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Try our DWG-based CAD software for 30 days at no cost
Try our DWG-based CAD software for 30 days at no cost
Pro tip: When you start your free trial of ARES Kudo, you can enjoy all the features of our online CAD to create and modify DWG files in the cloud for 30 days.
+ When you start your free trial, you also get access to:
ARES Commander - The most popular alternative to AutoCAD® for Windows, Mac, and Linux
ARES Touch - Our mobile CAD solution for Android and iOS.
Ready to get started? Visit this page to sign up and start your trial:
👉🏻 All three products are included, so you can explore the complete ARES Trinity experience with a single Graebert Account (just use the login and password you create during signup). At the end of your trial, you can choose to continue with ARES Kudo alone or opt for the ARES Trinity license, which includes ARES Commander for desktop as well.
ARES Kudo Free version
ARES Kudo Free version
If you don't need to create or modify drawings and just want to use ARES Kudo as a free online DWG viewer, you can continue using it after your trial expires. It will automatically switch to the free version.
The Free version of ARES Kudo includes online DWG viewing & commenting
Secure Collaboration Within Your Company Using the Free Version of ARES Kudo
Free users can use ARES Kudo to search and browse the cloud storage providers connected by your company to centralize DWG files. Their access is limited to the drawings for which they’ve been granted viewing or editing permissions within the cloud storage platform.
ARES Kudo supports all major cloud storage providers, including Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, Microsoft SharePoint, Box, and Dropbox. Alternatively, it also integrates with Private Clouds using the WebDAV protocol, NextCloud, or AWS.
Benefits for the Company
A key advantage for the company is the ability to facilitate and secure remote access to DWG drawings. Viewing and editing permissions can be granted or revoked at any time directly from the cloud storage—either file by file or for an entire folder.
👉🏻 For example, you can grant your free users view-only access to a folder containing all DWG files related to current projects. These users can then access the files from anywhere using the ARES Kudo free version, authenticated through their Graebert Account.
Benefits for the Users
For free users, ARES Kudo offers a convenient and centralized solution to browse and search for drawings they’ve been given access to. Because it’s an online platform, they can do this from any device.
Instead of working with outdated PDFs (and waiting for others to generate a new PDF after every update), users can directly access the DWG drawings in real time—ensuring they’re always looking at the most current version. Unlike PDFs, ARES Kudo also supports online comments and markups, allowing users to interact directly with the team working on the drawings. The design team receives email notifications when feedback is shared, streamlining collaboration.
Differences with View-only links
View-only links in ARES are intended to share individual files with view-and-comment access. These links are shared as URLs, making them convenient for sharing one file but impractical for sharing access to a large number of drawings.
As a result, view-only links are ideal for temporary access to a few drawings—especially with external contacts such as customers. On the other hand, the free version of ARES Kudo is better suited for internal users who need ongoing access to a broader collection of DWG files.
ARES Kudo Professional version
ARES Kudo Professional version
To continue enjoying all the features of ARES Kudo (see feature comparison below) after the free 30-day trial, you’ll need to purchase a subscription.
ARES Kudo Professional is best suited for occasional CAD users—typically those who use CAD for less than one hour per day, or users migrating from 2D solutions like AutoCAD LT. It is ideal for professionals frequently working frequently outside the office, where the ability to collaborate and access drawings from anywhere makes a significant difference.
Unlike the ARES Trinity licenses (aka ARES Commander with Trinity), ARES Kudo Professional does not include our desktop application, ARES Commander. However, it does include the mobile version, ARES Touch (for Android and iOS), to ensure an optimal experience on smartphones and tablets.
ARES Kudo Professional is offered with different types of licenses:
Annual Plan: 1 year of ARES Kudo + ARES Touch for a same user.
👉🏻 Recommanded if you are getting started with ARES Kudo and are still hesitating which license is best for you.3 Years Plan: 3 years of ARES Kudo + ARES Touch for a same user.
👉🏻 Best value 🔥 – enjoy 3 years of service for the price of 2.Flex Cloud: Floating license for ARES Kudo + ARES Touch that can be shared among multiple users.
👉🏻Ideal for teams or large deployments – recommended for companies with more than five occasional users. Requires a minimum of three seats.
