Simple Cad Software

[walkerfarms3406]

Say I'm looking for some free auto cad software that is very simple to use. Just need to make some very basic drawing. I have been playing with Draftsight but can't seem to get it to do what i want. What I'm trying to do is lay out a shop need to make things to scale to make sure everything is going to fit. Any help would be nice thanks

[aevald]

Have you considered Google Sketch-up 8? It is a free application and I believe it might work for what you have described. Best regards, Allan

[Fegenbush]

QCad Community version is a free download and exports to dxf which can be sent out for cnc plasma or laser if necessary.

http://sourceforge.net/projects/qcadbin-win/

[AaronL]

take your pic, some are demos or lite versions, but there are some full free programs.

http://www.freecad.com/CAD_Programs_-_Windows/

[Jimmer]

If you want a good 3D software, spend $100 on Alibre design.

[markfuga]

Ok, I did a "15 minute challenge" to see how much of a garage I could build in that timeframe and to scale with some equipment. This was done in Google sketchup and is a 30'x40' garage with a concrete floor and 2x4 walls, 16" O.C. I downloaded all the equipment from the 3D warehouse and scaled a few of them to be a more accruate size for what I would have in my shop. Given 1 hour (additional 45 minutes) I could finish the rest of the shop with with roof, siding and outside landscaping. I'm sure someone with more Sketchup experience could do it faster.

[Brainfarth]

impressive. double car is very close to autocad

[fortyonethirty]

I used autocad for several years, until autodesk made it too difficult to steal. Now I use sketchup. Sketchup is better in many ways for what I do, it's faster, easier, and has a more helpful user group. For someone who's product is drawings, like an architect, it's got serious limitations, but for someone like me, that just uses it for visualizations and math, it's perfect. It's being upgraded constantly, based on user feedback. And it's free for personal use, even the professional license is only $500. I think it's going to make a real dent in the CAD industry. I've read that it already dominates in poorer countries like India. The one area I have found where it really can't compete with autocad: design for parts that are intended to be carved up by cnc machines.

[c22reactor]

Hay all
Draft Sight is excelent
Its from Solidworks and its FREE.:blob4:

[DHPmike]

bricscad is good, draft sight is also.

I prefer dwg editor from solidworks.

[gzm.pepe]

I use Solid Edge 2D Drafting it's FREE

but only for 2D drawing for 3D you need to buy his big brother: Solid Edge ST

Here is the link to download it:

http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/products/velocity/solidedge/forms/solid_edge_free_2d_response.shtml

Here is a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jW9hEXIrIY&feature=related