Computer program for single line diagrams?

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mbrooke

mbrooke

Batteries Included
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United States
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Technician
Anyone know of a good easy to use computer program for turning something like this into a single line diagram? (and yes I know the transformer bays need to be swapped, its still a work in progress:p)



img_2105-jpg.33964
 
mbrooke said:
Anyone know of a good easy to use computer program for turning something like this into a single line diagram? (and yes I know the transformer bays need to be swapped, its still a work in progress:p)



img_2105-jpg.33964
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I cannot see what you posted, but I use AutoCAD LT.
 
Can't see any image either.

I once bought a CAD program and had trouble learning how to use it. AutoCAD was too expensive to purchase and take the risk of not being able to learn it. I purchased a program called Smartdraw, it was relatively easy to learn to use, and eventually learned some of the more advanced features that maybe now I could step into one of those other programs without being as lost as I once was.

I don't use it a lot and still have the original version (for me, from 2007ish). Not sure what is out there today. I do use it to draw schematics of all the custom controls I set up, most relatively simple, but still is easier to read then my hand drawn schematics. What few drawings I have posted on this site were drawn with that program. It is capable of doing much more impressive things then what I typically have done with it.
 
Use single line so seldom that simply use powerpoint when needed.

Draw a few symbols and then copy/paste or copy paste symbols from someone else previous single line dwg.
 
mbrooke said:
How much does smart draw cost?
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I think you can download a free trial, not sure how long it works. That is what I remember doing several years ago as well, I tried it and found it easy to learn and then purchased it. I think current version is near $200.

I think there is also other subscription options and you always get the latest upgrades/updates.

I looked at the one I currently have and it is a 2005 edition. For no more then I use it it certainly wasn't worth keeping it upgraded/updated. Still works on windows 10, probably had an XP computer when I first bought it.
 
Microsoft Visio is the answer. The time you invest in learning will payoff across everything you need e.g. architecture, plumbing, etc.
 
Microsoft Visio is the answer. The time you invest in learning will payoff across everything you need e.g. architecture, plumbing, etc.
 
mbrooke said:
Anyone know of a good easy to use computer program for turning something like this into a single line diagram? (and yes I know the transformer bays need to be swapped, its still a work in progress:p)
Click to expand...

i had some existing drawings i needed to incorporate into a package,
and while it's not the glory of redrawing it in autocad, i stretched it
out flat, and shot some photos with iphone. the new one is 12 mp,
and a bit of retouching in the camera, and i plotted it out D size, and
you could clearly read 12 point type.

me, i'm old and lazy. i'd shoot a picture of the blackboard, crop it,
and call it good. :dunce:
 
Fulthrotl said:
i had some existing drawings i needed to incorporate into a package,
and while it's not the glory of redrawing it in autocad, i stretched it
out flat, and shot some photos with iphone. the new one is 12 mp,
and a bit of retouching in the camera, and i plotted it out D size, and
you could clearly read 12 point type.

me, i'm old and lazy. i'd shoot a picture of the blackboard, crop it,
and call it good. :dunce:
Click to expand...
You also haven't kept up on other things - OP drawing was on a white board.;) Even easier but a lot more expensive is a smart board, it will remember what you had drawn:happyyes:
 
dionysius said:
Microsoft Visio is the answer. The time you invest in learning will payoff across everything you need e.g. architecture, plumbing, etc.
Click to expand...
I used Visio for electrical drawings for a while but I didn't like it very much. It is lacking in precision compared to AutoCAD. Autodesk now offers AutoCAD LT as a subscription service for about 35 bucks a month, so I made the switch.

Visio is pretty good for compiling design packs, though; making a sheet set is much simpler than with AutoCAD if you don't have a good set of templates.
 
mbrooke said:
Anyone know of a good easy to use computer program for turning something like this into a single line diagram? (and yes I know the transformer bays need to be swapped, its still a work in progress:p)
Click to expand...

Take your photo, select "copy to clipboard", and then "send to printer". :)

It looks better than a lot of the blueprints I've seen lately!!
 
zbang said:
I've been using DraftSight CAD for a few years; there's a good free version but the paid ones aren't expensive.

Microsoft's Visio is probably also pretty good for this sort of thing, haven't tried it though.
Click to expand...

This post needs more attention. Dassault Systems Draftsight. It does everything needed to draw out a simple layout. I have used it to design build a couple Greenhouses, a restaurant and others. That is the free version he mentioned. It is 100% compatible with ACAD format that virtually every Engineer uses to create their plans. You can get there CAD and make shop drawings or dimensioned layout drawings for the guys in the field etc.


Tried to upload a PDF, but it was too big.
 
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