Compare Pricing and Licensing Options for ARES Kudo:
To explore all pricing details and choose the best license for your needs, please visit:
ARES Kudo for Onshape
ARES Kudo for Onshape
IMPORTANT: Using ARES Kudo inside the Onshape environment does not require a Graebert Account. However, if you want to use ARES Kudo via kudo.graebert.com, or use ARES Commander (for Windows, macOS, and Linux) or ARES Touch (mobile), you must create a Graebert Account using the same email address as your Onshape login.
 Onshape is a cloud-native CAD & PDM solution that uses ARES Kudo technology for the 2D documentation of the 3D projects. |  Drawings are generated and updated from the 3D model, but these views can only be edited in Onshape, not in ARES Kudo. |
The Drawings module in Onshape is powered by ARES Kudo technology, but it is designed to annotate the 2D views extracted from the 3D models created in Onshape. These drawings are 2D views that are linked to the Onshape 3D model —unlike traditional DWG files.
ARES Kudo cannot be used to edit these 2D views in Onshape Drawings. Instead, it is meant to view and edit standalone DWG files created in AutoCAD, ARES or other DWG-based CAD software, and uploaded by Onshape users to their Onshape account.
As an Onshape user, you can use ARES Kudo in different ways:
Free ARES Kudo DWG Viewer inside Onshape
When you log into to cad.onshape.com with your Onshape account, and click on any DWG file uploaded to Onshape, the drawing will open with free viewing features powered by ARES Kudo. This free online DWG viewer is directly integrated into the Onshape environment. It doesn't require creating any Graebert account and is provided at no additional cost.
Create and modify DWG files inside Onshape
The free DWG viewer integrated in Onshape becomes an editor if you buy a subscription for ARES Kudo or the ARES Trinity.
The free ARES Kudo DWG Viewer integrated inside Onshape can also convert into a full online DWG editor if you buy a subscription for ARES Kudo. To unlock the editing features you need to consider one of the two following options:
a) Buy ARES Kudo from the Onshape AppStore
You can buy a one-year subscription for ARES Kudo in the Onshape App Store, which will be charged to your Onshape invoice. This subscription doesn't include the mobile version, ARES Touch.
👉🏻 Buy ARES Kudo from Onshape App Store
b) Buy ARES Kudo Professional from the Graebert e-store
On the Graebert estore, you will find more licensing options for ARES Kudo Professional, including the mobile version ARES Touch.
👉🏻 Buy ARES Kudo from the Graebert online store
Create and modify DWG files with ARES Kudo in sync with Onshape storage
ARES Kudo users having a valid Onshape subscription can also connect Onshape as a cloud storage to ARES Kudo, and edit DWG drawings stored in Onshape.
No matter if you buy an ARES Kudo subscription from the Onshape App Store or from the Graebert e-store, you can also use ARES Kudo from the Graebert servers and connect your Onshape account to access your DWG files stored in Onshape:
1) Make sure to create a Graebert Account using as login the same email you use for Onshape
2) Log in to ARES Kudo on https://kudo.graebert.com
3) Connect your Onshape account as a storage:
4) Browse your files and open any DWG file to view and modify it with ARES Kudo
👉🏻 The drawings you will view and modify in ARES Kudo will remain stored in your Onshape account and will therefore always stay up-to-date and shared with your colleagues using Onshape.
Full replacement for AutoCAD with our Desktop version ARES Commander
If you are a user transitioning from AutoCAD, our desktop version can offer an easier switch. Although it is fully installed on your Windows, Mac or Linux PC, ARES Commander create and modify DWG files in sync with Onshape storage with a DWG-based CAD software for Windows, Mac or Linux.
The Cloud storage palette in ARES Commander enables Onshape users to connect with their Onshape account and modify DWG drawings stored in Onshape.
Note, however, that the ARES Commander users need to have a valid Onshape account (login and password with a paid subscription) to connect ARES Commander with Onshape.
To buy ARES Commander, and use it to edit DWG files stored in Onshape, you need to consider one of the two following options:
a) Buy an ARES Trinity license from the Onshape AppStore
In the Onshape App Store you can buy a one year subscription for the ARES Trinity including ARES Commander, ARES Kudo and ARES Touch. It will be charged on your Onshape invoice.
