converting shipping containers to housing.

[walker.t]

I'm a building inspector.

Gotcha, hence the name “Inspector Gadget” - that was a great cartoon, by the way!

I have considered a retirement gig teaching myself how to use some kind of design software and doing design, mind you. It's not like the bar is set very high around here.

A retirement gig doing some design work at your convenience would be cool. A friend who is retired is going out of his mind not having a job - seriously affecting his mental health, unfortunately. I told him he needs a job - not full time, just a little something instead of watching the news all day and worrying about things.

Teaching yourself to use some kind of design software is definitely doable, I taught myself two drafting applications and one modeling application on my own by referencing the user manuals or training videos.

 

[Inspector Gadget]

Teaching yourself to use some kind of design software is definitely doable, I taught myself two drafting applications and one modeling application on my own by referencing the user manuals or training videos.

I gave a stab at something - I can't recall what - and it didn't mesh with me. Maybe it's my age. In younger days I learnificated all sorts of things - photoshop, Quark, and at one point, Indesign. I think part of the issue is that I don't want to play an arm and a leg for software that I might not use very often....

 

[walker.t]

I gave a stab at something - I can't recall what - and it didn't mesh with me. Maybe it's my age.

I don’t know you, but I don’t think it’s your age, new dogs can learn new tricks. Personally, I believe if you have the desire and determination to learn the software you can learn it.

When I learned my first CAD application I remember sitting down and thinking, “OK, time to use this to draw a floor plan…how do I draw a line?” Found the icon, learned how to set the length, and I could draw a line. Then I had to learn how to offset the line, join two lines, create notes, draw an arc for a door swing, add dimensions, et cetera - step by step and before long I was productive with the software.

I think part of the issue is that I don't want to play an arm and a leg for software that I might not use very often....

I can completely relate to the concern regarding the cost of software. But there are applications that aren’t too bad, the CAD software I use (HighDesign by Ilexsoft) has a $149 LT version, $349 for their mid-level software, and $499 for the pro version - all permanent licenses and not subscriptions.

If you get bored and want to play around with a modeler you can try the free version of formZ, go on YouTube and search for “formZ The 30 minute model” and follow along with that video. I did that, the software was much easier to use than I expected. The video was done with an older version of the software, I don’t know how much the interface has changed to know if it will be difficult to find the same tools in the newer version.

 

[Paul Sweet]

CMS Intellicad is fully compatible with AutoCAD and does everything AutoCAD does for a lot less - $279.95.

Compatible CAD Software for .DWG files - CMS IntelliCAD - Products

CMS IntelliCAD is the intelligent, powerful and affordable full-featured 2D 3D DWG, DXF, DWF compatible CAD Software.

www.intellicadms.com

I use VisualCADD, which is based on the old Generic CADD and is very easy to use. It's pricier, but well worth the $529.95.

TriTools.com

 

[walker.t]

CMS Intellicad is fully compatible with AutoCAD and does everything AutoCAD does for a lot less - $279.95.

I worked for a firm that had IntelliCAD on their laptop, I used it a few times, it pretty much seemed to be a clone of AutoCAD it was so similar.

CAD is such a big part of my work that cost isn’t the primary concern for me, I want to use something that I think works well and that I can enjoy using.

 

[bill1952]

CAD is such a big part of my work that cost isn’t the primary concern for me, I want to use something that I think works well and that I can enjoy using.

Agree. But now retired AutoDESK subscriptions are not affordable, and Inspector G was talking about retirement work. (Luckily I had a perpetual AutoCAD license and suits me fine for projects around the house.)

 

[walker.t]

Agree. But now retired AutoDESK subscriptions are not affordable, and Inspector G was talking about retirement work. (Luckily I had a perpetual AutoCAD license and suits me fine for projects around the house.)

I’m not a fan of subscriptions, fortunately all the software I want or need is available with permanent licenses. Offering software on a subscription-only basis would be like car manufacturers getting together and agreeing that they will stop selling cars and only leasing cars. I don’t think people would stand for that yet they accept it with their software.

If I was on a shoestring budget I’d just do my drawings by hand and make chipboard study models if needed. A few years ago I did a little vacation cabin for a couple and for some reason I felt like doing a few quick and dirty chipboard study models showing some options - they loved them and the models were really helpful in our meeting, I wasn’t expecting such a positive response.

 

[bill1952]

I’m not a fan of subscriptions, fortunately all the software I want or need is available with permanent licenses. Offering software on a subscription-only basis would be like car manufacturers getting together and agreeing that they will stop selling cars and only leasing cars. I don’t think people would stand for that yet they accept it with their software.

If I was on a shoestring budget I’d just do my drawings by hand and make chipboard study models if needed. A few years ago I did a little vacation cabin for a couple and for some reason I felt like doing a few quick and dirty chipboard study models showing some options - they loved them and the models were really helpful in our meeting, I wasn’t expecting such a positive response.

I try to avoid subscription software also. Luckily I retired about last year of both AutoCAD and QuickBooks perpetual licenses, and they still work fine.

 

[walker.t]

and they still work fine.

Awesome, that’s more money you get to keep in your pocket the longer you can use that software.