Design Programs

[John]

Hello,

This is my first post on this community and am excited to be apart of it.As the title says I am looking a a 3D design program to help design up the system I have the idea to build.I've used Autocad, but I am looking for something that's not expensive but still allow's for a wide range of design features.Also it's user friendly that's even better.Thank you.

Sincerely

John M

[Bob Terrell]

John,

Welcom to the site. Glad to have you here, I am sure one of the members have and idea to help you.  You might also look though the archives becvause I think ther has been som discuson on cad programs before.

[John]

Thanks for the reply, I may just get out the drafting board.I would still be interested in a Design Software,

[Bob Campbell]

What about Google SketchUp?

[John]

I have been looking at some Design Programs and have only seen a few one being Autocad of cource however it is expensive and one called Punch which allows for 2D/3D design of mechanical systems.Does something like Google Sketchup allow for a fairly extensive mechanical design capabilities for a aquaponic system being designed from the ground up?If someone knows of a good program I would be interested in hearing about it.

Sincerely

John M

[Alex Veidel]

Wait...aquaponics requires extensive mechanical design? There goes my future...

[John]

No it does'nt I just want to be able to design something and see how it comes together.You do not need to have extensive mechanical design, pen and paper and a great idea will work too.I will proably end up drafting my idea.

[Alex Veidel]

I know, I was just being sarcastic :) Hope you find something that works!

[Jonathan Hall]

Google SketchUp CAN do what you want. I am no pro at it but I put this one together; Aquaponic Greenhouse

Mostly to help me conceptualize it better and get the spacing/floor plan right.

I've been reading up a little more on the program as I want to do the same thing, with the new design (about to start building when the weather clears up).

Hope to see what you put together.

[Bob Campbell]

This is a drawing of a compost tea brewer that I drew this morning.  I'm not great at SketchUp so it took a couple hours, but it's fun and you can get really good at it after awhile.

Here's some more stuff I drew awhile back.  You can also add dimension lines and fly around and through your drawing.

You can see more of my drawings at http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/search?uq=143391999023029846...

[chris taylor Swamp Creek Farms]

......  how.......

[Bob Campbell]

google sketchup

chris taylor Swamp Creek Farms said:

......  how.......

[chris taylor Swamp Creek Farms]

i dont know if this is how to post it,  but i figured one out