Cabbie Posted February 21, 2019 Share #1 Posted February 21, 2019 Hello Forum Apologies if topic not suitable here please shift I am a cabinetmaker by trade but terrible at cad. Can anyone suggest a simple to use (lol for me) cad program that i can import? plans from my kitchen design program and do basic adjustments, measurements etc. Currently my kitchen program outputs to bto cad , but i am finding that too complicated to use, don't have the time to learn it. All i want to achieve is a plan like pic attached but that i can add measurements too. My design programs produces some very nice 3d rendered images but the they go to bto cad and i get lost. Thanks Chris Quote HM Cutter Mermaid 1817 HMB Endeavour 1768 by Cabbie - Artesania Latina - 1:60 - Kit Fiddle Every action has a consequence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmagna Posted February 21, 2019 Share #2 Posted February 21, 2019 (edited) I have owned and used a couple of these types of programs but the one that for me had the shortest learning curve and did EVERYTHING I needed was this program. https://www.amazon.com/Better-Homes-Gardens-Designer-VERSION/dp/B0013MCZRK They have a newer version, ( https://www.amazon.com/Chief-Architect-Home-Designer-Suite/dp/B079M2VVTD/ref=pd_sbs_65_1/147-6239223-8724702?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B079M2VVTD&pd_rd_r=cc78429f-3580-11e9-bebf-15ead0be056d&pd_rd_w=Vwudq&pd_rd_wg=7Tr82&pf_rd_p=588939de-d3f8-42f1-a3d8-d556eae5797d&pf_rd_r=RSPQQJAS10T8X5YX5GPC&psc=1&refRID=RSPQQJAS10T8X5YX5GPC ) but for what you are doing you may not need one. Edited February 21, 2019 by lmagna Quote Lou Build logs: Colonial sloop Providence 1/48th scale kit bashed from AL Independence Currant builds: Constructo Brigantine Sentinel (Union) (On hold) Minicraft 1/350 Titanic (For the Admiral) 1/350 Heavy Cruiser USS Houston (Resin) Currant research/scratchbuild: Schooner USS Lanikai/Hermes Non ship build log: 1/35th UH-1H Huey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cabbie Posted February 21, 2019 Author Share #3 Posted February 21, 2019 Thanks Lou But I don't need the imaging part i can produce images as per below, just need a simple cad program for 2d plans etc. thanks Chris lmagna 1 Quote HM Cutter Mermaid 1817 HMB Endeavour 1768 by Cabbie - Artesania Latina - 1:60 - Kit Fiddle Every action has a consequence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkay11 Posted February 21, 2019 Share #4 Posted February 21, 2019 I think it's up to you to decide which programme to use based on trying them out. Different people on this forum have different ideas about which programme suits them best. It's a bit like the preference between Apple Macintosh computers and those from the DOS/Windows worlds. Different minds and different learning experiences lead to different preferred ways of using tools. From my personal view and experience, the simplest programme I have found is SketchUp which is free. This gives very clear dimensions to line drawings. There's an old version of TurboCAD v12 which was free and I found very simple to learn in conjunction with the numerous tutorials and help on the web. The latest version of TurboCAD, though, is quite expensive (around £100). You can pick up used copies quite easily on eBay. If you want to have the free version of TurboCAD, you're welcome to have mine as I don't use it any more. The programme I use regularly is TurboCAD DeLuxe v21 which I bought for about £24 a couple of years ago as I was lured into the upgrade path with more 3D capabilities. There seem to be quite a few free CAD programmes available on the web. I have tried Blender and Draftsight in addition to SketchUp but each requires practice and learning its own way of doing things. Good luck with your search! Tony Cabbie and lmagna 2 Quote === First build: Caldercraft HM Cutter Sherbourne 1763 FINISHED 2nd build: Triton cross-section COMPLETED 3rd build: La Chaloupe Armée / 42ft Armed Longboat of 1834 by tkay11 – scale 1:36, plans by M. Delacroix COMPLETED 4th build: Allège d’Arles 1833 (Ancre) POB by tkay11 – scale 1:100, plans by F. Fissore COMPLETED Working on La Jacinthe 1:96 POB (ANCRE publications) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkay11 Posted February 21, 2019 Share #5 Posted February 21, 2019 I forgot to mention