Free 2D drawing programs

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Free 2D drawing programs

This topic has 16 replies, 14 voices, and was last updated 12 April 2019 at 10:49 by SillyOldDuffer.

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28 March 2019 at 17:46 #402565
Ian Strickland 1
Participant
@ianstrickland1
Can anybody help me find a free 2D drawing program so I can draw engineering plans of whatever I want to make or have made, so I can email them to whom ever, say MEW for an article I want to submit?
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28 March 2019 at 17:46 #26514
Ian Strickland 1
Participant
@ianstrickland1
Computer program
28 March 2019 at 18:02 #402569
SillyOldDuffer
Moderator
@sillyoldduffer
I always vote for QCAD when this question is asked. Others have their favourites.

It can be downloaded from this LINK

Note there are two versions: QCAD-Pro costs about £30 and this includes 1 years worth of upgrades. The Community edition is free; it's not quite as whizzy as the Pro version but that won't matter for occasional use. QCAD Community is currently distributed in a bundle with a 15 minute trial of the Pro version; if you don't want to pay, the free version works.

Dave
28 March 2019 at 18:34 #402578
AdrianR
Participant
@adrianr18614
I have just started to use LibreCAD It is a bit more basic than QCAD but is totally free.
29 March 2019 at 08:08 #402642
simondavies3
Participant
@simondavies3
I use 3D almost exclusively now but still have SolidEdge on the PC – this is free for the 2D version and comes from Siemens and is a) pretty reliable and b) very professional. Was always very impressed with it.

Needs a new enable key every year and its a pure PC based solution (Mac & Linux, don't know).

Outputs in all the standard formats, don't think there are any restrictions at all.

Solid Edge

HTH

Simon
29 March 2019 at 09:39 #402654
Peter G. Shaw
Participant
@peterg-shaw75338
There is a very old and unsupported 2D program called Draft Choice for Windows. This was the very first CAD program I ever used and I found it quite palatable and easy to use, especially as there was an excellent teaching guide to it, bearing in mind that at the time I knew absolutely nothing about CAD.

The problem that I had was that as I upgraded my computers, the program became more and more unreliable, however, I understand that it works absolutely fine on modern machines. Unfortunately, this unreliability meant I had to look elsewhere otherwise I would still be using Draft Choice.

Draft Choice was originally created by the same people (Trius Inc) who created the spreadsheet program As Easy As, however Trius changed direction some years ago, stopped supporting both programs and consequently made both programs completely free to download along with the relevant free licenses.

Peter G. Shaw
29 March 2019 at 09:46 #402656
SverreE
Participant
@sverree
There is a very good "AutoCad-like" program called Draftsight. The program is free, but you have to activate it every year (email etc.)

Another option is to go for a 3D program, I use DesignSpark Mechanical, and this can of course be used for 2D drawings. Free download here:

**LINK**

Regards Sverre
29 March 2019 at 10:05 #402661
duncan webster 1
Participant
@duncanwebster1
According to another thread Draftsight won't be free for much longer, and already installed ones will die.

death of Draftsight

the other thread goes into other programs available
29 March 2019 at 10:38 #402667
Brian G
Participant
@briang
Posted by duncan webster on 29/03/2019 10:05:46:

According to another thread Draftsight won't be free for much longer, and already installed ones will die.

death of Draftsight

the other thread goes into other programs available

Can the moderators merge threads? It is as if two parallel conversations are taking place on the same subject.

Brian
11 April 2019 at 18:05 #404642
Ian Strickland 1
Participant
@ianstrickland1
Thanks to all who responded to my help about finding a 2D drawing program.

I have tried Solid Edge by Siemens but I found their tutorials not very helpful, in fact I couldn't really get started at all. It seems to be a very complicated program.

LibreCAD I could get to work but the tutorial seemed to be written for a slightly different version, also not all the functions worked or didn't work consistently. Also changes made to line thickness doesn't show up on the working screen only in the print preview which is not very helpful.

So what do folk think og QCAD? either the bought version or the free version.

Thanks again for all your help.

Ian Strickland
12 April 2019 at 00:13 #404678
Bazyle
Participant
@bazyle
Have you looked at FreeCAD which is er free. It has multiple 'workbenches' which you can move between. So there is a sketch option, drawing option, architectural drawing, and 3D. I've only just started trying it but there are some examples on the forum gallery that look pretty advanced so it would appear to be quite capable.
12 April 2019 at 07:10 #404687
Sandgrounder
Participant
@sandgrounder
There is this one, I've never used it though.

https://www.cad-schroer.com/products/medusa4-personal/
12 April 2019 at 07:19 #404690
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
Posted by Ian Strickland 1 on 11/04/2019 18:05:04:

So what do folk think og QCAD? either the bought version or the free version.

.

A lot of folk like it, Ian

Hint: Try putting QCAD in the search box that's about half way down the home page of this site.

https://www.model-engineer.co.uk

MichaelG.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 12/04/2019 07:22:14
12 April 2019 at 07:19 #404691
Rod Ashton
Participant
@rodashton53132
I have been a CAD draughtsman for 50 years now. Unbelievable! Just enjoyed trialling the free and semi-free CAD & CAM offerings since hearing about the end of free Draftsight. For me Librecad for 2D and Freecad for 2 and 3D. I suggest if you "put your time in" to assimilate yourself to the particular way of working in Freecad you will be well rewarded and then quite intrigued by its constant evolution, as I have been.
12 April 2019 at 08:49 #404694
John Haine
Participant
@johnhaine32865
Ian, unless you want to export your drawings to CAM then a free, reliable, and easy to use package is Open Office, which gives you "Draw" as well as word processing and spreadsheets.
12 April 2019 at 09:43 #404710
nigel jones 5
Participant
@nigeljones5
I use autocad – very not free, and very not friendly! I have just tried QCAD and am completely converted. Its so simple to use and there is a plethera of online support – thanks chaps!
12 April 2019 at 10:49 #404719
SillyOldDuffer
Moderator
@sillyoldduffer
Posted by fizzy on 12/04/2019 09:43:15:

I use autocad – very not free, and very not friendly! I have just tried QCAD and am completely converted. Its so simple to use and there is a plethera of online support – thanks chaps!

Loads of bells and whistles make AutoCAD difficult to learn. And it's over the top for even moderately complex mechanical engineering drawings, especially if you don't need 3D. I don't think it's a good choice for most Model Engineers unless the owner intends doing lots of complicated drawings against the clock. (Do you design spiral-staircases?)

QCAD is considerably simpler. It reminds me of Drafix/Autosketch. I find QCAD effective for 99% of my 2D drawing needs, which are usually of single parts, not assemblies. It's a good match to my 2D needs – capable and not too complicated! The free version is good, but once you get going the Pro version has a number of features worth paying for.

Dave
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