

Designspark Mechanical is easy to get started with. The user interface and tools are much more intuitive than some of the other options that I've tried in the past. It is refreshing to see an interface that doesn't have icons and options littered all over the screen. Even though the software is simpler to use, I'm still able to easily model things that are dimensionally accurate. Some of the other "simple" 3D modeling programs are not so great at that.

Cons:

Although it can do most of what the other software packages can do, sometimes the path to get there can be a bit different. One thing that I struggled with was mirroring of objects. You actually have to make the mirror line before you start drawing, or you just can't mirror things. That takes a little more thought ahead of time to remember that.

Reasons for switching to DesignSpark Mechanical

This software is just simpler to use. I'm not using it every day, so the added complexity of Fusion 360 is just a bit overwhelming for me.

David I.

Verified reviewer

Telecommunications

Self-Employed

Used monthly for less than 6 months

Review source

Reviewed May 2019

Design Spark CAD Design an OK tool

- It was good but I had a hard time as there are not many tutorials to follow. - There is documentation and some tutorials on YouTube I don't feel like is artist friendly like other software. - I like that it does not run off the cloud and does not lag.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

- What I liked the most of this software is that I was able to start designing right away taking care of the basic design needs. - The software is light which makes it good for working and installation times are reduced. - This is not a cloud base software and you can install it in several computers. - Good boolean substraction system it is nice the way it works. - Good if you are coming from an engineering background you will probably get the hang of it quickly. - Comes with a free utility.

Cons:

- Learning curve is not as easy it will take you time. - Several tools are confusing they require too many steps to get them to work. - Yo purchase the software by modules as addons. - Not easy to get to use it if you come from an artistic background.

David M.

Verified reviewer

Electrical/ Electronic Manufacturing

2-10 employees

Used other for less than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed August 2020

Model Based Design can be Simple and Inexpensive

We needed a fast and easy to use model based design system for the early development of an energy storage system. We evaluated a number of products and DesignSpark was the best for our needs.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

We use DesignSpark for initial conceptual engineering and simulation. It is by far the easiest and most intuitive model based design platform available.

Cons:

Would like to see additional export formats that can be input into Computation Fluid Dynamic packages such as Simscale.

Reasons for choosing DesignSpark Mechanical

Intuitive and easy to use.

Reasons for switching to DesignSpark Mechanical

FreeCAD is great as a parametric design tool but lacks the ease of use for model based design.

Rick M.

Verified reviewer

Sporting Goods

2-10 employees

Used daily for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed April 2023

Easy to learn. Easy to use. Powerful features. Our go-to CAD program for designing new products.

Overall experience has been fantastic. We have been able to create a wide variety of products for our customer base using DSM. With the ability to use STP files we can import files from customers or other designers and modify them to suit our needs.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

Initially the most important feature was how easy to learn the program is for non CAD experts. With direct modeling we were up and creating items within a few minutes. As we gained experience we found more and more ways to create complex items, both mechanical and cosmetic in nature.

Cons:

There are not a ton of resources for solving issues, but there is a community that often has an answer to point in the right direction. The tutorials available are good, but more of them would be better.

Reasons for choosing DesignSpark Mechanical

Price was a consideration, but also the ease of learning. Direct modeling vs parametric modeling.

Mike S.

Verified reviewer

Maritime

2-10 employees

Used weekly for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed June 2021

Fast learning curve, excellent price

To be honest a significant amount of use for me is quicly sketching things up (ie subsea equipment layout) to email to clients, either screen captures or 3D PDF. I do use it for real mechanical drawings however, for 3D printing as well as sending good quality 2D drawings to our engineering shop (though I did purchase the 'Drawing' Add-on for that)

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

Apart from the fact it's free, well the basic package anyway (there are Add-Ons), I don't think you could call any engineering software truly intuitive, but I really was up and designing things the first day. That was in 2015. I wouldn't call myself an expert user, sometimes I won't touch it for weeks or more, but each time I do it always does what I want it to do.

Cons:

DSM does lack a few features, for instance object colours and decent rendering, and back grounds, though v5 has made significant improvement on those. I was disappointed to find there's almost nothing in the way of built in or online libraries. Communicating with companies who use other packages is becoming more of a problem as dsm can only export a handfull of formats. There is another Add-On which improves that situation though.

Reasons for choosing DesignSpark Mechanical

Naturally I did investigate several other 3D packages first. Some it was obvious, and reviews agreed, that the learning curve was going to be a difficult one, but primarily the issue was cost, some of them just enormous, and with those annoying ongoing subscriptions. I realise the complexities of those high end packages probably warrants the high cost, but they were at the time, way out of my reach.

Reasons for switching to DesignSpark Mechanical

primarily just for 3D capability.

Vendor Response

Hi Mike, Thank you for the review. We just wanted to clarify that there is an extensive online library available in the DesignSpark Mechanical software and it has several ready-to-insert 3D parts ranging from screws and bolts to entire electronic development boards. This library is accessible to software users from the 3D button in the Design tab of the ribbon bar. Hope this helps you. Kind regards, DesignSpark

Replied June 2021

Joe M.

Verified reviewer

Machinery

Self-Employed

Used daily for less than 6 months

Review source

Reviewed May 2019

If You Want Speed and Professional Drawings, Then DesignSpark Mechanical is for You!

I'm retired from owning my own Custom Cabinet Business, and now I'm a neophyte inventor. There is no reason why I should pay a "high-priced Professional" for the same quality patent drawings that I can produce myself. So again, DesignSpark Mechanical is the only drawing program for me.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

What impresses me most about DesignSpark Mechanical is how quickly and easily a drawing or object can be created. If you've ever shaped putty into different forms, that's exactly how you produce drawings with DesignSpark Mechanical. Like every drawing program though, you must except the fact, that there will be a learning curve. I possess thirty years experience using AutoCad,which uses a lot of commands foreign to DesignSpark Mechanical. I think this is making my learning curve a little steeper, but I feel it is well worth the time. On the other hand, there are quite a number of very similar commands used in DesignSpark Mechanical. I wouldn't trade DesignSpark Mechanical for any other drawing program. Also, the personal support given to the members is second to none.

Cons:

I only have one criticism with DesignSpark Mechanical. I have been used to AutoCad instruction books with over a thousand pages. If I came upon something that I wasn't familiar with, all I had to do was to look in the index and go to the relevant page or pages. DesignSpark Mechanical has countless video tutorials and many other resources to get you back on track about a problem you are having. The community forum is also a tremendously helpful site to get information. Everyone there wants to help you. There is no secret keeping. Maybe since I am a fairly new member, there might be a place where you may lookup a command and learn how to properly use it.

Verified

Reviewer

Internet

2-10 employees

Used weekly for less than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed August 2018

free design for professionals

I liked it and we can use it in the office

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

offer a wide variety of resources and design tools to complete projects including free design tools for PCBs and 3D designs

Cons:

3D modeling is not complete enough to make a good project

Erica n.

Verified reviewer

Marketing and Advertising

11-50 employees

Used weekly for less than 12 months

Review source

Reviewed March 2020

DesignSpark Mechanical makes 3D easier

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Functionality

Pros:

It's the ease of use. You don't need to be an expert in 3D to use this great software and it made it very easy for me to a lot without limiting me. I was totally blown off by how easier it was to use

Cons:

It's been great so far and I hope It stays that way