How best to create a technical drawing?

[Argoose]

Hi

I'm wanting to get a technical drawing of some equipment I own. Nothing too detailed, something roughly to scale that shows the various lengths of the components.

I would be happy to do this myself but how best could I do this? I could draw the basic shape in Pages, but getting it to scale isn't so easy. Is there a program that makes it easy to, say, draw a circle that's equivalent to 12"?

Alternatively, I could pay someone to do it - how would I find someone who's happy to do something so simple?

Thanks

 

[leroyyy]

The way a professional would do this would be to use a CAD programme like AutoCAD. But these programmes are expensive and have steep learning curves. Instead, any vector design programme will do this and will allow you to get the scale accuracy you want better than Pages.

Set your page to whatever you want (e.g. A3), make sure units are set to mm and then decide to what scale you want to undertake the drawing at (e.g. 1:10).

If 1:10 let's say you have a square component that's 10cm. Draw your square in the vector programme at any size and then use the Transform box (or similar) to type with the keyboard the precise Height and Width to 10mm. The shape will then adjust and can be moved into place.

In terms of vector programmes there are plenty of free ones - www.gravit.io might be a good start. The size box on Gravit you're looking for to do what you need looks like this:

[doublepost=1508498231][/doublepost]Should say, I posted a slightly ambiguous link to get Gravit. https://www.designer.io/ is where you'll find it!

 

[djnigelchung]

First timers, I've used Microsoft Visio to create area plot plans, using similar scaling as mentioned above. very easy and simple to use.

And like the above poster said, AutoCAD is the main program to use. Tons of youtube tutorials out there if you want to learn.

 

[jdechko]

https://www.sketchup.com/

Free, very easy to use/ learn and it supports 2D and 3D if you decide you want to model the whole thing.

 

[fat boy]

Sketchup is relatively simple to learn

AutoCAD will take some learning

or if it’s not something you’re going to need to do often it’ll probably be cheaper / simpler contact a local designer / architect and ask for a price for converting your free-hand sketch into a formal technical drawing

if you get stuck send me your sketch and I’ll give you price for converting / drawing it!