CAD drawing

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frenchelectrican

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Nord'est Wisconsin et Paris France
I am looking for a simple CAD drawing that i can use the computer.

I allready did researched and i did feel little overwheming on me and i don't know what is a good product that i can used for both bussiness useage and able post it on the forums as need to.[ all i want a simple one not all the bell and whistle type :grin: ]

Thanks for your time.


Merci, Marc
 
Do you really mean CAD as in .dwg and .dxf files or are you asking for a simple drawing program for sketches?

I like to use Microsoft Visio for my sketches.

For really simple things, I use the Draw commands in Microsoft Word.
 
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I'd consider CAD.. If you are able to get bid plans in a CAD format I think there are software tools for helping you bid off those CAD plans.. But I don't know much about this so.. : )
 
I started to go down this road so many times, and I came to the conclusion that I just need to block off some time and take an AutoCAD night class.
 
For a mid-range CAD, I like TurboCAD. It also gives you the 3D abilities.

For high-end CAD, I like AutoCAD. Microstation works good too I'm just not as familiar with it.

For quick and dirty sketching, use the tools embedded in the microsoft products.

I haven't used any low-end CAD products in a long time but you used to be able to find these pretty cheap ($10-$20). I have several from years gone by.
 
mdshunk said:
I started to go down this road so many times, and I came to the conclusion that I just need to block off some time and take an AutoCAD night class.
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My night class was do or die. When I first started school, it was all pen & ink. When I decided to finish school, I had to turn in my first circuit design drawn in AutoCAD. Prof did not care that I had never had a CAD class. I spent several long nights learning AutoCAD on my own in the CAD lab. What a nightmare.

I learned to love AutoCAD and became quite proficient and wrote many complex programs to run inside AutoCAD.
 
autocad can do amazing things, especially with pricing automation, etc, but like you said, there is a steep learning curve (not to mention price). its nice to be able to get the electrical symbol libraries too though.

i bought a proggie last year called cadopia for a couple hundred bucks that is like a basic autocad. its nice because it can use all the autocad formats (we sometimes markup and/or provide redline drwgs from other peoples cad drwgs). it has a fairly steep curve too though.

i often use a way old proggie called drafix cad thats a simple drafting program (more like computer aided drafting than cad). don't know if its still made but its a good cheap drafting tool.

that's all I know, good luck - let us know if you find something great. I'd love to have a simple program with electrical symbols (drafix uses libraries but I had to make all my own symbols)
 
I am on the fence with auto cad..it is complex as hell and it costs an enormous amount..the extra hours worth of learning curve might not have a pay off except to say I did this in auto cad..google has a version of 3d draw program that is free and it works good to purchase it and get the full blown program is 500 dollars, verses auto cad at 5 grand..go to www.download.com and look at all the stuff you can use..it also has a feature where cnet rates it and so does the consumer..nice spot to start..I hope this is not considered a promotion of another web site but good info..if it need editing please just remove the web site potion and anyone interested can pm me so I can send it by PM..
 
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cschmid said:
I am on the fence with auto cad..it is complex as hell and it costs an enormous amount..
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You can get one that's a couple of revision numbers behind on eBay for quite a bargain. I don't think I'd necessarily need the latest revision. After you own an old copy, you can get the cheap update price on the latest and greatest version if you feel the need.
 
cschmid said:
I am on the fence with auto cad..it is complex as hell and it costs an enormous amount..
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You can get one that's a couple of revision numbers behind on eBay for quite a bargain. I don't think I'd necessarily need the latest revision. After you own an old copy, you can get the cheap update price on the latest and greatest version if you feel the need. That's what I did when I got CorelDraw. I think that's the program the Mike Holt graphics are done on, if I remember.
 
I have 2005 version and it is okay but upgrade now is almost same cost as new..I was greatly disappointed in the price to get the electrical symbol uprade is 1700 dollars..makes me :-?
 
mdshunk said:
You can get one that's a couple of revision numbers behind on eBay for quite a bargain. I don't think I'd necessarily need the latest revision. After you own an old copy, you can get the cheap update price on the latest and greatest version if you feel the need. That's what I did when I got CorelDraw. I think that's the program the Mike Holt graphics are done on, if I remember.
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TurboCAD Deluxe is only $150 and reads and writes AutoCAD and Microstation formats. I use the pro version but I've had it a while so the upgrades are only $130.

