2-D floor planning software that's easier than G-Sketchup

Vinko · Oct 6, 2008

Can anyone recommend a basic software program that'll work with the Mac?

I'm trying to do different floor layouts on a 40,000 sq. ft warehouse/shop.

I've been doing them on graph paper, and recently tried the google program that some of you guys have mentioned using.

It's too complicated for me. A pain in the ***, especially with about 1000+ crates that I've got to record in one section of the warehouse.

Anything easier than google sketch that can do basic floor plans and shapes within it?

PAToyota · Oct 6, 2008

Personally, I think SketchUp has about one of the lowest learning curves out there for what it does. As for the crates, make them into a component so that you can easily multiply them.

Coroto · Oct 6, 2008

You should try the new version of Floorplanner: http://beta.floorplanner.com/start

Mark in Memphis · Oct 6, 2008

This may or may not be up your alley, but I've got a friend that uses a spreadsheet like Excel for drafting. He sets the grid size so that the height and width of the boxes are equal and he starts laying things out. A bit odd but it works.

thdewey · Oct 6, 2008

OMG Homeplanner.com is awesome. It IS easier than Sketchup. I still want to figure Sketchup out though.
Thanks Coroto!

Vinko · Oct 7, 2008

PAToyota said:
Personally, I think SketchUp has about one of the lowest learning curves out there for what it does.

Well, it just shows you my skill level then, doesn't it? :bounce:

06bluez · Oct 7, 2008

graph paper?

PAToyota · Oct 7, 2008

Vinko: Have you taken the time to watch some of the videos? Those alone are worth their weight in gold.

Start here: Video Tutorials

Go through the first four and then the ones below that detail how to use each and every tool.

mikeyr · Oct 7, 2008

I agree, I had a hell of a time with Sketchup and gave up (twice) finally spent an hour with the videos and even I am impressed with I can do now.

FunfDreisig · Oct 7, 2008

I used 2D Canvas X to design and build our cabin complete with elevations. etc. on a Mac. Now I've switched to G-Sketchup and would never go back to 2D anything again. It is simply too hard to keep changes in the different dimensions in sync. For example, if you change the location of a window, you have to change it in two different drawings the floor plan and the elevation of the wall. Heaven forbid you change the overall length and width of the structure -> changes in floor plan and all the elevations. Not to mention that you only get to visualize the structure in planar views.

OTOH the learning curve was steep for this old pro with 2D illustration software. I had to unlearn a bunch of stuff that simply does not work that way in G-Sketchup. As others have said, I really suggest going through ALL the tutorials even if they seem very simple. It helps to reset your MO to the G-Sketchup way of doing things.

Two other hints....
Group early and group often. And "Explode" (AKA Ungroup) as little as possible. You can edit individual items in groups very easily. So you rarely need to "explode" a group.

Layers in G-Skethup are NOT used like layers in most 2D software. It is much better to draw EVERYTHING in Layer 0 then group it and move the group to another logically named layer. And be especially careful which layer is active if you explode a group. Because the "shrapnel" can easily end up in that layer.

Funf Dreisig

hansen1 · Oct 8, 2008

Sketchup is very powerful though maybe not intuitive. I found that the podcast videos from www.go-2-school.com very helpful in understanding how to use Sketchup.

Once you start to get the hang of Sketchup, you will be amazed how powerful and easy it is to use.

I have not used the other programs being discussed so I can't comment on their ease of use.

mikeyr · Oct 8, 2008

I tried Floorplanner and I got a floorplan really quick, way cool, then I went to add my tools and bench and stuff and oops, no garage stuff in their library. They did have a Alfa so that is a plus but I could not use it without making up my tools...sketchup still is the best.

Vinko · Oct 12, 2008

PAToyota said:
Vinko: Have you taken the time to watch some of the videos? Those alone are worth their weight in gold.

Start here: Video Tutorials

Go through the first four and then the ones below that detail how to use each and every tool.

No I haven't but I'm to start as soon as I can. Thanks for the tips guys.

