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Can anyone recommend a software package for creating working drawings of floor plans? I don’t want to spend a ton of money.
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Try this site. You will find a 2D version of TurboCAD that is downloadable for free. If you like it, the vendor hopes you will want to purchase the 3D version, if you don't. all it has cost you is the online time to do the download. It's not time limited - you can use it forever if you want.
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It depends on what you consider a ton of money. AutoCad LT is a scaled down version of the big program that is very powerful. I know some Architects that use this version. It will read and edit AutoCad R14, which is what a lot of Architect use and is the standard in lot of larger projects. If you need to move up to the full program you will have a pretty good working knowledge, as there is a lot of shared commands.
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I agree with Airedale. I use AutoCad LT, and it takes some learning, but is a powerful 2D program. Plus you can take a floppy disk or a ZIP disk straight from AutoCad LT to your local blueprint shop where they can print or plot them out full size. It is powerful enough to do almost any plan you are going to come across in residential construction.
*I agree with Airedale and Nick P. ....... AutoCAD LT is the way to go. If you decide you want AutoCAD2000, you will be ahead of the game. You should have fewer problems with file compatibility as AutoCAD is the defacto standard.
*A few months ago a technologies editor from another board suggested I try "3D Home Architect" to get my feet wet in CAD. I paid about 50.00 for it and was drawing floor plans and it was generating evevations in less than an hour (and there is NO WAY you could be any less adept with a computer than I am). Apparently this program has a big brother called "Chief Architect" that is popular with architects. So importing/exporting stuff back and forth is easy. I can't vouch for that part, but if you are a carpenter, I'd be surprised if you have trouble using this program. - jb
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Thanks for the help guys! I really appreciate your taking the time to offer advice.
*I teach Construction Tech in a High School, and use two programs.AutoCad and AutoCad light, not bad, great for drawing specific items.but!!!!for house plans there is no program likeSoftPlan, it allos you to create a floor plan in minutes, and then creates elevations, cross sections, rood plans,framing floor, wall, roof diagrams, material lists and cost lists.You can enter specific window, cabinet, door libraries from manufactuers.They have a great website, with a free demo cd of v10.search "softplan" go to architectural.Hope this helps.Dirk
*Hello, All good replies especially crazy legs reply! I use Chief Architect and it can't be beat. Yes Softplan is excellent but CA is about $750. Softplan is $3,000. Too much difference for a carpenter who will use the program occasionally. Start with 3D Home Architect and the interface looks the same with CA. Almost everything you learn in 3D is applicable in CA. If you want to see a complete set of house plans created entirely in CA except for the LP i-joist details go to my site at http://www.capecod.net/cad and click on plan page. I have 54 hours in that plan set including 3D views shown. If you are doing strictly house plans get a program that is specific to house plans. Autocad or Autocad LT is great but a house plan specific program is the way to go.Jay M.
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Jay,
Joseph Fusco
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I use AutoCAd, but have heard good things about TurboCAd...when I saw the site offering the 2D version for free, I thought I'd give it a try. Unfortunately I had trouble getting to the site where you actually download it. Anyone else had this problem, or did TurboCAd figure out their offer was too good to be true?
*Thanks again for all the input. I purchased 3d HAD 3.0 for $50(plus I get $20 rebate!) I was drawing floor plans and elevations within 2 hrs. Pretty darn good for 30 bucks. The only problem I've found with it is that the wall thickness is limited to even inches(4",6"...) Plans that I purchase from the pros always show 3.5" walls so the framer can easily lay out the plates. I guess I can work around this. Any suggestions? Regards,Paul B.
*Paul:As long as your interior wall dimensions are set to center of wall, it really doesn't matter what framing dimensions you use. Framer will snap lines based on thickness specified.I've been using Broderbund's product (3d HAD) for almost 2 years, and am still discovering a lot of features that I never took the time to read in the manual, or access in Help menu. I also used it for designing my own home - worked very well.Good luck!John
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I agree with "crazy legs". I've been using 3D Home Architect for quite some time. I got the Deluxe version about 8 months ago (it has a roof designer built in). This program is easy to learn, easy to use, and very versatile. It's not a "super powerful" Cad system, but for under $75.00, what do you expect. It does a pretty good job at material lists, and 3D renderings. If your a builder, it's great. If your a designer/Architect, I suggest something different.
*As many have indicated, 3D Home Architect is unquestionably the best in its price range, ~$50. If you happen to want all the high end features, its big brother 'Chief Architect' is superb and it can read in any 3D plans you've created. AND ART, the chief people, will give you a $50 rebate for your existing 3D version. After many tries, I think there is nothing better than Chief, and at about $800 its a bargain as a full powered 2D and 3D drafting tool.
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I agree with Ron. I am a Civil Engineer and have used Microstation extensively, some AutoCad and Chief Architect.
Micro. and Auto. are grat programs however they would be very time consuming to design buildings without the Architectual "add on" packages associated with these programs. You will spend upwards of 7000 dollars for the basics plus add on.
Chief Architect is designed to do buildings. If thats what you build, than buy a program for that purpose, at approx. 1/10th as much as the others.
You won't be sorry.
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Can anyone recommend a software package for creating working drawings of floor plans? I don't want to spend a ton of money.