CAD/CADD free/shareware recommendations?

[Bill V]

Anyone out there use any CAD/CADD freeware or shareware packages, that they'd recommend people either look into or avoid? I'm looking for something free (or cheap) and easy, that might be useful for me when designing the deck we will be adding to our house this summer. Any suggestions?



Thanks!

 

[Dreman]

I've used IntelliCAD before, since it can use the same keyboard commands as the older AutoCAD versions out there. I got a copy when they were selling the company, and you could get an evaluation version for free that never ended. I'm not sure where it is right now, since I've changed computers a couple of times since then, and my company provides me with AutoCAD LT (Not very powerful, but it does what I need). You can still download a free evaluation version from their website, but I'm not sure what limitations it might have. You can buy the full standard version for $199.



There are others out there that might be cheaper, but I'm not that familiar with them. You might check Office Depot or Best Buy for a lower priced version. Heck, you might even type "free cad" in your browser and see what you find. I did and found the web page below. IntelliCAD is there, but I couldn't find the free version immediately. Their standard version of IntelliCAD seems to be $149.



Have you used any cad programs before? There's a learning curve with any of them, and finding one that uses commands you are familiar with is a real time saver.

 

[Rodger Tellefson]

There are some really good inexpensive CADD programs out there that, in my opinion, put AutoCAD LT to shame. I used AutoCAD in my job for close to some 20 yrs., and it is one of the most powerful CADD software out there. But, for what you need to do I have seen some really inexpensive & powerful CADD software out there. Do a search on CNET.com & Download.com, and you should find something.

 

[Bill Ellis]

For designing a deck, TurboCad, Autocad LT or just about anything will be fine. You do not need 3D for deck design. In fact, Lowes has a deck design application you can use on-line. Also, do some searches and you will find a lot of info about deck building codes, beam span, joist span and column size tables that will allow you to choose the proper size lumber to meet building codes.

 

[Bill V]

Bill E, yes, I did see the Lowes.com one--but it's not powerful enough for my needs. It has very strict limits on what can and can't be done with it, and some of my design needs exceed those limits. For example, our deck will likely be rectangular, with an additional octagon off one corner. Lowes allows a rectangle or an octagon, but not both. Also, the Lowes software allows heights only up to 96"--we'll be at a full 120 inches off the ground. Thanks for the suggestions though!



--Bill



Anyone ever used the software "Deck Designer" by Big Hammer Software?

 

[Mark B]

I have an old version of AutoSketch that I use for things like that. It's has the most of the 2D AutoCAD commands so it's fairly powerful and I think under $100.