Need CAD. 2D will do.

I have full blow AutoCAD for work on my laptop but I haven't used anything else as far as cheaper CADs.  We only use Autodesk Programs such as Revit, Autocad, Inventor, and such.   I hear turbocad isn't bad though.  

Sorry - I tried to post a link to a free and legal version of TurboCad but it seems to have been removed.

Bill: It's the offset command (or tool/your choice) in CorelCAD as well.

DELETED - LINKS DIDN'T WORK

The only thing free and not a short trial was the AutoCAD 360, a cloud-based version. I am trying that, but need to find a basic tutorial.

The offset comand in autocad LT or Dublecad Xt will do that easily

Bill

Don Stauffer

I am trying to make a grating pattern, to make a decal from, so a step and repeat at an accurate dimensional spacing is critical.

Don, when you say grating do you mean equal and precisely spaced horizontal and vertical lines like above? If yes, I can tell you how to do it in CorelCAD using step and repeat.

MikeyBugs95

So I guess you tried getting the Student versions of AutoCAD and subproducts? They're free and have all the features of the "non-student" versions.

How do you get student versions?  Don't you have to be enrolled in a school?  If it is a free downloadable version, does it last or is it a short term trial?

I am trying to make a grating pattern, to make a decal from, so a step and repeat at an accurate dimensional spacing is critical.

depending on what you're doing VISIO might work. i know it isn't a CAD program but i have used it for 10 years doing P&ID drawings, cutaways of refinery components and 1/192 PE railings.

There ios a free version thats very good.

www.doublecad.com/.../DoubleCAD-XT-v5

wjbwjb29

Doublecad is exactly like Autocad LT and it has a good manual. You wont be dissapointed at all. Give it a try you have nothing to loose.

Bill

Seems to be going for $500!  Too rich for my blood!

Doublecad is exactly like Autocad LT and it has a good manual. You wont be dissapointed at all. Give it a try you have nothing to loose.

Bill

Don Stauffer

I have downloaded a few free packages- have yet to find one that does the job.  Biggest problem is lack of a decent manual.  Most of the free ones seem to be for designing houses.

I have downloaded a few free packages- have yet to find one that does the job.  Biggest problem is lack of a decent manual.  Most of the free ones seem to be for designing houses.

Why buy one when you can get it for free

Bill

Don,

Hope you enjoy it. I'm a TurboCAD believer (started with free Ver 4) but when I went to Mac discovered that TurboCad MAC is NOTHING like the PC version. Anyway, I've found CorelCad to be nice on the Mac but so different from TurboCAD that it's a steep learning curve for me. There are a number of CorelCAD tutorials on YouTube and worth checking out. Let us hear how you like it.

Bick

Don,

Not a recommendation but a powerful CAD program for the price ($29);

www.amazon.com/.../ref=sr_1_1

I've been trying to come to grips with it on my Mac (I was a TurboCad user on PC); for me, a steep learning curve - more AutoCad like than I'm familiar with. Just a thought.

Wow, at that price I'll take a flyer and try it.  I use Corel's photo editing program and am fairly satisfied with it (although every version seems to have bugs).  Turbo CAD seems to be running about a hundred bucks and up, depending on the version.  Anyway, I did order that from Amazon.

Doublecad XT is just like Autocad LT and its free.

Bill

Don't know what the prices are like you side, but I would have a look at TurboCAD.

I was looking for some straightforward 2D CAD software, without too much of a learning curve & tried several free, less & more expensive programs & ended up going down the TurboCAD route. It has a few foibles like any software, but it's quite quick to get used to, I like it & use it to do line drawings like;

Don,

Not a recommendation but a powerful CAD program for the price ($29);

www.amazon.com/.../ref=sr_1_1

I've been trying to come to grips with it on my Mac (I was a TurboCad user on PC); for me, a steep learning curve - more AutoCad like than I'm familiar with. Just a thought.