The Most Advanced Online CAD Software for DWG Viewing & Editing

ARES Kudo is a cloud-based CAD software application that enables users to create, read, and modify DWG files directly in their Internet browser. It is part of the ARES Trinity of CAD Software, which also includes ARES Commander for desktop and ARES Touch for mobile devices. ARES Kudo integrates seamlessly with a wide range of cloud storage services, enabling users to work on their CAD projects from anywhere without installing any software.

ARES Kudo is used by various target groups, including architects and engineers for precise 2D design and documentation, project managers for efficient monitoring and coordination, collaborative teams for simultaneous editing and secure sharing, the mobile workforce for accessing CAD files from anywhere, and companies with high security requirements using private cloud storage.

ARES Kudo offers a full set of 2D CAD features to create or modify DWG drawings online but 3D is mostly limited to viewing and annotation.

Graebert’s online CAD solution is equivalent in features to AutoCAD LT with 300+ commands. It includes all the must-have 2D features such as layer tools, hatches and gradients, dimensions and dimension styles, print to PDF, etc. ARES Kudo makes also no compromises in advanced 2D features such as support for X-refs, raster images, tables, pdf import, dgn import, drawing compare, dynamic blocks and more.

ARES Kudo can run in an Internet browser on any device, but ARES Touch is a better choice for CAD work on mobile devices because it is custom-designed for small screens.

ARES Touch can also work offline and synchronize files back to the cloud when the Internet is back. With ARES Touch, users can comfortably view, edit, and share DWG files on Android and iOS devices, making it a flexible solution for on-the-go CAD work. ARES Touch can be purchased separately or bundled with your license of ARES Commander or ARES Kudo.

ARES Kudo is a powerful cloud-based CAD software application, which is equipped with a comprehensive suite of features to enhance productivity and collaboration for DWG users. These features include:

Full DWG File Support: ARES Kudo allows users to create, read, and modify DWG files directly in their internet browser, ensuring compatibility with one of the most widely used CAD formats.

Cloud Storage Integration: The software integrates seamlessly with major cloud storage services, including Google Drive, Box, Dropbox, and OneDrive. Consequently, users can access and manage their CAD files from any device, ensuring that their work is always up-to-date and accessible wherever they are​.

Real-Time Collaboration: ARES Kudo users can add comments and markups to specific areas of a drawing, making it easier to communicate with team members and outside partners. By creating a view-only link, users can share free viewing access to project files with any collaborator and collect their feedback.

Cross-Platform Compatibility: ARES Kudo is part of the ARES Trinity of CAD software, which includes ARES Commander (for desktop) and ARES Touch (for mobile devices). These three applications are fully integrated, enabling users to start a project on one platform and seamlessly continue it on another.

No Installation Required: Because it runs directly in all major modern web browsers, ARES Kudo requires no installation or updating by the user. This makes it an ideal solution for users who need to access and work on their CAD projects from different devices without worrying about software management.

Modern collaboration & better teamwork: Leveraging cloud-based technologies, ARES Kudo is also introducing many new collaboration features such as Version History, Email notifications, Markups & Comments, Online block libraries, free online viewing and commenting… Please make sure to watch our playlist to learn about all these innovations: ARES Kudo | Online CAD Software for DWG viewing and editing

ARES Kudo is a cloud-based CAD solution, which enables users to access, share, and modify their DWG drawings from any device with an internet connection, without installations or updates.

Because files are stored in the cloud, they can be synchronized across users and devices, ensuring that all team members are working on the latest version of their 2D CAD drawings.

An additional benefit of cloud file storage is secure remote access to drawings, which is crucial for teams working across multiple locations.​ Together, these capabilities open new workflow possibilities — such as starting a project on one device, and seamlessly continuing it on another — and ensure that users can be productive wherever they go.

Centralizing files in a secured cloud-based environment is also accelerating your projects with modern collaboration features.

ARES Kudo connects to many popular cloud storage services — including Google Drive, Box, Dropbox, Microsoft SharePoint, Microsoft OneDrive, and OneDrive for Business — so users can choose where to store their CAD files. This integration enables users to access and manage their CAD files stored in these cloud services directly from ARES Kudo.

Moreover, ARES Kudo also supports industry-specific cloud storage solutions like Onshape and Trimble Connect​.

Additionally, ARES offers integration with private servers and private clouds. With the WebDAV protocol, you can connect to a private server. Alternatively, the integrations with Nextcloud and AWS enable any organization to create its own private cloud. No matter the implementation, it is very important to us that customer admins have full control over which storage solutions are allowed or restricted within their company. Our role is to support our customers by providing different options based on the operational and security requirements of each partner.

ARES Kudo runs directly in the user’s web browser, so the only system requirements are a compatible browser and a stable Internet connection. Supported browsers include Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Apple Safari. Since ARES Kudo is a cloud-based solution, it is accessible from any device that can run these browsers, including desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones​.

Graebert offers a variety of training resources to support new and experienced ARES Kudo users. Learning materials include video tutorials on Graebert’s YouTube channel, handbooks, and webinars. In addition, the Graebert Academy provides free training courses for ARES Kudo and other ARES software products.

