I know I asked for CAD software, well don't you know by golly the thing sat in the computer for a few months unused because it was beyond my abilities.

I want to use the computer to dress up and get a 3d image of my dream home, which presently takes up paper. I was hoping there was a freeware program out there that is easy to use to make a 3d layout of my dream home.

Please let me know.

cheers

David

Define 'easy to use'. Most CAD programs, and 3-D design programs are for moderately skilled and knowledgeable users. In other words, they assume a working knowledge of what you're using.

Let's say easy as in draw a line by point and click. Draw another line by point and click - Copy those lines, or repeat those lines by point and click.

How about a Glorified Paint Program which allows one to add a third dimension, move a drawn object around, etc. Surly some computer geek got around to making a relatively easy method of doing that.

I am a very visual person, I am not a coordinates person - unless, of course, I make up the coordinate system. Point click on a shape, say circle, square. Hold down a key to make a perfect circle, perfect square. Or free hand for an ellipse/rectangle. Or A Sphere/box

The CAD program I tried was based on Corel which was confusing for me - I didn't want to learn a new skill, I wanted to work on my vision. I didn't want to sit down and first have to calculate how many pixels is equal to an inch. I wanted a program which works with Standard measurements (2x4's sheets of ply wood/dry wall, etc). One that allows me to draw elevation and floor plan and can combine the two to render a basic 3d representation so I can get a feel for the spaces involved.

Yes I know what x,y,z, coordinates mean, I do not, however, know how to convert that to be what I know - feet and inches..

It would be especially helpful if I could look at the inside of walls and get a feel for my basic plumbing/wiring inside of walls. No big deal, but a flat 2d floor plan just doesn't fill my need to see the spaces involved.

There is within my head a vision, I find that I am limited in my ability to make it form in reality in any manner other than going out and building the darn thing.

I can fiddle and trash wood for furniture through trial and error to get what I want - I do this sort of thing a lot when it comes to new creations I try things, discarding those that don't work, saving those that do. Doing that for a house would be very expensive. So I am looking for a way to work out all of the bugs before the start of building.

Does that help? Maybe if you ask me more questions on what I do know (Because by golly I do have a little computer knowledge) you can help me figure out what I need.

Cheers

David

I know exactly what you mean.

However, I'm not aware of any decent programs that offer that simple of an interface. Most programs do allow you to work with units though.

You have the XYZ coordinate system but each unit in the coordinate system represents either an inch, foot.. whatever you set.

I'll look around though and see what I can find.

Thank you.