Boatmedic
Member
I have to draw up a site plan and I am curious what 2D programs everybody is using? We are getting ready to get the ball rolling and I am looking for a basic user friendly program.
Site plan drawing
- Thread starter Boatmedic
- Start date
Homerr
Well-known member
2D is so last century.... =)
Our office uses ArchiCAD, but it's a hefty program in price/learning.
There are a boatload of free AutoCAD knock-off programs out there, I currently have nanoCAD 5.0 installed for poking around in .dwg files. LibreCAD is another. If your lot has a pretty easy shape (i.e. rectangular) then a Youtube tutorial or three could probably get you going with the basics.
Everyone loves Sketchup, I've never used it for actual drafting.
And finally, as long as it's to scale a good old paper and pencil is about as reliable as it gets. Jurisdictions will generally give more latitude to homeowners for not having perfect architectural lettering, etc. Just get the info they need on it and you should be golden.
Our office uses ArchiCAD, but it's a hefty program in price/learning.
There are a boatload of free AutoCAD knock-off programs out there, I currently have nanoCAD 5.0 installed for poking around in .dwg files. LibreCAD is another. If your lot has a pretty easy shape (i.e. rectangular) then a Youtube tutorial or three could probably get you going with the basics.
Everyone loves Sketchup, I've never used it for actual drafting.
And finally, as long as it's to scale a good old paper and pencil is about as reliable as it gets. Jurisdictions will generally give more latitude to homeowners for not having perfect architectural lettering, etc. Just get the info they need on it and you should be golden.
I learned on AutoCAD way back in the day, but once you get used to the UI, Sketchup is fast and easy - even for a site plan.
Camera | Perspective (turn it off)
then
Camera | Standard Views | Top
Bingo. You're now working "in" 2D.
Camera | Perspective (turn it off)
then
Camera | Standard Views | Top
Bingo. You're now working "in" 2D.
Last edited:
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
Don't forget that a pencil and paper still works. 
If necessary you can get an aerial view of your property from Google Maps or Bing Maps.
If necessary you can get an aerial view of your property from Google Maps or Bing Maps.
readhead
Well-known member
When I do metal buildings I print the GIS map and locate the building and dimensions for setbacks. I incorporate the map into a cover sheet. With the cover sheet and the building plans I have a complete set to apply for a permit.
Chuckster in NJ
Well-known member
Get your survey (from when you purchased your home) make a copy and draw the footprint of the building on it.
BTW! Take a pencil and shadow over the impressed seal so you can see it on the copy.
BTW! Take a pencil and shadow over the impressed seal so you can see it on the copy.
Thanks for the ideas. I have a pencil sketch but was trying to do it in a computer program so I could email it as a jpeg back and forth with a friend in another state.
It’s just a bare piece of property. We are putting up the shop first so we have a place to store everything and going to live in an RV until the house gets built.
We are in Pierce County and I will look into the GIS Map idea. I tried Sketchup but the 3D part was too much for me and my older laptop doesn’t support the program.
I hired a dirt guy to come out and clear all the brush off of it. Suppose to show up on Wednesday. I am so ready to get going on this project.
Will be seeking metal building experts for questions very soon.
It’s just a bare piece of property. We are putting up the shop first so we have a place to store everything and going to live in an RV until the house gets built.
We are in Pierce County and I will look into the GIS Map idea. I tried Sketchup but the 3D part was too much for me and my older laptop doesn’t support the program.
I hired a dirt guy to come out and clear all the brush off of it. Suppose to show up on Wednesday. I am so ready to get going on this project.
Will be seeking metal building experts for questions very soon.
Last edited:
readhead
Well-known member
Are you allowed any site work before the permit is issue?
TTMotorsports
Well-known member
I requested a copy of old site plan from cou ty for my building. Had staples scan it to pdf. Then I used ms paint to draw my building and new driveway. Just got my permit last week so guess it worked good enough.