👉🏻 Buy ARES Trinity from the Onshape App Store
b) Buy an ARES Trinity license from the Graebert e-store
On the Graebert estore you will find more licensing options to buy ARES Commander with the Trinity collaboration features required to connect with cloud storages such as Onshape:
👉🏻 Buy ARES Commander with Trinity from the Graebert online store
Optimizing costs with a mix of free and paid users
Optimizing costs with a mix of free and paid users
👉🏻 Pro tip: Within the same company you can centralize your drawings in a cloud storage (Google Drive, OneDrive, SharePoint, Box, Dropbox, NextCloud, etc), and consider different types of users:
Advanced or Frequent users:
If your users are migrating from AutoCAD and using CAD for several hours a day, we recommend our desktop version, ARES Commander, with the Trinity Collaboration features. ARES Commander offers an easy switch with a familiar user interface and is a full replacement for AutoCAD. The Trinity Collaboration features integrated inside ARES Commander will additionally empower these users with modern, cloud-based collaboration tools to work with other ARES users.
Occasional users:
For users who are frequently on the go or work less than one hour per day, an ARES Kudo Professional subscription is best suited — especially if you are looking to optimize costs.
Free users:
For users who only need to view and comment on the company drawings, we recommend using the free version of ARES Kudo. Free users have a login and password to secure their access to the drawings to which they have been granted permissions.
Guest users:
For customers or other collaborators, you can grant temporary viewing and commenting access on any specific drawing using free View-only links. The creation of such links require a valid ARES Trinity or ARES Kudo Professional subscription.
Compare ARES Kudo Professional vs ARES Kudo Free:
ARES Kudo Free version | ARES Kudo Professional |
Start with the free 30-day trial. Then, if you don't buy a subscription, ARES Kudo will revert to the free mode. | Same free 30-day trial. Then buy an ARES Kudo subscription to keep enjoying all the features. |
Free Online DWG Viewer | The Best Online CAD Software |
Smartphones & Tablets ❌ ARES Touch (Mobile CAD on Android & iOS) not included.
➖ You can still use the ARES Kudo Free version to view the drawings online on your mobile device, but it is not optimal. |
Smartphones & Tablets ✅ ARES Touch is included to view, edit & comment on DWG files with your Android & iOS smartphones and tablets.
👉🏻 Key advantages of ARES Touch: can work offline, and UI is optimized for small devices and touch input. |
AI & Automation features ❌ A3 - ARES AI Assist - Not included
Some Drawings Automation features in kudo.graebert.com/automation, but with restrictions:✅ Convert DWG to PDF or DGN ✅ Convert PDF or DGN to DWG ✅ Compare two DWG drawings ✅ BIM to DWG automation: Import Revit or IFC file and generate automatically 2D DWG floorplans, sections and elevations ✅ BIM to PDF automation: Import Revit or IFC file and generate a PDF with floorplans, sections, and elevations ✅ BIM Data Extraction: Import Revit or IFC file and export data to a CSV file (for Excel or Google spreadsheet)
Key restrictions in the Free version of ARES Kudo for the Automation features: ➖ Lower capacity and lower priority ➖ No batch-processing, ie, only one file at a time ➖ No scheduling, nor recurring jobs
👉🏻 In the free version you can only manually process files one by one. |
AI & Automation features ✅ A3 - ARES AI Assist: Artificial Intelligence trained to assist ARES users in many languages - Learn more
All the Drawings Automation features in kudo.graebert.com/automation:
✅ Convert DWG to PDF or DGN ✅ Convert PDF or DGN to DWG ✅ Compare two DWG drawings ✅ BIM to DWG automation: Import Revit or IFC file and generate automatically 2D DWG floorplans, sections a,nd elevations ✅ BIM to PDF automation: Import Revit or IFC file and generate a PDF with floorplans, sections, and elevations ✅ BIM Data Extraction: Import Revit or IFC file and export data to a CSV file (for Excel or Google spreadsheet.
Use the full power of the ARES Online Drawings Automation with the possibility to: ➕ Batch process multiple files at the same time ➕ Schedule jobs at a later time and date (for example afterworks) ➕ Recurring jobs to repeat a same job on a regular basis (for example every night) |
To learn more about the unique features of ARES Kudo and understand better the differences between these two versions, make sure to visit our playlist on Youtube:
Mastering Online CAD in DWG: Free Training + Certification
Free online courses and certification are also offered from the Graebert Academy: