Hi folks, looking for your experiences and lessons learned with using free CAD software.
I’m considering building an attached carport onto my house. I’d like to create a set of plans before heading to the city planning folks. In looking at what free drawing software is available, I’m leaning towards Fusion 360. Does anyone have good or bad experiences with this product?
My requirements are to create some simple elevation drawings and a materials list.
Thanks in advance.
Paul
RossD
MegaDork
4/28/19 7:01 a.m.
From what I heard, use Sketchup. Fusion is more for manufactured parts and assembly.
LibreCAD is intuitive for an old AutoCAD user like me.
There's also Onshape, but it's more for modelling like Fusion.
In reply to RossD :
Thanks for the tip. I’ve started to do some research on SketchUp.
SkinnyG
UltraDork
4/28/19 9:38 a.m.
There are also free architecture software programs that are house-design-sepcific.
Fusion is awesome if you want to 3D print something.
AutoCAD (and its derivitives) can do just about anything, but have a steep learning curve.
The City likely doesn't need much more than a basic floor plan drawing, elevations, section view, and plot plan. I tried to learn Revit by designing my own workshop with it, but because frustrated because I wasn't learning it fast enough to do what I wanted in a timely manner. I switched to AutoCAD (which I know) and got all the drawings done in a day.
Sketchup is free and capable, but to me, it's like trying to paint the Mona Lisa with a 9-pack of Crayolas.
I'm going to say don't use sketchup. Anything sketchup can do, Fusion 360 can do better.
Fusion 360 isn't just free, it's full featured. AutoDesk has included functionality which used to cost thousands of dollars a year. There are good tutorials, videos, and documentation.
Thanks folks. This gives me some places to start. We’ve had our first nice day in a while and I was able to make my rough measurements. I’ll give these a try.