Need program!!

[Wild Dingo]

Were sorting the new house out and I need a small EASY to use program to draw the layout on block of the new place as well as the distances from the other buildings... ie: size of present house location of that to fences shed etc and also the new house and its location to the above.... it DOESNT need to be a whingding all the fruits program just something simple that I can draw these out to give to the shire mob

Also so I can print it off to put the measurements for the stumps on for the engineers over east

So I dont need all the bells and whistles of autocad turbocad sketchup or something that will take a major brainphart to just learn just something that will take a few ticks to sort out and draw up the basics I need

Anyone got a clue?
Cheers

[chrisb691]

Pencil & paper?

[Wild Dingo]

Yep about what I was thinking Chris :C nothin like chicken scratches over a page to confuse the buggary outta them eh! :doh:

[Cliff Rogers]

What about Google Sketchup (http://www.woodworkforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=112)?

[kitsol]

A couple of years ago there were some builder computer lay out programs in some magazines, can only suggest looking there. Maybe House or home and Garden!
I do know that there are some cheap ones at Office Works or computer software retailer, price where around $100. I do have a program that is called View Build Home deluxe Edition I cant remember how much I paid for it. Go to vsa3d.com
Cheers
James

[Rocker]

What about Google Sketchup (http://www.woodworkforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=112)?

Cliff is right; the price is right too.

Rocker

[echnidna]

Graph paper & a pencil is lots faster than learning software

[ohno]

Hi. I use a program called "rhino" to create 3d objects for manufacturing.
Of all the CAD programs i have used this is by far the easiest to use.
Although its designed for object modelling i think it might be adapted for what your after.
Do the bulk of your work on paper and then you can download an evalutation version for free which is limited to 25 saves though. Worth a look but may or may not be what you need.

http://rhino3d.com/

Ben

[Rocker]

Graph paper & a pencil is lots faster than learning software

I could not agree less:) Paper and pencil are error-prone. You may spend a few days learning the software, but IMO, it is well worth it.

Rocker

[echnidna]

I suppose the odd times I've messed around with sketchup I haven't been in the right frame of mind.

[Barry_White]

I use Microsoft Publisher to do council block plans, building plans and elevations for a home improvement company.

It is user friendly and draws in true 1 : 100 and to do other scales I just divide or multiply the measurement to change the scale e.g. to get 1 : 500 I divide the measurement by 5 and whatever I'm drawing e.g. line, rectangle, square or circle I click on "format object" and key that measurement in.

You can move objects by micro movements with the cursor keys.

The one advantage I have is I have an A3 printer so it makes it better for council drawings.

Edit: Picture added of drawing.

[JTonks]

a small EASY to use program

Try this one

http://www.cadlogic.com/products/draftit/

This is a small (in the CAD world at least) 37Mb download. Looks OK for basic use although I have never got around to seriously playing with it due to having access to Autocad etc

Screenshot is from previous version

Regards

John

[aspectdisplays]

I use turbocad, it's fairly easy to learn and you will find you use it
for lot's of projects. They used to have their outdated versions for free download. I don't know if they still do but a google search may be worth while.
Else if I can find my old V3 or V5 copy you can have it for the postal cost.
Aspect Displays
www.aspectdisplays.com.au

[Wild Dingo]

HEY Barry! Publisher can do it? Bloody hell... with that pic you posted is there a template for that sort of thing or do you just create your own? Like the box in the right hand corner and the border around the page official looking (which these dipsticks like)

Okay cheers fellas I will have a whirl with Publisher and see what happens :2tsup:
Shane

[martink]

I use turbocad, it's fairly easy to learn and you will find you use it
for lot's of projects. They used to have their outdated versions for free download. I don't know if they still do but a google search may be worth while.
Else if I can find my old V3 or V5 copy you can have it for the postal cost.
Aspect Displays
www.aspectdisplays.com.au (http://www.aspectdisplays.com.au)

Bugger, just had a look at the turbocad site and there are only trial versions available there now:(

[les88]

I use Smart Draw it isn't free. I draw housing plans with it. If I was to draw say ' a router fence' I would just draw it freehand in isometric projection.:D

[echnidna]

Bugger, just had a look at the turbocad site and there are only trial versions available there now:(

have a look at ebay, go for version 10 or later.

[Tip]

Good luck if your dealing with council.

