Blueprint software

Okay everyone, I'm stumped. I'm hoping to find decent blueprint software, preferably 3D, but can suffice with 2D, that is cheap or free. I'm having trouble choosing the right product that can give me quality prints, similar to what folks here use to put their plans for sale. I've got experience with AutoCAD, Mastercam, a little SketchUp, and a few others. My biggest problem right now is that I have a ton of step files to translate, and no way of doing that without paying for software that's really expensive, just to get dimensioning. So, help? Please?

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Originally Posted by tmoore4748

Okay everyone, I'm stumped. I'm hoping to find decent blueprint software, preferably 3D, but can suffice with 2D, that is cheap or free. I'm having trouble choosing the right product that can give me quality prints, similar to what folks here use to put their plans for sale. I've got experience with AutoCAD, Mastercam, a little SketchUp, and a few others. My biggest problem right now is that I have a ton of step files to translate, and no way of doing that without paying for software that's really expensive, just to get dimensioning. So, help? Please?

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You could download DraftSight, a free 2D program that works just like AutoCad. It can handle many file formats and being free whats to lose.

Here's what DesignSpark Mechanical 4.0 can do. Maybe it might work for you. It's free and easy to use.
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Originally Posted by Crusty

Here's what DesignSpark Mechanical 4.0 can do. Maybe it might work for you. It's free and easy to use.
Attachment 31496

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Thanks for the tip Crusty, it is a program I was not aware of, I have downloaded it and will try it soon.

Just read and follow the built in tutorials to start and you'll be surprised by how easy it is to use. Of course if you want more functions there's packages of increased capabilities for it that you can buy which are pricey.

I wound up using TurboCAD Pro Platinum 2018, definitely not free but I find it quite good. I started out with AutoCAD after taking a class in it, but then when it went to the Windows version my nice drawing tablet with all the macros and buttons on the puck no longer worked. So I mailed the original disks in for a super discount on TurboCAD. Now I upgrade from time to time when a customer job needs mechanical design and I can have them pay for the upgrade.

I draw essentially everything in 3D, it was hard for me to switch to 2D for our house plans. I started with full 3D but had to switch because it was taking too long and the contractor was grumbling louder and louder.

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Originally Posted by Crusty

Just read and follow the built in tutorials to start and you'll be surprised by how easy it is to use. Of course if you want more functions there's packages of increased capabilities for it that you can buy which are pricey.

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To highlight the "pricey" options, the only way, apparently, to work with ".step" files is to get one of those add-on modules. Thanks, though, for the suggestion, I think it's something my Dad is able to use for his shop, as he generates a lot of PDF files for his stuff.

I thought you just wanted to convert the files to another file format and it works for that, though in somewhat limited fashion. I didn't have any luck translating to a pdf file (likely a 3d to 2d issue) but translating to jpg files did work and I was able to manually add dimensioning before the export.

It's at least an easy to use package which might be enough for some folks.

I usually use Freecad for .step files, export as dxf and import to sketchup, do the fiddles and diddles I want then go to layout. Or of you are comfortable with Freecad's ui and way of modelling why not stick with that.

I use pro desktop which is very old but a great full 3d cad package. It will import step files and do most of what you want but runs best on Windows XP. anything newer it has a few glitches.
I use it to teach kids CAD as it is so easy to learn and does about 99% of what a modern cad package can do.
It is free if you go to my site you can find out more, download and the instructions to activate it are there also.
https://www.instructables.com/id/Dig...t-one-Key-tag/

I use Fusion 360. The full package is free for one year to hobbyists and there is a zilion Youtube tutorials.
Also mudules like sheetmetal and animation and Cam.

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Originally Posted by Crusty

I thought you just wanted to convert the files to another file format and it works for that, though in somewhat limited fashion. I didn't have any luck translating to a pdf file (likely a 3d to 2d issue) but translating to jpg files did work and I was able to manually add dimensioning before the export.

It's at least an easy to use package which might be enough for some folks.

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Thanks for at least trying. I wasn't too clear, I guess, and that made sound pretty dumb. But, I did take your advice, and I'm trying out the basic package of DesignSpark (you have to pay to get the Mechanical package), alongside a few others. I've managed to get my job to put AutoCAD on my work computer, but they're still haggling on getting me a mobile copy. So far, DS looks a lot like AutoCAD, maybe SketchUp. I like it. Thanks for the advice!

