What CAD software to buy!?

[Dan the plumber]

Good Morning one and all

 

complete newbie here and want some advice from all you intelligent people out there.

 

I am a Plumber by trade but am looking to purchase some CAD software in order to offer a complete design, plan and installation package for both bathrooms & kitchens.

 

Would you guys have any recommendations in regards to what package i shoud buy? I dont really want to break the bank balance for the software but at the same time, want the end results to look professional. Also, as I have never really used CAD software before, i would like to buy a fairly straight forward package and quite easy to use!

 

Thanks in advance for your feed back and any advice received would be appreciated.

 

Cheers,

 

Dan

[ReMark]

Easy to use and you don't want to break the bank. Hmmm.....that's a tough one.

 

What is your max budget? Anything beyond AutoCAD LT is going to set you back a tidy sum of money.

[Dan the plumber]

hey there,

 

To be honest I havent really got a budget as such as am a complete newbie to the world of CAD.

 

I did a quick search on the net and I know you can pay a small fortune for CAD packages but aint sure if there is any middle of the road kind of software out there!!?

[ReMark]

Any AutoDesk product, other than AutoCAD LT, will cost you a few thousand dollars ($3500 to $4500).

 

AutoCAD LT has sold for as low as $695 but usually ranges $850 to $1000.

 

There are AutoCAD clones that sell in the $199 to $499 range. And there are even freebie CAD programs (mainly 2D).

 

Have you seen this?

 

http://www.elitesoft.com/web/plumbing/elite_plumbing_design_ndx.html

[Dan the plumber]

Any AutoDesk product, other than AutoCAD LT, will cost you a few thousand dollars ($3500 to $4500).

 

AutoCAD LT has sold for as low as $695 but usually ranges $850 to $1000.

 

There are AutoCAD clones that sell in the $199 to $499 range. And there are even freebie CAD programs (mainly 2D).

 

Have you seen this?

 

http://www.elitesoft.com/web/plumbing/elite_plumbing_design_ndx.html

 

Yes that was the kind of prices i was seeing on the net hence thought i would ask you guys if there is a cheaper equiv to CAD out there!

 

How user friendly is the AutoCAD LT if the user has no previous CAD experiance!!? I know that is probably a bit of a dumb question as know it takes a long time to train in CAD but thought i would ask!

 

I dont want to produce drawings that technical to be honest, just a basic 3d layout that I can send to customers when quoting (a bit like they produce in DIY stores)!

 

Is an AutoCAD clone just a basic copy of the real thing?

[ReMark]

If you want to do this in 3D then you can cross AutoCAD LT off the list. It is not set up to do 3D like the full-featured version. You could do an isometric though and there are isometric piping symbol libraries one can buy to avoid having to recreate the wheel so-to-speak.

 

Producing a reasonably good 2D drawing in a CAD package I think, with the right help, you could be up and running in 3-5 days. Provided you are a quick learner.

 

Producing a reasonably good 3D drawing is not going to be quite as easy.

 

Here is a link to one AutoCAD clone.

 

http://www.progecad.us/index.pl?id=2942&gclid=CKTIq__p4KwCFcHe4AodpV0Snw

 

And here is a link to another.

 

http://www.bricsys.com/en_INTL/bricscad/index.jsp

[JD Mather]

Expect to pay at least as much for training as you pay for the software itself.

[ReMark]

Dan:

 

If you're located in Connecticut we can arrange a barter. AutoCAD training for plumbing work. Such a deal!

[Dan the plumber]

Thank you very much for your help ReMark.

 

I knew it wasnt going to be an easy task choosing the correct software to use.

 

If i did choose one of the clone versions, would this then allow me to produce 3D drawings of a bathroom / kitchen layout!? Is there a beginners/idiots version of any CAD package out there where say i could do room layout in 2d then it converts a 3d drawing based on all info i have done in 2d!!!!?

[Dan the plumber]

lol sounds like a good deal ReMark judging by JD Mather`s reply

 

Unfortunatly I live and work in the UK......although with all the training and CAD packages its gonna cost, might be cheaper to fly over to see you

[ReMark]

I'd consider moving to the UK but New England weather is bad enough!

 

At the moment I can't think of a beginners 3D CAD package for plumbing that would simplify the task. Sorry.

[Dan the plumber]

No worries, guess i will have to make do with glossy magazines & brochures to show potential customers

 

I think im one of the few poeple in the UK that is hoping for snow this year......plumbing business goes crazy with burst pipe call outs

 

thanks again for the help & advice

[ReMark]

So you're ruling out using isometric schematics?

 

Isometric piping symbols library (an add-on to AutoCAD).

 

http://www.cadtoolsonline.com/isopipe.htm

[Dan the plumber]

if that will do the job im after then no...........without sounding dumb= what is isometric schematics!!!?

[ReMark]

if that will do the job im after then no...........without sounding dumb= what is isometric schematics!!!?

 

Take a look at this...http://www.askthebuilder.com/722_Rough-In_Plumbing_Diagram.shtml

[ReMark]

I had another thought. Maybe you could use Microsoft Visio to do isometric schematics. It is not an expensive program (depends on the version) and I did manage to find a link to a free library of isometric piping symbols that works inside Visio created by a Visio expert Junichi Yoda.

 

Visio Standard retails for around $250 while the Pro version goes for close to $600.

 

Link for Visio....http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/visio/

 

Link to free Visio isometric piping stencils...http://www.geocities.jp/newpipingisome/index.html

 

A review about the piping stencils...http://www.visguy.com/2008/06/25/free-isometric-piping-shapes-for-visio/

[Dan the plumber]

That is quite good but not really what i am looking for to be honest. The majority of people here in the UK dont really care how the pipework is run as long as it complies with regulations, works and doesnt leak . It is more a visual tool of how the room would look before & after really!?

[ReMark]

I see. Well I'm all out of ideas at the moment. If I should think of anything else or find something more suitable I'll post again.

[Dan the plumber]

fantastic - thanks ReMark, been a great help

[ReMark]

Didn't I tell you, "I'll be back." LOL

 

I did think of something that might just fit the bill. It's called Gogle Sketchup (create, modify and share 3D models). This is a link to the free version.

 

http://sketchup.google.com/download/

 

There is a Pro version but you have to pay for it.