joel
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Anyone know of software to create a site map for our lot?
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.
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DENNIS
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| 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/
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DENNIS
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Here's another available program for designing your whole thing, from the ground up.
http://www.punchsoftware.com/index.htm
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Ricardo
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Any cheap or free (freeware) computer drafting program would it.
Rick
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rob
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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.
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DENNIS
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Jeeezo Rob......Can you be any more confusing? It's not like you. 
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Ricardo
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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
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oxxo
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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.
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DENNIS
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| 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.
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castaway$
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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.
Live Indubiously!
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postholedigger
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I second the Google tool, Sketchup. It's pretty all-encompassing.
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bcburt
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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
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Diver
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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]
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rob
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.. er, sorry Dennis. It's the heat . . .
What I wanted to say was what Diver just said.
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joel
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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.
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bajaguy
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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
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BigWooo
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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.
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Ricardo
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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
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