It's tons easier to use than SketchUp but it reminds me of it too.

tmoore4748,

I am using Key Creator. Its predecessor was Cadkey. I have been using it since 1985. I am not sure if it is still available but I like it for drawing and it had another module called Draft Pak for importing fasteners, threads etc.
You might check it out!

I use pencil and paper. It is a well proven programme with few bugs and there is no problem with incompatible file formats. It is a method equally at home with 3D, 2D or 1D. It is quick to learn and quick to use. There are no upgrade costs, nor annual maintenance contracts. Admittedly some of the youth have a little bit of a problem coming to grips with the unfamiliar GUI but the geriatric class take to it like a duck to water. Truly cross platform, it works the same whether you use Windoze, DOS, CP/M, Prolog, Linux or Mac on your computer.

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Originally Posted by tonyfoale

I use pencil and paper. It is a well proven programme with few bugs and there is no problem with incompatible file formats. It is a method equally at home with 3D, 2D or 1D. It is quick to learn and quick to use. There are no upgrade costs, nor annual maintenance contracts. Admittedly some of the youth have a little bit of a problem coming to grips with the unfamiliar GUI but the geriatric class take to it like a duck to water. Truly cross platform, it works the same whether you use Windoze, DOS, CP/M, Prolog, Linux or Mac on your computer.

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Agreed 100% Tony, I have hand drawn in Isometric projection for years and apart from your comments I also find it a lot faster. I only make a CAD drawing to hand to someone else.

tmoore4748,

I also have an old drafting software CAD/CAM program named "Bob Cad". I don't know if it is still supported, but it is also capable of 3 axis machining. That is what I used it for.

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Originally Posted by tonyfoale

I use pencil and paper. It is a well proven programme with few bugs and there is no problem with incompatible file formats. It is a method equally at home with 3D, 2D or 1D. It is quick to learn and quick to use. There are no upgrade costs, nor annual maintenance contracts. Admittedly some of the youth have a little bit of a problem coming to grips with the unfamiliar GUI but the geriatric class take to it like a duck to water. Truly cross platform, it works the same whether you use Windoze, DOS, CP/M, Prolog, Linux or Mac on your computer.

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I have 3D printers and CNC machines and their AI hasn't learned to read yet, so alas, I need to use CAD software to tell them what I want them to do.

Also needed CAD for drawing up our new house. LOTS of changes and layers of items.

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Originally Posted by jdurand

I have 3D printers and CNC machines and their AI hasn't learned to read yet, so alas,

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Yeah the machines are pretty dumb. I manually write G-code to talk to my mill up to 2.5 axis and get my son to make CAD drawings for 3D+. I also get him to do any 3D printing.

PS. In addition to manual G-code I have written some software to generate G-code files for specific applications. One example is for cam design. I design the profile in my software and then I choose whether to save it in eXcel, DXF or G-code format.

Attachment 31634 Attachment 31635 Click for full size.

Don't have a kid so get to do it myself. :)

Housings like this would be hard to do with pencil and paper. When I used to use a drafting board and T-square I hated curves. Now I hardly design things with straight lines. :)

Attachment 31653

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Originally Posted by tonyfoale

I use pencil and paper. It is a well proven programme with few bugs and there is no problem with incompatible file formats. It is a method equally at home with 3D, 2D or 1D. It is quick to learn and quick to use. There are no upgrade costs, nor annual maintenance contracts. Admittedly some of the youth have a little bit of a problem coming to grips with the unfamiliar GUI but the geriatric class take to it like a duck to water. Truly cross platform, it works the same whether you use Windoze, DOS, CP/M, Prolog, Linux or Mac on your computer.

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That's actually where I started in VoTech, when I was much younger (nowhere near your experience, Tony, but not far off; just many, many moons ago). Did it for a few years.

My current problem is my table is in another state, waiting for me to find a home in the state I'm in, and nobody uses paper any more, which is annoying.

I've found that a lot of my simple prints are just easier drawn by hand (as long as I've got graph paper to cheat dimensions), and more complex stuff ends up on my computer (also in aforementioned state).

Thanks for the levity, you have no idea how much it's helping right now with all the craziness going on.