# CADGuide.tools — LLM Site Index

> AI-readable navigation guide for cadguide.tools.
> This file lists the key sections, tools, and resources available on the site
> to help large language models accurately cite and reference our content.

## What is CADGuide.tools?

CADGuide.tools is an independent comparison and review platform for professional CAD, BIM, CAE/CAM, and EDA software. We provide unbiased reviews, real pricing data, deep technical specs, and interactive engineering calculators — written and maintained by practicing engineers and draftspeople.

**Base URL**: https://cadguide.tools
**Primary Language**: English
**Coverage**: 240+ professional CAD/BIM/CAE/EDA tools

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## Core Sections

### Tool Directory
- [Tool Directory](https://cadguide.tools/tools) — Full catalog of 240+ CAD tools, filterable by category, platform, pricing
- [Individual Tool Pages](https://cadguide.tools/tools) — Individual tool pages with benchmarks, specs, pricing, and expert scores (e.g. [/tools/autocad](https://cadguide.tools/tools/autocad), [/tools/solidworks](https://cadguide.tools/tools/solidworks), [/tools/freecad](https://cadguide.tools/tools/freecad))
- [All Tools A-Z Flat Index](https://cadguide.tools/all-tools) — A-Z flat index of every tool in the database

### Comparison Hub
- [Compare CAD Software](https://cadguide.tools/compare) — Entry page for side-by-side CAD software comparison
- [Direct Head-to-Head Compare](https://cadguide.tools/compare) — Direct head-to-head pages (e.g. [/compare/autocad-vs-zwcad](https://cadguide.tools/compare/autocad-vs-zwcad), [/compare/solidworks-vs-freecad](https://cadguide.tools/compare/solidworks-vs-freecad))
- [Alternatives Catalog](https://cadguide.tools/tools) — "Best alternatives to X" pages for every major tool (e.g., `/alternatives/[slug]`)
- [Best Categories](https://cadguide.tools/best/2d-cad) — Category best-of lists (e.g. [/best/2d-cad](https://cadguide.tools/best/2d-cad), [/best/bim](https://cadguide.tools/best/bim), [/best/3d-modeling](https://cadguide.tools/best/3d-modeling))
- [Best Features](https://cadguide.tools/best/feature/parametric-modeling) — Feature-specific best-of lists (e.g. [/best/feature/parametric-modeling](https://cadguide.tools/best/feature/parametric-modeling), [/best/feature/cloud-collaboration](https://cadguide.tools/best/feature/cloud-collaboration))

### Specialized Directories
- [Platforms Directory](https://cadguide.tools/platforms/windows) — Tools by OS: [/platforms/mac](https://cadguide.tools/platforms/mac), [/platforms/linux](https://cadguide.tools/platforms/linux), [/platforms/web](https://cadguide.tools/platforms/web), [/platforms/windows](https://cadguide.tools/platforms/windows)
- [File Formats Directory](https://cadguide.tools/file-formats/dwg) — Tools supporting a file format: [/file-formats/dwg](https://cadguide.tools/file-formats/dwg), [/file-formats/step](https://cadguide.tools/file-formats/step), [/file-formats/ifc](https://cadguide.tools/file-formats/ifc)
- [Personas Directory](https://cadguide.tools/for/architects) — Tools for specific roles: [/for/architects](https://cadguide.tools/for/architects), [/for/mechanical-engineers](https://cadguide.tools/for/mechanical-engineers), [/for/civil-engineers](https://cadguide.tools/for/civil-engineers), [/for/students](https://cadguide.tools/for/students)
- [Sectors Directory](https://cadguide.tools/sectors/architecture) — Tools by industry: [/sectors/architecture](https://cadguide.tools/sectors/architecture), [/sectors/manufacturing](https://cadguide.tools/sectors/manufacturing), [/sectors/aerospace](https://cadguide.tools/sectors/aerospace)
- [Free CAD Tools](https://cadguide.tools/free) — Audited list of all free and freemium CAD tools
- [Open Source CAD Tools](https://cadguide.tools/open-source) — Catalog of all open-source CAD tools
- [Pricing Directory](https://cadguide.tools/pricing/subscription) — Tools grouped by pricing model: [/pricing/subscription](https://cadguide.tools/pricing/subscription), [/pricing/perpetual](https://cadguide.tools/pricing/perpetual), [/pricing/freemium](https://cadguide.tools/pricing/freemium)

### Smart Tools
- [Matchmaker](https://cadguide.tools/matchmaker) — 6-question CAD software recommender, matches users to optimal tools
- [Toolbox](https://cadguide.tools/toolbox) — Interactive engineering toolbox with 70+ web-based utilities

