Free/cheap CAD software to lay out my new kitchen

Fuzzy14 · Mar 15, 2009, 04:04 AM

I've got some major DIY works coming up in the next few months and I need to lay out my kitchen to make sure it all fits (I'll be rearrangeing things, demolishing walls, that kind of thing!)

I was CAD trained in my old place of work, using Anvil (2D) and Solidworks (3D) however my new work doesn't give me access to anything useful (and even Ikea Kitchen planner is banned by the regime.)

I've tried Cadintosh and Google Sketchup however not really impressed by their operating philosophy, probably just because it's different from what I'm used to.

If I can't find anything better then I'll make do with them, however I was just wondering if there was anything else out there free-ish or a small fee (since this is the only time I'd be using it.)

hotshotharry · Mar 15, 2009, 08:51 AM

Try this http://sketchup.google.com/

I drew a 3D model of my house before i built it! Works fantastic :-)

bartelby · Mar 15, 2009, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotshotharry

Try this http://sketchup.google.com/

I drew a 3D model of my house before i built it! Works fantastic :-)

Op doesn't agree there...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fuzzy14

I've tried Cadintosh and Google Sketchup however not really impressed by their operating philosophy, probably just because it's different from what I'm used to.

LeviG · Mar 15, 2009, 10:02 AM

Alibre, its not free (its actually fairly pricey) but it did have a demo version at one point which might be good enough.

Actually I'm sure some of the others have a trial too which might be worth looking into

hotshotharry · Mar 15, 2009, 01:10 PM

LOL oops, guess i missed that portion of the sentence :-)

wongulous · Mar 16, 2009, 12:52 AM

How exactly can you do your own subcontracting if you can't afford the design tools to do it? I think that's when it makes more sense to outsource. Find a builder or architect that can spend half an hour with you looking at your rough plans and then expect a revision or two. Why does it make sense to do all that when you only have one kitchen, and you're only doing one reno?

Fuzzy14 · Mar 16, 2009, 08:00 AM

Let me explain why I'm doing this all by myself (and on the cheap!)

I've been an engineer for 15 years, a CAD draftsman for 10 of those, I've got a 2-1 honours degree and part way through a masters course to get chartered, so I'm not going to pay for somebody with less experience to lay out my kitchen! I will be removing a stud-partition wall between my kitchen and dinning room to make it a bit more open plan, this is a non-supporting wall so I do not need planning permission (already checked with the council) hence I won't need 'proper' architect drawings, builders warrant or engineer's certificate (which I can't do because I'm mechanical, not civil, but I know plenty of civils if need be.)

So basically all I need is the Ikea kitchen planner which is Mac unfriendly. Sure I could obtain a copy of Windows and run it through Parallels or Boot Camp but since I'm going to that effort I thought there might be a better technical solution (there are some pipes and a staircase I'd like to map out too, beyond this program.)

I don't need to give the drawings to subcontractors because I'll be doing it all myself. Me and my dad can plaster, paint, joinery, electrics, fit cabinets! The kitchen supplier only needs a number of cabinets, again not 'proper' drawings. The only bit I'm not too hot on is tiling the floor and splashbacks, but my mate can do that.

I'm going to give Google Sketchup another chance, if I can't get it to work then I'll go for Solidworks through Boot Camp.

Minxy5 · Mar 16, 2009, 07:26 PM

I am an engineer and have been using ViaCad from Punch software very successfully for 2D, 3D and solid models for the last 2 years in my business. Look here: http://www.punchcad.com/full_store.html They have a range of products for 2D to full Solid Modeling (Shark and Shark FS). Bit of a learning curve coming from AutoCad but once you get used to it much better.

An alternative I have also used is TurboCAD here: http://www.imsisoft.com/ The Mac products are very similar to the lower level ViaCad options.

Quite good file export and import compatibility with AutoCad, and of course you can print to PDF.

Agurri · Mar 17, 2009, 08:53 AM

You could try ArchiCAD

Cromulent · Mar 17, 2009, 09:17 AM

I've read quite a few reports of people using Blender for 3D architectural work.

ChrisA · Mar 17, 2009, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotshotharry

Try this http://sketchup.google.com/

I drew a 3D model of my house before i built it! Works fantastic :-)

Did the city Building Department accept your Sketchup drawing as the plans for you building permit? I drew some freehand sketches on graph paper before I built. But in the end I had to hire a architectural firm and a civil engineer to get the plans approved.

