BajaNomad

Anyone know of software to create a site map for our lot?

joel - 8-24-2009 at 08:54 AM

I'm hoping for a recommendation on some SIMPLE to use software that will let us make a scale drawing of our lot. I'm sure others have dealt with this, so please post what worked for you.

DENNIS - 8-24-2009 at 09:49 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by joel
I'm hoping for a recommendation on some SIMPLE to use software that will let us make a scale drawing of our lot. I'm sure others have dealt with this, so please post what worked for you.


I don't know how but, I have a neighbor who does intricate architectural drafting on Microsoft Word. Must be a way to do a plot plan in there somewhere.
Here's a Word 2000 tutorial. Don't know if it covers it but, give it a look or ask an expert here:

http://www.fgcu.edu/support/office2000/word/

DENNIS - 8-24-2009 at 09:52 AM

Here's another available program for designing your whole thing, from the ground up.

http://www.punchsoftware.com/index.htm

Ricardo - 8-24-2009 at 05:56 PM

Any cheap or free (freeware) computer drafting program would it.
Rick

rob - 8-24-2009 at 05:59 PM

When you say "make a scale drawing of our lot" - I take it to mean that you want to make a topo, as opposed to an architectural drawing of, say, your house.

If so, I have used Sketchup sandbox (free from Google) to draw 3D topos from AutoCad, but its not for the faint of heart or the engineering-challenged (me).

If your need is for simple renderings of the your lot plus house, without getting involved in lot elevations, then "Home Architect" (simple, works great until you want to do something a tad more detailed) or one of the many look-alikes.

DENNIS - 8-24-2009 at 06:04 PM

Jeeezo Rob......Can you be any more confusing? It's not like you. :D

Ricardo - 8-24-2009 at 06:09 PM

Computer programs for drafting are called CAD programs there are free ones on the web. I assume you want a site plan , which is like a city plan with the dimensions (measurements) etc drawn to scale. if you sent me a rough idea of what you want I could draw it for you and email it back. I teach AutoCAD in my highschool and it would likely only take a few minutes
Rick

oxxo - 8-24-2009 at 06:13 PM

I presume you want to print the site map on an 8.5 x 11 format. If you want something bigger like 24x36 format or 1"= 8'-0", it gets more complicated.

DENNIS - 8-24-2009 at 06:33 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ricardo
Computer programs for drafting are called CAD programs there are free ones on the web. I assume you want a site plan , which is like a city plan with the dimensions (measurements) etc drawn to scale. if you sent me a rough idea of what you want I could draw it for you and email it back. I teach AutoCAD in my highschool and it would likely only take a few minutes
Rick



Good on ya there, Rick. What a neat Nomad gesture.

castaway$ - 8-24-2009 at 07:22 PM

It's not software but a pencil (#2) and grid paper from walmart is cheap, under $2 and little opportunity for operator error which translates to frustration, plus it is universally accepted everywhere. Just a thought.:lol:

postholedigger - 8-24-2009 at 11:23 PM

I second the Google tool, Sketchup. It's pretty all-encompassing.

bcburt - 8-25-2009 at 12:33 AM

You can make architectural drawings with MS Visio Pro.

MS has 60 day free trialware version for visio pro or you can even try it online for free:

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/visio/default.aspx

Diver - 8-25-2009 at 07:03 AM

I use Chief Architect which is the pro program developed from Broderbund's 3D Home Architect.
You can still find 3D Home Architect at Costco and others; it is very easy to use.
Punch is also easy to use.
If you google free drafting downloads you will also find many that may help.
If you want to enter the bearings and distances and create a psuedo-survey then you would want a COGO program; this could also show improvements on thelot and some show topo.
If you want to design your home, you are better off with Home Architect or Punch or similar.

[Edited on 8-25-2009 by Diver]

rob - 8-25-2009 at 09:13 AM

.. er, sorry Dennis. It's the heat . . .

What I wanted to say was what Diver just said.

joel - 8-25-2009 at 09:31 AM

Thanks everyone, especially Rick.

What I'm trying to do is, staying away from actual building design, lay out a "site plan" on a 8.5 x 11 the dimensions of our lot, driveway, and adjacent neighbor and then be able to try out different sizes/configurations of house, garage, casita. I can do this with pencil and paper, but it would be nice to be able to move things around on the computer.

Rick, your offer is very generous. Would I be able to manipulate your file using a free CAD program that is VERY simple to use? Someone let me try this with AutoCAD once and I spent a frustrating few hours trying to make sense of it before abandoning it.

bajaguy - 8-25-2009 at 09:36 AM

Just my 2 cents.......I have done this drill a couple of times...my suggestion is to do the property plot as you state above in a "hard copy", then make several transparent "overlays" of your various designs to put on top of the plot plan.....works out better for me

BigWooo - 8-25-2009 at 10:49 AM

I've done drawings in Sketchup, Autocad and in various architectural programs. Technology is helpful, but for simple layout, sometimes there's no substitute for plain old 1/4 scale paper cutouts to move around on a 1/4 scale map of your lot.

Ricardo - 8-25-2009 at 04:36 PM

Joel, yeh autoCAD is a little tough to just go and draw, after you know it, it is easy (of Course). To move things around after drawing the lot boundry is easy but I'm not sure If the free programs can do it. I will check into some of them. The idea of using graph paper (draw your lot lines on this)and using the grid as a Guide (make each square a specific size) and drawing your house on a transparent sheet works very well. you can move it around and see what you like. When it comes to CAD its easy when you know it not so easy if you don't.
Rick