Architectural drawing software for dummies
Discussion
Evenin,
If I was to want to mock up some basic designs for a new building, floor plans, layout, exterior visuals etc, similar to the below:
What can I use?
Happy to pay if its say under £100
FYI, this is only for me to play around with before I use the professionals (probably Eqqus) `to tidy it up and make proper
Thanks
If I was to want to mock up some basic designs for a new building, floor plans, layout, exterior visuals etc, similar to the below:
What can I use?
Happy to pay if its say under £100
FYI, this is only for me to play around with before I use the professionals (probably Eqqus) `to tidy it up and make proper
Thanks
21TonyK said:
DraftSight, Autocad compatible for 2D drawings and Sketchup for playing around with 3D models.
Both are free.
Yes, this.Both are free.
For 2D drawings of the sort you picture, DraftSight every time.
Sketchup is hopeless (even in its 'pro' version) for traditional 2D architectural drawings, though it's brilliant and very intuitive for 3D.
Being AutoCAD compatible, though, DraftSight has a fairly steep learning curve.
We've got the Pro version of Sketchup (of course), so we can import/export a 3D model from Sketchup to AutoCAD, if you prefer working in 3D and leaving it to someone else to turn it into 2D/construction drawings.
RogerDodger said:
Sketchup has a horrible learning curve. Always feels like you are using an application for something it was never intended for.
I found that, but if you put some time in and watch YouTube videos it starts to make sense. I think if you understand the concept of Components and Layers before you start it's much simpler, I didn't and it was all a horrible horrible mess!It annoys the hell out of me that when you roll over a button on the toolbar it doesn't tell you the shortcut key for the tool, if you know the shortcuts it's quite easy to use.
And all the Ctl/Shift/Alt functions aren't explained anywhere easy, so it's so slow to pick up tricks. Eg If you need to copy a component, it's easiest to use Move instead, because you can use Ctrl to create a copy as you move it.
It depends what you use SketchUp for.
If you try to make it do 2D plans and elevations (ie. traditional architectural drawings), then yes, it's a pain in the ass.
If you use it to do 3D work, then my personal opinion is that it's as simple and intuitive as it's possible to make a reasonably flexible 3D CAD program... but yes, you need to understand (and be disciplined about using) basic CAD concepts like components, axes and layers.
I love working in SketchUp, though - to the degree that it's a nightmare for us, commercially, because I spend far too much time adding unnecessary detail and playing around with the presentation, instead of just getting the job out of the door, invoiced and onto the next one!
One thing is for sure: if you struggle to pick up SketchUp, you'll really struggle with AutoCAD/Draftsight. You'll need an understanding of orthographic projection, for a start, because the program won't do it for you.
If you try to make it do 2D plans and elevations (ie. traditional architectural drawings), then yes, it's a pain in the ass.
If you use it to do 3D work, then my personal opinion is that it's as simple and intuitive as it's possible to make a reasonably flexible 3D CAD program... but yes, you need to understand (and be disciplined about using) basic CAD concepts like components, axes and layers.
I love working in SketchUp, though - to the degree that it's a nightmare for us, commercially, because I spend far too much time adding unnecessary detail and playing around with the presentation, instead of just getting the job out of the door, invoiced and onto the next one!
One thing is for sure: if you struggle to pick up SketchUp, you'll really struggle with AutoCAD/Draftsight. You'll need an understanding of orthographic projection, for a start, because the program won't do it for you.
plasticpig said:
Bear in mind compatibility with other software. Basically, if it can't easily talk to the software that the rest of the industry is using, it ain't worth squat.
From a quick glance at the specs., FreeCAD will handle .dxf files (a very basic, stripped-out 2D CAD format), but doesn't list .dwg (the native format for AutoCAD, which remains the lingua franca of the architectural design sector).
Again, from a very quick glance only, FreeCAD appears to have a file structure and user interface more like Solidworks (and like Solidworks, it states that it is primarily made for mechanical engineering design).
singlecoil said:
Thing that baffles me is why anybody would want to draw or read 2D plans instead of 3D. It's the equivalent of using black and white film when high resolution colour digital is available and for free.
Because you can scale measurements from 2D drawings (you can't, easily, from 3D perspectives).Because you can more easily and coherently add dimensions to 2D drawings.
Because you can show technical detail, such as on sections, more easily on 2D drawings.
Because you will require (for the above reasons) 2D drawings for statutory approvals processes like Planning and Building Regulations.
Ultimately, 3D drawings are just pretty pictures, to give people some idea of what the finished product will look like. If you actually want to manufacture/build it, you still need 2D architectural/engineering drawings for all but the simplest items.
sidekickdmr said:
Ive tried using Sketchup last night, wow that complicated
Can I emphasise the "dummies" bit please
Honestly, it's as simple as it gets!Can I emphasise the "dummies" bit please
Try starting by drawing something really simple - a 'monopoly house' style garage, or something like that. And use the online tutorials on YouTube.
