Looking for some design software that will produce drawings I can give to sub’s. I am not looking to design a lot of houses and am not a professional builder. However, I did build my last house myself, framing and all. I also designed the plans, but drew them on graph paper. But I will not be able to do all the framing/foundation work this time and want to produce prints I can get sub’s to quote on and work from.
Does anybody have any advise on programs they have used? Looking for something sub $500 and that won’t take me 5 houses to learn how to use.
Replies
I suggest searching for the word "CAD" on this site and the Knots site. You'll find some interesting discussions regarding particular applications (there are many and at a variety of prices and functions, each with it's fans), but most importantly some information regarding the "learning curve".
In your post you mention you're looking for "software that will produce drawings". I'm afraid you'll never find an application that can do that (while I wish that weren't true!). It's the operator that produces the drawing - the software is just the tool. I know this sounds petty and semantical but many people think of CAD as a device that will perform small (and maybe large) miracles. Lots of folks go out and plop down the money for a CAD application, use it for a handful of hours and shelve it as a waste their of money and too difficult.
CAD takes a great deal of time and effort to learn and use effectively (I've heard more that one CAD trainer state that it takes upwards of a year to become proficient enough to make any money at it - if this gives you any sense of expectations).
I'd expect at least the five houses as a learning curve, but remember, the payoff is further down the road (and it's a real payoff).
Personally, I use an application called Vectorworks (works on multiple platforms and is graphically driven). It's been around for quite some time (also under the name Minicad) and is rather powerful, but has an acceptible learning curve.
This isn't intended to "rain of your parade", but I think it's good to know about the hurdles that have to be jumped before you even get on the track!
Good luck with you decision to use or not use CAD (and which application if you do).
Best,
Seth
mistake. There is no win
and there is no fail . . . there is only
make."
John Cage
Edited 5/25/2002 10:54:35 AM ET by Seth Frankel
http://forums.taunton.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=tp-breaktime&msg=19787.1
For your application, you might want to get the "free" (for shipping cost) 3DHome architect which is Chief Architects baby brother from Unbeatabledeals.com. it is the3 older version on cd without documentation. or buy a newwer complete version for about 40 to 60 bucks in the stores. Some guys do alright with another cheapo called Punch.
Joe Stoddard has an article from about a year ago in the Journal of light construction, and good advice at JLC online.