Best software to draw schematics?

Squilly · Feb 11, 2013, 11:45 AM

I have an idea for a business and am working on drawing out the schematics of it before going further. Is there a good program to do it? C4D, photoshop, illustrator?

cambookpro · Feb 11, 2013, 03:14 PM

Pencil and paper.

Only after then think about doing it digitally - I'd personally recommend OmniGraffle, as it's fairly powerful but easy to use and should do the diagrams you want.

YESimBLUNTED · Feb 11, 2013, 04:50 PM

As the above poster said, I would start with pencil and paper. Then I would probably move to some sort of CAD software. Although you could possibly do it in PS or AI, CAD is going to be the best to work in. It will be in 3D and give you the best options for output when you need to print drafts or make a mock-up with a 3D printer. I believe things like that need to be made using vector programs, so you might as well forget PS.

Zeiss · Feb 11, 2013, 06:28 PM

Omnigaffle - snaps, distributes etc...., flowcharts are great.

cambookpro · Feb 12, 2013, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YESimBLUNTED

As the above poster said, I would start with pencil and paper. Then I would probably move to some sort of CAD software. Although you could possibly do it in PS or AI, CAD is going to be the best to work in. It will be in 3D and give you the best options for output when you need to print drafts or make a mock-up with a 3D printer. I believe things like that need to be made using vector programs, so you might as well forget PS.

I think all he wants is to create a business plan if you will, so I don't think 3D is required.

I imagine Squilly was envisaging something like what I attached.

Squilly · Feb 12, 2013, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cambookpro

I think all he wants is to create a business plan if you will, so I don't think 3D is required.

I imagine Squilly was envisaging something like what I attached.

No, not a business plan. Schematics for the product. Like this: http://www.frankdoor.com/products/images/e_swing_bp.jpg

cambookpro · Feb 12, 2013, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squilly

No, not a business plan. Schematics for the product. Like this: http://www.frankdoor.com/products/images/e_swing_bp.jpg

Ok - if I were you then, I'd probably build a simple 3D model in SketchUp and work from there. Seems the simplest solution IMO - free and fairly easy to use.

Space Penguin · Feb 14, 2013, 05:42 AM

For schematics, floorplans etc I've always used Illustrator or MacDraft both get the job done quickly.

Feb 11, 2013, 11:45 AM	#1
Squilly In Time-Out Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: PA	Best software to draw schematics? I have an idea for a business and am working on drawing out the schematics of it before going further. Is there a good program to do it? C4D, photoshop, illustrator?
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Feb 11, 2013, 03:14 PM	#2
cambookpro macrumors 68030 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Berks, England	Pencil and paper. Only after then think about doing it digitally - I'd personally recommend OmniGraffle, as it's fairly powerful but easy to use and should do the diagrams you want. __________________ Can’t repeat the past?... Why of course you can!
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Feb 11, 2013, 04:50 PM	#3
YESimBLUNTED macrumors member Join Date: May 2011 Location: In my cubicle somewhere in this rat maze	As the above poster said, I would start with pencil and paper. Then I would probably move to some sort of CAD software. Although you could possibly do it in PS or AI, CAD is going to be the best to work in. It will be in 3D and give you the best options for output when you need to print drafts or make a mock-up with a 3D printer. I believe things like that need to be made using vector programs, so you might as well forget PS. __________________ Mac Pro (5,1) - 2.93 GHz "Westmere" (x2) - 32 GB RAM - Nvidia Quadro FX 4800 - 1 TB HDD (x2) iPod Shuffle (x2) iPod Touch (1st Gen) iPhone 4S 32GB
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Feb 11, 2013, 06:28 PM	#4
Zeiss macrumors member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Australia	Omnigaffle - snaps, distributes etc...., flowcharts are great.
	1

Feb 14, 2013, 05:42 AM	#8
Space Penguin macrumors newbie Join Date: Oct 2012	For schematics, floorplans etc I've always used Illustrator or MacDraft both get the job done quickly.
	0


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