Computer-drawing Software Recommendations?

[RNfanDan]

(NOTE: Moderator, please relocate if this is listed improperly!)

Hey, gang!

I am getting a new computer soon (being built for me as this is written), finally retiring this 7-year-old 98SE/500MHz machine, and I would greatly appreciate any advice on available software for creating my own plan drawings. I am not interested in a super-deluxe engineering program, but need something beyond Corel or MS Paint! I'll be using it on Windows XP, with 512 of RAM and a 7200-speed 80-G HD with an 8Meg buffer.

I would especially like a program that can "overlay" points and lines against a background photo, as many CAD-modeling programs can do---just not to the same extent as that used by Civil Engineers, etc.

TIA!

[faufresh]

Rhino3D is always an excellent choice.
You can outline pictures (by hand of course)
Lofts are second nature to this program, just point and click
It has awesome modeling capabilities
Extremely compatible with milling machines (if that time ever comes)
And an awesomely easy to use interface and learning curve.

There's also an awesome support forum that will answer any and all questions @ http://www.renderosity.com

Plus you could get a free, 25 Saves Trial version. It's a full version but you are limited to 25 saves.

Also, Rhino uses NURBS instead of Meshes like most other programs. This gives you actual curves, instead of multiple straight lines.
Rhino is a very professional Tool and has been used in several movies, i.e. Spiderman, Pearl Harbor, etc...

Of course, this is just one of many programs that are available. The choice is up to you. any questions just ask!

http://www.rhino3d.com

[Cadman]

I am stuck on AutoCAD so it is hard to even consider a lesser package.
But you can try http://freecad.com

[Michael Potter]

Plain old MS-PowerPoint works for me. Insert a photo; drag a corner to make the photo the scale you need; and overlay graphic lines and shapes. I use it to design homemade PE. Important drawing commands to try include group and order.

It lacks user controls for layers. Instead you need to save an image (e.g., a gun mount) as a graphic on another PowerPoint slide or file, then copy it to the slide you need. It will paste at the same coordinate location as on the slide you copied it from. You need to drag it to where you want it.

It has no 3-D and has resolution to only .01" (unless it's better in metric, which I haven't tried).

Getting good at PowerPoint graphics can make you more valuable at your regular job.

[RNfanDan]

I was hesitant to post in this forum to begin with, because I wasn't really interested in 3-D and, having ZERO experience with CAD programs, I didn't want anything overly elaborate. I am merely interested in creating modelling-grade drafts/plans from which to make templates, overlays, etc., in actual scale of the builds I am planning. Flat profile and flat overhead views only, no obliques or walk-arounds like you get in 3-D.

I definitely DO appreciate the help and, again, thanks!

[Rob J]

If you want somthing easy to use, get Blender, my school uses it and i think its freeware.

[GrizzlyBear]

I was hesitant to post in this forum to begin with, because I wasn't really interested in 3-D and, having ZERO experience with CAD programs, I didn't want anything overly elaborate. I am merely interested in creating modelling-grade drafts/plans from which to make templates, overlays, etc., in actual scale of the builds I am planning. Flat profile and flat overhead views only, no obliques or walk-arounds like you get in 3-D.

I definitely DO appreciate the help and, again, thanks!

Abram (ArizonaBB39) would be the main person to suggest a program for doing that kind of work on the PC. He does some absolutely incredible plans on his puter.

As for me, I tend to hand-draw certain sections/parts, then scan them into the puter and use Adobe Photoshop 7 to clean up, scale, move, duplicate, rotate, copy/cut & paste and even draw parts of the plans or just colorize my plans. I can keep various sections of the plan as different 'layers', and make changes here and there without affecting the whole drawing. I like Adobe for what I do, cause it gives me what I need without my having to read a 1,000 manual to make it work.

[Rusty White]

(NOTE: Moderator, please relocate if this is listed improperly!)

Hey, gang!

I am getting a new computer soon (being built for me as this is written), finally retiring this 7-year-old 98SE/500MHz machine, and I would greatly appreciate any advice on available software for creating my own plan drawings. I am not interested in a super-deluxe engineering program, but need something beyond Corel or MS Paint! I'll be using it on Windows XP, with 512 of RAM and a 7200-speed 80-G HD with an 8Meg buffer.

I would especially like a program that can "overlay" points and lines against a background photo, as many CAD-modeling programs can do---just not to the same extent as that used by Civil Engineers, etc.

TIA!

I use a program called DesignCad 3D Max Plus. It's a powerful (and suprisingly inexpensive) program that allows one to do anything you can imagine from 3D modeling, illustration, and animated walkthroughs as well as 2D and 3D drafting. It is also available in a much less expensive version called DesignCad 2D. It can litteraly do anything I have ever wanted to do in 2D drafting. And of course it works very well in designing photo etch. It can easily import and convert/export DWG and many other files as well. I have used it to trace overlays just as say you want. You can check it out at upperspace.com.

They also sell a modeling program based on the CAD program. The learning curve is very small because it is so easy to use and the help files are excellent. Everything that is in the book is in the help files along with instructions how to use each command. The neat thing about this program is it is designed to opperate on an average PC. So no special memory or software upgrades or add ons are required.