To the OP: "Turbo Cad", the 2D version is easy to use and learn and retails for about $60. Their 3D version has a much longer learning curve. You don't need a 3D cad package for such a simple project. Turbo Cad has a user interface that is I'd say, half way between Autocad and a Mac-like draw program. You should be able to use it quickly to make plan view and elevation drawings

twietee · Jun 25, 2012, 04:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agurri

You could try ArchiCAD

This.
I too would recommend the trial version of one professional program, like ArchiCAD or VektorWorks. They do have watermarks or a 30day trial restriction, but that should not interfere with your requirements.

Fuzzy14 · Jun 25, 2012, 07:19 AM

Thanks, but the kitchen was built 3 years ago....

twietee · Jun 25, 2012, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fuzzy14

Thanks, but the kitchen was built 3 years ago....

What's that supposed to mean? You've asked for free/cheap CAD software.

GoCubsGo · Jun 25, 2012, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fuzzy14

Thanks, but the kitchen was built 3 years ago....

Quote:

Originally Posted by twietee

What's that supposed to mean? You've asked for free/cheap CAD software.

Read the dates of the posts. He is saying the kitchen is done and recommendations for software are no longer necessary.

twietee · Jun 25, 2012, 07:57 AM

it wasn't me, it's the bikesstores fault..

Fuzzy14 · Jun 26, 2012, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twietee

it wasn't me, it's the bikesstores fault..

No offense was intended, if I need some CAD software in the future I'll give it a bash, thanks for taking the time to post.

rx7dude · Jun 27, 2012, 11:13 AM

I used this http://www.3ds.com/products/draftsight/overview/

It's free.
Made by the guys that make Solidworks
Commands are same as AutoCAD and they have PC, Linux and Mac versions

RedTomato · Jun 27, 2012, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fuzzy14

Thanks, but the kitchen was built 3 years ago....

What software did you use in the end? Any pics of plans vs the end product?

Space Penguin · Nov 26, 2012, 06:03 AM

What did you use in the end? in terms of 3d I've always used Interiors Pro, Interiors is pretty simple compared to other 3d softwares...

Fuzzy14 · Dec 1, 2012, 03:43 PM

Pen, paper and imagination, drew it to scale!
I'm a draftsman by trade after all.
I'll maybe post photos soon as I've just hooked up a Mac Mini to a 42" Sony in my kitchen.

Mar 15, 2009, 04:04 AM	#1
Fuzzy14 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Renfrew, Scotland	Free/cheap CAD software to lay out my new kitchen I've got some major DIY works coming up in the next few months and I need to lay out my kitchen to make sure it all fits (I'll be rearrangeing things, demolishing walls, that kind of thing!) I was CAD trained in my old place of work, using Anvil (2D) and Solidworks (3D) however my new work doesn't give me access to anything useful (and even Ikea Kitchen planner is banned by the regime.) I've tried Cadintosh and Google Sketchup however not really impressed by their operating philosophy, probably just because it's different from what I'm used to. If I can't find anything better then I'll make do with them, however I was just wondering if there was anything else out there free-ish or a small fee (since this is the only time I'd be using it.) __________________ Tiresome monologue
	0

Mar 16, 2009, 12:52 AM	#6
wongulous macrumors 6502a Join Date: Dec 2002	How exactly can you do your own subcontracting if you can't afford the design tools to do it? I think that's when it makes more sense to outsource. Find a builder or architect that can spend half an hour with you looking at your rough plans and then expect a revision or two. Why does it make sense to do all that when you only have one kitchen, and you're only doing one reno? __________________ nana nanananana nanana katamari damacy..
	0

