Architecural Design Software for Unix? 4
josquint asks: "I'm on a building/remodel committee for a local non-profit organization. I've been playing with a few CAD programs for Linux (QCad, etc.) and, like their Windows counterparts, they are geared for the professional. I have no serious problems useing this software, but would much rather use something geared toward the amateur. I've used Windows programs from Punch Software, which are quite good, and have utilites for landscaping, framing, wireing, and so forth, and was wondering if there are any Linux counterparts. Punch's software is good, but it won't run on my box, and I don't want to shell out US$89 for a one-time project. Any suggestions?"
Hmm... (Score:2, Informative)
-tappity-tappity-tappity-
In less than ten minutes of Google/Freshmeat and Sourceforge searching we have the following:
Links to commercial software, some of which has functional demos:
http://www.linuxlinks.com/Software/Graphics/CAD/i
Some FreshMeat projects which fit the bill:
http://freshmeat.net/projects/varicad/ [freshmeat.net]
http://freshmeat.net/projects/cycas/ [freshmeat.net]
http://freshmeat.net/projects/brl-cad/ [freshmeat.net]
And some SourceForge stuff to pick through:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/k3studio/ [sourceforge.net]
http://sourceforge.net/projects/k3dcad/ [sourceforge.net]
And ya know what? There's a ton more!!!!! (The only reason I spent even this amount of time was to satisfy my own curiosity). So, why don't you, my dear Ask-Slashdotter, go forth and use the resources available to you!!
Autocad is the only way to go. (Score:2)
I've used Autocad for a number of purposes, and I must say it's worth the time investment. There are huge libraries both free and commercial for autocad. It is the default format wanted by all commercial design firms, no matter what they do.
It can appear complicated when you first use it, but it really isn't. It doesn't automate much, meaning you draw a lot of detail, but I am constantly amazed when that detail helps me later. If you're actually going to build something everything is in the details, and you need to draw them. I've built everything from extra rooms to computer networks off autocad, and knowing where every screw goes, the exact dimensions of every object and all that is really helpful.
Many community colleges and community outreach programs offer courses for free (or cheap). It can be worth it, not because autocad is hard, but because thinking like a draftsman is hard. You have to think about coordinates, both carteasian and polar. Polar really are your friend. You have to think about layers, components, and objects. It's really not hard, and it becomes second nature faster than you would think.