I need a period program to enable me to draw plans to scale.

[robgil]

Does anyone know of such a program , free or expensive it just needs to be easy to use, as easy as MS paint for instance. Ive been using paint but cannot get things to scale.

 

[worms]

Google sketchup? Its free but not necessarily easy. Or perhaps I didn't put in enough effort.

http://sketchup.google.com/intl/en/index.html

 

[Flyfisher]

Mrs FF has been using Google SketchUp for some scale drawings that can be rotated about very effectively. Very good for getting a perspective on things, but it does require a fair bit of work to enter all the detailed measurements - but that's the same for any 3D modelling package. Fortunately, Mrs FF is now past the learning stage and is quite proficient - very handy indeed!

For simple 2D outline plans, I've used Excel for quick sketches - which might sound a bit bizarre but it works pretty well. Set the row and column dimensions so that the spreadsheet is full of small squares, decide on a scale, e.g. 1 square to 6 inches or similar, then use the 'border' feature to create lines as required along the boundaries of the squares. You can also add other shapes using the 'drawing' toolbar as well. It's not as flexible as a proper drawing package, but basic sketches can be created very quickly this way and to some sort of scale. Much better than MS-Paint, I'd say, and it worked for my two LBC submissions.

 

[worms]

Yes, Sketchup looks like it has huge potential, I've just never had the time to get to grips with it.

I've used GIS software for scale drawings but that is a bit of an overkill and your suggestion of using Excel for "virtual squared paper" is a good one!

 

[JCIT]

MS Visio is designed for doing scale drawings. It's easy to use (opinion). It comes with a number of shape templates, a number of which include shapes for drawing house / floor plans.

 

[Ixia]

Google Sketchup. There are lots of online tutorials for help with it if you Google.

http://www.brighthub.com/internet/google/articles/11175.aspx for instance.

 

[JohnB]

I use what I think is a slightly older version of this.

It's ok for what I want at the moment, and is designed to draw houses, rather than being a general drawing program.

 

[adamr]

Inkscape

 

[CatherineB]

I have used excel too. With row and column height/width set to 10 pixels each, so each cell is 10*10 cm, and border formatting. Although I realised recently that it would be even more accurate if I just "filled" the cells that comprise walls, as our internal walls are generally around 10cm thick anyway.
Our architect goggled when I showed it to him, but couldn't fault it as a simple way of doing it! We didn't hear of sketchup until after I'd done my latest plans, but I would have a play with that if I had good reason and plenty of time (lacking both at the moment ).

 

[MdB]

Inkscape

For 2D, inkscape is an option. I've used it a bit and it did the job.

 

[Penners]

Drawplus is an extremely capable vector drawing programme. There's a free "Starter" edition that you can download here: http://www.serif.com/free-graphic-design-software/

I've done all my own drawings for LBC, planning and building regs submissions, using a vector drawing programme. It's saved me a fortune! Don't expect to be able to produce high quality drawings from the first time you use the programme (any programme), but with a bit of practice you'll soon get the hang of it.

 

[robgil]

thanks guys, i will give them a whirl. ive tried that google one and its a bit user unfriendly for me, ive got the MS one but have not tried it yet so that one is next.

 

[AMc]

You need to run through the first few video tutorials on SketchUp to "get it" you won't get anywhere just fiddling with it and it will just frustrate you.
Things like knowing how to type in accurate measurements aren't immediately obvious BUT are incredibly fast once you've got the tricks.

For example.
To accurately draw a square, loosely draw it in the correct plane then type the width then a comma then the depth on on the numpad/number keys ( you can set inches, centimeters etc. as your default options)
To turn it into a cuboid, use the push/pull tool to drag up one face then type the height in accurately.
Then choose the "Select" cursor tool, drag a square over your block to get it all selected blue
Choose the 4 way arrow "Move/Copy" tool, hold control and drag away from the block to create a duplicate.

Also you need to know about using the cursor keys to constrain things to specific axes
And print the Quick Reference Guide out.

I used to be a Virtual Reality Designer once upon a time and this is very simple to use for such a powerful tool.

 

[Penners]

Alternatively, to draw a square in Drawplus:-

Click on the rectangle tool.
Click and drag your square (holding down Ctrl will ensure that it's a perfect square).