Member of the Month

KilaTsunami
October, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Free CAD software

profile picture
Caveman.
Posts: 9067 - Karma: 330
Does anyone know of any good PC based CAD software? I need a primarily 2D program that is PC compatible. Full scale plotting and the ability to import and export dxf would be nice as well. A 3D package would be nice but is not needed as I will be primarily modeling in 2D. Pirating isnt an option I need some freeware.
May 19 2009 9:12PM
0 0
profile picture
AMD_5
Posts: 745 - Karma: 15
i dont know how serious of a software you're looking for, but google sketchup is half decent 
May 19 2009 9:20PM
0 0
profile picture
GhostfaceKillah
Posts: 3398 - Karma: 10
google sketchpad is your only option i think.

why no piracy?
May 19 2009 9:51PM
0 0
profile picture
AMD_5
Posts: 745 - Karma: 15
who has morals these days?
May 19 2009 10:03PM
0 0
profile picture
Caveman.
Posts: 9067 - Karma: 330
If Im not mistaken sketchup is more of a 3d package. All I need is a basic easy to use 2d package to plot site plans. I am an estimator for a construction company that does plumbing, fencing, steel buildings, and landscaping. I need to be able to draw out a site plan basically.
May 19 2009 10:06PM
0 0
profile picture
AMD_5
Posts: 745 - Karma: 15
just torrent AutoCAD, lmao
May 19 2009 10:10PM
0 0
profile picture
Caveman.
Posts: 9067 - Karma: 330
You must be illiterate.

Moral reasons aside do you have any idea how much trouble a business could get in for using pirated software especially with a company like Autodesk who is on top of piracy.

Even if I was going to pirate that software why would I download it when I could download it for free? Its the key code that costs money.
May 19 2009 10:16PM
0 0
profile picture
ZavierV
Posts: 5077 - Karma: 100
zing!
May 19 2009 10:25PM
0 0
profile picture
BootySpunk.
Posts: 8148 - Karma: 84
Check out http://www.cadstd.com/lite.php

It can export in dxf

also check out http://www.cad-design-and-drafting-services.com/free-cad-software.html for some free/trial CAD software.
May 19 2009 10:30PM
0 0
profile picture
TeamJones
Posts: 629 - Karma: 12
I usually use Wikipedia to find freeware. Just search for the type of software that you need, and it will generally have a long list of different software in a chart comparing them all. Just find what type you need and look for one that is GNU or otherwise free.
May 19 2009 10:35PM
0 0
profile picture
InkShrink
Posts: 1079 - Karma: 30
My old engineering teacher gave me free AutoCAD, ProDeskTop and Revit.
May 19 2009 10:40PM
0 0
profile picture
AMD_5
Posts: 745 - Karma: 15
I wasn't aware that you are using this for, what i'm assuming, is your business. I thought you were using it for personal use. also, i didn't read your entire post, so missed the part about no piracy. my bad, no need to fucking blast me for it.

but, you could try checking these sites out. you might find something specific to what you need.

http://www.freecad.com/CAD_Programs_PCs/
http://www.freebyte.com/cad/cad.htm 

if you don't find anything, just go with sketchup in 2d view
May 19 2009 10:40PM
0 0
profile picture
Caveman.
Posts: 9067 - Karma: 330


Even if I was going to pirate that software why would I torrent it when I could download it for free? Its the key code that costs money.


Thanks everyone who gave me a useful response.
May 19 2009 10:40PM
0 0
profile picture
ATLskier
Posts: 8203 - Karma: 406
Hey do you happen to have an edu email, or are still in school or do you know someone still in university. You can get tons of freeware from autodesk. You can get revit architecture, revit engineering, and a bunch of other programs. I think they have a simple 2d cad software...no autodesk autocad. The only thing that is a downside is it prints "educational version on plots and renderings" All you have to do is export to pdf and take it into illustrator and delete it.

May 19 2009 10:47PM
0 0
profile picture
bsmith01
Posts: 1639 - Karma: 43
I think that goes along with the whole thing of him using it legally.  The discounted versions are for educational purposes not for business.
May 19 2009 10:51PM
0 0
profile picture
Caveman.
Posts: 9067 - Karma: 330
Ya, Im still in college and I get free software from Autodesk for home use but we are bidding on government jobs (fencing on an air force base, buildings at missile silos, and fences and buildings at microwave stations) so we would like to stay as legal as possible.
May 19 2009 10:54PM
0 0
profile picture
ATLskier
Posts: 8203 - Karma: 406
yeah thats understandable. I guess I thought if it was you using your own computer it was fine. Whatever. I guess you have to go with those other options.

I think sketch up can work for you. You can import and export a lot of stuff. Just use parallel projection and view from the top.
May 19 2009 11:00PM
0 0
profile picture
skier_boy26
Posts: 11295 - Karma: 502
Try getting a free version
http://students2.autodesk.com/?nd=email_invite

thats if you dont have a .edu email. if you do, money. you should be able to get any of the cad software (autocad, arch, civil, etc) for I think 13 months.

Sketchup could work just fine, too.
May 19 2009 11:33PM
0 0
profile picture
skier_boy26
Posts: 11295 - Karma: 502
fuck me I didn't read a single post.
Nevermind.

May 19 2009 11:35PM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-5)