Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about buying, downloading, and selling CAD drawings on DesignsCAD.

Buying & Downloads

I paid but didn’t receive my file or download link

This is the most common issue and is usually resolved quickly:

  1. Check your spam/junk folder. The purchase receipt with your download link is sent right after payment.
  2. Log into your account and visit Purchase History. All your purchases and download links are listed there.
  3. Double-check your email. Make sure the email you used at checkout matches your account email.

If you still can’t find your file, contact us with your order ID or PayPal transaction ID and we’ll resend it.

How do I download my purchased file after payment?

After payment, you’ll get an email receipt with a direct download link. You can also find all your purchased files by logging in and visiting your Purchase History page.

How do I open a DWG file? Do I need AutoCAD?

DWG is AutoCAD’s native format, but you don’t need AutoCAD to open it. These free viewers work great:

  • Autodesk Online Viewer – free, runs in your browser, no install needed
  • LibreCAD – free, open-source 2D CAD editor
  • FreeCAD – free, open-source 3D modeler (supports DWG with plugins)
  • DWG TrueView – free viewer from Autodesk
I can’t unzip the downloaded file

Some drawings come as compressed ZIP files. If your computer can’t open them:

  • Windows: Right-click the file and select “Extract All”
  • Mac: Double-click the ZIP file
  • Any platform: Try the free tool 7-Zip (Windows) or The Unarchiver (Mac)
Can I change the units from metric to imperial?

Unit conversion happens inside your CAD software, not on our website. In AutoCAD, go to Format > Units (or type UNITS) to switch between metric and imperial. The drawing itself stays the same, only the display units change.

The file I downloaded is empty, watermarked, or the wrong drawing

Sorry about that. Please contact us with your order ID and let us know what’s wrong. We’ll look into it and either send you the correct file or issue a refund.

I only got a PDF – where’s the DWG/CAD file?

First, check the listing’s File Type field. Some drawings are sold as PDF-only and the listing will say so. In that case, the PDF is what you’re meant to receive.

If the listing says DWG but you only see a PDF, the DWG file may be inside the downloaded ZIP archive. Try extracting the ZIP with a tool like 7-Zip or The Unarchiver. If the DWG is genuinely missing, contact us with your order ID.

Is this file 2D or 3D? Can I use it for 3D printing or CNC?

Most files on DesignsCAD are 2D CAD drawings (plans, sections, details, blocks). Some listings do include 3D models, so check the file type and description on the product page before purchasing. Standard DWG files can’t be used directly for 3D printing (which needs STL or OBJ format) or CNC cutting without conversion.

Which AutoCAD version do I need to open the files?

Most files are saved in a widely compatible DWG format that works with AutoCAD 2010 and later. If you run into compatibility issues, try opening the file in a free viewer like DWG TrueView or Autodesk’s online viewer, which handle multiple DWG versions automatically.

I got an error at checkout but my card/PayPal was still charged

This can happen occasionally. Sometimes the payment goes through but the order doesn’t get created on our end due to a technical glitch. First, check your email (including spam) for a receipt, and log into your Purchase History. If you don’t see the order there, contact us with your PayPal transaction ID or a payment screenshot. We’ll locate your payment and either send you the download link or issue a refund.

Subscriptions

What is the All Access subscription?

The All Access subscription gives you unlimited browsing and a set number of downloads per billing period across our entire library of 106,000+ CAD drawings. Instead of buying files one at a time, you get access to everything for a flat monthly, quarterly, or annual fee.

What plans are available and how much do they cost?

We offer three plans:

  • Monthly – $7/month (up to 10 downloads per day)
  • Quarterly – $17/quarter (up to 15 downloads per day)
  • Annual – $47/year (up to 25 downloads per day)

All plans renew automatically. You can view the full details on our Pricing page.

Can I cancel my subscription?

Yes, you can cancel anytime from your Subscriptions page. Your access continues until the end of your current billing period. If you need any help, feel free to contact us.

What happens to my downloaded files if I cancel?

Any files you’ve already downloaded are yours to keep. Cancelling just stops future billing and new downloads once your current period ends.

Should I subscribe or buy individual files?

If you only need one or two specific drawings, buying them individually is cheaper. But if you regularly need CAD files for projects, a subscription is a much better deal. For example, the Monthly plan gives you up to 10 downloads per day for just $7/month.