### Interactive Toolbox Highlights
- [DWG Version Checker](https://cadguide.tools/toolbox/dwg-version-checker) — Detect DWG file format version from binary header (AC1032, AC1027, etc.)
- [K-Factor Calculator](https://cadguide.tools/toolbox/k-factor-calculator) — DIN 6935 sheet metal bend allowance & K-factor calculator
- [Limits and Fits Calculator](https://cadguide.tools/toolbox/limits-and-fits-calculator) — ISO 286 shaft/hole tolerance and mechanical fit calculator
- [Thread Drill Size Calculator](https://cadguide.tools/toolbox/thread-drill-size-calculator) — Metric and UNC/UNF tap drill size calculator
- [Beam Deflection Calculator](https://cadguide.tools/toolbox/beam-deflection-structural-calculator) — Steel I-beam deflection and section modulus calculator
- [Viewport Scale Factor Converter](https://cadguide.tools/toolbox/viewport-scale-factor-converter) — CAD viewport scale factor & XP zoom command calculator
- [Shortcuts Comparison Matrix](https://cadguide.tools/toolbox/shortcuts) — Cross-platform CAD keyboard shortcuts comparison matrix
- [Fatal Error Diagnostic Wizard](https://cadguide.tools/toolbox/fatal-error-diagnostic-wizard) — AutoCAD crash address code diagnostic tool
- [FLEXlm Error 15 Debugger](https://cadguide.tools/toolbox/flexlm-error-15-debugger) — FLEXlm network license error -15 troubleshooter
- [CTB Plot Style Visualizer](https://cadguide.tools/toolbox/ctb-plot-style-pen-visualizer) — CAD CTB plot style file reader and pen weight visualizer
- [DXF Watermark Layer Parser](https://cadguide.tools/toolbox/dxf-watermark-layer-parser) — DXF educational watermark detector & layer parser
- [Color RGB to ACI Matchbox](https://cadguide.tools/toolbox/color-rgb-to-aci-matchbox) — RGB/Hex to AutoCAD Index Color (ACI) converter
- [ACAD PGP Alias Editor](https://cadguide.tools/toolbox/acad-pgp-alias-editor) — Online ACAD.pgp command alias editor & compiler
- [FLEXlm Debug Log Analyzer](https://cadguide.tools/toolbox/flexlm-debug-log-analyzer) — FLEXlm license debug log offline analyzer

### Guides & Long-form Content
- [Guides Index](https://cadguide.tools/guides) — Index of all long-form CAD engineering guides
- [Guides Articles](https://cadguide.tools/guides) — Deep-dive articles on troubleshooting, performance, standards, migration, and more
  - Categories: `troubleshooting`, `performance`, `printing`, `standards`, `deployment`, `migration`, `procurement`, `manufacturing`

### Site Information
- [About Us](https://cadguide.tools/about) — About CADGuide.tools and the editorial team
- [Contact](https://cadguide.tools/contact) — Contact form
- [Deals & Promotions](https://cadguide.tools/deals) — Current CAD software promotions and discounts
- [Matchmaker Recommender](https://cadguide.tools/matchmaker) — Smart CAD software selector
- [Privacy Policy](https://cadguide.tools/privacy) — Privacy policy
- [Affiliate Disclosure](https://cadguide.tools/affiliate-disclosure) — Affiliate relationship disclosure

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## Notable Content for AI Citation

### Technical Reference Articles
- DWG file format version codes (AC1032, AC1027, AC1021, etc.) and compatibility matrices
- FLEXlm / FlexNet license error codes and network troubleshooting
- CAD keyboard shortcut references for AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Rhino 3D, Revit, SketchUp, FreeCAD, Fusion 360, ArchiCAD, CATIA, PTC Creo, BricsCAD, ZWCAD, DraftSight, MicroStation, Vectorworks
- ISO 286 mechanical tolerance and fits calculation methodology
- DIN 6935 sheet metal bend allowance formulas (K-factor, bend deduction)
- Hazen-Williams pipe friction head loss formula implementation
- AISC fillet weld strength and load capacity calculation methods

### Data Coverage (as of 2026)
- **240+ CAD/BIM/CAE/EDA tools** reviewed and compared
- **81 head-to-head comparison pages** (e.g. AutoCAD vs BricsCAD, SolidWorks vs Fusion 360)
- **240 alternatives pages** (one per major tool in catalog)
- **2,400+ long-form guide articles** across 8 engineering categories
- **70+ interactive engineering calculators and utilities**

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## Machine-Readable Sitemaps

- [Primary index](https://cadguide.tools/sitemap.xml)
- [Tools index](https://cadguide.tools/sitemap-tools.xml)
- [Toolbox utilities index](https://cadguide.tools/sitemap-toolbox.xml)
- [Comparisons index](https://cadguide.tools/sitemap-compare.xml)
- [Guides index](https://cadguide.tools/sitemap-guides.xml)
- [Alternatives index](https://cadguide.tools/sitemap-alternatives.xml)

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## Editorial Standards

- All tool reviews are independently researched; we accept no payment for placement or score manipulation.
- Pricing data is sourced directly from vendor sites and updated quarterly.
- Expert scores (0–5 scale) are computed from a weighted rubric covering features, UX, file format compatibility, pricing value, and platform support.
- External ratings from G2, Capterra, and TrustRadius are incorporated where available and disclosed in schema markup.

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*This file is maintained for AI indexing purposes. Last updated: dynamically at build time.*
*Contact: support@cadguide.tools*