CAD Forum discussion (EN) : Best CAD for home use https://www.cadforum.cz/forum_en/ Thu, 30 Apr 2026 05:24:17 +0000 Sat, 19 Mar 2016 00:57:55 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.04 360 https://www.cadforum.cz/forum_en/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=11693 <![CDATA[CAD Forum discussion (EN)]]> https://www.cadforum.cz/forum_en/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png https://www.cadforum.cz/forum_en/ <![CDATA[Best CAD for home use : Hello guys,Thanks so much for...]]> https://www.cadforum.cz/forum_en/forum_posts.asp?TID=11693&PID=31508&title=best-cad-for-home-use#31508 Author: the_falcon
Subject: 11693
Posted: 19.Mar.2016 at 00:57

Hello guys,

Thanks so much for your kind attention.  This was indeed the advice I was looking for.  It is interesting that the views settle pretty solidly on DraftSight and AutoCAD.  The latter is not surprising.  I hadn't heard of the former so thank you.

It is quite critical that I can create a DWG format for the various designers and they wont be stressed about anything.  These relationships can be tense enough as it is.  :/  So if there is any doubt then I'll play safe and use AutoCAD.

I reckon I'll take the option of renting it first and then (if I like it and I can cope with it) I will buy it.  Wish me luck!

Cheers and thanks very much. Clap
Chris.
]]> Sat, 19 Mar 2016 00:57:55 +0000 https://www.cadforum.cz/forum_en/forum_posts.asp?TID=11693&PID=31508&title=best-cad-for-home-use#31508 <![CDATA[Best CAD for home use : Yes, Draftsight is free.Yes, Draftsight...]]> https://www.cadforum.cz/forum_en/forum_posts.asp?TID=11693&PID=31481&title=best-cad-for-home-use#31481 Author: John Connor
Subject: 11693
Posted: 14.Mar.2016 at 14:15

Yes, Draftsight is free.

Yes, Draftsight reads and writes to the .DWG file format.

Yes, when a drawing that is created or edited using Draftsight then opened in Autocad one will see the "non-trusted DWG" message appear.

If you aren't sharing the drawing with anyone then this is not a problem.  If you are then you may find at least one person who balks at using the drawing because they may think (meaning... they don't know) the drawing you sent them is corrupted or contains a virus.  If that poses a problem you are better off renting AutoCAD (LT or full version) for the period of time it will take to revise it to your liking and share it with others.

It's $45 a month to rent LT or $360 for a year.

 http://www.autodesk.com/store/autocad-lt


Edited by John Connor - 14.Mar.2016 at 14:15]]> Mon, 14 Mar 2016 14:15:17 +0000 https://www.cadforum.cz/forum_en/forum_posts.asp?TID=11693&PID=31481&title=best-cad-for-home-use#31481 <![CDATA[Best CAD for home use : hello the_falcon and others,...]]> https://www.cadforum.cz/forum_en/forum_posts.asp?TID=11693&PID=31480&title=best-cad-for-home-use#31480 Author: philippe JOSEPH
Subject: 11693
Posted: 14.Mar.2016 at 10:57

hello the_falcon and others, for sure you can use Draftsight because the files are : XXXXX.dwg ( readable with AutoCAD ).
More than this, the latest release of Draftsight will allow you opening any DWG even if you don't have the last release of it, then you can bring back the file to an older AutoCAD release with a "save as" - choose your release.
]]> Mon, 14 Mar 2016 10:57:20 +0000 https://www.cadforum.cz/forum_en/forum_posts.asp?TID=11693&PID=31480&title=best-cad-for-home-use#31480 <![CDATA[Best CAD for home use : If you need to send your DWG file...]]> https://www.cadforum.cz/forum_en/forum_posts.asp?TID=11693&PID=31479&title=best-cad-for-home-use#31479 Author: edwinprakoso
Subject: 11693
Posted: 14.Mar.2016 at 09:43

If you need to send your DWG file to other designers, the software that you use will be an issue. I've seen many engineers have compatibility problems when they receive "non-trusted DWG". 
As John suggested, try to rent AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT. You can purchase it online or preferably through Autodesk reseller. Resellers can provide supports when you have problems.
But if you only need minor modification, AutoCAD 360 (www.autocad360.com) might works. It's a cloud app that you can use for free from Autodesk. You can use it on a web browser or phone/tablet. The limitation of free AutoCAD 360 is the storage limited to 3GB for your account.

