Patchify vs Vectorworks ConnectCAD

What does ConnectCAD do well?

ConnectCAD is built on Vectorworks Spotlight, so the schematic sits in the same CAD environment as venue, lighting and rigging drawings.

• Schematics and racks: AV schematic drawings and rack layouts.
• Checks and reports: live error checking and detailed reports.
• 2D and 3D: a hybrid 2D/3D environment, with customisable templates and symbols.
• As-built drawings: support for as-built documentation.
• Spotlight underneath: Spotlight's design and documentation tools and its manufacturer library.
• Platforms: macOS 26, macOS 15 and Windows 11, as listed on the ConnectCAD page.

How do the prices compare? (checked 9 October 2026)

ConnectCAD is sold as a bundle with Spotlight or Design Suite on the Vectorworks UK store. The prices below are the UK list prices for a new single seat, before VAT. Patchify prices are in US dollars.

Do you need CAD skills?

ConnectCAD runs inside Vectorworks, so you work in a CAD program: layers, sheets, classes and drawing tools. If your team already draws in Vectorworks, that is a strength. If not, it is a program to learn.

Patchify has no drawing tools to learn. You search the library, place a device and drag a cable from one port to another. The cable number, signal type and schedule row come from that connection. See AV diagram software for a worked example.

What about DWG, DXF and drawing sets?

Vectorworks is a CAD package and works in CAD formats; check its site for the DWG versions it supports. Patchify exports DXF for diagrams and patch panel faceplates, not DWG. It also exports PDF drawings with a title block, PNG, CSV and Excel.

• Signal flow PDF with title block, revision and drawn-by fields.
• 19" and 10" rack elevations, front and rear, with power, weight and heat.
• Custom panels in the patch panel designer, with DXF faceplates and labels.
• A cable schedule and a bill of materials priced from CPC (UK) or Newark (US).

When is ConnectCAD the better choice?

• Your team already draws venues, lighting or rigging in Vectorworks and wants the AV schematic in the same file.
• You need 3D, or a full CAD drawing set with your own sheet layouts.
• You work in DWG with architects and consultants.
• You want desktop software on macOS.

When is Patchify the better choice?

• You want the diagram, cable schedule, racks and panels without learning CAD.
• You work in a browser on any computer, or offline on a Windows laptop with the desktop app.
• You want a priced bill of materials and job sheets in the same project.
• The cost of a CAD seat is hard to justify for the size of your jobs.

Sources

• ConnectCAD features and supported systems: vectorworks.net/connectcad (checked 9 October 2026)
• UK prices: vectorworks.net/en-GB/spotlight/buy (checked 9 October 2026)
• Patchify plans: patchify.app/pricing

Vectorworks, Spotlight and ConnectCAD are trademarks of their owner. Prices change; check the vendor's site before you buy. If anything here is out of date, email [email protected] and we will correct it.