It's 2024; what's today's cheap 2D CAD solution that doesn't suck?

I've got some tasks that would be great to do in a 2D CAD package, like create my own wiring diagrams, parts creation & dimensioning, general layout and design tasks etc.  I would like to be able to constrain lines to a specific length and build parts or systems to scale.  I have a little seat time with AutoCAD in a professional setting but I wasn't worried about dimensions; it was wire diagram drafting and we don't care about those things for the pin to pin diagramming.  

This is for non-commercial hobbyist tasks at home. I would like to be able to send files to outside parties like SendCutSend though maybe that requires a go-between to create a file they can accept, like a stop in some free/cheap 3D CAD package.  

I have spent a little time with LibreCAD and came away feeling like I was seeing something from the MS-DOS days.  I can justify spending a few hundred bucks if it bought me a forever license, or a few bucks a month if I have to pay monthly.  I know about Fusion360 and the home user free license but I don't think that's really where I want to go right now.  I looked at Omnigraffle as I remember being like Visio but a hell of a lot nicer but I don't think it does dimensioning properly and it seems to have become non-cheap (I realize this requires a Macintosh computer, I can deal with that).  A long time ago I, uh, recruited a copy of AutoCAD 2009 and I was learning it at home and I feel like that was about exactly what I'm looking for.  But maybe not running recruited software because I don't need that trouble.  

Short version:  Recommend me a 2D CAD package for home use that isn't going to cost me out.  Many thanks!

Is there a Cad that has a Plug in for wiring harnesses ?

One that can display wire colors  and drawings of fuse boxes , switches , lights etc ?

I've been pretty happy with FreeCad (https://www.freecad.org/), I've been teaching my daughter how to design stuff so she can use the 3d printer.

Admittedly, I have not done any real 2d work like a wiring harness with it, but for a sketch-based parametric modeller it's quite good.    

It's definitely worth grabbing (it's free after all) and checking out some tutorials.

AutoCAD is amazing, and free for the home hobbyist.

The learning curve can be pretty steep, but it is kind of the "industry standard" for 2D.  It can do 3D, but I would choose Fusion360 for that.

AutoCAD also allows you to "customize" the menus so you can tailor it for exactly what you want to do.  I set one up years ago specifically for making PCBs.

I have free training materials on my website: https://www.gwellwood.com/subjects/drafting/ - I use it to teach highschoolers.  if they can master it, you can master it.

In reply to SkinnyG :

What's the free for home use version of AutoCAD I need to search for?  If I can go that route and get a book I can learn it like I did in '09 and was learning on my own.

In reply to Californiamilleghia :

There are CAD packages with those kinds of plug-ins, AutoCAD being one of them, but I largely do not plan on using them besides switch and relays.  Not something I'm used to using and I find they just clutter the drawing.  Wire colors would go next to wire name and be something like "BLU/BLK" for the same reason.  Plan is to create a wire cut list as well as diagrams.  This won't look like your standard service manual's wiring diagram that an automotive tech is used to; I don't like the jumble.

Ok, I looked into it from my end.  It looks like, no - it is not free for hobbyists. Dang.

Fusion 360 can be free, there are some features removed, but free.  It is ideal at 3D, but I'm sur eyou could make it work.  Plus you get 3D out of the deal (grin).

Sorry I got your hopes up.

In reply to SkinnyG :

*shakes fist in Canada's direction*

Okay so AutoCAD is probably out.  What else you all got?

Are there any old versions of 2D-3D software that have fell thru the cracks ?

I would think a 5-10 year old version would work fine for what most of us are doing , 

In reply to californiamilleghia :

There are licensing issues with some packages.  I agree with what you're saying though about the home hobbiest and what their needs are.

I use Fusion360 for 3D stuff mostly but don't see any issues using it for 2D.  The only limitation is that it's somewhat limited in what file types it can import/export.  If you stay between Fusion360 and a 3D printer, I don't think you'll have issues.

For 2D drawings I use Solid Edge, which is free for home use:

https://resources.sw.siemens.com/en-US/download-free-2d-cad-software

It says it can do:

- Diagramming for electrical and other schematics

I use it to create .dxf files for my little cnc mill, and find it pretty easy to use.

There is a 3D version of it as well, which is available as "community edition":

https://solidedge.siemens.com/en/solutions/users/hobbyists-and-makers/

But I did not have much success using it.

For my 3D stuff I still use Sketchup, and a little Fusion360 to convert files.

Sketchup has a lot of drawbacks, but I find it very easy to use, which is why I keep coming back to it.

The training videos of SkinnyG are already bookmarked, and everytime someone asks me what he should learn I tell them to learn Fusion360, and point them to his videos

Another vote here for Fusion.

Solidworks Maker is $48 a year and is full fledged Solidworks Premium, with full export capabilities (looking at you Fusion360) but you will have watermarks on your 2d drawings.

I recently found Digikey has a free cad called Scheme-It that looks like it has a low learning curve, but it looks it has enough flexibility to do what I am looking for. I'm planning to use it to document some custom wiring in a project car - though I may check out Solid Edge linked above as another option.

 another shout for solidworks maker, solidworks is among the best for sheet metal modeling and also has FEA capability.

In reply to sevenracer :

Updating this after thinking about it; 

Going to try Solid Edge for all of this.  If it's slow for diagraming I'll try the Visio knock-off that comes as part of Libre Office and save the "real" CAD work for Solid Edge.  For a wiring diagram I should be fine with either.