CAD Programs??

[Grokker]

I am a total amateur architect and designer. I downloaded Sweethome 3d and have enjoyed putting plans I have had for over 20 year into a format I can actually work with. What I am now looking for is a totally free 3dCAD program as free as sweethome3d. I am a 72 year old man on basic Social Security living in Senior Housing. I have a few ideas that I would like to see somewhere other than my mind.

The programs I find tend to be FREE (for a trial period) or 'give us your life history and we will let you try our stuff. At one time I bought a program on a 3.25 disk (for $5) that I could draw as I would on paper which I could zoom down and draw the wall studs or back off to see a 7mile plot. The only problems I had were a 7 story height and the program was set only for a plotter. I enjoy designing but with the availability of computers it is frustrating to be stuck with paper and pencil.

Please help.
Fred Cain

[hansmex]

It is not clear what you need help with...?

[UbuntuBirdy]

You can try FreeCAD

[Grokker]

I want a really free CAD style program where I can draw things like a shopping cart innovation or kitchen cabinets as I would like them. I don't want to sell these deas I would just like to be able to see what they would look like.

[okh]

Simple shapes you can make with SH3D using walls etc. + the ShapeGenerator plugin (export to .obj and import as furniture). If you look at the 3D models page you find links to Art of illusion and Blender. Both mullti-platform that will let you create more intricate objects, but they may take some time to master. And then, there are other alternatives like Sketchup, FreeCad, Wings 3D, etc.

With a wider search, you should find descriptions of different software (like this). As long as the software reliably exports to .obj or .dae it should be able to do the job. Which is better for you depends on what you feel comfortable with and how much time you are willing to spend learning.

ok