Branch notes
Guides and thinking on CAD version control, real-time collaboration, and 2D drafting in the browser.
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Best CAD Collaboration Software in 2026: Compare Sharing, Editing, Comments and Review
CAD collaboration software has changed quickly. Compare AutoCAD, Onshape, Fusion, SOLIDWORKS, Inventor, BricsCAD, DraftSight, QCAD, LibreCAD, FreeCAD, Shapr3D and BranchCAD for real-time editing, view-only access, comments, issue resolution, file sharing and design review.
The BranchCAD team45 min read What Is Version Control for CAD? A Guide to CAD Revision Management
What is version control for CAD? Learn how CAD version history, branching, merging and restore can replace confusing DWG file names and improve drawing collaboration.
The BranchCAD Team14 min readCAD Collaboration: Stop Emailing Drawing Files Back and Forth
Tired of emailing CAD files and managing final_v2.dwg versions? Learn how collaborative CAD, browser-based CAD and version control can simplify drawing workflows.
The BranchCAD Team8 min readBrowser-Based CAD: What You Can Do With CAD in a Browser in 2026
What can you actually do with browser-based CAD? Explore online 2D CAD, DWG editing, collaboration, version control, file sharing and the advantages of CAD in a browser.
The BranchCAD Team18 min readBest Free Online CAD Software in 2026: 10 CAD Tools Compared
Looking for the best free online CAD software? Compare LibreCAD, QCAD, AutoCAD Web, Onshape and BranchCAD to find the right free 2D CAD software for your workflow.
The BranchCAD Team22 min readCAD Merge Conflicts: What Happens When Two People Edit the Same Drawing?
CAD merge conflicts happen when two people change the same part of a drawing at the same time. Here's how branching, three-way comparison, and conflict resolution can make collaborative 2D CAD safer.
The BranchCAD team18 min readOnline CAD Software: A Better Way to Create, Review, and Manage 2D Drawings
Online CAD software has made 2D drafting accessible from almost anywhere. But the bigger opportunity is collaboration: branching, visual diffs, geometry-based comments, version history, and a better way to review drawings.
The BranchCAD team17 min readCAD branching and merging: how it works for 2D drawings
How CAD branching and merging work on 2D drawings: what a branch really is, how a three-way merge decides what is safe, and when a human has to choose.
The BranchCAD team6 min readBorehole location plan revisions, without the redline pile
Borehole location plan revisions pile up as soon as the rig mobilizes. A branch-and-merge workflow keeps the issued plan clean while the layout moves.
The BranchCAD team4 min readCollaborative CAD: a complete guide for teams (2026)
Collaborative CAD is more than cloud storage or file sharing. Learn how modern engineering teams collaborate in real time, compare today's leading CAD platforms, and discover what makes BranchCAD different.
The BranchCAD team20 min read