Computer Related > Need to make some to-scale drawings Computing Issues
Thread Author: FocalPoint Replies: 14
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New Thu 9 Feb 12 17:39 
 Need to make some to-scale drawings - FocalPoint
I need to submit a planning application for a simple project I have to alter my house, involving inserting two windows in a wall which is presently blank.

According to the planning officer whom I spoke with this week, all I need to do is provide a plan and elevation of the wall affected.

If I use the computer for this, it takes me into completely fresh territory, but I'm treating that as a challenge. Am I right in thinking that something like Google SketchUp will do the job? (I'm assuming that there will be something out there for free, skinflint that I am.)
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New Thu 9 Feb 12 19:52 
 Need to make some to-scale drawings - spamcan61
Sketchup would do it, but is overkill. Powerpoint (or OpenOffice alternative) would probably do, or maybe inkscape.
Last edited by: spamcan61 on Thu 9 Feb 12 at 19:53
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New Thu 9 Feb 12 20:07 
 Need to make some to-scale drawings - Number_Cruncher
The knotty part of the is the scale.

Although overkill, I would use a free 2D CAD package, like, for example, draftsight;

www.3ds.com/products/draftsight/download-draftsight

This will allow you to have much more control over the dimensions you see on screen and the dimensions which will be there on the paper.

I have recently done battle over a planning drawing with Craven District Council, and ran into scaling problems. As a mechanical engineer, I read the dimensions - planning types clearly don't!
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New Thu 9 Feb 12 21:14 
 Need to make some to-scale drawings - rtj70
As NC says the drawings are going to be quite straightforward but they do need to represent the dimensions accurately in the scale.

I've never looked at free CAD package's but I'd look at the one NC has highlighted. Personally I'd try Visio but if there is something better to do this sort of drawing I'd use that instead.
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New Thu 9 Feb 12 21:18 
 Need to make some to-scale drawings - FocalPoint
My thanks for the responses so far.
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New Thu 9 Feb 12 21:28 
 Need to make some to-scale drawings - spamcan61
>> As NC says the drawings are going to be quite straightforward but they do need
>> to represent the dimensions accurately in the scale.
>>
The tricky bit tends to be getting the real world dimensions (I usually resort to counting brick courses for buildings); scale shouldn't be difficult - I've done plenty of accurately scaled drawings in PowerPoint.
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New Thu 9 Feb 12 21:34 
 Need to make some to-scale drawings - Zero
I am another Visio spurt, but that's only because it could have been made for the IT industry.

Would use it for floor plans but certainly its no good for elevations to scale.
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New Thu 9 Feb 12 21:29 
 Need to make some to-scale drawings - spamcan61
>> The knotty part of the is the scale.
>>
>> Although overkill, I would use a free 2D CAD package, like, for example, draftsight;
>>
>> www.3ds.com/products/draftsight/download-draftsight
>>
Funnily enough I started using that at work today, but forgot to suggest it, d'oh. Seems OK so far.
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New Thu 9 Feb 12 21:44 
 Need to make some to-scale drawings - Number_Cruncher
One of the other common free 2D CAD packages is Solid Edge - however, I find draftsight much easier to use.

These free 2D CAD packages are made by the big players in the 3D CAD market, and so, they aren't mickey mouse products by any stretch of the imagination - it's amazing that these software packages are free.
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New Thu 9 Feb 12 21:46 
 Need to make some to-scale drawings - Zero
Yes Dasualt make one of the best known ones - CATIA
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New Thu 9 Feb 12 21:48 
 Need to make some to-scale drawings - spamcan61
Indeed, Autodesk's free 3D package is pretty tasty as well:

www.123dapp.com/

Although as a casual user Sketchup is more appropriate for my humble uses.
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New Sat 11 Feb 12 09:18 
 Need to make some to-scale drawings - L'escargot
Graph paper, which is readily available from Staples and the like, might be easier. I've got some which has 1 mm, 5 mm and 10 mm markings.
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New Sat 11 Feb 12 09:49 
 Need to make some to-scale drawings - swiss tony
>> Graph paper, which is readily available from Staples and the like, might be easier. I've
>> got some which has 1 mm, 5 mm and 10 mm markings.
>>

Its that compatible with both Windows and Mac's?
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New Sat 11 Feb 12 09:51 
 Need to make some to-scale drawings - Zero
Only if you use pencil XP Service pack 3
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New Sat 11 Feb 12 09:54 
 Need to make some to-scale drawings - L'escargot
>> >> Graph paper, which is readily available from Staples and the like, might be easier.
>> I've
>> >> got some which has 1 mm, 5 mm and 10 mm markings.
>> >>
>>
>> Its that compatible with both Windows and Mac's?
>>

I'm sure the planning officer didn't stipulate that a computer generated drawing was mandatory. The original post didn't say (or even imply) that that was the case.
Last edited by: L'escargot on Sat 11 Feb 12 at 09:56
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