What's best easy design & layout software?

[guy48065]

I definitely want to avoid the steep learning curve of typical CAD programs.

 

[Coloshaver]

It depends on what you want to do. I have had good luck with Google Sketchup for modeling my building, seeing where bench, boxes, etc will go and seeing it in 3D next to my house. It is definitely not a true CAD program. It is difficult to do complex machined parts, but it has done everything I have needed and it is free.

 

[philwire]

I use Sweet Home 3d. Free, easy, you can have your whole house modeled and ready for moving stuff around in a few hours.

Think CAD but with the home designer in mind.

 

[brownbagg]

I always found autocad itself to be the easliest, once you learn basic commands it will do anything

 

[guy48065]

I always found autocad itself to be the easliest, once you learn basic commands it will do anything

I've sat down in front of Autocad and my brain locked up. Not easy to learn and very slow if you don't know the keyboard shortcuts. Not intuitive.

Sweet Home sounds like I should take a look. Just looking for something to help visualize floorplans, exterior sidings & colors, "what-ifs" of all sorts.

 

[shephd]

I'm trying to do some of this, too. Today the dollar store had mat board sheets for back to school so I was already thinking about this.

The grizzly shop planner has lots of shop items to paste into your room. IIRC, you can register and save your drawing.

http://www.grizzly.com/workshopplanner.aspx

 

[maxspeed96ct]

Hands down google sketchup, best part is its free. Takes a few days of trial and error and learing, sit down and watch a few youtube vids on it aswell.

Good luck .

I did my entire garage bluprint and interior layout with it.

 

[cheechi]

There's tons of info about sketchup out there, tutorials on youtube and websites with parts/templates out there.

If that isn't easy enough for you then get a magnet board and some scissors.

 

[machine_punk]

I've had good luck with the IMSI brand CAD programs for home use...easy to figure out and use and a lot of decent textures and materials.

I've jumped way up the learning curve now, I and I really enjoy Alibre 3D Design. It has a HUGE learning curve (even for someone like me, who is comfortable drafting with pencil and 2D CAD).

For what you are doing, I've been very happy with the IMSI branded stuff.

M_P

 

[The Frisco Kid]

For just layout and ideas, most only use a home 3D type software.... however, Trimble/Google Sketchup is OUTSTANDING for almost any use!!! Check it out and watch a few tutorials, and you'll be hooked!

 

[guy48065]

I've never used Sketchup but since my main interest is woodworking I've seen examples of furniture drawings done with it. Is it any good for floorplans? For building exteriors does it have useful textures like lap siding, cedar shakes, logs, shingles, etc? Because of the examples I've seen I thought it was mainly for small-scale creations.

 

[nine4gmc]

check the google sketchup warehouse. there is just about any type of model of anything you can think of there. if it's not there, you can design it and upload it for other users. it is the best free program available imo.

 

[Kevin54]

For 3d, I'd say download Sketchup. For 2D, I highly recommend DeltaCad. Very easy to learn. You can try the Trial Version at www.deltacad.com. To buy, it's like $29 and well worth it if you see all it can do.

 

[PAToyota]

Is it any good for floorplans?

Yes.

For building exteriors does it have useful textures like lap siding, cedar shakes, logs, shingles, etc?

Yes.

Because of the examples I've seen I thought it was mainly for small-scale creations.

Anything from designing a pencil box to a full-scale commercial building. The Pro version is my main design/drafting program for my architectural firm.