Another thing I hope to be able to do is this. I have rows of crates about 40" square. Stacked up to four high. I'd like to be able to have some sort of way to "see" each layer of different product. Sort of "layers" like you'd do with an excel spreadsheet (something that I don't really do well at either).

PAToyota · Oct 13, 2008

SketchUp has layers as well. Draw the crate on layer zero and make it a component. Then make copies and change the copies to particular layers - auto parts, tools, whatever - as necessary. From the layer menu, you can even "color by layer" so that you can see at a glance which is which.

MRman · Mar 1, 2013

hey im having a 1000-1200 sq ft/17 ft high warehouse shop built. i need to make simple plans showing rebar/concrete/footing/messurment.. ect for the city and building crew. whats the best/simplest safeware to desgine a simple blue print? or dose anyone know if your able to buy simple blue prints somewhere online thats close to my discription above? thanks

JDishong · Mar 1, 2013

VISIO is worth checking into. Very intuitive.

BeachBoy · Mar 1, 2013

I found that if you have ever used Catia/solidworks or autocad, sketchup is quite hard to learn, you have to do tons of stuff differently.

swharris · Mar 2, 2013

CB Structures Layout Planner

http://www.cbstructuresinc.com/layout-planner

Very easy to use, and quite a bit(not every thing) of garage specific items already made.

Learning curve is not so steep. If I could do it, I bet anyone can. Here is my unfinished design so far. Nothing is locked with the exception of the two post and the overhead bridge crane. While I'd love to have a basement, I'm not sure if that is in the budget.

pmiranda · Mar 4, 2013

JDishong said:
VISIO is worth checking into. Very intuitive.

+1. I already had it for work use so maybe it just seems easy to me.

I will note you want to use one of the building plan templates when creating a new sheet so it dimensions things properly.

I'd actually prefer doing everything in DraftSight, but I don't have any libraries of objects for it so I have only used it for rough site planning so far.

I really should transition to sketchup but I don't want to spend time learning.

cbracer · Mar 5, 2013

BeachBoy said:
I found that if you have ever used Catia/solidworks or autocad, sketchup is quite hard to learn, you have to do tons of stuff differently.

Yeah, I concur!!! Came from Pro/E and everything is backwards in sketchup.

Vinko · Apr 14, 2013

Wow, nice thread resurrection! I never did play around more with Google Sketch-Up. I did play around with Visio (on a PC -- though I normally use a Mac). I'll try some of these other suggestions. I've been doing a lot of blue print work (albeit very amateur blue print work) by hand and enjoy it. But I'd like to learn to use the computer for this.

M3rl3n · Apr 14, 2013

nothing good comes out of an apple...

wyb2 · Apr 14, 2013

cbracer said:
Yeah, I concur!!! Came from Pro/E and everything is backwards in sketchup.

Agree. Used NX, Solidworks, Inventor, and ACAD... spent 15 min with Sketchup and quickly realized I wasn't going to get anywhere fast.

MRman said:
hey im having a 1000-1200 sq ft/17 ft high warehouse shop built. i need to make simple plans showing rebar/concrete/footing/messurment.. ect for the city and building crew. whats the best/simplest safeware to desgine a simple blue print? or dose anyone know if your able to buy simple blue prints somewhere online thats close to my discription above? thanks

Blueprints usually imply prints signed off by an architect no? Not sure if any freeware is going to get you there, but lots of options for making unofficial layouts and plans.

http://www.homestyler.com/designer

http://www.floorplanner.com/

Freeware from CNET is trustworthy in my experience:

http://download.cnet.com/1770-20_4-0.html?query=blueprint&rpp=10&searchtype=downloads&filter=licenseName%3D%22Free%22|&filterName=licenseName%3DFree|

Also, nice thread resurrection as mentioned. But this one works as there are probably much more options now for this type of thing than there was 5 years ago.

2-D floor planning software that's easier than G-Sketchup

Well-known member

Well-known member

New member

Member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Active member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

New member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Member

Well-known member