DesignCAD which is produced by the same company that makes TurboCAD but it's easier to use than TurboCAD, albeit still with a need to learn how to use it with the help of online tutorials. It's also cheaper. You can compare them at https://www.turbocad.com/blog/turbocad-vs-designcad-n9. Tony Cabbie and lmagna 2 Quote === First build: Caldercraft HM Cutter Sherbourne 1763 FINISHED 2nd build: Triton cross-section COMPLETED 3rd build: La Chaloupe Armée / 42ft Armed Longboat of 1834 by tkay11 – scale 1:36, plans by M. Delacroix COMPLETED 4th build: Allège d’Arles 1833 (Ancre) POB by tkay11 – scale 1:100, plans by F. Fissore COMPLETED Working on La Jacinthe 1:96 POB (ANCRE publications) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vaddoc Posted February 21, 2019 Share #6 Posted February 21, 2019 https://www.amazon.com/RHINOCEROS-MODELING-DESIGNERS-VERSION-670526003986/dp/B00AFB9ORO ! tkay11 and Cabbie 2 Quote Current projects: 21' Fisherman's Launch - plans by Howard Chapelle Completed projects: 21' Yawl Longboat - plans from the National Maritime Museum Deben 5 tonner - a Whisstock yard design 24' exploration gaff rigged ketch - a Tad Roberts design 15' knockabout sailing boat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cabbie Posted February 21, 2019 Author Share #7 Posted February 21, 2019 Thanks Tony and Vaddoc I used to own a copy of turbocad a long time ago and had forgotten about turbocad. I don't mind paying a little bit for it. The TC 2018 2d/3d might be the one. then i will need to work out how to get the data out of the kitchen program into TC. Thanks Chris tkay11 1 Quote HM Cutter Mermaid 1817 HMB Endeavour 1768 by Cabbie - Artesania Latina - 1:60 - Kit Fiddle Every action has a consequence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr PR Posted February 21, 2019 Share #8 Posted February 21, 2019 (edited) Are you using a Windows or Apple operating system? There isn't much compatibility between the two. I have used DesignCAD (Windows) since 1988. https://www.turbocad.com/designcad/designcad-3d-max-2018.html DC has a 2D version for about $50. It is the easiest to use CAD program I have seen - and I have used half a dozen over the years. It has a free user forum with many experienced users checking in daily to help new users. I can't strees enough the importance of a good users forum to help you learn how to do things! http://forum.designcadcommunity.com/index.php HOWEVER, any new program will take time to learn. **** You say your kitchen program outputs to "BtoCAD." What file format does the kitchen design program generate? If your program can generate DXF or DWG files just about any CAD program can import them. If it outputs Sketchup format files you could use that program. I looked up BtoCAD and it apparently uses the AutoCAD DWG file format. Edited February 21, 2019 by Dr PR tkay11 and Cabbie 2 Quote Phil Current build: https://modelshipworld.com/index.php?/topic/19611-albatros-by-dr-pr-mantua-scale-140-about-1815/&tab=comments#comment-601276 Previous build: https://modelshipworld.com/index.php?/topic/19321-uss-oklahoma-city-clg-5-1971-3d-cad-model/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cabbie Posted February 21, 2019 Author Share #9 Posted February 21, 2019 Morning or evening for you Phil and thanks for replying. Definitely a windows user and it exports DXF or DWG, so that should be ok. Sounds very good about the ease of use help forums, though i might go for the 3d version just in case. thanks Chris Quote HM Cutter Mermaid 1817 HMB Endeavour 1768 by Cabbie - Artesania Latina - 1:60 - Kit Fiddle Every action has a consequence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treebeard Posted February 22, 2019 Share #10 Posted February 22, 2019 Hi Try DeltaCad. Simple, inexpensive and used widely for what you are doing and ship modeling to boot. see:https://www.deltacad.com/ It has been used widely here as well. Guy tkay11, Cabbie and mtaylor 3 Quote The Road goes ever on and on Out from the door where it began. Now far ahead the Road has gone, Let others follow it who can! Let them a journey new begin, But I at last with weary feet Will turn towards the lighted inn, My evening-rest and sleep to meet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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