Mech-Q Supported CAD Versions

Mech-Q Supported CAD Versions

Supported CAD Platforms

Mech-Q is designed to run inside your existing CAD software and fit naturally into the way you already work. It does not replace your drafting habits or force a new workflow. Instead, it adds intelligent engineering tools that work alongside standard CAD commands, layers, and objects.

Whether you’re drafting schematics, assembling layouts, or producing construction documents, Mech-Q adapts to your drawing style — not the other way around.

AutoCAD (Full Versions)

Mech-Q supports most legacy AutoCAD releases, recent LT versions, and many AutoCAD alternatives, making it a dependable long-term solution for firms with mixed CAD environments.

Supported:

  • All AutoCAD versions except:
  • AutoCAD 2000–2005 (32-bit only — no longer supported)

What this means in practice:

  • You can run Mech-Q in both newer and older AutoCAD installations
  • Drawings remain fully compatible across teams using different AutoCAD versions
  • No changes to how files are opened, saved, or plotted

Mech-Q objects behave like standard CAD geometry. You can draw around them, annotate them, reference them, or modify them using normal CAD tools.

AutoCAD LT

Mech-Q is available for AutoCAD LT and provides engineering-grade functionality that is typically unavailable in LT environments.

Supported LT versions:

  • AutoCAD LT 2024
  • AutoCAD LT 2025
  • AutoCAD LT 2026

Mech-Q extends LT while preserving its familiar interface and lightweight footprint — making it a practical option for smaller teams and cost-conscious firms that still require accurate engineering drawings.

Note: Autodesk now allows approved third-party applications like Mech-Q to run inside AutoCAD LT, enabling real engineering workflows without upgrading to a full CAD subscription.

AViCAD (our CAD standalone)

Mech-Q is fully integrated into AViCAD, delivering a complete CAD + engineering solution in a single installation.

  • Native DWG workflow
  • No add-ons or separate installs
  • Engineering tools available immediately

For firms evaluating an affordable AutoCAD-like CAD system, AViCAD provides a familiar interface, full DWG compatibility, and Mech-Q engineering tools at a significantly lower cost than traditional CAD subscriptions.

BricsCAD

Mech-Q runs directly within BricsCAD and behaves the same way it does in AutoCAD.

  • Standard DWG entities
  • No proprietary or locked objects
  • Seamless plotting, publishing, and file exchange

This makes BricsCAD + Mech-Q a flexible option for teams that want modern CAD performance with engineering automation.

ZWCAD (ZWMech)

In ZWCAD environments, Mech-Q is branded as ZWMech.

Important to know:

  • Same dialogs, workflows, and drawing behavior
  • Same dynamic generation of parts and fittings
  • Same fully editable DWG output

ZWMech and Mech-Q are functionally equivalent.
If you are using ZWCAD, ZWMech provides the same engineering capabilities under a platform-specific name.

IntelliCAD-Based Platforms

Mech-Q is also available for IntelliCAD-based CAD systems that follow standard DWG behavior.

  • Same drawing logic and engineering automation
  • Same editable geometry and annotations
  • Platform-specific packaging only

These platforms are often chosen by firms looking to reduce CAD software costs while maintaining professional DWG output.

How Mech-Q Fits Into Your CAD Workflow

Mech-Q does not force you into a closed system or predefined drawing structure.

You can:

  • Draw standard CAD geometry before or after using Mech-Q
  • Modify Mech-Q objects using native CAD commands
  • Apply your own layer standards, colors, and linetypes
  • Integrate Mech-Q drawings into existing templates

Mech-Q automatically creates CAD objects, but they remain standard DWG entities. Nothing is locked or hidden.

See how the Mech-Q interface works

Grouping, Editing, and BOM Control

When Mech-Q inserts objects, it groups related entities to make editing and Bill of Materials generation easier. This grouping helps keep fittings, annotations, and geometry organized as a single logical unit.

If you prefer to edit individual elements, grouping can be toggled at any time using the standard CAD system variable:

  • PICKSTYLE = 1  Grouping ON – keep this on for BOM
  • PICKSTYLE = 0  Grouping OFF – for editing

You can ungroup objects, edit individual components, then regroup them again to retain BOM — all using standard CAD behavior. This flexibility allows Mech-Q drawings to adapt to different drafting styles and office standards.

Subscription Availability (Important)

Subscription licensing is available only for:

  • AutoCAD
  • AutoCAD LT
  • BricsCAD
  • AViCAD

When purchasing a subscription, you must choose your CAD platform at the time of purchase.

Not Available for Subscription

Subscriptions are not currently offered for:

  • IntelliCAD-based platforms
  • progeCAD
  • CADian
  • ZWCAD / ZWMech
  • GstarCAD
  • CADMATE

These platforms are available only via perpetual licensing. Individual modules are available separately or as a bundled package.

What Compatibility Means in Practice

When Mech-Q (or ZWMech) is installed, it runs inside your CAD software — not alongside it.

This means:

  • Drawings remain standard DWG files
  • No dependency on Mech-Q after objects are created
  • Geometry is fully editable
  • Layers, linetypes, annotations, and layouts behave normally
  • Files can be opened by users who do not have Mech-Q installed

You are never locked into a proprietary format or restricted workflow.

Next, see the Mech-Q interface

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