couldn’t get on with early sketckup me’ self
Latest(8?) better.
Best I have used is autosketch…not free but closest to feel of draughting engin to me…used auto cad various from ver 3 on wards… So un natural…
But like I say autosketch..but will probably need some instuction..so look into source of tutorial etc tnen look at programme

Garry,

I, too searched the net for a freeware CAD package. Luckily for me, I have a laptop which runs Linux OS (ubuntu), where software is 99% free and LibreCAD (and its clone QCAD) are both simple, effective CAD packages, which read and write .dwg and .dxf filetypes – i.e. AutoCAD compatible. I also have Draftsight both computers, but although it is a comprehensive program, I find it too complicated to produce the sort of drawing I, and it sounds like, you, are trying to make. When in the UK last Christmas, I picked up some parts in a Maplin store. While waiting to be served, I was tempted by a disp[lay of DVDs near the till. One was TotalCAD2D/3D and set me back the princely sum of £7.95! It's fully-featured and comes with a very good help file, supports multiple filetypes and is quite easy to learn. I don't know if it was a special, one-off offer, but I would recomend it, if you can get hold of a copy. If you don't like it – you won't have spent small fortune.

John

John,

I too run Linux and have QCAD. It supports .dxf files but not .dwg. Don't know about LibreCAD, I've not tried it.

TotalCAD looks good. It's a shame it is only available for Windoze. Have you tried it in Wine or on Windoze running on Virtualbox?

An important point for me is being able to accurately print 1:1. . It makes life much easier when cutting awkward shapes to be amble to print the draying and stick it to the work with artists spray mount and cut along the lines.

Russell.

You could try e machineshop it's free and quite user friendly.

Regards Pailo.