I would suggest using autocad, just because there are so many pirate versions out there it's easy to get your hands on it and it's easy to use for the simple jobs. L = line, you type in the distance and press the space bar. bob's your uncle, a line.

if you're in melbourne, for a small fee I'll get together all the council drawings and reports (1-2 weeks). For your information though, depending on what you want to do the following things are necessary;


existing plans & site layout

existing neighbour layout & distances

Proposed plans & site layout

Proposed plans in relation to neighbours property (don't forget to show window locations in neighbouring properties)

Shadow diagams

Exterior finishes schedule

design intention report & comparison with existing conditions.

possibly a heritage report

Just as a note, make sure you check all overlays and neighbourhood character applications for your council area. ALso if you have a phone conversation with a council town planning member make sure it is a senior planner, as they have the right to revoke anything said by a junior member. aka if a junior member says your design is approved, and the senior council comes back 3 months into building and tells you your roof is 100mm too tall, your stuffed.

Good luck!:2tsup:

ps. if its just a carport or a new window you don't have to go through all that crap.

[woodisgood]

I used turbocad to design my shop. It comes with a fairly easy to use floorplan designer that might be sold seperatly. I learned a little cad to do the shop design and now use it for all of my woodworking designs. It's awesome to be able to render something in three dimensions and see it before it's built.

Best,

Scott

[Grunt]

I used a program called Chief Architect. It is fantastic. We went through 50 design iterations until we got what we wanted. It is expensive however unless you borrow a copy.

It is very easy to use and very powerful. Might be over kill for what you need. Sorry for the image sizes.

http://www.users.on.net/%7Egril/House/Images/FrontView.jpg

http://www.users.on.net/%7Egril/House/Images/FloorPlan.jpg

[Barry_White]

I think if you read a few of Wild Dingo's other posts you will find he no longer needs a program because flood levels are preventing him from building. Which is a real shame.

[johnmw1]

Hi,

I also am looking for some sort of design programme. I would like to design an entertainment unit to take the new plasma and all the other associated HT equipment.

I would also like to find some design ideas for a king single bed for my young 8 yr old daughter.

I have down loaded sketchup but to be honest have only been able to draw a rectangle and thats about all, I wasn't able to work out how to draw everything to scale and the dimensions that I want. I find there is a big learning curve to be able to use this programme.

Is Turbocad a similar type of learning curve to be able to get an intelligent drawing out of it? And which version of Turbo are we talking? There is one Turbocad designer for $19.99 or Turbocad Deluxe14 for $199 on the Aust web site. Or on ebay there Turbocad deluxe 11.2 for buy it now price of $14.99US. What is the difference in all of these, but I do know for sure that I really had problems with sketchup, or perhaps it's just me.

Thanks
John

[Rocker]

John,

I find Turbocad De Luxe excellent for Woodworking design. But you must be prepared to put in a good deal of effort before you become proficient. It will help if you also buy the Turbocad 2D Training guide. I have found it to be well worthwhile to make the effort to learn the program, but you have to resign yourself to the fact that it is going to take a fair amount of time, and quite a bit of frustration.

Rocker

[specialist]

Bugger, just had a look at the turbocad site and there are only trial versions available there now

I have turbocad learning edition. It's free and only a 16mb download.

You can get Turbocad Learning edition here (http://www.mediafire.com/?e5de2gmblxv).

You can get Turbocad Learning editon reference manual here (http://www.mediafire.com/?bm4b2cynibh).

This really is worth the time to learn to use.


specialist

[johnmw1]

Thanks for the answers.

Which Turbocad Deluxe would you be meaning the $199 version or the ebay at $US14.99?

Specialist thanks for the Turbocad learning download, but I'm having trouble opening it. When you click on setup.exe it says it cannot continue because the uninstaller is running in the background or words to that effect.

John

[GourmetSaint]

I use Microsoft Visio for everything. Use to use and lots of available stencils.

[specialist]

Specialist thanks for the Turbocad learning download, but I'm having trouble opening it. When you click on setup.exe it says it cannot continue because the uninstaller is running in the background or words to that effect.


Never had that problem before, maybe if you right click on the file and open with winrar and manually extract the folder containing the files. If you still have problems, just pm me and I'll upload a new file.

speciaist

[matildasmate]

Hi dingo I use a program called Autosketch 8 if you need a free copy it is also compatible with Autocad diagrams , If you need help on how to use program can give instructions over the phone .

[nalla]

If you want something easy just grab the latest Homes and Garden magazine with the software on the front.
Good software easy to use cost...one mag!
Cheers

[autogenous]

Microsoft office visio, if you have it

[jow104]

Havent seen Wild Dingo around lately, is he well?

[watson]

His Blog explains most of it.

[jiefu]

beauty of taking the time to master a simple program like turbo cad is that drawings of furniture and other items become easy and dimensioning is a piece of cake. More time in the shop, less scratching the head.http://www.woodworkforums.com.au/images/icons/icon7.gif