I hadn't thought about looking on EBAY for AutoCAD as I would rather have it but the last quote I got almost choked me (I wanted AutoCAD Map).

I used to use CorelDraw a lot but am now hooked on Photoshop.
 
For easy, AutoCAD would be MY choice because I can program it to automate most everything I do. This would not be easy if you do not know how to program AutoCAD.

TurboCAD does not have a programming interface to speak of :mad: but I have been trying to work around it because of the AutoCAD price. I find myself going back to an old version of AutoCAD when I have a lot of stuff I need to get done in a short amount of time. I do like to play with the 3D capabilities of TurboCAD, which are much easier to use than AutoCAD's.

If you want to draw schematics and don't need a general CAD program, there has to be a tool available with built-in routines for schematics. Sorry I don't know of any off hand.

I seem to remember using a tool when I was doing some circuit layouts in school but it was part of a circuit analysis program. The built-in routines made life simple for that specific type of drawing.
 
Other thoughts on CAD...

Other thoughts on CAD...

Now its been awhile...

MicroStation has a student version for 500.00 to compete with Auto CAD Lite. The student version is complete w/ 3D but doesn't accept any high level programming. This could be any of there written programs that MStation offers and all high level programing of Dbase's, Excel, ANSI (?) input(IE surveyor data files) is also not avaiable.

You don't need to be a student to get that version, but remember this going in.

For years MStation was the best software to handle a file transfer of DWG and DXF. I assume some of the other lower priced software has caught up.

The student version is avaiable from on larger college campus's nationwide.

Now Msation is a Noun, Verb software and dynamic software, that you can change on the fly, Most others were not till the last few years. For example say you want to place a circle but two points, you can pick the command place one point, oh but you want to change the color, weight, and layer, you can.
Most all other software you have to remember to do all that before you even pick your command to place, Acad became dyanmic with version 14.
most lower priced software is not at all (reminder of opening statement).

If you deal with Acad files ALWAYS be sure to know what the Version of software it was created and know what ACAD-Lite is limited to if you purchase ACAD-Lite. You might have to download patchs to get to higher and lower versions(say you bought used software from the I-net)

More Time has been wasted with Dis-information of version and version on the machine that will recieve this Electonic information, Believe me.

Get to know your Output source, IE Kinko's, plotting service, some times you might want to get a plot, theres plenty of services but here again you have to know EXACTLY what they can accept to give you a finished product as designed on CAD. This includes ACAD... ACAD can be saved down in Versions, saving up to higher version is not Avaiable.

If possible always get a Paper copy of any file exchange, this will be go for at least two reasons, its the Record copy to Date (be it unofficial), and a Good Hard copy to look at since you might never Look like that when you bring it up on a lower version software. Note only having Disc in Hand, but find out if you client or agent of your client uses for plotting and printing and be perpared to use that same company.

With large jobs and mid-size jobs be sure to get in the loop of any revisions that might be released or relealeased edits before bid dates, be it electronic file transfer, or download access to FTP sites, getting access to FTP might or might not be critical but consider it when getting involved.

Also remember that on the any of these packages that you might purchase your Buying that Year! They will be glad to sell you a Yearly service package on the bigger software package, but the Lite or Student and 100.00 and 10.00 box , You've bought that and thats it!

I rolled around at the bottom of that steep ACAD Hill, I'm A MICROSTATION Man. www.Bentley.com

You can call or read about the student version there, now this the Student version is for non production enviroment, Wink, ??- ...

Or find a CAD Jockey to Worry about all the Mess listed above...
 
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frenchelectrican said:
Thanks guys for good feedback now you guys been helping me to find some more details on this,

If you have more info or idea please do post it.

Many Thanks for your help

Merci, Marc
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I used to participate regularly in the TurboCAD forum, until I found this forum :wink:

I've been a TurboCAD Pro user for 10 years now. It's pretty good for the price. TurboCAD has some issues with import and export of AutoCAD files.

However, if needing low-cost CAD program for business use, where you may require fairly good compatibility with the defecto standard AutoCAD files, I hear good things about progeCAD. I hear its interface and features practically mirror AutoCAD's. Supposedly you can even use AutoCAD programming (LISP) with it.

