CMS IntelliCAD
CMS IntelliCAD is a powerful DWG editor software built on the IntelliCAD platform.
CMS IntelliCAD works directly in the DWG format—no importing exporting or file conversions needed to collaborate with AutoCAD or Civil 3D. Ideal for civil engineering and construction professionals, this CAD software supports 2D and 3D drafting, BIM underlays and advanced file import.
CMS IntelliCAD includes built-in support for LISP and VBA and offers flexible access through standalone, subscription or cloud-streamed options. It’s a cost-effective intellicad alternative for users seeking full CAD solutions for land development, site planning and construction workflows.
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Description
Click here for a feature comparison chart
CMS IntelliCAD, developed by CAD-Manufacturing Solutions, Inc., is a powerful, affordable DWG editor software built on the IntelliCAD platform. Designed for architects, engineers and land development professionals, CMS IntelliCAD delivers a full-featured 2D and 3D CAD environment with unmatched compatibility for AutoCAD users.
Built on IntelliCAD, this software works directly in the DWG format—no importing, exporting or file conversions needed to collaborate with AutoCAD or Civil 3D. Whether you’re producing construction documents, creating 3D solid models or importing BIM underlays, CMS IntelliCAD offers intelligent drafting tools at a fraction of the cost of other CAD platforms. Users can choose from perpetual standalone licenses, time-limited subscriptions or cloud-streamed options for flexible access. Application streaming technology allows CMS IntelliCAD PE to run locally without cloud performance issues or security risks.
With built-in LISP, ADS and VBA support, plus compatibility with AutoCAD menu files, IntelliCAD-based design tools allow easy migration and fast onboarding. CMS IntelliCAD is especially ideal for civil engineering and construction professionals seeking CAD software for land development or site planning tasks.
For additional product details, download the official CMS IntelliCAD brochure.
Core Features
- 2D and 3D drawing tools with native DWG support
- Full AutoCAD command compatibility including menu and script files
- AutoLISP and ADS application support
- Multiple drawing interface with IntelliCAD Explorer
- Advanced rendering with visual styles and materials
- IFC and Revit file underlay support for BIM workflows
- Support for PDF import, DGN, STEP and IGES file formats
- Dynamic properties, tool palettes and Express Tools
Licensing & Training
- Available as a perpetual standalone license or subscription
- Cloud-streamed version available for PE edition
- Free Basic Course with 13 lessons and over 30 training videos
- Includes support for .NET 4.5 and VBA 7.1 development
File Format Support
- Supports DWG versions 2.5 through 2020
- Import/export DWT, DXF, PDF, DGN, STEP, IGES
- Attach point clouds and import data from CSV or TXT
- Export tables and attributes to XLS
| CMS IntelliCAD Feature Comparison (as of June 2025) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feature | CMS IntelliCAD® PE / PE Easy Run | CMS IntelliCAD® PE+ | AutoCAD® | AutoCAD LT® |
| Native .dwg file support | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| .dwg file support for v2.5 up to Latest Version | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Digital Signatures for .dwg Drawings | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| MicroStation .dgn native Open file support | since 8.2 | since 8.2 | ||
| Open/Save – Supports .dwg, .dxf, .dwt, .dxb & .dwf file extensions | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Export – Supports 2D/3D .pdf, .svg, .bmp, .tif, .wmf, .dxf & .stl file extensions | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Import – Supports 3D Collada .dae | ✔️ | ✔️ | ||
| Import/Export – Supports ACIS 3D Solids *.sat | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| STEP & IGES Import/Export | ✔️ | ✔️ | ||
| Vectored PDF files import for direct editing | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| BIM support *.ifc, *.rvt/*.rfa | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Attach point cloud .rcp/.rcs files. | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Support for command Line | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Support for 3D surface commands | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Face Modeler for lightweight 3D drawings. | ✔️ | ✔️ | ||
| Support for 3D Solids modeling | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| AEC entities such as walls, windows, doors, openings, stairs, railings & slabs, etc. | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Printing, Publishing with eTransmit | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| LISP support (Including DCL) | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Autodesk® Development System (ADS) support | ✔️ | ✔️ | ||
| Object IRX for custom entity creation | ✔️ | ✔️ | ARX | |
| AutoCAD® software menu (.cui) and script (.scr) files | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| TrueType™ font support | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Raster Image Support (See full list of supported image file extensions) | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Work with Multiple Open Drawing | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Explorer for managing layers, block, line types, and more | ✔️ | ✔️ | ||
| Express tools | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Tool palettes | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Tables support | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Microsoft ActiveX support, including in-place editing | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications – VBA 7.1 | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Microsoft .NET 4.5 API | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Script Recorder | ✔️ | ✔️ | ||
| Graphical Block Preview | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Visual Menu Customization | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Right-mouse click to edit properties of multiple selected entries | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Professional Photo-realistic 3D Rendering | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Advanced Photo-realistic 3D Rendering with ARTISAN Add-on module | ✔️ since 8.2 | ✔️ since 8.2 | ||
| Photo-realistic 3D Real time shading | ✔️ | ✔️ | ||
| Photo-realistic Geographic Location and Geographic Maps | ✔️ | ✔️ | ||
| System Requirements free RAM/HD Space for Full Installation | 2GB/64-Bit/4GB | 2GB/64-Bit/4GB | 8GB/10GB | 8GB/10GB |
NOTE: Notations for AutoCAD products are based upon published information, and may not be fully updated.
