akpolaris
Well-known member
Is there a reasonably priced, user friendly drafting program that I can get for drawing up plans for a shop/garage building?
drafting program
- Thread starter akpolaris
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John in OH
Well-known member
The general consensus among GJ members seems to be Google Sketchup that is a free download. I've played with it a few times and it seems to have a lot of potential, but does take some practice to get onto if you want a lot of dimensional detail in your drawings. It has a LARGE library (their 3D warehouse) of pre-drawn items such as cars, trucks, lathes, tablesaws, windows, doors, etc. that can be easily plugged into your 3D drawings. I think you can do some nice 3D renderings of the building, equipment layout, and textures (brick, roof shingles, etc). But like I said, it will take some practice to get the traditional engineering detail drawings.
If you want to go more traditional two-dimensional drawings, my favorite is AutoCad LT. But it's not cheap. A similar more inexpensive program is TurboCad that has most of AutoCad LT's features.
If you want to go more traditional two-dimensional drawings, my favorite is AutoCad LT. But it's not cheap. A similar more inexpensive program is TurboCad that has most of AutoCad LT's features.
ddawg16
Well-known member
For free....Google Sketchup....takes some learning
Next would be Visio....easy to use....
Autocad LT.....but without the templates...your really doing everything the hard way....it takes a lot of learning
Unless you have a lot of uses...go Sketchup....I understand there is a growing user pool of objects out there for free download...things like fixtures, walls, etc.
Next would be Visio....easy to use....
Autocad LT.....but without the templates...your really doing everything the hard way....it takes a lot of learning
Unless you have a lot of uses...go Sketchup....I understand there is a growing user pool of objects out there for free download...things like fixtures, walls, etc.
JMcFly
Well-known member
My experience with sketchUp is that it allows you to get an idea of what the end result will look like. When I did any sort of real drawings for floor plans I used a CAD based program like AutoCad Architectural Desktop but that is not a cheap program.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Sketchup can do anything in 3D. If you want to build your walls showing 2x4 or 2x6 construction, just draw one board and keep duplicating it.
The online tutorials are pretty good.
As other have said it does take some practice. You have to continually think in 3D.
FltEngCPO
Well-known member
I used Visio for mine but have access to it from work. It was real easy to use and there are quite a few downloads for add-ins.
Kevin C
Well-known member
For 2D I used Turbo Cad. The price was reasonable, about $40.
StingRay
Well-known member
If you want 2d autocad it's hard to beat Draftsight. It's free and uses Autocad commands and file types. Progecad has free versions of their older stuff and is also an Autocad clone.
pmiranda
Well-known member
Are there libraries of appliances and such freely available for Draftsight? I like it but have been doing alot of planning in Visio because it already has all that junk.
machine_punk
Well-known member
Buy 'not-this-year's' IMSI TurboCAD 3D for quick and inexpensive. I have had good luck with those in the past and they are not too difficult to learn.
For complex, any of the 3D modeling programs (I used Alibre Design 3D, but there is a big following of Google Sketchup). There is a HUGE learning curve on 3D modeling.
If you are really just trying to figure out floor plan, there is a lot to be said for drawing outlines of your tools and using 11x17 graph paper to figure out what goes where and where you should put walls and separate rooms.
Kev
For complex, any of the 3D modeling programs (I used Alibre Design 3D, but there is a big following of Google Sketchup). There is a HUGE learning curve on 3D modeling.
If you are really just trying to figure out floor plan, there is a lot to be said for drawing outlines of your tools and using 11x17 graph paper to figure out what goes where and where you should put walls and separate rooms.
Kev
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djjsr
Well-known member
I bought QuickCad (from Autodesk). I wanted to plan a storage shed. Bad idea, nothing quick about it. It took me longer to do the design work than it did to build the shed. I guess if you're going to use it regularly you would become more proficient.
High Desert
Active member
I learned to use Sketchup for work in 2011. Granted, I have the paid version, but the free version isn't very limited. Never had any experience with drawing software before. I hired an architect to create the permit drawings, but having the 3d version of what I wanted really ensured that the architect understood. You easily perform layouts and get dimensions. Depending on how much time you want to spend, you can create each individual part and piece, and basically pre-build the entire thing. This is what I did, and it made the real construction so much more pain-free.
Another thing that is nice is that you can bring in a google-earth shot of your lot, with terrain info. So if your lot slopes to the southeast, sketchup can represent that.
Sketchup does take some time to learn, but they have an extensive tutorial on youtube, and a sketchup model warehouse where you can download models that others have created. So if you want to place a 3d 1957 Chevy in your space, you can likely download one.
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PAToyota
Well-known member
Agreed, but it is now owned by Trimble.
Trimble to Enhance its Office-to-Field Platform with the Acquisition of Google's SketchUp 3D Modeling Platform
Devildogs
Well-known member
Use AutoCad or a clone to do sketches and big layouts. Once you have it organized then you can go 3d. Dont start the design in 3d! It,s a Big waist of time.
If you can find it, Autodesk Inventor is very good and it works well with your autocad sketches. As far as free models go there are several webites you can use for all design software.
If you can find it, Autodesk Inventor is very good and it works well with your autocad sketches. As far as free models go there are several webites you can use for all design software.
vjlobel
Well-known member
Autocad has a free web based drafting program/ mobile app called autocad ws. It's pretty basic but easy to use. The only catch is you can't create a new file. You have to open an existing file, even if its blank, and draw in it. I just draw in the sides of the samples.
PAToyota
Well-known member
Totally disagree. I use 3D from start to finish on every project I do. Helps me to understand how it is all going to go together and helps clients understand what is going on.
Jim Johnstone
Well-known member
I agree, speaking as a designer that has always worked in 3d, I am far faster in 3d followed by 2d prints, and make fewer mistakes being able to see how everything fits together.
BrianC636
Well-known member
If you can get it done in 30 days....Download a trial of AutoCAD Architectural. It'll draw in 2D and 3D. It's not terrible to learn how to use with the help of youtube.
Defender Chassis
Well-known member
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
THIS (Draftsight I mean)
I use it daily. Better than AutoCAD LT and it is free for the non-business user. If you have no experience with a CAD program then you might be overwhelmed. It has a good tutorial though if you take the time to go through it.
CHADD
Well-known member
agreed. Im pretty efficient with 3D Autocad. I prefer 3D over 2D any day.
BrianC636
Well-known member
CHADD
Well-known member
I would prefer Inventor or Solidworks. But I use AutoCAD and CADWorx for my job. Basically I use whatever software I have access to.
G20-Budo
Well-known member
Of those of you that have done drawings using Visio, can you post some completely drawings in say a .jpg format.. I'm messing with Visio now to draw up what's where in my garage, and how it will look when I change some things around.