Additionally, if you're not up to speed with using a CAD application, they have a free "lite" version called progeCAD 2008 Smart!. Unfortunately it is not for business use, but you can use it to get a jump on the learning curve with no up front cost.
 
AutoCad LT

AutoCad LT

I would recommend AutoCAD LT, or better known as AutoCAD Light.
I just looked around to check pricing, and it looks like it costs around $800.
And, there's a free 30 day trial package available.

The LT version is all you'd ever need from a drawing standpoint.

And as far as learning the package, the best way is to get some drawings and start playing around with them.

I think that's what frenchi is asking for - a drawing to mess with. If so, send me an email frenchi, and I'd be happy to send you some drawings to get started with.

JM
 
I have been using AutoCAD by Autodesk for about 10 years now, and that first year was one hell of a learning curve. However, the benefits of AutoCAD far out weigh the headaches of learning the program.

1) The DWG file format it is the industry standard, or construction design. If you are going into design builds or big commercial work, it is a required tool.
2) Once you learn AutoCad, it is the fasted way to do drawings, sketches, and prints, nothing else even comes close to the speed.
3) AutoCad by Autodesk has comprehensive knowledge bases, tutorials, literature, and classes on how to use it. Year one was tough, but I had LOTS of support.
4) AutoCAD LT 2008 runs about $700 and is more than enough for most contractors and designers.
5) Once you buy a full copy of AutoCAD, you can pay a maintenance fee of about $300 a year that ensures you get a ?free? upgrade to the latest version ever year (around May), I have done this since version 14 all the way to my current copies of 2008.
6) You can get a free 30 day working copy here: Linky

There are a few things you should look at before you buy anything.

Purpose
What is your purpose for buying it?
If it is quick sketches for clients and you don?t really do any big commercial stuff then AutoCAD is s bit over kill. Visio and even MS Word can do sketches, and Bluebeam draws and scales well off of PDFs.

Bidding
Don?t plan on doing any bidding from CAD; it entertains me to hear about bidding from CAD, I have had CAD for 10 years now and have yet to bid a job it. In fact we sometimes have difficulties getting CAD files from the designers for layout and as-builts. Sometimes architects even want to charge you for the CAD files, for the same as-builts they specified must be done on their CAD files.

3D drawings
3D drawings for the construction trade is a joke. Sorry but we don?t build buildings from 3D drawings, we may get a better understanding of a particular detail from an isometric view, but our trade does quite well with 2D drawings. I have a particular high profile job now that some smarty pants project manager that works for the owner decided all the trades would produce 3D coordination drawings. Six months and $300,000 (paid for by the owner) in CAD fees later, we finally had coordinated 3D Cad files, that none of the trades are installing by or even looking at for layout. You have to look at it from a practical view point, we don?t use computers on the jobsite for a trades men to look at plans, and a printed 3D building layout does not work, and the people who drew these drawings are not installers with real world knowledge of how the work goes in.

Bells and Whistles
AutoCAD is highly customizable and comes with lots and lots of bells and whistles. What does this mean for you? NOTHING. Seriously, unless you are a designer you really don?t need the ability run VBA or buy some over price symbols library. I wear a designers hat and use very few scripts and have built my own symbols and details library. One of the joys of AutoCAD is when you get other designers CAD files and like the symbols and details they use, you can copy them for your library; sometimes I even seen other designers use my custom details. To date I have only bought 1 add on for AutoCad and use very few scripts. You wont even know what you need to add on for the first few years.

I have to get back to work.
AutoCAD is a bit of a passionate subject for me and I can wax on a lot more about it, but to wrap this up look at why you need it, if its for simple drawings in a non-commercial application then maybe Visio, or even one of the really cheap (or shareware) drawing programs will work for you. If you have the time and patience and would like to learn a new skill then AutoCAD is a very powerful tool to have.
 
I have a thing called Design Cad I have been using at home in one version or another since the 80's. I had the 3D version, but I didn't like it and went back to the 2D version. It's really not bad at all.

I'd like to get AutoCad but it's too expensive for me.... although as soon as I leave here, I will be looking for older versions on EBay... Don't know why, but I never thought of that.


At work I use AutoCad LT I think 2004... very nice, although I only know a fraction of what it will do...
 
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