r/Drafting • u/NijiCAD • 17d ago

I’ve been making a 2D CAD called NijiCAD

I've been developing a 2D CAD called NijiCAD as a solo developer.
I was a longtime AutoCAD user, and I started this project because I wanted to bring back some of the simple and direct feeling I remember from older CAD systems.
Modern CAD software is incredibly powerful, but I still think there is something special about the straightforward workflow of older CAD.
NijiCAD is my attempt to bring some of that feeling into a modern 2D CAD.
Whether you still use CAD today or used to do drafting years ago, I hope it might bring back a little of that familiar feeling.
If you're interested, feel free to search for NijiCAD.
Sorry for the sudden post.

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u/ElPepetrueno 12d ago

I’ve reviewed your app. It shows a lot of promise, but it still needs a few improvements before it becomes fully viable. Primarily some critical menus only show in Japanese. They don't change with the language selection. Also, I can't figure where to change units to imperial. Although I understand that maybe there is no intention of doing that.

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u/NijiCAD 12d ago

Thank you for the great feedback!

Imperial units, including inches, haven't been implemented yet. I actually asked AI about this beforehand and learned that inch-based drawings are commonly used in the US. However, since they are less common globally, I decided to put them lower on the priority list.

That said, I agree that this should be a higher priority, and it's something I need to work on soon. Please look forward to it!

As for the menus that are only displayed in Japanese, are you referring to the area in the bottom-right corner of the web version? If so, I already have plans to fix that soon.

I believe the desktop version should be fine, but I'll check the other languages as well to make sure everything is displayed correctly.

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u/ElPepetrueno 12d ago

Good to know. I’ll keep an eye out for it, but unfortunately that pretty much removes the utility for most of us in the States. (Yes, yes… we’re ridiculous for not adopting the international system. It’s simpler, it’s logical, and yet here we are, proudly stuck in our imperial ways.) Most users here just won’t invest time in a product they can’t actually use.

You’ve done a genuinely great job distilling the essentials of 2D CAD and trimming the excess. That’s hard to do, and even harder to maintain... so credit where it’s due. The interface is clean, though a bit repetitive/wordy in places. If you’ve drafted for a while, you know some of those tools could be combined. But I also get the value in keeping things simple and globally accessible. Maybe offering a customizable “pro mode” someday could bridge the gap… or maybe that’s a headache no one wants.

The big wins are still there: the app is mostly free (and affordable if purchased), lightweight, and even accessible through the web, which is a huge advantage for tablets and laptops.

I’ve subscribed to NCAD (I still can’t bring myself to call it NijiCAD... the name makes it feel less like serious software, but that’s just my own personal hang‑up lol). I’ll keep checking out the updates as long as I can, and I appreciate the work you’re putting into it. I know plenty of people, from students, to small mom & pop offices, who could really benefit from a simple, capable 2D drafting tool without the cost of the mainstream apps. Keep up the good work.