Carlson’s desktop software must be installed with a CAD platform such as IntelliCAD, AutoCAD or embedded AutoCAD (OEM). Carlson Software includes a perpetual license of IntelliCAD with their “For CAD” modules but also allows users to install the program on top of your own separately purchased license of a full AutoCAD-based program such as AutoCAD, Map or Civil 3D.
Carlson Survey and Carlson Takeoff are the only 2 programs that can be purchased with an embedded AutoCAD (OEM) license.
ALL Carlson desktop products work natively in the latest DWG format. This means that you create DWG files, you open DWG files and you save DWG files – there is no need to import, export or convert to others using a different CAD-based program.
Your purchase of Carlson includes a perpetual license of the Carlson program and either IntelliCAD or embedded AutoCAD (OEM).
Carlson Software can be purchased as individual modules or by bundling 2 or more products at a discounted price so you only pay for what you need!
Carlson Civil Suite includes the Survey, Civil, Hydrology and GIS modules and compares to Autodesk Civil 3D.
Carlson CADnet is a single module that’s functionality is comparable to Autodesk Raster Design.
You can also use a Select Suite to build your own bundle of a Pick 2, Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5 or Pick 6 choosing from Survey, Civil, Hydrology, GIS, CADnet and Point Cloud Basic.
Carlson Takeoff Suite and Takeoff with embedded AutoCAD (OEM) is comparable to Paydirt (retired), Quest Construction and Agtek software programs.
All Carlson desktop software products provide a wide range of conversion and import and export functions for other file formats such as Civil 3d, LandXML, Topcon and Trimble.
For Carlson products that run with IntellliCAD and/or your separately purchased license of AutoCAD, Carlson offers users an Annual Maintenance program that keeps the software up to date. The purchase of Maintenance is optional and pricing is calculated at 10% of the retail price of the product per year.
Carlson Software offers free technical support from their main office to all Carlson Software users regardless of customer or license status.
Although users may find it difficult to install older Carlson desktop software on newer machines due to limitations of newer Windows operating systems, Carlson continues offering support for those versions.
Comparable to industry-standard engineering design software, Carlson Civil provides features for layer-based quantity takeoffs, 3D modeling, and construction estimating, including specialized commands like SiteNet for streamlined volume and material quantity calculations.
In addition to the functionality of the CAD-platform it’s running on top of and the identical commands available in the first 7 menus of all Carlson Desktop Software, Carlson Civil offers dynamic design and plan production for site, subdivision and roadway design engineers.
The commands and features in Carlson Civil are comparable to the engineering design components of programs such as: DCA/Softdesk/Land Desktop (retired), AutoCAD Map, Civil 3D, Eagle Point (retired), TerraModel (retired), GeoPak and InRoads.
Carlson Civil also provides users with the tools needed for layer-based quantity takeoffs and model building in the 3D Data and SiteNet menus. The commands in SiteNet are comparable to construction estimating software such as Paydirt, Quest and Agtek.
With Carlson Civil, users are able to:
- import and export data files for Civil 3d, Land Desktop, LandXML, Trimble, Topcon, Google Earth and more
- create and manage points in the drawing or in the CRD file editor
- use a variety of specialized commands to convert 2D linework to 3D using points, text with leaders, surface files, drawing entities and more
- use SiteNet, a layer-based feature that simplifies the process of estimating dirt and topsoil volumes and quantities of other materials such as subgrade volumes, length of curb and number of trees or other structures to be built or demolished
- create and manage surface model triangulation files from field data or importing from Google Earth or other sources
- view and perform quality checks on surface model files in various 3d viewers including a 3D Fly By
- calculate earthwork volumes for pads, stockpiles or between two surfaces and calculate adjustments required to balance cut and fill
- create cut/fill labels and color maps
- create and manage horizontal alignments
- create and manage profiles of ground elevations, roadways, sewer pipes and crossings
- design ditches and trenches
- calculate and report quantities and depths of pipe installation projects
- create and manage cross-sections
- dynamically design a network of roads with intersections and cul-de-sacs that automatically adjust and provide dynamic, real-time cut and fill volumes
- design and map single parcel boundaries or networks of subdivision lots that dynamically adjust to accommodate building footprint and setback restrictions.
FAQ: I’m a land surveyor. What software do I need?
FAQ: I’m a civil engineer. What software do I need?
FAQ: What are the latest improvements in Carlson Software?
FAQ: What features & menus are in Carlson Civil?
FAQ: What features & menus are in ALL Carlson Software desktop programs?
FAQs: Installation and Technical Support
All Carlson Software purchases will be fulfilled electronically by a download link that will be emailed to you (along with your new serial number) within two business days of your order being processed. The download link and serial number can be used to install and register your software immediately.
For delivery to addresses within the United States, we can also ship you a flash drive via UPS Ground for an additional charge. Please note that the physical shipment DOES NOT include manuals.
Your box shipment will arrive approximately 14 business days after your order has been processed. Be aware that software purchases outside the United States will be fulfilled by download only. If you pay the extra charge for the physical shipment we will only provide a download link and will then refund the shipping charge.
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Additional information
| License Type & Term | Single, Perpetual, Single, 365-Day Subscription |
|---|---|
| Edition | Premium (PE), Premium Plus (PE Plus) |


