Program to draw up plans

[madk]

I'm looking for a program to draw up my plans so I can post them on my website.  Since I did mine the old fashion way (pencil and paper) I'd like to update them and post them.  I've seem some of you guys come up with some really nice stuff.  What programs do you use to do this?

-madk

[eightbit]

Depends on what your familar with. You could always use Mspaint.

[madk]

Uhm...

Anyone else have a logical answer please?  Some sort of blueprint software...possible with some 3d rendering options.

Thanks in advance,
madk

[beek]

Solidworks, Autocad, Catia, ProE, IDEAS.........

Solidworks is probably the easiest to learn.  Kazaa comes to mind.

[eightbit]

Hey I take offense at that. If you knew anything about 3d rendering programs then you wouldn't be asking this question. You didn't ask for anything specific, you just asked for a program to convert pencil and paper to web.

For simple drawings you can use Visio, Photoshop, or any of a bunch of drawing programs. It kind of depends on what you have access to or what you want to spend if you don't have access.

For converting to 3d perhaps someone that knows more than I do about that will post an answer. Now that we know your interested in 3d rendering.

[madk]

Hey I take offense at that. If you knew anything about 3d rendering programs then you wouldn't be asking this question. You didn't ask for anything specific, you just asked for a program to convert pencil and paper to web.

For simple drawings you can use Visio, Photoshop, or any of a bunch of drawing programs. It kind of depends on what you have access to or what you want to spend if you don't have access.

For converting to 3d perhaps someone that knows more than I do about that will post an answer. Now that we know your interested in 3d rendering.

Sorry bro but I also took a little offense.  No damage done tho.  I was just looking for something alittle more informative.  Your post looked like something SNAAAKE would say. (much love bro)

I guess my best bet would be to poke around with a few progs myself.  Thanks for the info.

-madk

[1UP]

I like 3D Studio Max.  Fairly expensive though, unless you do your "shopping" on Kazaa or Hotline...    Usually comes with online docs if you need help.  Pretty easy to use once you know where things are.  Nice thing is that you can do some really nice 3D renderings to really get a feel for the end result.  Once you have the 3D model, it's easy enough to render side/front/back views in wireframe for use as full-size plans.

To see what's possible with 3DSMax, check out the renderings on my site...

[eightbit]

Sorry bro but I also took a little offense.  No damage done tho.  I was just looking for something alittle more informative.  Your post looked like something SNAAAKE would say. (much love bro)

Oh ouch!!!   I think I must have slipped. I'm sorry I posted such a lame responce to your question.  

I won't let it happen again...

[Gopherboy]

No need to... ahhh... "shop" for a program. You may find what you need in TurboCad LE, which is available free for download here:

http://nct.digitalriver.com/fulfill/0002.16

If for some reason, that doesn't work, simply search the web for "IMSI Turbocad" and you can't go far wrong. As for actually using it, well - it's a mystery to me (but one I will never the less enjoy solving!) and so I really did go and use MS paint. Well, only for the concept mind you - I love a good sharp pencil and a ruler!


Gopher.

[1UP]

I believe there's actually a pared-down free version of 3DSMax, called GMax.  Try www.discreet.com

[elfman12]

I like 3D Studio Max.  Fairly expensive though, unless you do your "shopping" on Kazaa or Hotline...    

I agree with 1UP about 3DS MAX. A bit of a learning curve, but EXTREMEMLY powerful and versatile. I actually have a legit copy (used to demo that software for a CAD dealer, and have kept it updated).

Others have used Visio, TurboCAD, Adobe Illustrator. As long as you work in a vector program, you should be able to move your work over to rendering programs later to get visualization.

[rhd]

I think of 3d animation packages in two catagories: first is consumer and their prices tend to stay in the sub-$500 range. A very cost effective offering in that category is TrueSpace. You can buy older versions at reduced prices (v3.0 sells for $99 at www.caligari.com). TrueSpace's claim to fame is that its among the easiest to learn. Second is the professional offerings. In the pro-category there are really three market leaders: Lightwave dominates television production, Maya dominates movie production, and 3D Max dominates game production. They all have cut down versions for free download but a variety of restrictions will apply. The pro-category products are all very deep and take quite a while to learn, but they will have the most training support (i.e., books, web tutorials, etc.).

[Dartful Dodger]

Oh ouch!!!   I think I must have slipped. I'm sorry I posted such a lame responce to your question.  

I won't let it happen again...

Don't be sorry, after reading the original question I was ready to say Photoshop.  A $2,000 3d animation program is a loooong way from the pencil and paper.

[Grasshopper]

No need to... ahhh... "shop" for a program. You may find what you need in TurboCad LE, which is available free for download here:

http://nct.digitalriver.com/fulfill/0002.16

If for some reason, that doesn't work, simply search the web for "IMSI Turbocad" and you can't go far wrong. As for actually using it, well - it's a mystery to me (but one I will never the less enjoy solving!) and so I really did go and use MS paint. Well, only for the concept mind you - I love a good sharp pencil and a ruler!


Gopher.

I'm also using TurboCAD simply because it came free with a magazine. I can't justify spending a lot of money on a program that I'll only use a few times.

It's a nice program for 2D CAD work and more than adequate for designing a control panel. However as far as I can tell it doesn't have many 3D facilities.

Whatever program you choose to use, make sure that it offers direct co-ordinate entry. It is this facility that normally separates genuine CAD programs from drawing programs.

[Darkstalker]

It's a nice program for 2D CAD work and more than adequate for designing a control panel. However as far as I can tell it doesn't have many 3D facilities.

It does, but not like 3D Studio and the like can do where you can rotate objects to create a custom view.  It would be a psudo-3D drawing in an isometric view, like you would do when drafting on paper.

I wonder if CAD software is powerful enough to create an isometric view from a top, side, and front view now...(AutoCAD r12 was the last one I used, and I don't think it could, but that was 7 years ago)

[Jakobud]

A good program to draw simple blueprints is SmartDraw www.smartdraw.com.  It works well.  Is obviously not as advanced as Autocad.  And it doesn't do renders.  But it's good for what it sounds like you want to use it for.