Looking for Simple drafting software

In My Humble Opinion
1

I’m looking for (preferably free) drafting software. I found several versions of 2D and 3D Cad software from freebytes, but all of that is more complicated than what I need.

Here’s my basic bullet list of what I’m looking for.

[ul]
[li]ability to know how long a line is as I’m drawing it[/li][li]ability to know what angle I’m drawing[/li][li]simple text box capability[/li][/ul]

Basically I want to be able to draw simple home woodworking projects something like this: http://www.horseshupit.com/Horseshoe_Pit_Builder/Plans_files/Horseshoe%20Pit%20Plans-%20Rev.3.pdf

Any suggestions?

2

Google Sketchup is surprisingly versatile (and free!). I’ve done a bunch of carpentry-related and home architectural stuff with it. Plus, there’s a huge slew of user-generated content available in the online libraries.

It’s very quick to learn and feel productive with.

3

I must be dense, because I don’t find it “quick to learn” at all.

4

Try the training videos.

5

ETA: I hope that didn’t come off as snarky.

Sketchup is the easiest 3D modeling/floorplanning software I’ve used. It’s not quite as easy as “I want a house; give it to me now!”, but it certainly beats true CAD and/or modeling programs for ease of use with simple tasks. And it’s free!

6

You know, I started to recommend Sketchup, and then I backed off because it also has a lot of content that Enright3 doesn’t need, and it won’t print easily, nor will screenshots appear to scale. It’s a fantastic program but possibly unnecessary for this application.

7

I’m always willing to consider a Google solution. They seem to get a lot of things done ‘right.’

I found a product called DrawPlus SE that isn’t too bad either. I’m going to checkout Sketchup.

8

EasyCAD or FastCAD, by Evolution Computing, is quite good and pretty simple. Not free, though.

9

You can download a demo of autocad. 30 days i think. Drawing lines is simple. As is measuring or dimensioning them. 30 days would be more than enough time to complete your project. Why not go with the best?

10

If you want an Autodesk app and don’t mind paying a bit of $ I’d go with Autosketch as opposed to the AutoCAD demo.

You can download it from CNET for $129.