Architecture / Home CAD for non-architects

[huffy318]

What would be a good cad program for the home architect? Here is what I am looking for:

1. I mostly want a convenient way of drawing dimensioned walls, with easily editable dimensions (like, for instance, clicking on the dimension and changing it).

2. Be able add appliances, etc, but simple rectangles (again, with easy to set dimensions) would be sufficient.

3. 3d views would be a bonus, but not a requirement.

4. Doesn't have to be free in cost (or open source). Just run on Ubuntu/Linux.

If it helps make a suggestion: I have done some solid works and pro e, and several years doing circuit layout (protel, cadence allegro, some pads).

I use Cycas for my house plans now, but i find the number of clicks required to do simple tasks overbearing (deleting and changing the dimensions). So far i can tell that it's interface was designed by someone that does not think like me, but I will give it some more time and dig some more for possible help on their site.

Thanks for any suggestions.
Eric

[ecr959]

Hello Eric

I think QCad, which you can get from Ubuntu package list,, is a great program, and it isn't hard to learn. I have also seen some amazing demos for Sketchup, on Youtube. Sketchup is a free program that you use on Google. A Google acct is free, and when you get an acct, you can use all these great things they have, like Picassa for keeping your photo albums online, and sharing them with family and friends.
You might not even have to have a google acct , and still be able to use Sketchup. Find out. I'm not sure if Sketchup will work with Linux, if it works with Macs, then maybe.

Do a google search for sketchup, that will take you to the google sketchup main page, and you will see a link for a great demo vid. I saw a nice ranch-style house built from start to finish, using sketchup, on Youtube.

If you don't like Sketchup, then check out QCad. The website is www.ribbonsoft.com. And like I said, you can get it through the Ubuntu Add/Remove package app.

Good Luck, I hope I gave you some good choices.
Eddie

[Muscar]

I LOVE google sketchup but it works very bad with wine

[Peter76]

I use Qcad a lot, Ithink it is the only mature open source cad for linux at the moment. It works very easy and is great for simple drawings. No 3D though.
I'm also playing around with Bricscad at the moment ( www.bricscad.com ). This is an Autocad clone and version 6 is available for Linux at a very cheap price. It has 3D, but the 3D in version 8 is way better. They will release version 8 for Linux at the end of this year.
You can download a 30 day trial from their website.

[SpiderGorilla]

It's free, it's Java, it's dead simple, it doesn't allow for floors or ceilings but it may be what you're after:

Sweet Home 3D - http://sweethome3d.sourceforge.net/

I've played it with it and it's really quite simple.

[huffy318]

Thanks for the Sweethome3d tip. I did not find it in my searches.
It is very simple and easy to use. I still need to set up my video card correctly, since I can't load files. I knew my vid card wasn't set properly.

Anyway, the file I made works fine on the mac, which shows that it is cross platform as it states.

I still plan to check out QCad, but for moving fridges and cabinets around, this is great.

[odin1965]

I use BricsCAD as well. IMO, it is the best professional CAD available on Linux. Definitely not for beginners, though. If you can use AutoCAD, you will have no problems. Also, not open source, but very reasonably priced at just over 200 USD. The current ver 6, runs with WINE, but the new ver 8 for Linux coming out, i think is going to be native.


I'm also playing around with Bricscad at the moment ( www.bricscad.com ). This is an Autocad clone and version 6 is available for Linux at a very cheap price. It has 3D, but the 3D in version 8 is way better. They will release version 8 for Linux at the end of this year.
You can download a 30 day trial from their website.

[huffy318]

I finally took the two minutes to set up my video card properly.

Sweethome3D is great. Very easy and very fast to slap in cabinets, sinks, windows, etc.

Features I would like to see are being able to set the resolution (IE making all sizes integer inches) and the ability to link the dimensions with the objects. These are minor, though, given how quickly I was able to "design" a new kitchen.

I'll check out their forums to see if there are settings I haven't found.
Thanks again for the tip,
Eric

[_BlondieGirl_]

I downloaded Sweet Home 3D, and uncompressed SweetHome3D-1.3.1-linux-x86.tgz

Inside the new folder, run the SweetHome3D binary.

The program shows up normaly, but... I can't draw walls!

http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/9390/sweetmn9.png

I clicked this button, clicked in the open area and dragged to draw a simple wall.

A new wall appears but disappears immediately.


I love Sweet Home 3D, but in Ubuntu... it's a shame :\

Any ideas?


EDIT: The same happens if I run SweetHome3d.jnlp with javaws.

[BoHu]

Broderbund's 3d Home Architect was the one program that kept me dual booting for years. Finally, about 4 years ago, I just decided to live without it so that I could ditch Windows and run linux exclusively. So far as I know there is still no linux equivalent of 3d Home Architect. I really miss it, but there is no way I would go back to windows just for one program.

[Gabrielm]

Hi,

I use Broderbund's 3d Home Architect in Ubuntu via Wine. It works fine.
I hope this helps.

[dankegel]

I LOVE google sketchup but it works very bad with wine

Works well for me on a good nvidia card, once I follow the tips in http://wiki.winehq.org/GoogleSketchup
If you still have problems after following those tips, please post a report there so the wine team can try to fix it.