Simple CAD software for barns and sheds?

[jigs_n_fixtures]

For the amateur, occasional user SketchUp is probably the way to go. It has a fairly intuitive interface, and there are a ton of tutorials on YouTube.

For the Pro, Chief Architect, or some flavor of AutoCad.

I use AutoCad, because I have been using it since the late seventies, and the commands are instinctive to me. When I try anything else the almost, but not quite, the same command structure drives me bonkers.

 

[tstorzuk]

Just to let you know, I'm a professional draftsperson. I use AutoCAD on a daily basis, along with several other professional 3D modelling software packages.

When it comes to building construction CAD, there are a lot of programs out there that do an OK job and are fairly cheap. Or there used to be when you could walk into BestBuy and buy software off the shelf...

I got much more serious and ended up using Chief Architect to design and make prints for my house and shop build. Nowadays it costs close to $3k, so I doubt that is an option you want for this, but I know they sell a stripped down version called Home Designer for anywhere from $100 to $500 depending on version. They also allow you to download trial versions, so you can give it a whirl before you commit. I cannot honestly say if the Home Designer series compares well to their flagship Chief Architect platform, but the higher end stuff was clearly good and very powerful, so I would expect the simpler versions would do what you want for a simple shop and carport. They do make Windows and Mac versions too, so that may be a big deal as I don't know how many are available for Mac. No connection to them other than a user (well, mostly a former user as I haven't touched it in a few years at this point). Download the trial and see if it does what you want. They had a lot of training videos for the flagship product, but charged extra for them. You might find some on Youtube for the DIY series.

Home Designer | Home Design Software for DIY

DIY home design, interior design and remodeling software from the creators of Chief Architect. Create floorplans and visualize in 3D.

www.homedesignersoftware.com

Chief Architect's (or Better Homes and Gardens) lowest end program Home Designer Suite is super easy to learn and use. It does a great job and it's cheap. It actually designs in 3D when you're drawing in 2D.

It gives you a simple material take off, if you create your design accurately. I used it to design one of my cabins (16'x16'). I then exported the design to AutoCAD to tweak it to exactly what I needed.

Here's an example of what your 2D drawing in Home Designer Suite would look like;
16x16-HDS-2D.png

And here's an example of what that 2D drawing looks like when switching to the 3D view;

16x16-HDS-3D.png

drive.google.com

Lastly, here's a simple export of the materials list to a text file;

16x16-HDS-MTO.txt

drive.google.com

as well as a screen shot of what the materials list looks like in the Home Designer Suite program;

16x16-HDS-MTO.png

drive.google.com

I was a two decade user of AutoCad LT, which I owned legitimately. When it required updating for Windows 10, the company was dishonourable, and tried to extort $89 a month from me to keep using what I had already paid for. I would have paid something for an upgrade, but not that! They lost my loyalty, and business.

I am now a very satisfied user of Dassault DraftSight, and am happy to recommend it. It's $149 per year. It works extremely similarly to AutoCad LT, an in some cases better. I started using it with no tutorial needed, based upon my AutoCad LT experience. I have designed several buildings on it, and am entirely happy with it. It has capability far beyond my needs and skills. AutoCad certainly missed a business opportunity with me!

Do NOT PAY Autodesk any more money for software that you own. They won't tell you this, but you can run a virtual machine with your older windows software. It doesn't allow it to connect to the internet, so there's no worry about getting a virus. If you still own your copy of the previous windows, you can get free VMWare software for personal use;

https://www.lifewire.com/best-virtual-machine-software-4147437

Install the VMWare.
Install the Windows operating system.
Install the CAD software.
Keep using the software that you own....

 

[MasseyFerg231]

I was a two decade user of AutoCad LT, which I owned legitimately. When it required updating for Windows 10, the company was dishonourable, and tried to extort $89 a month from me to keep using what I had already paid for. I would have paid something for an upgrade, but not that! They lost my loyalty, and business.

I am now a very satisfied user of Dassault DraftSight, and am happy to recommend it. It's $149 per year. It works extremely similarly to AutoCad LT, an in some cases better. I started using it with no tutorial needed, based upon my AutoCad LT experience. I have designed several buildings on it, and am entirely happy with it. It has capability far beyond my needs and skills. AutoCad certainly missed a business opportunity with me!

Everything is going subscription based. We use two Autodesk products at work.

 

[MasseyFerg231]

If things go as planned there will be no inspections, permits etc.

Good luck, most non permitted structures get caught by property appraiser, or b real estate transactions.

I’m building a new commercial building in Myrtle beach. We applied for our notice of intent in January 2021 and received our land disturbance permit in December, and building permit last week!