These resources cover a wide range of topics from basic functionality to advanced features, helping users to get the most out of ARES Kudo.

You can use ARES Kudo to view and comment drawings for free. At first, you need to create a Graebert Account and will start with our free 30-day trial. During trial, you will have full access to the editing features and can connect your preferred cloud storage services to not only view but also create and modify DWG or DXF drawings. When your free trial expires, the editing features of ARES Kudo will be disabled, but you can keep using it to view drawings online for free.

In a same company, you can also have free and paid users. Users with a valid subscription will be able to create and modify drawings. Additionally, they will be able to invite free users to view and comment on their drawings at no cost.

Users can try ARES Kudo for free for 30 days to evaluate its features and see how it improves their workflow. Visit the Graebert website and create a free account to start your trial of the ARES Trinity, which includes ARES Kudo for Cloud, ARES Commander for desktop and ARES Touch for mobile devices. Later you have the option to use the entire ARES Trinity or just ARES Kudo.

You can open DWG files from AutoCAD, ARES Commander, or other similar CAD software in ARES Kudo, which natively supports the DWG file format widely used in many CAD applications. This compatibility ensures that you can create, open, edit, and share DWG files in ARES Kudo without any issues.

In addition to DWG, ARES Kudo also supports CAD file formats such as DXF and DWF, and it can convert DGN or PDF files to DWG. This flexibility allows users to work with various file types commonly used in different CAD applications. With ARES Kudo, you can easily import these files, make modifications, and save your work, all within a cloud-based environment.

With its ribbon interface and mature tool set for creating, viewing, and editing DWG files, ARES Kudo is a powerful alternative to AutoCAD LT — at a lower cost. As a modern, cloud-based CAD solution, ARES Kudo offers several advantages over the traditional, desktop-based AutoCAD LT, including:

Cloud-Based Accessibility: Access, edit, and share DWG files from any device with an Internet connection, eliminating the need for installations or updates. This enhances flexibility and collaboration, especially for teams​ working remotely.

Advanced Collaboration Tools: ARES Kudo includes features such as comments, markups, and view-only links, allowing for real-time collaboration and feedback directly within the cloud environment​.

Integration with Cloud Storage Services: Seamlessly integrates with Google Drive, Box, Dropbox, OneDrive, and more, ensuring easy management and synchronization of CAD files across platforms​.

Cost-Effective Subscriptions: Graebert offers a choice of subscription plans for ARES Kudo, including the Professional Plan and the Flex Cloud License. ARES Kudo is a good alternative to AutoCAD LT​.

Watch this video about ARES Kudo’s updated ribbon UI interface and discover the seamless transition from AutoCAD LT.

ARES Kudo offers robust security measures for storing and managing CAD files in the cloud. These are comparable to — and in some cases, exceed — the security features provided by traditional desktop solutions like AutoCAD LT.

Cloud Security: ARES Kudo leverages cloud storage services known for their stringent security protocols, including Google Drive, Box, Dropbox, and Microsoft OneDrive. These services provide advanced encryption, secure data transfer, and multi-factor authentication to protect your files​​.

Access Control: ARES Kudo allows users to generate secure, view-only links for sharing CAD files. Link users cannot edit or alter files, enhancing security during collaboration. Additionally, users can set link expiration dates, and can revoke access to these links at any time​.

File Synchronization and Backup: ARES Kudo automatically synchronizes files across devices and users, reducing the risk of data loss and ensuring that all team members are always working on the most up-to-date version of a file.

Enterprise features: For larger deployments, ARES Kudo can offer advanced settings for administrators such as Single Sign-On (SSO), cloud-storage restrictions to enable only the ones validated by the company, custom integrations and more.

Switching from AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT to ARES Kudo is a simple, user-friendly process. The following features minimize the learning curve and help ensure a smooth transition:

Familiar User Interface: ARES Kudo’s user interface is similar to AutoCAD. It includes a ribbon-style layout and customizable workspaces, such as the “CAD General” workspace, which provides a familiar environment for AutoCAD users. This helps users quickly adapt to the new software without extensive retraining​. Watch the video to explore ARES Kudo’s ribbon UI and features.

DWG File Compatibility: ARES Kudo supports DWG file formats natively, so there is no need for file conversion when migrating from AutoCAD. Users can open, edit, and save their existing DWG files in ARES Kudo, maintaining all the original data and formatting​​.

Cost-Effective Plans: In addition to the comprehensive ARES Trinity Plan, which combines cloud, desktop, and mobile solutions, Graebert offers several subscription plans for ARES Kudo, including the Professional Plan and the Flex Cloud License. These start at $200/year, allowing users to choose a package that best fits their needs and budget​​, and providing a cost-effective alternative to AutoCAD LT​.

Graebert offers a flexible range of subscription plans for ARES Kudo users, which are on average 2 to 3 times less expensive than AutoCAD LT. For more details, please visit the ARES Kudo pricing page.