Construction Software

**Cold_Steel** · 05-18-2009, 12:22 AM

What is a good software program for building a building/remodeling brew house. Is it free?

albannach · 05-18-2009, 01:29 PM

I use Google Sketchup for most of my modeling/design projects.
Google SketchUp

**JPicasso** · 05-18-2009, 01:59 PM

I've got some software... and the name escapes me today... Punch Pro?
or maybe that was the publisher. Anyways, you can build a complete house mockup, and then it transferes to 3D so you can do a "walk-through".

You may enter in prices for things like 2x4's and it will calculate construction costs. I've only used it for mocking up remodles, but it looks complete on the costing side.

Punch Pro Platinum... Google that.

Yes, google that. It will find their website. They are on version 10, and it looks sweet. I've got version 6, and it's maybe 10 years old. $100 seems steep, but considering it will do electrical/plumbing/hvac layout and drawings, it may be worth it for ya.

**Cold_Steel** · 05-18-2009, 09:08 PM

Googles sketchup is really kewl but super difficult to use. Its so frustrating.

I didnt try the other one because i dont want to pay.

Rick500 · 05-18-2009, 10:05 PM

+1 for SketchUp.

If you haven't gone through the tutorial, it helps a bunch.

purechaos · 05-18-2009, 10:09 PM

i use AutoCad ;-)

Apollo · 05-19-2009, 01:22 AM

I use AutoCad as well... pretty soon it'll be Revit.

**Cold_Steel** · 05-19-2009, 02:06 AM

yeah but autocad cost money right?
I think I am going to have to go through the tutorial which I really dont want at all.
The download feature in google sketch is just awesome.

wscott823 · 06-04-2009, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crystalcabot

yeah but autocad cost money right?
I think I am going to have to go through the tutorial which I really dont want at all.
The download feature in google sketch is just awesome.

It really depends on how in depth you want to go with the plans. If you like renderings to help you visualize, SketchUp may be the way to go. However, the level of technical detail can sometimes be cumbersome with this program

If you're simply laying down linework than a trial version of AutoCAD would probably suffice. You've got a time constraint of 30 days or something though, so this may work against you if you're not familiar with the program. Renderings in AutoCAD are a little more difficult to optimize.

If money is an issue you could always find keygens on torrent websites to "help reduce the cost", however that requires some loose morals regarding software piracy.

----
Final thoughts: SketchUp is free. While it's difficult to start using for some. It's one of the best free design software packages out there right now.

Just my $0.02 as a drafter.

**Joker** · 06-04-2009, 10:14 PM

I use CAD as well, but in all honesty sometimes its easier just to break out the ole scale and pencil and draw it.