I'm conscious that what you want to design is, by its very nature (unusual, and probably not totally rectilinear), not going to be the easiest thing to draw in CAD, and no CAD is completely dummy-compatible.
There's a lot to be said for pencil and paper, and any Architect will be able to take even fairly crude, fag-packet paper sketches and develop them into something that works.
It has to be said that where we've (reluctantly) taken an 'amateur' CAD drawing as a basis for further work, we invariably have to re-draw it pretty much from scratch to knock it into shape, anyway.
ETA: I should add that if you're thinking of designing something with a lot of 'organic' curved forms, it's a b
d to do on architectural CAD software even for the professionals. For 'sculptural' forms, you'd normally use different software (like Rhino 3D), which in turn are not very well suited to producing technical architectural drawings.Edited by Equus on Wednesday 21st August 10:30
Equus said:
Bear in mind compatibility with other software.
Basically, if it can't easily talk to the software that the rest of the industry is using, it ain't worth squat.
From a quick glance at the specs., FreeCAD will handle .dxf files (a very basic, stripped-out 2D CAD format), but doesn't list .dwg (the native format for AutoCAD, which remains the lingua franca of the architectural design sector).
Again, from a very quick glance only, FreeCAD appears to have a file structure and user interface more like Solidworks (and like Solidworks, it states that it is primarily made for mechanical engineering design).
FreeCAD Arch module will export to IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) file format. IFC is the globally agreed open file standard for the construction industry. This format can be imported into AutoCAD Architecture, Revit, ArchiCAD, SketchUp (with extension) , VectorWorks, Dynamo. I don't know of any BIM software that doesn't support IFC. Is that compatible enough or you?Basically, if it can't easily talk to the software that the rest of the industry is using, it ain't worth squat.
From a quick glance at the specs., FreeCAD will handle .dxf files (a very basic, stripped-out 2D CAD format), but doesn't list .dwg (the native format for AutoCAD, which remains the lingua franca of the architectural design sector).
Again, from a very quick glance only, FreeCAD appears to have a file structure and user interface more like Solidworks (and like Solidworks, it states that it is primarily made for mechanical engineering design).
Equus said:
singlecoil said:
Thing that baffles me is why anybody would want to draw or read 2D plans instead of 3D. It's the equivalent of using black and white film when high resolution colour digital is available and for free.
1) Because you can scale measurements from 2D drawings (you can't, easily, from 3D perspectives).2) Because you can more easily and coherently add dimensions to 2D drawings.
3) Because you can show technical detail, such as on sections, more easily on 2D drawings.
4) Because you will require (for the above reasons) 2D drawings for statutory approvals processes like Planning and Building Regulations.
Ultimately, 3D drawings are just pretty pictures, to give people some idea of what the finished product will look like. If you actually want to manufacture/build it, you still need 2D architectural/engineering drawings for all but the simplest items.
I thought I'd get a bite or two.If you are working from paper then point 1 I grant you, but I don't work from paper, I work from a screen, and I can measure anything I want on a Sketchup drawing quickly, easily and accurately. Point 2 and three the same response basically. Point 4, very true. Paper drawings are like the lingua franca of such people.
I design and manufacture kitchens and I've never needed a 2D drawing.
Ironically, I think my issue is that I learned CAD on AutoCAD2000 at University and then haven't used it since. In AutoCAD you would just use the command line to define everything in 3D and AutoCAD was really helpful in telling you how to translate the buttons into command line stuff. Sketchup doesn't do that. Back then AutoCAD hadn't really embraced 3D I don't think and didn't have the same process of drawing something then turning it into a Component, or maybe I was using it wrong because we weren't taught 3D, it's a long time ago.
I felt back then that all of this was better done in 3D because that's how your brain works, being able to orbit a model a in 3D was useful and AutoCAD would do orthographic projections from a 3D model. I presume Sketchup will also create statutory 2D plans form a 3D model for you, though I've never tried? That's based on us being nearly 20 years on from when I was doing that in AutoCAD.
I felt back then that all of this was better done in 3D because that's how your brain works, being able to orbit a model a in 3D was useful and AutoCAD would do orthographic projections from a 3D model. I presume Sketchup will also create statutory 2D plans form a 3D model for you, though I've never tried? That's based on us being nearly 20 years on from when I was doing that in AutoCAD.
singlecoil said:
- don't work from paper, I work from a screen, and I can measure anything I want on a Sketchup drawing quickly, easily and accurately. Point 2 and three the same response basically.
paulrockliffe said:
I presume Sketchup will also create statutory 2D plans form a 3D model for you, though I've never tried? That's based on us being nearly 20 years on from when I was doing that in AutoCAD.
You can do this with Sketchup Pro, I had it for a while, found it tricky to do the 2D stuff but that was probably because I don't think in 2D or have any use for it. There's probably plug-ins for free Sketchup that would do it too.Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff