Where to find a easy to use free CAD program. [Archive]

kneescraper

13th March 2007, 17:59

Hey All,

Im making my self quite the new work bench/area for the my workshop. So I thought it perfect time to teach my self a little CAD design, designing my new work area.

What are some good freeware ones to download. It would be great if it could adjust the ratio to suit the lenths etc, but very easy to use. Ive had a very very quick play with AutoCAD and it was crazy...way over my head.

Any suggestions would be awesome guys.

Buster

13th March 2007, 18:04

Go for solidworks if you recon autocad is too much. Its a far easier program to use if ya just getting started.

kneescraper

13th March 2007, 18:13

I will give it ago, thanks Buster.

Paul in NZ

13th March 2007, 18:22

Visio is real basic but useful

Colapop

13th March 2007, 18:26

CAD-lyte Sketch-up there's heaps out there. Have a look at www.download.com and search CAD or anything else like what you're after.

kneescraper

13th March 2007, 18:27

CAD-lyte Sketch-up there's heaps out there. Have a look at www.download.com and search CAD or anything else like what you're after.

I just found that site, will have a play. Cheers.

hazard02

13th March 2007, 18:27

Autosketch isn't a bad program for relatively simple designs. Its not too hard to use and you can even write files to a CAD-recognisable format if you want to upgrade later on.

idleidolidyll

13th March 2007, 18:33

I will give it ago, thanks Buster.

Solid Works is NOT free (it's bloody expensive) plus it might be a bit easier than AutoCad buit it still isn't easy.

try these: http://www.freebyte.com/cad/cad.htm http://www.cadazz.com/free-cad-software.htm

i'm not promising they're easy either but they are free

imdying

13th March 2007, 18:48

Sketchup is real easy to use.

Steal Solid Works now! (http://www.isohunt.com/torrents/?ihq=solidworks)

Colapop

13th March 2007, 18:52

Stealing is wrong thanks.

imdying

13th March 2007, 18:54

Think of it as a free trial then... I'd go Sketchup, I did my entire exhaust system in it.

kneescraper

13th March 2007, 18:58

Show us what the end result was imdying!

Swoop

13th March 2007, 18:58

By the time you learn to drive the bloody things, you could have had the flippin' bench made 5 times over!:scooter:

Colapop

13th March 2007, 18:59

That's where sketchup is good - it's easy to use.

kneescraper

13th March 2007, 18:59

ahhhh but would you have learnt how to use a CAD program?

Buster

13th March 2007, 19:00

By the time you learn to drive the bloody things, you could have had the flippin' bench made 5 times over!:scooter:

Thats so true man. For smaller jobs its an absolute waste of time.

kneescraper

13th March 2007, 19:01

Learning is never a waste of time....come on now, no wonder humans are dumb.

imdying

13th March 2007, 19:06

Less than an hour following tutorials in sketchup and you'll whip up the plans for a bench in no time. Plus, you'll be able to 100% confirm it fits, and your tools fit it!

kneescraper

13th March 2007, 19:07

Wheres that pictures of your design?

Swoop

13th March 2007, 19:17

Thats so true man. For smaller jobs its an absolute waste of time.
Yup. Just like watching people using the CNC for simple tasks. By the time someone programmes the smegging thing, It has been made the "old fashioned" way and is out the door for delivery.:angry:

Colapop

13th March 2007, 19:21

Once you've learned sketchup then you can use the programme over and over... unless you forget how to use it each time you've used it...

NordieBoy

13th March 2007, 19:36

I like VariCad but it's not free either.
qCad is free though but only 2D.

jonbuoy

13th March 2007, 20:21

I use paint in Windows , its not CAD or even a proper art programme but its so easy to knock up a sketch in 5 minutes, editing afterwards is limited though.

Indiana_Jones

13th March 2007, 21:04

AutoCAD isn't that hard to learn, it seems very overwelming at 1st though.

-Indy

Brian d marge

14th March 2007, 01:58

I like VariCad but it's not free either.
qCad is free though but only 2D.

I have started to use Vari cad ..it is simple for 3d ,, like it ,,but I would like it to export to Blender ..as of yet I havent figured that out ..

It is good though I like the way you move round in 3d space

Stephen

there are keygens out there for vcad ...so someone told me in the pub

NordieBoy

14th March 2007, 09:03

I have started to use Vari cad ..it is simple for 3d ,, like it ,,but I would like it to export to Blender ..as of yet I havent figured that out ..

It is good though I like the way you move round in 3d space

Stephen

there are keygens out there for vcad ...so someone told me in the pub

And they do a Linux version :D

cowpoos

14th March 2007, 10:16

Indiana_Jones

2nd March 2010, 11:56

<img src="http://hurec.bz/mt/archives/Raise%20the%20Titanic.jpg">

-Indy

imdying

2nd March 2010, 12:28

Here's a little workshop designed for a garden shed to drop over the top, done in SketchUp.

nudemetalz

2nd March 2010, 21:22

I use 3DS Max for my 3d CAD and Artcam for 2D CAD but neither are free.

Brian d marge

3rd March 2010, 01:52

I can add another to this list

sweet home 3d

Free and Java based , very quick and easy for 3d concepts

ie workshops

Stephen