2D Floor plan software?

[paperfist]

Anyone know of some simple software for laying out rooms with basic pre-fabs like windows & doors?

Everything I come across is either really elaborate, monthly subscriptions (yuck) or complicated to use.

I just want to draw some boxes for rooms, add in door, window and stair locations and that's really it.

 

[zebrax2]

Sketchup. Draw lines then push or pull. You could also import premade models submitted to their 3D warehouse directly into your project.
Edit: Noticed that you were looking for a 2D floor plan software, my recommendation above is mostly for its ease of use in 3D.

I just tried Sweet Home 3D and it looks pretty simple to use. Create room, create walls then drag and drop doors, windows and other furniture.

 

[Greenman]

What you want is around $500 bucks, and it's 3d.
I've never used a free cad app that I thought was worth the price, and I tried a lot of them. I would recommend either stepping up and paying for what you need and learning how to use it, or using pencil and paper.

 

[mxnerd]

11 Best Free Floor Plan Software for 2024

Learn about the 11 best floor plan software for 2024 and build efficient designs, construction layouts, and architectural drawings for business growth.

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[Greenman]

The only one that's actually free is sweet home. I played with it briefly, seems to be alright.
I guess the browser based options are free as well, but I have issues with all browser based software.

Home Designer pro is pretty good, but it's $500. It's based on chief architect, which is several thousand dollars. For me, the only thing wrong with HDP is that it won't do D size prints. I get around that by exporting the finished plan as a DFX or DWG file, and importing it into Visual Cadd, then printing D size drawings from there.

 

[paperfist]

I think I may have found it and its made by the most unexpected company and it’s also $500. Microsoft Visio. I played around with the trial last night and it was nice and simple. Drag out a shape that you can modify, pull doors and windows in from their pre-made libraries and it’s all done on a grid like you’re using graph paper. The controls are familiar to their office apps so I was easy to pick up. Some of the controls are a bit wonky, but still fast.

 

[paperfist]

What you want is around $500 bucks, and it's 3d.
I've never used a free cad app that I thought was worth the price, and I tried a lot of them. I would recommend either stepping up and paying for what you need and learning how to use it, or using pencil and paper.

Apparently sage advice! Before posting this I already tried out 5 free apps and paid $125 for another that took hours just to lay out 3 rooms.

11 Best Free Floor Plan Software for 2024

Learn about the 11 best floor plan software for 2024 and build efficient designs, construction layouts, and architectural drawings for business growth.

learn.g2.com

Thanks, I was actually going off that list. Most have nutty monthly fees which I guess is fine if you do this professionally.

 

[Greenman]

Looks like you can rent Visio for $5 a month. That's a steal.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

I remember playing around a lot with 3D Home Architect during the 1990's. It was a very delimited version of Chief Architect which sold for several hundred dollars. I am not sure it is around anymore. But unlike generic sketching software it knew the context of what you were drawing.

 

[Greenman]

I remember playing around a lot with 3D Home Architect during the 1990's. It was a very delimited version of Chief Architect which sold for several hundred dollars. I am not sure it is around anymore. But unlike generic sketching software it knew the context of what you were drawing.

It's still around, and I still use it. Chief is still around as well, though the price is around $4k now.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

I am surprised that there is enough consumer interest to continue the consumer version. It, to me, was a novelty thing during the 1990's when everyone was all about the desktop computer in their homes and not just the geeks and nerds. And I can even see it being popular into the early 2000's before the financial crisis of late '07-early '08, but after that I would think the American Dream was finally realized as being a falsehood and just took whatever there was being offered with less than 1% being outside the home buying/making curve.

 

[Greenman]

Looks like there about 140,000,000 homes in the US. If even 1% want to play with remodeling and buy the product, that's a hell of a big market.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

I guess, but I have never heard of anyone using it to a project completion.

 

[Greenman]

I guess, but I have never heard of anyone using it to a project completion.

I just did it this week.

 

[mindless1]

I am surprised that there is enough consumer interest to continue the consumer version. It, to me, was a novelty thing during the 1990's when everyone was all about the desktop computer in their homes and not just the geeks and nerds. And I can even see it being popular into the early 2000's before the financial crisis of late '07-early '08, but after that I would think the American Dream was finally realized as being a falsehood and just took whatever there was being offered with less than 1% being outside the home buying/making curve.

I suspect that consumer sales were very low.

Back in the day, I got Better Homes & Gardens Home Designer for free after rebate. It was developed by Chief Architect but I couldn't tell you a thing about it... ripped the disc to an ISO back in '08. Heh, I don't see an install key for it so if it needs one and I can't find the box/literature, worthless now.

 

[Greenman]

A lot of the "home" stuff is more for the homeowner to play with layouts and designs rather than producing permit ready drawings. In those situations it has real value. Rather than paying someone for ten different revisions, you can nail down the basics, then have a pro turn that into an actual set of plans.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

This is very true. For instance, one could make multi-story drawings and not know if the structure is sound or not (probably not). But then again considering the costs I think it is a decent idea for planned home buyers seeking out true architectural services to better explain what they are looking for instead of going word of mouth. But considering how many people buy used homes or tract built homes, etc., I doubt many are building custom under a construction contract and even then are not looking for anything much more elaborate than a slightly modified pre-existing set of plans. And given the rise of the number of millionaires in the USA I think they simple go old school. But as a time-wasting toy it is fun. Almost beats doing the same by hand, which I was doing between ages 12-16.

 

[Greenman]

It works for remodeling and additions as well. I'm also seeing some 3d models in upper end home listings.
None of them will take the place of a competent designer, but as another tool in the box they have value. Personally, I'd never produce another set of plans if I had to go back to pencil and paper.
For me personally, 2d cad is still the more valuable option. I use it to layout complex walls and critical components throughout the structure, and produce extremely accurate details. Way better than laying out raked walls on the deck.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Visio probably would work. In like 2012/2013, I had to get a zoning variance and bought some 3D modeling design software from OfficeDepot for $20. It had graphics you could drag and drop for interior design, etc.... My point is that this was 7 years ago and was software found easily in an office supply store for cheap. If Visio fails, there are likely cheap specialty options in your local office store. (assuming they sell software still)