Any CAD users out there?

[mscher]

I'm currently in the process of designing a free-range hen house, that I would like to create a professional-looking technical drawing of. Building will not be elaborate, but would like to create drawing that other's could interpret.


Can anyone suggest a relatively inexpensive or free CAD program, that will creat drawings and proper dimensions.

I have looked at home design apps, etc., but they seem to only work with standard wall and roof designs.

Thanks

 

[bhammer]

Re: Any CAD users out there?

I use a program called Auto CAD Lite but I don't remember the cost of it. Google has a free program call SketchUp http://sketchup.google.com/ that is actually pretty powerfull for the price, free.

 

[vandy21]

Re: Any CAD users out there?

I use AutoCad. it's mad expensive, but they have a 30 day free trial on autodesk.com which if youre only designing one thing is pretty easy.

 

[Wingnutt]

Re: Any CAD users out there?

If you think AutoCAD is expensive, try pricing a seat of Pro E!

 

[i386]

Re: Any CAD users out there?

AutoCAD has a pretty steep learning curve. I used it back in version R11, R12, and R13. I found it to be the most counter intuitive piece of crap I've ever attempted to use. Having said that, once you learn it, it becomes very efficient. And with repetitive use, it creates the illusion of intuitiveness.
It's a worthwhile skill if you want to learn it. But it's tough. I tried Google's SketchUp since I'd seen it recommended on several forums. I have not used it enough to become proficient at it, but it does seem simpler than Autocad.

 

[vandy21]

Re: Any CAD users out there?

Ok, I guess AutoCad might not be the MOST expensive out there, but I think it retails at $6720. A LOT more than they might want to spend to design one small hen house. it is a little complicated to get used to, but for simple things it is pretty easy. the command bar is nice, so you can type in anything you want to happen. The trial version is a full trial though, meaning that you can still do anything you could do with the real version.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Any CAD users out there?

Student editions are available for Auto Cad, and Solid Works for less then $200.00. If you happen to know any collage students. I use both, and as mentioned the learning curve is steep at best...............especially with no prior experience, or formal training.

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: Any CAD users out there?

Its important to know what you are trying to accomplish with this?
If this is to depict a concept or idea to others? if so, then it does not have to be too technically accurate on a detail level.
If you plan on using it for direct quote take-offs then it should be drawn as something more than a depiction. Or if you plan on using it directly to extract design details for construction?
Although I run both Solidworks and Autocad....the 3D kicks the 2D butt nearly every time. Autocad is available in 3D (inventor) but it is not comparable in my opinion to Solidworks. Personally, I go Solidworks.
However Autocad is a widespread program and there are millions of copies of it laying around. It shouldn't be too hard to find a friend that has one of these 'demo' copies for you to load and use. That would be the most economical choice in all likelihood. I have heard of sketch-up but I have never used it myself.
My two bits.
BP

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Any CAD users out there?

Microsoft Visio

here is a simple picture of what dimensioning will look like. It can do a lot more than just this of course:

 

[mscher]

Re: Any CAD users out there?

Its important to know what you are trying to accomplish with this?
If this is to depict a concept or idea to others? if so, then it does not have to be too technically accurate on a detail level.
If you plan on using it for direct quote take-offs then it should be drawn as something more than a depiction. Or if you plan on using it directly to extract design details for construction?
Although I run both Solidworks and Autocad....the 3D kicks the 2D butt nearly every time. Autocad is available in 3D (inventor) but it is not comparable in my opinion to Solidworks. Personally, I go Solidworks.
However Autocad is a widespread program and there are millions of copies of it laying around. It shouldn't be too hard to find a friend that has one of these 'demo' copies for you to load and use. That would be the most economical choice in all likelihood. I have heard of sketch-up but I have never used it myself.
My two bits.
BP

Just looking sore something that would make a simple "blueprint", with sizes, dimensions, etc. and a material list. Something that one can look at an build from.

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: Any CAD users out there?

Sounds like a good basic 2D program would work for you. Again, I don't know much about sketch-up so you might want to look into it. (free?)
I would then send out an e-mail to 5 or so friends asking if they have a copy of Autocad kicking around. Autocad is floating around all over the place and even an older version would get the job done. If they don't have one they probably know someone who does.
If you spent 2-3 evenings putzing around with it you'd be surprised at how much you could figure out with it and start to make hay.
After that if you have any questions just log in and we'll help you through the rest here on Iboats....no problem.
Keep us posted.
BP

 

[avenger79]

Re: Any CAD users out there?

Using auto cad, solidworks, or pro-e is not something you're going to pick up in a day and create a professional looking drawing.
If you know something about drafting you may be better off going out and getting some drawing tools and doing a hand drawing. Easily done to scale with dimensions.
Otherwise do a search on trial versions of the softwares above. If you have some free time you should be able to get a decent drawing done in a short time.
Pro e is probably the most frustrating of the three. However I say that after thirteen years running cad programs of various style. Autocad is very basic and intuitive to me. However as said above it become that way with years of use. Solidworks is fun to play with and has animation capabilities.
If it were me (and it was a few months ago when I laid out my chicken run) I would do it by hand. Not worth the headache to get the program and learn it.

 

[Bass Man Bruce]

Re: Any CAD users out there?

I think avenger79 is probably right doing it the old fashioned way, and if you can't do it by hand you probably would be frustrated trying to do it while learning new software.
After seeing this thread a couple days ago I downloaded Sketchup and for a free program it is astounding!
I found it fairly intuitive but ten to fifteen years ago I did a ton of 3D drawing in Autocad and Generic Cad which probably helped.

 

[vandy21]

Re: Any CAD users out there?

It may depend on your age and technical skills. Im a student and pretty much taught my self most of the programs i use. I learned REVIT this past year and taught myself everything. In wouldn't say I'm an expert but get a guide book and mess around with programs.

 

[BillP]

Re: Any CAD users out there?

I used to do AutoCad too...from it's beginning to V14. Too long ago to know what it does now but I do know it isn't a starter cad program to do a basic chicken house plan with. Even the light version of Acad would be too powerful for a beginner to learn quickly without training. I'd look for one of the basic low power 2D programs. One used to be TurboCad and another EasyCad. By the way, EasyCay was done by the same dude (J. Riddle) who invented AutoCad and FastCad.

bp

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: Any CAD users out there?

How much time/money do you want to spend learning to use CAD vs. getting the result for this (1) project?
If you just want to get it done then perhaps draw/sketch it up to detail yourself on paper first. Write down a list of everything you would like to see and know including how many views, details, BOM's, expectations, etc. Then head off to the local college and post a 'paying' contract/job on the bulletin board that you are looking for a CAD expert to put your sketches to drawings. There are probably a lot of very quick young student CAD users out there just looking for small projects to make a few bucks. Plus it looks good on them for there school/work resume'.
Just figure out a reasonable budget for the project and some contingency money that would include a 2nd 'revision/correction' loop of work and ba-da-bing.
(or maybe the local college has an online website you could advertise/post to...or perhaps even Craigslist?)
Might be worth a consideration.
BP