Drafting Software (simple, cheap)

[engineer2]

Indesign has layers and they are intuitive to use.

 

[56Mark]

I switched from DraftSight to LibreCAD when Draftsight ended the free version. Their registration method made the existing version non-operational. I viewed it as "bait and switch" as they said it was free to get people started and then made it a pay version. Of course they can do whatever they want. They have several levels - the cheapest is $99 a year. I use CAD infrequently so don't like the subscription system.

Same here. That is how I ended up using Nanocad. I really like DraftSight but I go weeks without using CAD at home so I like the free or cheap options.

 

[56Mark]

So would you all mind to let us in on which programs have layers and which don't?

In my career using AutoCAD I couldn't have done my work without layers. If I get something to use at home I'd really like to have/use layers.,

THANX.

Nanocad has layers with full control, color, line weight, line type, turn on/off, lock.

 

[Pmctn]

Try NanoCad free version. You have to register to download but it operates almost exactly like AutoCad. I have used AutoCad since the DOS days in the late 80's. I use Solidworks mostly now for design at work but it is not a good 2D CAD program. I use NanoCad at home for that. Units are little difficult in NanoCad and it defaults to mm, but I just pretend it is inches if that is what I am using.
https://nanocad.com/

I am going to try some of the other suggestions too and see if I like them better.

56Mark - I can't thank you enough for the recommendation of Nanocad. I spent years working with AutoCAD, but had left it behind due to cost. We are planning a new house and I had resigned myself to paying someone to draw my plans rather than learn a new software. NanoCAD changed all that. It runs just like i remember AutoCAD running. All the old skills came right back like riding a bicycle. Thank you again.

 

[f121]

Is it possible to do plans of a 3d model on sketch up? Like drawing a building and then seeing a plan view? I tried to do this a few years back but it seemed to be a paid feature

 

[ed_v]

Good call guys!

I tried Nanocad as suggestions by others here. Seems really good so far. I've used Autocad for around 30 years, so not really a learning curve for me.

Thanks,
Ed

 

[bpjr]

For a one off shed at home how much design editing do you really need? By the time you've figured out which cad program to use I would have already had it drafted manually, had lunch, dinner, watched TV and gone to bed. Cad has its advantages but not so much in this case...to me anyway.

 

[rayra]

Is it possible to do plans of a 3d model on sketch up? Like drawing a building and then seeing a plan view? I tried to do this a few years back but it seemed to be a paid feature

see my reply #23, that 3D view is SketchUp 2017

 

[manwithtools]

I've been using Adobe InDesign for sketches. It's a desktop publishing program, but it has good 2D drawing tools. No auto-dimension though. $23/month rental or $53/month for the entire suite of Adobe programs.

I've also tried Home Architect, but didn't like it. Powerful, but has a steep learning curve with online tutorial videos. Just didn't have time for that.

Adobe Indesign:

You need to negotiate a bit with Adobe, I'm getting the entire suite for $33 / month.