MushCreek
Well-known member
Did you see post #3? I use SketchUp in 2D all the time (and I'm an old computer illiterate). You must have a really old computer if it won't run SU. I designed my whole house and property in SU, but didn't use the 3D much. Ironically, the building department wouldn't take my drawings in digital format, as they had no way to view them! I printed out the few views they required, but they said a pencil sketch was fine.
I like having a site plan in digital format, as I can add things as I make changes. All of my water, septic, and power lines were entered as I did them.
I like having a site plan in digital format, as I can add things as I make changes. All of my water, septic, and power lines were entered as I did them.
fiataccompli
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2017
- Messages
- 89
I did a grading plan with contour lines basically using tracing paper on a GIS map of my property. That is rather sad since in the 1990s I was developing commercial site plans using Autocad for work...alas, i haven’t used it in 20 years and I figured my plan was simple enough to do “old school.” That said, I’ve been fiddling around with sketchup and would like to learn it. Once I get past the interface & nomenclature, my CAD experience should be helpful.
I did my site plan and the permit office said they didn’t need it. All they needed was the building details (of course) and a map showing the building relative to all the setbacks. Funny, maybe.
I did my site plan and the permit office said they didn’t need it. All they needed was the building details (of course) and a map showing the building relative to all the setbacks. Funny, maybe.
DuluthMachineWorks
Well-known member
If you’re interested in GIS, the industry standard is ArcGIS. There is a personal use option that is much less expensive than the commercial use packages, so if you think you might want to do more site plan type work in the future, that could be a good option.
AutoCAD is the industry standard for professional site plans, but has a steep learning curve and high price tag.
I’ve been using Chief Architect to put together as-built plans of my house. It seems to be quite powerful for framing/interior work but I am finding it to be a bit lacking in terms of site plans.
AutoCAD is the industry standard for professional site plans, but has a steep learning curve and high price tag.
I’ve been using Chief Architect to put together as-built plans of my house. It seems to be quite powerful for framing/interior work but I am finding it to be a bit lacking in terms of site plans.
I got a paper copy of the lot from the county on 8.5 x 11 paper.
It showed the existing house outline.
I penciled in the shop location and gave it to the building department.
In 20 min I had my permit.
If needed I could have scanned it with my printer into a .JPG for e-mailing.
It showed the existing house outline.
I penciled in the shop location and gave it to the building department.
In 20 min I had my permit.
If needed I could have scanned it with my printer into a .JPG for e-mailing.
Richard D
Well-known member
If it's pretty simple I can draw it up for you in CAD from a sketch no charge.
Innovate1
Well-known member
There are a number of autocad like programs for free. They obviously vary in quality and such. I needed one that would read in previous plans that were from Autocad. One that was reviewed pretty high crashed immediately when loading the drawing file. I have been using the free Draftsight program. If you want something simpler there is CadStd. For 3d I use Fusion360 but it is overkill for 2d and getting out drawings for paper printing isn't its strong point. Inkscape works well for drawings too. Very flexible on input and output formats. But may not be quite as easy to draw things to specific dimensions.
jhrodd
Well-known member
Maybe Pierce County is more lenient than Whatcom County or San Juan County but I wouldn't think about doing any "clearing" with out at least a land disturbance permit and probably a critical areas survey. Features, such as wetlands, aren't always obvious. They're a habitat basically and can be natural or man made. In Whatcom County I believe they would allow you to build a shop first but you would have to apply for permits for both the house and shop simultaneously.
finn
Well-known member
I had to do a site map a couple of years ago when we added a new kitchen to the house. The house is on the lakefront, so we needed a site map for the permit from the drain commissioner.
I whipped one up using a pencil and regular old quad paper, and sent it in attached to the permit form, along with a check.
He called me a couple days later to give verbal approval for the project and asked if it was ok if he copied it to pass out to other property owners to use as an example of how to do it.
Don’t need no stinking CAD!
I whipped one up using a pencil and regular old quad paper, and sent it in attached to the permit form, along with a check.
He called me a couple days later to give verbal approval for the project and asked if it was ok if he copied it to pass out to other property owners to use as an example of how to do it.
Don’t need no stinking CAD!