CAD Recommendations?

[Gecko]

Anyone using a cheap/free CAD package?

I used to be competent with a big expensive package, but that was ages ago and I'd have to learn it again.
As my needs are more modest, a low(ish) end program will be enough. That said, having used parametric functions, it'd be hard to go back to a simple 2D sketch prog.
Home/student versions of the professional packages used to be available, but crippled in ways made then too limited.

My immediate need is drawings to send to a laser cutter, but the learning curve is steep for any CAD and it'd be easier not to change and start fresh.

So - anyone using a package you'd recommend?

 

[JD450A]

I was a big fan of Sketchup.... not sure what the current version is like?

 

[Smiffy]

Autodesk 2d is about £450 a year.
But you can get jailbroken versions depending on your moral compass.

 

[Quattromike]

Autodesk Inventor HSM what we use, good for 3D modelling and it can spit code out to the CNC machining centre straight from the drawing suite. It's good for assemblies. What package are you used to using?

 

[Giles]

Sadly google sold sketchup to Trimble so you now have to pay to use it, if you’ve an old version it still works but if you get new one or iPad Pro version wants you to subscribe

 

[V8Druid]

used to use Autocad .... last version I have is probably 2010 and haven't opened the program in years ... would have to completely re-learn it all and there was a LOT to learn ... still got all the disks ...'10 backwards for several years

 

[Gecko]

My moral compass is strong but has a very rubbery needle!

I used Ideas for quite a while. That was bought and absorbed into Unigraphics - renamed to NX - then sold to Siemans - now Siemans NX - very capable, but us$3.5k/ year (start price) is not going to happen.

I refused to learn Autocad years ago when they were trading on a reputation they'd earned when it was still a DOS program and hadn't progressed much in the years after. I'm sure it's much more developed now, I just never revisited.

Yep - just found an old version of Sketchup - http://www.oldversion.com/search?query=sketchup

 

[CPS]

I use fusion, think it's about 300 per year

 

[goldeneagle]

I use Qcad pro which is either free (shuts down after 7 minutes) or £30 for unlimited use but doesn't update after 1st year. Served my time on AutoCad and its similar enough to use.It spits out .DXF files so great for getting profiles cut. Open source and online forum of users who will help with any issues relatively quickly.

 

[Gecko]

Thanks. Just had a look at QCAD (hadn't come across it before).
It's 2D only (I could probably live with that), but doesn't seem to be parametric.
It does offer nesting (unusual), so I'm guessing it's aimed at people with their own 2D cutters.

I use fusion, think it's about 300 per year

Fusion is certainly capable, but I'm not making money from this, so I'm really looking at the cheap end of the market (I'll reassess if that doesn't work!)

 

[JerryRtilt]

Is anyone using, or could recommend a simple user-friendly CAD package that i can use to open drawings and find dimensions between two points, I've got a large carpark scheme to set out and would like to limit the amount of visits from the setting out Engineer.
The drawings we have are a bit short on marked up dimensions and as ever they are not the ones you need and the consultants who produced them are proving to be less than helpful.
I think it would be a perfect job for iDig"s new 3D system but i wouldn't use it often enough to justify the investment unfortunately and probable by the time i'd figured out how to use it id be retired
Any suggestion's would be appreciated.

 

[Rob65]

Is anyone using, or could recommend a simple user-friendly CAD package that i can use to open drawings and find dimensions between two points, I've got a large carpark scheme to set out and would like to limit the amount of visits from the setting out Engineer.
The drawings we have are a bit short on marked up dimensions and as ever they are not the ones you need and the consultants who produced them are proving to be less than helpful.
I think it would be a perfect job for iDig"s new 3D system but i wouldn't use it often enough to justify the investment unfortunately and probable by the time i'd figured out how to use it id be retired
Any suggestion's would be appreciated.

I have Libra CAD. I’m no expert on CAD and use it much the same way as you are planning to.

The problem I’ve had with other free CAD programs is you have to register with them and then they either expire after a certain time or they plague you with messages to upgrade to the paid for version with more features.

Libra CAD is produced on a shareware basis the same as the Libra Office programs and a lot of people have been happily using Libra Office as a free alternative to paying through the nose for Microsoft Word and Excel etc.

It’s been out there for years, it’s runs reliably and it’s free. In my view “What’s not to like”?

 

[JerryRtilt]

I have Libra CAD. I’m no expert on CAD and use it much the same way as you are planning to.

The problem I’ve had with other free CAD programs is you have to register with them and then they either expire after a certain time or they plague you with messages to upgrade to the paid for version with more features.

Libra CAD is produced on a shareware basis the same as the Libra Office programs and a lot of people have been happily using Libra Office as a free alternative to paying through the nose for Microsoft Word and Excel etc.

It’s been out there for years, it’s runs reliably and it’s free. In my view “What’s not to like”?

Sounds like what i need, will have a look, thanks very much.

 

[6feetdown]

Sadly google sold sketchup to Trimble so you now have to pay to use it, if you’ve an old version it still works but if you get new one or iPad Pro version wants you to subscribe

They still do a free version i was on it this week

 

[6feetdown]

I have Libra CAD. I’m no expert on CAD and use it much the same way as you are planning to.

The problem I’ve had with other free CAD programs is you have to register with them and then they either expire after a certain time or they plague you with messages to upgrade to the paid for version with more features.

Libra CAD is produced on a shareware basis the same as the Libra Office programs and a lot of people have been happily using Libra Office as a free alternative to paying through the nose for Microsoft Word and Excel etc.

It’s been out there for years, it’s runs reliably and it’s free. In my view “What’s not to like”?

Yep no Microsoft subscription for me

 

[mes]

I'm not sure what version of librecad you are using, it is opensource software. You can download the code and compile it yourself if you want. No need to register with anything. It is only 2d but I find it suitable for lot plans and permitting use. There is also a 3D parametric application called freecad. I have only just begun poking at it. I have about 1000 hours in a Pro/Engineer,Wildfire now Creo seat (not enough to be any good) so I have hopes for freecad. I have seen some of the amazing work done with it, just need to spend the few thousand hours to get there. There is also BRLcad from the US army ballistics research lab, can't say its not user friendly , just its pick who it makes friends with.