Thread: Which Design Software?

I don't really know about sketchup, but I normally use a pencil and paper to design and then use either alibre express (free) to do a 3d, and autocad/turbocad to do the working drawing if it is involved.

Hope this helps.

Robert

You could give progeCAD Smart a go. Works good if you need to read or write AutoCAD 2008 DWG files, but can do SVG, DXF etc too. Not the easiest to learn, but a lot like Auto CAD if you have ever used it.

Download progeCAD Smart! here

Ciao.

Woodmax, welcome to the forums.

I think the main advantage that Google Sketchup has for most of us on here is that it is 1. free and 2. reasonable easy to learn & quick to generate a 3d representation of something.

In amateur hands it seems most useful to generate something relatively quickly that looks like what you are trying to draw, as opposed to a bang on accurate scale 3d drawing of same.

I would think that if you have access to the programs that you mention and are competent with them, that Sketchup would be going backwards for you. Although, if you're quick at learning that sort of stuff, you may catch on to Sketchup quickly and find it easier to generate a drawing that the more complicated programs.

Time to complete a drawing? I dunno, it takes me a while as I don't use it much, and have to relearn it each time.


Cheers.............Sean

I have been using SketchUp for a few months and have just designed a cubby house for my kids. I find it really easy to use and having used it for just this short time I find I can very quickly knock up a drawing.

If you are not experienced at using AutoCAD type applications then SketchUp is ideal. I can't recommend it enough.

Cheers
Brad

Well buddy for me sketch can only be maid with the help of pencil on a paper ... and any ways there are lots of softwares like photo shop, sketch program...

Most proberly video sketch maker....

It probably depends on what outcomes you want and what industry even drilled down to the housing sector different apps are used

SketchUp is primarily a concept package but from initial overview is running with like so many OOD object orientated drawing.

The issue with objected oriented applications is converting or at least in the past from solids to vectors. The holy grail of do all is getting closer.

The residential industry currently uses Autosketch as a primary for its broad users as it is easier to learn with a higher early rate of userbility.
Its boxed with blocks which allow design space checking. Moving forward of that ArchiCAD has made a presence in the higher end design and render conceptual vision for technical drafties in housing conceptualisation to present the customer.
ArchiCAD is an ODD package with estimation but probably a bit complex for estimators to pick up at a whim and multiple licences can be financially consuming across multiple clients. Residential builders and Architects have responded to the need for clients wanting to envisage their projects prior to erection with rendered buildings.
Revit is another OOD application released about 4 years ago. With the ability to integrate with AutoCAD, Revit like many high end packages integrates project management documentation and dynamic linked or referenced changes and broadestimation. Revit also has integrated Document management system.
Its hard to pick, things change but ArchiCAD and Revit change
Where do you head? Pick one and specialise like computer programmers have to.
Sketchup has changed things, its a fantastic opportunity to gain general knowledge in CAD without the monetary outlay. Its is very powerful too.

The CAD industry application usage is becoming broader and the best application can change overnight. Its up to your employer to appease to some extent your needs while juggling his desired outcome in reasonable time.
Computer programming is the same. Lots of languages with similar mechanics.
Sketchup has desired properties of ease of use. Its a winning formula Microsoft have used.