]]> Mon, 14 Mar 2016 09:43:59 +0000 https://www.cadforum.cz/forum_en/forum_posts.asp?TID=11693&PID=31479&title=best-cad-for-home-use#31479 <![CDATA[Best CAD for home use : If all we are talking is 2D...]]> https://www.cadforum.cz/forum_en/forum_posts.asp?TID=11693&PID=31478&title=best-cad-for-home-use#31478 Author: John Connor
Subject: 11693
Posted: 13.Mar.2016 at 22:15

If all we are talking is 2D then I'd recommend you visit the AutoDesk website and look into renting AutoCAD LT 2016 for a month or two.  At least if you run into problems you'll be able to find someone to help answer your questions as there are more AutoCAD users at many of these forums than there are Draftsight users.]]> Sun, 13 Mar 2016 22:15:01 +0000 https://www.cadforum.cz/forum_en/forum_posts.asp?TID=11693&PID=31478&title=best-cad-for-home-use#31478 <![CDATA[Best CAD for home use : I would check out Draftsight free....]]> https://www.cadforum.cz/forum_en/forum_posts.asp?TID=11693&PID=31477&title=best-cad-for-home-use#31477 Author: Robert_D
Subject: 11693
Posted: 13.Mar.2016 at 17:55

I would check out Draftsight free. It’s had quite favorable reviews.
Note: If you are new to CAD, there will be a bit of a learning curve before you are proficient enough to obtain the results desired.
Good luck.]]> Sun, 13 Mar 2016 17:55:34 +0000 https://www.cadforum.cz/forum_en/forum_posts.asp?TID=11693&PID=31477&title=best-cad-for-home-use#31477 <![CDATA[Best CAD for home use : Hello gurus,New member here. I...]]> https://www.cadforum.cz/forum_en/forum_posts.asp?TID=11693&PID=31476&title=best-cad-for-home-use#31476 Author: the_falcon
Subject: 11693
Posted: 13.Mar.2016 at 04:19

Hello gurus,

New member here.  I did a quick keyword search to see if I could find anything on this topic and didn't find anything.  Apologies if this question is well trodden ground.

I am doing some in-depth home renovations and have had CAD floorplans (DWG format) made for me.  Despite some repeated attempts I am less than happy with the accuracy of translation of measurements, etc.  The CAD plans need to be used variously by home automation people, interior designer, builders, etc and so they need to be pretty good.

I would like to buy some CAD software for my own home use so that I can edit the existing DWGs, and make them better.

I am not a computer newbie.  I can program in few languages (Java, C++, VBA) and so am used to using GUIs, IDEs, etc.  I have a technical job involved with computers.  And I also did a few years of technical drawing at school (did very well).  So I am not going to be necessarily scared off by CAD software per se.  I am however only really interested in using it for the narrow purpose of correcting my plans and making various versions of it for the work being done.  And I just need to ensure that when I resave the updated plans (again as DWG) and hand them back to the other designers that they are still perfectly loadable/usable on their (high end) CAD software (dont even know it that would be a concern).

Sooooo ... what would you gurus recommend as suitable CAD software for someone like me?  Please assume that money is no object.  But (not surprisingly) if there is both $300 and $3000 software that does all I need then I'll almost certainly be going for the $300 version...

Looking forward to hearing your advice.  And thanks in advance.
MG.
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