Can anyone recommend a decent CAD program for doing basic drawings? I do not need anything complicated but I do need something for simple decks, additions and renovations. I spoke with an architect and he recommended something that was in the $1,000.00 range. This is way out of my budget and I am sure is much more than I need.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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Replies
go take a look at this months fine woodworking.
"CAD ON A BUDGET"
by Gregory Paolini
Computer-aided design software gives you the flexibility to modify designs instantly
back in my old life i was an instructor for an autodesk reseller and now that i use CAD as a tool to make money i switched to a program called "sketchup" take a look at it... i know a few guys on the group use it.
http://www.sketchup.com/
-ian
I'll second that recommendation for SketchUp !
Great forum also, to help you learn the Program.
Hey Duuude!!! Sorry, I just had to "say" that... Sounds like as a CAD user, you may be quite an authority on what's good and what's not. From a glance at the Sketchup web site they stress it's 3-D ability, and say it was designed as a conceptual level design tool.
3D is nice, and might help a customer visualize a project, but won't really help me do my job... (other than possibly the selling aspect). Is sketchup a good tool for generating simple to slightly complex 2D architectural prints for residential construction? Wound it be easy to learn for someone who is very computer literate, has a novice level of experience with other CAD programs, but has little tolerance for clunky, non-intuitive software?
Thanks,Matt
no, for 2D CD's it is not what you want... for that i would vote for autocad LT or the full version. or power cad if you are a mac user.
Just for the record - AutoCAD LT does do 3D.Les Barrett Quality Construction
yes, but would you want to use it for 3D? ;-) even full autocad is a poor choice for 3D work. the editing tool set is almost useless.
I didn't say it was easy, but I have never chosen to actually use 3D to sell an idea. By using a floor plan with elevations, I think it is easier to visualize how a home will look. Today I presented a client with the drawings for an addition which included a gable coming sixteen feet out from another gable roof. I printed out the front and the two side elevations on one sheet. When I presented the drawing, I folded the paper in three sections and got a pretty positive response. That is not to say that the 3D programs don't have value, because some folks just like working with them. I migrated to LT because I was tired of the limitations of several of the 3D programs I had tried and because I was not willing to pay for the full AutoCAD. Les Barrett Quality Construction
Has anyone tried autosketch from autocad? Looks pretty good for around 120.00. I'm looking for something for drawing decks.
the reviewer in FWW gave it a rating of "poor"
quickcad got a "good"
I have used quite a few different drawing programs. I was originally trained on Autocad LT so naturally I now turn to Architectural Desktop for plans and elevations. ADT is both 2D and 3D at once so any project drawn in 2D is quickly transformed into a reasonable 3D model.
It seems to me that most drawing programs are based on autocad. Some have enhanced features that may allow you to do some things easier. But overall, ADT can do things that other programs cannot.
Don't get me wrong here....I'm not an Autodesk groupie. I am always trying new cad programs in search of something more appealing and efficient. Been meaning to try ChiefArch. I guess I'll make that my next trial.
With that said, I find it fun and satisfying to use Sketchup. It is more like a game or a toy to me. The more you want to play the more you will get.....you can stop at any time and present it to a prospective client who will be astounded.
since some people ask....here's a quick deck and a cabinet made on Autosketch and a roof layout from ADT
gk
How long did it take to draw the deck and workbwench?
Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!" Then get busy and find out how to do it. T. Roosevelt
The deck took about 30 min. the workbench was my very first drawing on sketchup so it took me about 3 hours.
I don't use cad everyday either....maybe once a month if that. I have other works that are far more complex and were drawn more efficiently because I was using cad quite alot then. It's just like any skill...use it or lose it.
gk
Gabe,
So, how long did it take you to draw the bench or the deck with AutoSketch?
Samt
AUTOSKETCH?.......Oops, I wrote that wrong.
I did not draw either of those with autosketch.....Sketchup is the program.
Autosketch is a 2D cad program made by AutoDesk. If you want a simple 2D drawing you might like it, I don't. I do have one friend who loves it. Of course he only uses it to design electonic diagrams.
Try the sketchup...8 hours is free....you'll probably buy it too.
gk
Edited 8/28/2004 8:50 pm ET by gabe
Gabe: that bench seat on that deck is just an accident found a place to happen. Is your insurance paid up? ;-) Matt
glad you enjoyed it....I like to live dangerously.
If it makes you feel better, I will put in a hot tub below.
gk
How about a pool on the deck to? :-)
Matt
I have used Autosketch and am not pleased with it. If one has gone to the trouble of learning Autocad, it is limited and if one wants an intuitively easy system for doing the basics, it is needlessly complicated.
One virtue of the program is that it will open any architectual file and let you make derivative suggestions very quickly. That is all I use it for any more. It takes a fraction of the hard drive of the full blown CAD program and so I am sticking with it till this computer heads south.
