I am looking to just draw up some simple front panels. Anyone know of CAD software that is free and easy to use? Something with not a lot of bells and whistles to worry about.

 

Do you want 3D features?

I use M/S Paint for simple drawings, and SketchUp for 3D prints.

 

I am looking to just draw up some simple front panels. Anyone know of CAD software that is free and easy to use? Something with not a lot of bells and whistles to worry about.

You need a g-code output file or what are you looking for?

 

Any chance you are a student/teacher (or have a student/teacher email account)?
If so you get access to all autodesk products. (Inventor + HSM express CAM addin is my #1 recommendation there.. awesome stuff and how I model/program for my DIY milling machine)

Do you need gcode output as stated above?

draftsight is a simple 2D drawing program identical to Autocad (and its free).. If you just need 2D cad I HIGHLY recommend this..

http://replicat.org/generators
http://www.dakeng.com/ace.htm

 

I'm using FreeCAD: http://freecadweb.org/

This guy is drawing a lot: cad1919

Just watching his videos are a great way to learn. At least that's what I think.

FreeCAD exports to lots of different formats, and STL is one of them. At first glance, it might look hard to use and understand, but when you get it, you'll get it.

 

Do you want 3D features?

I use M/S Paint for simple drawings, and SketchUp for 3D prints.

No just 2D. Looked at sketchup. The 3d is a learning curve I don't need. Paint does not provide a scale. I just want to design equipment panels.

 

Draftsight is good.I used it in my workplace to draw professional drawings so it should be good enough for hobby use.

 

Have you had a look over at CNCZone? Pretty sure they have a forum section for that.

 

No just 2D. Looked at sketchup. The 3d is a learning curve I don't need. Paint does not provide a scale. I just want to design equipment panels.

Then draftsight hands down..

 

Have you had a look over at CNCZone? Pretty sure they have a forum section for that.

Have you seen their forum? I thought we had a lot of sub forums! Yikes! WAY too many categories. A number of my questions went unanswered. Part of the problem I guess is too many forums, less eyes looking at them.

And check your in box.

 

Have you seen their forum? I thought we had a lot of sub forums! Yikes! WAY too many categories. A number of my questions went unanswered. Part of the problem I guess is too many forums, less eyes looking at them.

And check your in box.

If g-code works, you my try an old hp-pen plotter driver if you only need 2-D. I can get Design spark to output directly to an HP pen plotter.

 

If g-code works, you my try an old hp-pen plotter driver if you only need 2-D. I can get Design spark to output directly to an HP pen plotter.

That would be cool. How would I get my router to do this?

 

Hello,

The old HP penplotters work with the HPLG codes:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HPGL

Bertus