On Wed, Feb 21, 2018 at 6:22 PM, Keith Lofstrom <kei...@kl-ic.com> wrote:
> On Wed, Feb 21, 2018 at 04:37:19PM -0800, Michael Barnes wrote: > > Looking for an Open Source CAD program to create construction plans. I > > don't need anything complicated, but would like something with components > > like standard dimensional lumber I can just put in place to build walls, > > etc. I'm building a large shed and the city needs drawn plans for the > > permits. I've got to show construction details, stud and rafter spacing, > > floor and roof details, etc. > > Michael: > > Your goal is architectural plans, not general drawings > or 3D renderings or animations, and you do NOT want your > drawings to look different from the drawings that the > bureaucrats see every day, and approve. I'd bet most > of those are Autocad, with design files in DXF format. > > It's not about the tool, it is learning what the result > should look like. You should attempt to study some > architectural drawings that Portland has approved. > > You should also look at the state building code. There > is a recent copy at the Multnomah Central library. > A few good building books on the shelves, too. > > librecad: > > I haven't used librecad, but that seems to be the most > like Autocad. Perhaps some of us should learn it together. > > The folks at pdxhackerspace.org on north Interstate in > Portland make mechanical/architectural parts, and they > are also upgrading the decrepit building they are in; > I bet they submit plans to the city. They would be > good to collaborate with. They also have a decent > woodshop, so a monthly membership might be worthwhile. > > In detail: > > I do a lot of non-architectural drawing with libreoffice > "draw" with touchups in GIMP, and also 3D renderings with > Povray. I tried using BRLcad for 3D; the learning curve > is even steeper than Povray. I also draw images with C > programs using the libpng pixel manipulation library, > and make pretty charts with gnuplot. I've used these > tools to produce webpages, animations, journal papers, > and patent drawings; forgive me for my sins... > > All of that is IRRELEVANT to your needs, as are 90% of > the dozens of packages on most "linux compatable" and > "free software" lists. They list closed source and $$$ > packages, too. You should not pay annual license fees > forever to retain access to your drawings (like so many > professional architects must). You should not depend > on "community-licensed" versions of commercial tools > that may be unavailable or unsupported in the future. > > That's my 202 cents; your mileage may vary. > > Keith > > -- > Keith Lofstrom kei...@keithl.com > Thanks, Keith. Very good info. However, I do not live in Portland and Multnomah County resources are not really practical for me. I will look locally and see if I can find anything useful. I guess a visit to the building permit office and a more in depth conversation is in order. Michael _______________________________________________ PLUG mailing list PLUG@pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
