Any good freeware/open source 2D CAD out there?

[Aaron2004]

Hello,

 

I am currently using Softplan, auutocad and Argos Vertex at work, but I want to start doing some things at home. Short of taking the usb key home with me, are there any free-ware/open source CADs out there? I don't need 3D, I just want 2D for floor plans and elevations.

 

I have found some on Googe...the most promising being QCAD....which might be my best bet...however, I'm kind of spoiled by having walls, parametric doors and windows, etc in my CAD software at work. I don't really want to draw lines offset at 3.5" for walls and individual doors.

 

I just figured that since we have nice open source programs like Linux and all the programs that go with that, we would have some nice CAD software out there...

 

Thanks,

 

Aaron

[Antisthenes]

that all depends on what YOU mean my 'good'

 

talking directly to developers i would say would be the most efficient way to go about getting the 'intelligent' objects you seek.

 

and i would say take a look at Rhinoceros 4 i know it is for 3d but it is not only. to solve complex elevations i think it would be a nightmare to do it the old fashion way probably much like you may think of doing old fashion doors and windows.

 

best of luck on your requesting and seeking of a GNU tool that works for you. at this point you get what you pay for huh?

 

there have been some threads on this topic around different forums, long threads...

 

I have not tried it but the description of this program is probably the closest think to open source in architectural CADD

http://sourceforge.net/projects/arquimedes

[STRAT]

he's after free stuff, not another rhino advert

 

if he had to pay i'm sure he'd use what he uses in work.

[Antisthenes]

i understand

 

as far as paying thou i payed 95 $ for educational copy of Rhinoceros that McNeel sent me a letter to the avail "take it to work with you" edu to com., before it went to 195 and i think it has been WELL worth my money/investment.

 

even so if i found a OpenSource program that did what i wanted i would donate this amount to the dev.

 

a wise suggestion for a comparable solution is not a advert its genuine advise.

[a_w]

ProgeCAD is a pretty good donationware alternative to AutoCAD.

 

http://www.progecad.com

[Antisthenes]

ya from the intellicad family but it's freeware. not open source

 

the licence it to others now i believe

 

but yes it is very autocadeqsue just what i got away from and will stay away from! it's like draconianism in the age of enbrightenment

[Aaron2004]

Thank you for your help...it appears that progeCAD is probably my best bet for right now.

 

 

Thanks!

 

Aaron

[manta]

ya from the intellicad family but it's freeware. not open source

 

the licence it to others now i believe

 

but yes it is very autocadeqsue just what i got away from and will stay away from! it's like draconianism in the age of enbrightenment

 

Jonas, its apparent to everyone how much you like Rhino, and its a great nurbs modeler, however for Architecture, BIM is the future, so unless Rhino can do BIM, it will be left behind with AutoCad and all other similar softwares...

[vizwhiz]

Aaron

 

here is a google seach result link for 'free 2d cad software'

 

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=free+2d+cad+software

 

free 2d cad software open source

 

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=free+2d+cad+software+open+source

 

i believe 'Alibre' has a free download cad version somewhere

 

"free & open source software portal"

 

http://www.unesco.org/cgi-bin/webworld/portal_freesoftware/cgi/page.cgi?g=Software%2FProductivity_Tools%2FGraphic%2Findex.shtml;d=1

 

**

 

hope it helps

 

Randy