Software/website recommendation needed

[Vadim]

Im looking to build my own stand and cap, i'd like some recommendations on either software or websites to use to design my build and put in the measurements and anything else related to builds.

[zygote2k]

Google sketchup or Autocad.

[steveoutlaw]

Here is a good thread for stand design ideas:

 

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1567110&page=2

[Chad]

sketchup is a pretty intuitive to use and free

[Vadim]

i think i'll stick with paper and pencil. lol seems to complicated to use. the sketchup software. autocad is to expensive.

[Chad]

I am a huge fan of pencil and paper, although for me it takes a bit more time, I can do it anywhere (and I am confident in my use of a pencil and ruler!). The sketchup program has a couple of things that are not necessarily intuitive (like measurements for instance, there is no where you enter them, you just enter them into the keyboard after you drew something and it changes...), but once you get the program's quirks down, it is easy to build in. I am sure there are enough folks that have used it that we can help you out if you need.

 

Also, sometimes you can get autocad free or low cost from your college, I just picked up the AutoCad Inventor suite 2010 for $150 from my alma mater

[BowieReefer84]

I like to draw things in excel using "borders." I make all the cells small little squares. I would usually use them as sqft, but there is no reason they can't be inches . . . You can do seperate tabs for the different views. imo this is quick and easy. You can get as fancy as you want with different color fills, and drawing different shapes using the tools available...

 

I used to work for a drywall sub, and my boss designed his entire finished off basement this way. Partition schedules and everything lol. Turned out GREAT!

Edited September 15, 2010 by BowieReefer84