What it does
Alibre Design is Windows CAD software for parametric solid parts, mechanical assemblies and production drawings. Professional provides the core toolset; Expert adds sheet metal, weldments, configurations and other engineering tools. A lifetime purchase has optional updates, while subscriptions include updates during their term.
Dimensions, sketch constraints and equations define a part's construction. Extrude, revolve, sweep and loft turn those profiles into solids. Assembly constraints position parts and subassemblies; interference checks reveal overlapping geometry, while section and exploded views expose internal relationships.
The drawings remain associated with the model, so design revisions can update their views. Dimensions, annotations and bills of materials provide the documentation around the geometry. Both Professional and Expert include Python scripting for repeated tasks. Expert additionally supplies direct editing, sheet-metal work, weldments, configurations, global variables and data management. Those edition boundaries matter when an assembly needs more than the core part-and-drawing tools.
Published US-dollar base prices are US$1,150 for a Professional lifetime licence and US$2,300 for Expert. Optional first-year updates and support add US$400 or US$525 respectively. Monthly subscriptions cost US$30 or US$50; annual subscriptions are US$300 or US$500. Subscriptions include software updates, and taxes are calculated at checkout.
A lifetime licence remains usable if the update plan lapses, subject to the computer and operating system continuing to support that version. The 30-day trial provides a way to evaluate the required edition.
Strengths
- Parametric parts, constrained assemblies and associated drawings share a CAD system.
- Lifetime and subscription access are both available with explicit update choices.
Watch out for
- The desktop application requires Windows.
- Sheet metal, weldments, configurations and direct editing require Expert.
Best for
- Mechanical components needing dimensioned production drawings
- Small machine assemblies with interference and section-view checks
Sources
- Alibre Design | Mechanical CAD and Edition Toolsets (Oct 28, 2026)
- Alibre | CAD Licences and Subscription Prices (Oct 28, 2026)