Payments & Refunds

I was charged twice / duplicate order

If you see duplicate charges, contact us with:

  • Your order IDs or PayPal transaction IDs
  • The email address you used for payment

We’ll look into it and refund the duplicate charge. Refunds usually show up within 3-5 business days.

How do I request a refund?

Since all our products are digital downloads, we generally don’t offer refunds. That said, we understand things can go wrong – if you received the wrong file, an incomplete drawing, or something that doesn’t match the listing, contact us with your order ID and we’ll review your case individually.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) and PayPal. All payments are processed securely through Stripe and PayPal. We don’t currently support bank transfers, PIX, or other regional payment methods.

Are refunds available for digital products?

As a general policy, all sales of digital downloads are final. However, we handle issues on a case-by-case basis. If you received the wrong file, a corrupt download, or were charged in error, contact us with your order ID and we’ll do our best to make it right.

Can I get a tax invoice or VAT receipt?

Yes. You can view and print invoices for your purchases directly from your Purchase History – each order has an invoice link. If you need a custom invoice with your company name, tax ID, or VAT number, contact us with your order ID and company details and we’ll put one together for you.

I have a discount code – where do I enter it?

On the checkout page, look for the link that says “Have a discount code? Click to enter it” above the payment fields. Enter your code there and click Apply. The discount will show up in the total before you complete payment.

I purchased as a guest – how do I find my order?

If you purchased without logging in, the receipt and download link were sent to whatever email you entered at checkout. To link those purchases to an account, register with the same email address you used for payment. Your previous orders will then show up in your Purchase History.

Selling on DesignsCAD

How long does drawing review take?

We review new submissions within 3-7 business days. If your drawing has been pending longer than that, contact us with the drawing title and we’ll prioritize it.

How do I withdraw my earnings?

We pay 76% commission on every sale. To get paid:

  1. Make sure your PayPal email is set in your Seller Profile.
  2. Once you hit the $50 minimum, contact us to request a payout.
  3. We’ll send the payment to your PayPal within 48 hours.
How do I edit or delete a drawing I uploaded?

Log into your Seller Dashboard and go to Drawings. Click on the drawing you want to change. From there you can update the title, description, price, and files, or delete the listing entirely.

Does my PayPal email need to match my DesignsCAD username?

Nope. Your DesignsCAD username and PayPal email are completely separate. Just make sure your PayPal email is correct in your Seller Profile, since that’s where we send your commission payments.

How do I become a seller on DesignsCAD?

Head to the Seller Registration page and fill out the form. Once you’re approved, you can start uploading CAD drawings through your Seller Dashboard. We pay 76% commission on every sale.

What happens if my drawing doesn’t match the preview images?

Preview images should accurately show what’s in the downloadable file. If a buyer reports that the preview doesn’t match the actual drawing, we’ll look into it and may ask you to fix the listing or upload corrected files. Please make sure your previews are honest representations of what buyers will receive.

Copyright & Legal

Someone is selling my work without permission – how do I report it?

If you find your work being sold without your permission, email [email protected] with:

  • The URL of the listing in question
  • Proof that you’re the original creator (your file, portfolio link, or publication date)
  • A statement confirming you’re the copyright holder

We review takedown requests within 48 hours and remove confirmed infringing content right away. You can find the full procedure on our DMCA Policy page.

Can I use the files commercially?

Each listing specifies its license type. Most files can be used in your own projects, client work, and professional deliverables. The main restriction is that you can’t resell the original file or include it in another CAD library or digital product. Check the license details on the product page before purchasing. If you have questions about a specific use case, contact us.

What license do I get when I purchase a file?

The license depends on the product. Generally, purchased files can be used in your own projects, client work, and deliverables. You can’t resell the file itself or bundle it into another digital product or CAD library. Check the license information on each product page for specifics. Full details are in our Terms & Conditions.

Account

How do I reset my password?

Go to the password reset page, enter your email address, and follow the instructions in the email you’ll receive.

How do I delete my account?

To delete your account, contact us from the email address linked to your account. We’ll remove all your personal data within 30 days per our Privacy Policy.

Do you offer custom CAD design services?

We don’t offer custom design work ourselves. DesignsCAD is a marketplace for ready-made CAD drawings. That said, many of our sellers are professional architects and engineers who may be open to custom projects. You can reach out to them directly through their store pages.