But I know some contractors who think it is perfect. Go figure.
3d, as in wireframe or solid models?....or isometric? I use the full package, but my understanding was that LT couldn't do true 3d.cabinetmaker/college woodworking instructor. Cape Breton, N.S
Your understanding is correct. I have AutoCad LT, and it has only a tiny bit of support for isometrics, not full blown 3d.
I upgraded to LT from TurboCad, and can tell you that LT is vastly superior. But those are the only two I've used.
The most important thing a first-time CAD buyer needs to know is that there's no way you can imagine how much time you'll be spending with your new program. CAD makes it so easy to try this and add that and make the other thing look a little nicer, and before you know it, it's 3 AM. So don't skimp on your CAD program budget. Get something good. Check out computer faires for the best prices.
-- J.S.
Either I haven't dug deep enough into the Sketchup stuff at their site, or they aren't saying.
Can you define the size of things in Sketchup? In other words, can you make a 2x4x8 that is 1-1/2 x 3-1/2 x 96?
yes. if i was going to do that it would go like this:
1- draw a box, enter size 1.5",2.5"
2- push/pull the box, enter 96"
done. a 8 foot 2x4
that is the nice thing about CAD. i can "build" a cabinet without making a single cut before i even buy the material.
And you are able to use Sketchup for all your cabinetmaking CAD modeling needs?
Parts drawings? With dimensions?
they have some good video clips that will show you how the program works:
http://www.sketchup.com/video_qt.php?file=http://download.sketchup.com/Tutorials40/b1-basic_tutorial-MAC.mov
Lemeethink here- under one K, simpledeck palns, -
You want Autocad Lite
Edited 8/16/2004 2:28 pm ET by piffin
Little heavy on the sauce tonight? Still feeling the effects of the Gathering of the Great Minds?Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!" Then get busy and find out how to do it. T. Roosevelt
what? You don't think Autocad Lite is the right one for him?
;)
That was a funny line, I'd had a hard day with finishing a set of plans for a permit deadline and having the printer die on me in the middle...
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Your sentence was written the way some folks talk after a few too many margaritas. Maybe I'm getting old and my attitude is gone, but unless it's a specific question about a cad program, I don't see a point in answering anymore. Bad attitude, bad boy.
Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!" Then get busy and find out how to do it. T. Roosevelt
Edited 8/16/2004 2:10 pm ET by Ed Hilton
I went back and edited it now. I hinestly don't remember if I'd had a drink that night or not, but I often find myself falling asleep here at the keyboard
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
As someone who uses CAD software for 10 hours a day I would recomend spending more on the software. Sketchup is great for modeling but not great for creating construction documents. AutoCAD is good at creating 2d line drawings but very hard to learn and almost usless for 3d unless you get some training. I would recomend DataCAD. I think is is just over $1000 but you can actually do everything that you need it to. I use Revit which cost about $4500. Really good but really expensive.
I don't find Autocad that bad for 3d....I move my students into 3d after Christmas, and they're flying pretty quickly. The hard thing is getting them back to 2d, when all you need is a fast shop drawing....they want to model everything. Current project is learning Autodesk Inventor, and learning more about solid modelers in general....again, cool program, but not cheap. I'm going to load Revit on to have a look soon too....one of the perks of my job is I can put on any Autodesk software I want.cabinetmaker/college woodworking instructor. Cape Breton, N.S
where are you in your career ?..... and where are you going to be in 10 years?
if you are still in remodeling and additions, i don't think you should waste your time and money on cad programs that were not designed with you in mind..
AutoCad is designed for designers... it became a standard for architectural offices.. but it has limitations for architectural design, which is why there are so many after-market add-ons to go with it..
if you want to run a multi-station design team... VectorWorks would be a good choice.. or ArchiCad
but.. if you are a builder.. or a design / builder... or a one person design firm.. or a small architectural office.. i think you should limit you search to either Chief Architect or SoftPlan...anywhere from $1600 to $3000 for a full license.. and be prepared to upgrade every 18 to 24 months when the new version comes out....
the new versions are always so superior to the current one that you can't afford not to upgrade...
i've been on a drawing board since 1970
i own AutoCad Lt.. i haven't used it in 6 years..
i started with a beta version of Autocad in '86.. went back to my board
been with Chief since '97... can hardly keep up .. way behind the power users.. but i can sure get great Presentation and Construction drawings out the door in record time... and my design fees have paid for all of my software, training , computers and wide format printers..
so , really ask yourself where you want to go with your CAD.. if you don't have a goal , you can certainly make a lot of false starts
but hey, whadda i no ?...
Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Been using 3-D Home Architect for years now.
Its simple to use and inexpensive.
Course it wont do what the expensive ones can but for decks or simple projects it seems fine to me.
Be well
andy
The secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Andy: I have Home Architect 3-D also. How do you draw a deck with it? All I see is floorplans.
Al Mollitor, Sharon MA