CADTutor vs CAD Exchange
CADTutor is the long-running free AutoCAD community forum where users share LISP routines, ask questions, and get answers from veterans. It's an essential resource for learning. CAD Exchange is a paid marketplace for production-grade automation — verified sellers, license keys, refunds, and security-scanned binaries.
What CADTutor does well
CADTutor has 20+ years of forum threads — almost any AutoCAD problem you can think of has been answered there. The free-LISP exchange is enormous, and the community is generous with answers. For learning AutoLISP and finding starter code, CADTutor is unmatched.
What CAD Exchange adds
CAD Exchange complements CADTutor for buyers who need production-grade tooling: verified sellers (not random forum users), per-purchase license keys with revoke/reactivate, refund windows when a plugin doesn't deliver, automated security scanning of every uploaded binary, and direct support channels with the seller. For a CAD coordinator standardizing tooling across 20+ seats, those guarantees matter.
Side-by-side comparison
| CADTutor | CAD Exchange | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free (forum + free LISP exchange) | Paid (with free listings available) |
| Seller verification | Anonymous forum users | Stripe Identity-verified sellers |
| License keys | None | Per-purchase keys with admin controls |
| Security scanning | Community trust | Automated code/binary scans |
| Support guarantee | Forum goodwill (no SLA) | Direct seller contact + refund window |
| Best for | Learning, free LISP, getting unstuck | Production tooling with vendor accountability |
When to use CADTutor
Use CADTutor for learning AutoLISP, getting forum help on a specific problem, browsing free routines, and tapping the community's institutional knowledge.
When to use CAD Exchange
Use CAD Exchange when you need vendor accountability — a real seller, a license key, a refund path, and security scanning of the binary before you deploy it to your team.
Frequently asked questions
Is CADTutor going away?
Not as far as we know — it remains a vital community resource.
Do CAD Exchange sellers also post on CADTutor?
Many do. CADTutor is where a lot of CAD Exchange's sellers built their initial reputation.
Can I post a question on CAD Exchange?
We don't host a community Q&A forum like CADTutor. We do have a Request marketplace where you can post a custom-work brief and sellers quote on it.