[RE-wrenches] Autocad

[Chris Mason]

D'assault Systeme offers a free CAD program Draftsite, that reads and
writes Autocad files. We use it for our drawings. The commands are all the
same as Autocad so you can learn for free. They also have tremendous
tutorials.
http://www.3ds.com/products-services/draftsight/overview/


On Fri, Mar 14, 2014 at 4:28 PM, Jason Szumlanski <jason at fafcosolar.com>wrote:

> I'm pretty sure the free version of Skelion will do the roof layout. You
> just don't get some of the other nifty features. Oddly enough, the most
> important features we use are free.
>
> Jason Szumlansk
> i
>
>
>
> On Wed, Mar 12, 2014 at 8:43 PM, Bill Hoffer <sunengser at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> William
>>
>> I second using Sketchup and Layout for $500 .  I have seen the add on
>> Roof Pro Plug in and Skelion ( $199) demo  that lays out the array  and
>> links to PVwatts for power analysis.  Plus Combined with google earth ,
>> does great shading analysis I.  I think you can do a quick design in an
>> hour and Autocad would be days!  Stay away from Autocad unless you really
>> need it for large commercial jobs and like Jason said it is required to
>> interact with other trades! Plus Solar Energy Engineering is starting a web
>> based training for using it for solar projects.  It really is pretty cool
>> and a lot more flexible than overpriced and overly complicated Autocad.
>>  Autocad light woudl be my first choice, no way you need the full blown
>> version.
>>
>> Bill
>>
>>
>> On Wed, Mar 12, 2014 at 4:16 PM, Jason Szumlanski <jason at fafcosolar.com>wrote:
>>
>>> Unless there is a compelling reason to use AutoCAD, like
>>> interoperability with other trades and professions, consider Sketchup Pro
>>> and Layout from Trimble. $500.
>>>
>>> I learned it over a weekend, and with the Instant Roof Pro plugin ($39)
>>> I was making convincing and accurate renderings in almost no time. Note:
>>> Instant Roof, a necessary plugin for roof modeling, has not been updated
>>> for Sketchup 2014, so download 2013 for now. The author is working on it.
>>>
>>> Jason Szumlanski
>>>
>>> Fafco Solar
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>  On Wed, Mar 12, 2014 at 7:09 PM, William Miller <
>>> william at millersolar.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>>  Friends:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> The 3D CAD software I have been using is obsolete.  I have decided to
>>>> upgrade to Autocad.  I am temporarily using an educational copy while I
>>>> learn, but  I need to purchase a copy.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Before I go out and plunk down $4k, I need to do some research:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Do I have to expect to pay that much?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Where is a good place to purchase?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Are there copies of one generation old programs available?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I am a self teacher but I use printed texts.  What is your favorite
>>>> Autocad reference?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Thanks everyone!
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> William
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> [image: Gradient Cap_mini]
>>>>
>>>> Lic 773985
>>>>
>>>> millersolar.com (hyperlink)
>>>>
>>>> 805-438-5600
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
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-- 
Chris Mason
President, Comet Systems Ltd
www.cometenergysystems.com
Cell: 264.235.5670
Skype: netconcepts
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