Simple drawing software

[bojan]

Hi guys,
Could someone recommend low cost drafting software to be purchased for work?

AutoCAD, Solid works, SolidEdge are wonderful, but expensive.
I think something similar, but not as powerful would be quite adequate for the purpose (drawings of simple mechanical parts).

Thank you in advance!

[pluto]

Not sure if it will do what you want but there's a free version of SketchUp.

[RickS]

Inkscape, perhaps? https://inkscape.org/en/ If it does what you need the price is right :)

[AstralTraveller]

There is Free autoCAD 360, which I haven't tried.

https://www.autocad360.com/free-cad-software/

Then there is Inkscape, which I have tried and found OK but it's only a vector graphics package and may not be up to the task.

https://inkscape.org/en/

[CJ]

+1 for Sketchup.

[bojan]

Thank you guys, I will try all of them :thumbsup: !

[Eden]

+1

I use Inkscape in conjunction with Wacom tablet/stylus and it's great. Unless you need something which is heavy on 3D, it's really good for free product.

[sheeny]

I use Autocad and Solidworks at work, but I have both Sketchup and Freecad at home. Sketchup has a pretty intuitive interface. Freecad is a bit clunky after using Solidworks, but its slowly developing and for the price (free) it is excellent.

Al.

[Starless]

Try these
FreeCAD
https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD
LibreCAD
http://librecad.org/cms/home.html

[bojan]

It seems LibreCAD is a winner here.. it works with dxf format, and the user inteface and philosophy is similar enough to AutoCAD, which I am aacustomed to. Price is also right ;)

Anyway.. Thank you all again :thumbsup:

[I.C.D]

G'Day Bojan,
Their is a windows visio free program you can down load and you can convert any of the drawing to cad ,what and how far you can go on the free program I can't help their but it may be worth a look .
Ian

[algwat]

Edraw is good for 2d plans, visio like.... rgds,alan

[julianh72]

I give a really strong recommendation for Onshape https://www.onshape.com/ which is a SolidWorks "look alike" 3D parametric mechanical CAD package, complete with automatic 2D-drawing generation, import / export to most of the recognised standard formats, etc. (It is actually developed by the originators of SolidWorks.)

It's free for hobby / personal use, and even free for use in a corporate environment (with restrictions on number of files etc).

It's 100% cloud-based, which means you need an active internet connection to use it, and it runs in a browser, so you don't need to "install" any software, and you can pick up your designs and carry on anywhere, such as at work or in a library. It even runs on Android and iOS devices (with a native app, rather than in the browser) - finish your designs on the bus on the way home from work!

As long as you have a reliable internet connection, it's really worth a look - it has become my primary CAD modelling software.

[bojan]

Thank you guys for additional recommendations.

Julian,
OnShape looks fine but the cloud is definitely a no-no.
Not only because required internet connection... data security is also of a concern.

I prefer the old-fashioned, local machine application.. with no strings attached.
And no working during the bus ride.. otherwise my boss will just have an excuse to load me with even more work ;)

[julianh72]

That's fine - every business needs to decide its own strategy for data and application security, etc.

Personally, I am reminded of "Dr Strangelove ... Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb Cloud". :D



My after-hours use is spent designing astro-bits to make on my 3D printer! So far I've designed and printed a 127 mm aperture dust cover for my NexStar 5 SE, a solar finder, and a guide scope mount, and I'm working on an adapter bracket to hold the handset in a more convenient position for use while I'm at the eyepiece.

[rogerco]

I haven't seen Turbo Cad mentioned yet. Its not free but is a lot cheaper than AutoCad. It comes in 2D and 3D variants plus a lot of spin off products like Garden design etc. Its a good well developed package.

If you only need 2D there is QCAD (no relation to QGIS if you are into mapping).


Roger