Framing - DIY Software

[heitjer]

Hello,
I am in need to draw up details on my pole barn constructing for the permit department. They require details on all materials and dimensions.

I found this software and like to see if you know if this is worth anything or if you have other software suggestions that perform this similar task.

LINK to GARAGE DESIGNER

*heitjer*

 

[Opti-Mist]

Looks like it will do the job. As long as it will detail individual framing members it should be good. Up here all they want is the truss drawing (snow load). Good price compared to stuff I've used in prior years.

 

[bobodu]

If you have a Menards near you,they have a machine that lets you plug in various detentions and it spits out a materials list. Might come in handy for you.

 

[heitjer]

Thanks for the replies - Menards sounds good but I am in Texas....

 

[Tig]

I use Punch, but not for framing advice. It does nice floor plans and some cool 3D stuff but at a glance I noticed problems with the framing view.

 

[heitjer]

All - I purchased the software and it took me about 1 minute to be completely disappointed. This is THE most inflexible software that I have seen in my life. It has only a limited selection of windows, door, garage doors of which none were the ones that I want. There was no way to do a free entry (i.e. 12 ft high garage door - the max height was 8 ft).

If you build a square, standard framing garage with doors not exceeding 8 ft than you may want to use this. It has some nice features where it calculates all necessary materials but its worthless if you can not model your garage.

Back to square one - does anyone have a good suggestion of software package for this?

 

[kf4uda]

You might want to give Google Sketchup a try. It is a 3d design software that you can draw about anything with. There is also a lot of pre-drawn stuff that you can download from the web from its library. The best part about it is that it is free. I am currently designing myself a 24x36 shed using it.

Just do a Google search for it.

 

[BungeeII]

All - I purchased the software and it took me about 1 minute to be completely disappointed.

Which software? It's been a couple years since I used Punch, but I could change anything I wanted in it.

 

[Kays Supply]

I am a 3D Home Architect ( 3dhaonline.com) fan. I didn't buy online. Staples or any place that sells software should have it. I have used it for years and bought several updates. I have finally got my contractors to use it ,so they can email plans to me and I can edit and send back my changes.

 

[Tig]

Punch is great for what it is. Floor plans, dimensions, 3D view.
What is will not do is give correct framing details. ie how to frame a window etc.
I thought heitjer was looking for framing details. Now that I re-read the OP I see I am mistaken on that. Check it out. It's worth a look.
Also of note is that Punch has many different versions. I have home design pro. It was the cheapest version that would do what I wanted. Looks like it's called Pro Platinum on the website now.
It also gives a material list and will do the math and give you a total if you input the unit price.

 

[kennyd]

A .09 lead pencil, ruler, and graph paper has never let me down.

 

[PeterK]

I sit on the sofa with my drawing board, .09 pencile too (cuz' I press too hard for smaller lead) and and nice gum eraser. I also have the Punch suite and 3D Home Architect. But the final is always hand drawn.

 

[Baby Grand]

PeterK & kennyd -
Yup - me too. Laptop board, tape, .09 Lead holder, eraser & shield, triangles, circle template, scale & compass for laying out angles. This is best performed on the couch with The Plant Manager while she watches "Murder & Mayhem" and the cats try to sit on the board or attack the pencil.
-Jim

 

[eazyduzzit]

another vote for sketchup. It's free and very intuitive. I've tried lots of different drawing software, but SU fits me the best.

 

[GPintheMitten]

I've used SmartDraw for a number of projects.

 

[flusher]

All - I purchased the software and it took me about 1 minute to be completely disappointed. This is THE most inflexible software that I have seen in my life. It has only a limited selection of windows, door, garage doors of which none were the ones that I want. There was no way to do a free entry (i.e. 12 ft high garage door - the max height was 8 ft).

If you build a square, standard framing garage with doors not exceeding 8 ft than you may want to use this. It has some nice features where it calculates all necessary materials but its worthless if you can not model your garage.

Back to square one - does anyone have a good suggestion of software package for this?

I've used Punch Home Design AS4000 for designing sheds, pergolas, etc. That software has been replaced by Punch's Home and Landscape Design Professional

Punch Software | Home Design Software

It's good software for what you want to do, but it's not cheap and it takes a while to learn how to use it efficiently.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Check with local building supply houses...I've been debating on building a shop (not debating whether to build one, but WHEN ) and found that my Local Building supply shop offers full CAD Desgining of a garage/shop for $100.00 with that fee being 100% Refundable when/if you buy your materials from them....
-Professionaly designed...comes with complete set of blueprints, bill of materials, etc..Just meet with the design team, show em pics, general specs, etc... and they'll give me a call when its ready.

IMO for 100 bucks even if I dont end up buying the materials there its well worth it....by the time you add up the cost of software and then all the learning curve time to learn the software.....

 

[raykos]

heitjr,

Another vote for Google 'SketchUp". If you do want to try it, please first follow the tutorials and within a couple of hours you'll be amazed at what you can do. Attached are a couple of .jpgs of a garage/workshop I'm building, as you can see framing is easy and you can also add text and dimensioning, which is absent in my drawings, but I wanted to post before you made a choice.

Ray

 

[trialsguy]

raykos how did you save your sketchup as a jpg? I have a few I sketched up of the room addition that we added on. 500 sq ft and the county permit office excepted them without question once they looked at the print, all done in sketch up for free, granted there is a learning curve but its a fun program to mess around with.

 

[raykos]

raykos how did you save your sketchup as a jpg? .

Go up to, File->Export->2D Graphic->Export type(.jpg)->click on Export; this will save whatever view you have of your project on screen as a .jpg.

Yep, "SketchUp" is neat, & the best part, it's free. Another good Cad type program is "TurboFloorPlan 3D Home & Landscape Pro"; www.CadCourse.com, for around $70. It has a little steeper learning curve, but it's great for showing what the end result should look like because it has a more realistic feel than the free version of SketchUp. However, SketchUp is great for showing front, back, left, right, dimensions,etc. in order to obtain buiding/zoning permits...allowing you to build something bigger & better for your tractor(and stuff)!

Ray