Where to find a easy to use free CAD program.

**Buster** · 13th March 2007, 19:00

Originally Posted by Swoop

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

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

Originally Posted by Buster

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.

**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

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

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

Originally Posted by Brian d'marge

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

**cowpoos** · 14th March 2007, 10:16

Originally Posted by kneescraper

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.

download google sketch.... 16.8mb and surprisingly fricking good!!! and soooo easy to use....