Mar 16, 2009, 08:00 AM	#7
Fuzzy14 Thread Starter macrumors 65816 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Renfrew, Scotland	Let me explain why I'm doing this all by myself (and on the cheap!) I've been an engineer for 15 years, a CAD draftsman for 10 of those, I've got a 2-1 honours degree and part way through a masters course to get chartered, so I'm not going to pay for somebody with less experience to lay out my kitchen! I will be removing a stud-partition wall between my kitchen and dinning room to make it a bit more open plan, this is a non-supporting wall so I do not need planning permission (already checked with the council) hence I won't need 'proper' architect drawings, builders warrant or engineer's certificate (which I can't do because I'm mechanical, not civil, but I know plenty of civils if need be.) So basically all I need is the Ikea kitchen planner which is Mac unfriendly. Sure I could obtain a copy of Windows and run it through Parallels or Boot Camp but since I'm going to that effort I thought there might be a better technical solution (there are some pipes and a staircase I'd like to map out too, beyond this program.) I don't need to give the drawings to subcontractors because I'll be doing it all myself. Me and my dad can plaster, paint, joinery, electrics, fit cabinets! The kitchen supplier only needs a number of cabinets, again not 'proper' drawings. The only bit I'm not too hot on is tiling the floor and splashbacks, but my mate can do that. I'm going to give Google Sketchup another chance, if I can't get it to work then I'll go for Solidworks through Boot Camp. __________________ Tiresome monologue
	0

Mar 16, 2009, 07:26 PM	#8
Minxy5 macrumors newbie Join Date: Mar 2009	CAD Options I am an engineer and have been using ViaCad from Punch software very successfully for 2D, 3D and solid models for the last 2 years in my business. Look here: http://www.punchcad.com/full_store.html They have a range of products for 2D to full Solid Modeling (Shark and Shark FS). Bit of a learning curve coming from AutoCad but once you get used to it much better. An alternative I have also used is TurboCAD here: http://www.imsisoft.com/ The Mac products are very similar to the lower level ViaCad options. Quite good file export and import compatibility with AutoCad, and of course you can print to PDF.
	0

Mar 17, 2009, 08:53 AM	#9
Agurri macrumors 6502 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Québec, Canada	You could try ArchiCAD __________________ My Apple NesRemote Senior Electrical Engineering.
	0

Mar 15, 2009, 08:51 AM	#2
hotshotharry macrumors 6502 Join Date: Sep 2007	Try this http://sketchup.google.com/ I drew a 3D model of my house before i built it! Works fantastic :-)
	0

Mar 15, 2009, 10:02 AM	#4
LeviG macrumors 65816 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Norfolk, UK	Alibre, its not free (its actually fairly pricey) but it did have a demo version at one point which might be good enough. Actually I'm sure some of the others have a trial too which might be worth looking into
	0

Mar 15, 2009, 01:10 PM	#5
hotshotharry macrumors 6502 Join Date: Sep 2007	LOL oops, guess i missed that portion of the sentence :-)
	0

Mar 17, 2009, 09:17 AM	#10
Cromulent macrumors 603 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: The Land of Hope and Glory	I've read quite a few reports of people using Blender for 3D architectural work. __________________ Neural Advance - Mac OS X, UNIX and Windows Development Last.fm Profile \| Extreme Metal Reviews MP 4x 2.66Ghz Xeons / 6GB RAM / 640GB + 500GB + 750GB + 1TB HDDs / ATI Radeon 4870 / iPad 3
	0

Jun 25, 2012, 07:19 AM	#13
Fuzzy14 Thread Starter macrumors 65816 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Renfrew, Scotland	Thanks, but the kitchen was built 3 years ago.... __________________ Tiresome monologue
	1

Jun 25, 2012, 07:57 AM	#16
twietee macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jan 2012	it wasn't me, it's the bikesstores fault..
	0

Jun 27, 2012, 11:13 AM	#18
rx7dude macrumors newbie Join Date: Mar 2011	I used this http://www.3ds.com/products/draftsight/overview/ It's free. Made by the guys that make Solidworks Commands are same as AutoCAD and they have PC, Linux and Mac versions __________________ MBA 13, Powermac G5 SP 1.8, 12" ibook G4 6,7
	0

Nov 26, 2012, 06:03 AM	#20
Space Penguin macrumors newbie Join Date: Oct 2012	What did you use in the end? in terms of 3d I've always used Interiors Pro, Interiors is pretty simple compared to other 3d softwares...
	0

Dec 1, 2012, 03:43 PM	#21
Fuzzy14 Thread Starter macrumors 65816 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Renfrew, Scotland	Pen, paper and imagination, drew it to scale! I'm a draftsman by trade after all. I'll maybe post photos soon as I've just hooked up a Mac Mini to a 42" Sony in my kitchen. __________________ Tiresome monologue
	0


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