Autocad or better for dummies

[Albert Shagnastier]

I have to do a construction design for a condo.

The purpose is to be able to use the design/info for quotes with construction companies and to justify/assess work budgets.

It would be very very helpful to me to have some piece of easy to use software with which i can take a photo, and then draw another layer over the photo to show where structural changes (walls moved/built etc) will go so it's easy to show someone the "Now" and "later" pictures.

Can anyone suggest some free, easy to use software for this or reccommend something that will help do the job?

Cheers.

[VocalNeal]

Google Sketchup? Although you'll still have to learn it which I don't. My brother went on a 1 day course to learn it.

Copy, cut, paste with real paper then scan might work better if you only have one or two items to do.

[can123]

Autocad is too difficult. Their manuals are virtually non-existent and they make money by running training courses. Avoid it.

[Humbert]

Can't think of anything that you could jump right into without spending a decent amount of time learning how the tools work. Setting the perspective so that it looks correct over an photograph takes a very practised eye. Tracing paper may be the best solution.

[Bobcock]

Autocad is too difficult.

Tosh!

[Humbert]

Autocad is too difficult.

Tosh!

Lots of online tutorials in PDF format for learning Autocad. Plenty of books too.
But if you don't plan on doing it for a living, it is probably not worth the effort to learn it.

[Albert Shagnastier]

Thanks guys, I'm looking into it.

[Neo]

https://tinkercad.com/home/

https://teakdoor.com/computer-news/11...nting-app.html (Tinkercad: Free 3D design and printing app.)

[Albert Shagnastier]

^ "Are you over 13 or under 13"

Just the level I am looking for (obviously clicked under 13 for the simple version)

Cheers.

[can123]

Autocad is too difficult.

Tosh!

Lots of online tutorials in PDF format for learning Autocad. Plenty of books too.
But if you don't plan on doing it for a living, it is probably not worth the effort to learn it.

Exactly ! For a one-off job, learning Autocad is just plain silly.

[Humbert]

I use Vectorworks 11 for plans, elevations and 3D. I use it almost daily for my work doing conceptual design. Took me a couple of years to get really proficient. Everyone else in my office uses Autocad. For working drawings nothing else is acceptable.
Have fun with Tinkercad. Looks perfect for your project.

[Albert Shagnastier]

Thanks Humbert.

However, Tinkercad wont work on XP and thats what I have to use in the time I have - so I think your earlier suggestion of tracing paper over blown up images is going to be the best solution.

[Dillinger]

I think your earlier suggestion of tracing paper over blown up images is going to be the best solution.

If you want it to look Professional, my son left his crayons here when he came over

Autocad is too difficult. Their manuals are virtually non-existent

AutoCAD 2011 for Dummies - Oceanhawk (download torrent) - TPB

[slackula]

Why not post the pics and what you want done up on the forum? Maybe somebody will knock up something you can use.

[Spin]

Draftsight is a free alternative to autocad.

[Albert Shagnastier]

If you want it to look Professional, my son left his crayons here when he came over

Crayons are well under rated

Why not post the pics and what you want done up on the forum? Maybe somebody will knock up something you can use.

It's a good idea, reminds me of a site (logomyway/or logoyourway) where you post up a brief for a logo and prize for winnere (say 200 dollars) and you'll get about 100 people do the logo free and you pick the winner and pay. No time for that here, and as I said - crayons are under rated