Sketch up 3D & Draftsite 2D Free Versions?

Question

I’m new to both and from what I can tell so far SU does not have a way to do blueprints unless I subscribe to Layout so I downloaded Draftsite. Best I figure so far looking how the two would interface is I can import an image or view from SU then text or dimension over it. Cumbersume compared to Autocad that I have a lot of hours on that bleeds 3D to 2D but it’s free so not complaining.

Anyone find an easier way to do this or another 3D-to-2D free software?

Not sure how to change the dimension to a fake dimension or how to bring the pic into proper scale, I guess that would start in SU?

Anyone find an easier way to do this or another 3D-to-2D free software?

Not sure how to change the dimension to a fake dimension or how to bring the pic into proper scale, I guess that would start in SU?

Jon Holdman · Answer

Sketchup isn't great for doing blueprints, unfortunately.   I use visio (PC) or omni graffle (mac) for 2D drawings.  Neither are free.

You can do them in Sketchup if you use the views that look along the X, Y, or Z axis.  You often have to add dimensions lines specific to the direction, as some will turn into lines in one direction or another.  The big problem is there is no way (I've found) to print at a specific scale.  But I don't usually need to determine dimensions by measuring off a drawing so it's not been an issue for me.

Sketchup takes more time than a 2D drawing, though.  So, I use that only with 3D is really essential.

Emilio Ramirez · Answer

Autocad has full 3D capabilities. I would start there since you know it already.

Here's a couple other options. Hasn't been updated since 2011 so not sure on status of these.

2D CAD

- *QCAD community edition: http://www.qcad.org/qcad_downloads.html

- *PythonCAD - "it's rudimentary", but it's also written in Python, which is a handy scripting language used by a lot of programs, so maybe it can interface well: http://courira.ca/en/2010/04/pythoncad-open-source-2d-cad-software-part-1

- CADEMIA: http://www.cademia.org/frontend/index.php?sub=29

3D CAD/modeling

- Sketchup: http://sketchup.google.com/

- *Blender3D: http://www.blender.org/

- *BRL-CAD: http://brlcad.org/