2D CAD on iPad

An iPad and an Apple Pencil make a good place to draw exact 2D parts, plans and layouts, as long as the app does the CAD part properly. Here’s what that means, how drawing with a Pencil differs from a mouse, and when you still want a desktop.

What 2D CAD is, and isn’t

A stroke looks right. Geometry is right.

2D CAD stores exact geometry a machine can follow; a drawing app stores strokes. 3D CAD, such as Fusion, Onshape or Shapr3D, often starts from a clean 2D profile too.

What an iPad 2D CAD app needs

Exact sizes in, exact files out.

Look for all nine. Most real drawings are edited more than they’re drawn.

How Apple Pencil changes the work

Write a size

Two ticks: equal

A corner box: square

Hover shows the snap

With a mouse, precision comes from typing; with a Pencil it also comes from writing. On iPads with hover, the snap shows before the tip touches.

A workflow that works

Sketch roughly

Clean it up

Size it

Lock, check, export

Sketch roughly, snap it clean, size what matters, then lock the intent. Fully defined means nothing moves by accident.

When you still want a desktop

Size the profile here, extrude it there.

Take 3D solids, assemblies, 3D toolpaths and DWG drawing sets to the desktop. Flat parts can go straight to a machine: sketch to G-code for a CNC router, or make Cricut cut files on iPad.

2D CAD in PencilCAD

Finish adds what’s missing at the current sizes.

In Settings → Tools, choose CAD.
Draw with Line and Shape. Ends snap and weld.
Dimension with Measure, or write a size in Constrain.
Draw marks, then tap Finish for the rest.
Share as DXF, SVG or PDF from More. See every feature.

More guides

How to dimension an isometric drawing
Extension lines, dimension lines, aligned or level text, and a worked example.
Isometric paper on iPad
What the lattice is for, how to sketch a part on it, and which size to pick.
Drawing to scale on iPad
Pick a scale, count squares, work out slanted lines, and keep every line on the grid.
Sketching a floor plan to scale on iPad
Measure the room, draw walls at their real lengths, add doors and dimensions, and print at 1/4″ = 1′.
Parametric sketching with Apple Pencil
Dimensions and constraints, degrees of freedom, and how to fully define a sketch.
Tracing a photo to scale on iPad
Shoot it square, pick a reference length, set the scale, and check it before you trust it.
Make Cricut cut files on iPad (SVG, to scale)
Pick a mat preset, nest copies, set cut, score or draw, add single-line text, and hand the SVG to Cricut Design Space at true size.
Sketch to G-code for a CNC router on iPad
Profile, pocket and V-carve toolpaths with tabs and ramps, a preview to scrub through, one G-code file per tool, and upload over Wi-Fi.
Sheet metal flat patterns on iPad (bends, K-factor, DXF)
Bends with angle, radius and K-factor, flanges and bend checks, then a flat DXF with a BEND layer for the shop.
Laser cutting on iPad
Bed presets, cut, score and engrave per layer, preflight and a kerf test, a power and speed test grid, and files for laser software.
From iPad sketch to DXF
Draw at true size, keep outlines clean, pick units and layers, and open it in Fusion or a laser cutter.
Sketching woodworking plans on iPad
Overall sizes, a page per part, joints in detail, and a cut list before you cut.
Sketch it first: planning a 3D print on paper
Must-fit sizes, clearances, print orientation and wall thickness before you open CAD.