I passed my SC unlimited GC test last summer. Can look up any license related questions if you need.

in addition to graph paper, get some tracing paper. You can overlay onto plan you sketch to work out changes/options.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Just to let you know, I'm a professional draftsperson. I use AutoCAD on a daily basis, along with several other professional 3D modelling software packages.


Chief Architect's (or Better Homes and Gardens) lowest end program Home Designer Suite is super easy to learn and use. It does a great job and it's cheap. It actually designs in 3D when you're drawing in 2D.

It gives you a simple material take off, if you create your design accurately. I used it to design one of my cabins (16'x16'). I then exported the design to AutoCAD to tweak it to exactly what I needed.

Here's an example of what your 2D drawing in Home Designer Suite would look like;
16x16-HDS-2D.png

And here's an example of what that 2D drawing looks like when switching to the 3D view;

16x16-HDS-3D.png

drive.google.com

Lastly, here's a simple export of the materials list to a text file;

16x16-HDS-MTO.txt

drive.google.com

as well as a screen shot of what the materials list looks like in the Home Designer Suite program;

16x16-HDS-MTO.png

drive.google.com

Do NOT PAY Autodesk any more money for software that you own. They won't tell you this, but you can run a virtual machine with your older windows software. It doesn't allow it to connect to the internet, so there's no worry about getting a virus. If you still own your copy of the previous windows, you can get free VMWare software for personal use;

https://www.lifewire.com/best-virtual-machine-software-4147437

Install the VMWare.
Install the Windows operating system.
Install the CAD software.
Keep using the software that you own....

You can’t install autocad version I have without it checking for license. I tried mine yesterday, it will not run. It say the version of autocad is unsupported and your only choice is to exit.
I also have autocad ver 2 on floppies that ran on Dos, don’t want to try it. Lol

I also have chief architect but found it so so, but it’s also a few yrs old.

My favorite CAD software is Intergraph microstation. I am thinking of trying it on a VM., but that’s a pain trying to set up. Assuming all the old media still works also, it came on a bunch of floppies. Lol

I started designing on mylar sheets.

 

[Root Cause]

I have used Creo for many years and while I would not suggest anyone go that route, I would offer a little advice.


1. Find some videos of software that is mentioned above. Understand that you won't learn it in 15 minutes.
2. Watch a beginner video to see how it works.
3. If you can, add a monitor (old TV) to your laptop/computer. Have the tutorial on one screen and follow along with the same software on the other. (Flipping back and forth gets old fast)

It is fun to see it come to life and it does save time and materials by making your mistakes on a screen. I am just finishing our new house.

 

[GeorgeKG]

Thanks for all the good ideas on Mac compatible CAD software. Since retiring, I miss access to ProEngineer and have not been willing to pay the steep price for real 3D CAD for the Mac.

 

[dstig1]

Yeah I like having access to Pro/E (now Creo) at work for little side projects too. But for designing houses or the like it is awful. And I've been at it for like 30 yrs too, so I know what I am saying. Any one of the architectural CAD programs is orders of magnitude better for that. If you want good 3D I have heard good things about Alibre and Solid Edge which has a free version for non-commercial use (or did a while back) that might be workable for regular 3D CAD parametric work.

 

[ParkWhite]

Quad ruled graph paper, 0.5mm mechanical pencil, compass, protractor, engineering scale ruler, and the best eraser you can afford.

 

[Rowdy Redneck]

When it comes to building construction CAD, there are a lot of programs out there that do an OK job and are fairly cheap. Or there used to be when you could walk into BestBuy and buy software off the shelf...

I got much more serious and ended up using Chief Architect to design and make prints for my house and shop build. Nowadays it costs close to $3k, so I doubt that is an option you want for this, but I know they sell a stripped down version called Home Designer for anywhere from $100 to $500 depending on version. They also allow you to download trial versions, so you can give it a whirl before you commit. I cannot honestly say if the Home Designer series compares well to their flagship Chief Architect platform, but the higher end stuff was clearly good and very powerful, so I would expect the simpler versions would do what you want for a simple shop and carport. They do make Windows and Mac versions too, so that may be a big deal as I don't know how many are available for Mac. No connection to them other than a user (well, mostly a former user as I haven't touched it in a few years at this point). Download the trial and see if it does what you want. They had a lot of training videos for the flagship product, but charged extra for them. You might find some on Youtube for the DIY series.

Home Designer | Home Design Software for DIY

DIY home design, interior design and remodeling software from the creators of Chief Architect. Create floorplans and visualize in 3D.

www.homedesignersoftware.com

Thanks for posting this! I first downloaded a trial and then bought the Pro version of Home Designer. $495 was bit spendy, but I love the program and the video library/article database is fantastic. It has been a lot easier for me to grasp than expected. Unfortunately the program has exposed some inadequacies in my computer, but I'm not quite ready to shell out three grand plus for a machine that meets their specifications.