Thoughts on graphic's software

[Spectric]

Well looking at software for images, for the 2D technical stuff I use Qcad and no issues here but what about producing images for documentation, yes we have Adobe products but at a price that I no longer want to pay, it is now a monthly cost rather than a one of hit for as long as the product suits you and I have done some odd task using the drawing tools in Excel but it is not efficient and rather clumsy so who is using what if anything ? I am not looking at full blown technical drawings but rather an image that is representative.

 

[Lons]

Well looking at software for images, for the 2D technical stuff I use Qcad and no issues here but what about producing images for documentation, yes we have Adobe products but at a price that I no longer want to pay, it is now a monthly cost rather than a one of hit for as long as the product suits you and I have done some odd task using the drawing tools in Excel but it is not efficient and rather clumsy so who is using what if anything ? I am not looking at full blown technical drawings but rather an image that is representative.

It may not fit your requirements Roy but I use the free personal version of Autodesk Fusion 360 for drawing images ready for slice conversion to use on my 3D printer. It's cloud based and limited to 10 projects at any one time but you just download then to your computer and delete from the cloud. Not difficult if you're used to drawing in cad.

You need to search for the free home use version as naturally they would rather sell you a commercial version but it is available, no pestering or adverts.

Here's an example of something I have at the minute though not my design. You an moe the solid images through any plane or angle.

 

[BucksDad]

Personally I like Inkscape

 

[Torx]

It’s not quite clear what you’re looking for. ‘Images for documentation’ could easily be drawn with a vector package like AutoCAD or QCAD, if you require line drawings. If you need to edit photos or create graphics you might use something from the Adobe suite, or equivalent. If it’s a Photoshop type package you’re looking for I can’t fault Affinity Photo myself, permanent licence and not too expensive.

 

[kinverkid]

Another one for Inkscape for free CAD or vector drawings although Krita and Gimp are two other free vector-type programs more suited to artistic graphic production. Libre Office for a free Microsoft Office replacement. Scribus for a free illustration documents program. Xodo for a free or paid PDF editor. You can also produce dimensioned PDF drawings in the Fusion 360 free version. Just print to PDF instead of your printer. For photographs, I use the yearly subscription version of Zoner Photo Studio X but Affinity Photo is a good alternative and as Torx says it's a one-off payment for a permanent license.

 

[Spectric]

It’s not quite clear what you’re looking for. ‘Images for documentation’ could easily be drawn with a vector package like AutoCAD or QCAD

I will try and add some direction, an example is a schematic for a circuit done in Icap that can be both simulated and also into a PCB layout tool but what I want for documentation is just something to show the circuit as a drawing. I suppose the closest thing I use at the moment iare the drawing tools in microsofts Word / Excel packages so something like this but with better presentation, ie color fill etc.

 

[StephenArfer]

I have used various vector graphics software over the years, but to avoid the apparently inevitable subscription model, I moved to Affinity Designer as a one-time purchase. Last year I paid to upgrade to Designer 2, at a reasonable cost. Recently, Serif introduced a six-month free trial! That will presumably include their photo and publisher apps as well as Designer. Give it a try - https://affinity.serif.com/en-gb/trial/

 

[Torx]

Have a look at this

https://www.techsoft.co.uk/products/software/techsoft-design-v3

I’m pretty sure a free demo will be available.

Paid for, but permanent (if you choose that option). Simple to use as it’s designed for schools, but as capable as AutoCAD if you delve in, and a lot of graphical capability that other packages lack as it’s designed to be an all-rounder. I use this for any quick representative drawings as well as any detailed technical drawings (for instance, my entire house down to the nearest cm or so).

If you buy it, I’ll stick my neck out and offer you any help you need with it, maybe a TeamViewer training session or something. I used to train teachers on the software and know it very well.

I’ll try to post up some examples later.

 

[Torx]

 

[Ollie78]

There is a free one called design spark provided by rs online. It is good for electrical stuff and I think you can use their component library. I use Fusion 360 but my mate uses design spark for electric stuff and 3d printing.

 

[MorrisWoodman12]

+1 for Designspark though I only use the DS Mechanical for 3D modelling prior to printing.
For schematics and layout I use KCAD (I think that's correct - not at PC at the mo)
For 2D stuff I use LibreCAD.
I don't think you can draw a set of 2D drawings and transform them to 3D and I find LibreCAD more versatile for 2D.
Have fun
Martin

 

[Spectric]

Well thanks for all the input, looks like I need to spend some time with the demo from Techsoft as that looks good , maybe Smartdraw and also Affinity Designer.

 

[Spectric]

If you buy it, I’ll stick my neck out and offer you any help you need with it, maybe a TeamViewer training session or something. I used to train teachers on the software and know it very well.

How does it compare to the drawing tools in Microsoft Word / Excel ?

 

[Torx]

How does it compare to the drawing tools in Microsoft Word / Excel ?

Sorry for the delay responding, I haven't been on the forums for a couple of weeks.

The first thing that came to mind as a comparison is undoing a screw with only your fingers vs. using a screwdriver.

That's not any fault of Word or Excel - these are simply not drawing packages, they just have a few tools to aid very simple graphical representations.

It would be a bit like using QCAD or one of the Adobe packages to write an essay or create a spreadsheet....

I'm still not completely sure what you're looking to use it for, do you have any examples? Even just things pinched from Google images to show what you mean?

 

[Spectric]

Yes I use Qcad and it is great, infact I find it amazing for the 2D stuff I do and it was not a huge learning curve either compared to the likes of Autocad or Orcad. But it is purely technical and not graphical and is why I defaulted to used the MS tools in excel to produce things like this which can be hard going.

At the same time I use excel because of it's maths ability, used to use Mathcad until it got to expensive.

Another example below,

here with excel you can have live data as well like

So probably retain excel but want a better more efficient way to produce graphics to embed into the excel document.

 

[Torx]

Yes I use Qcad and it is great, infact I find it amazing for the 2D stuff I do and it was not a huge learning curve either compared to the likes of Autocad or Orcad. But it is purely technical and not graphical and is why I defaulted to used the MS tools in excel to produce things like this which can be hard going.

View attachment 189328

At the same time I use excel because of it's maths ability, used to use Mathcad until it got to expensive.

Another example below,

View attachment 189329

here with excel you can have live data as well like

View attachment 189330

So probably retain excel but want a better more efficient way to produce graphics to embed into the excel document.

OK, so for the live data it wouldn't be much use but I imagine the first two images could be produced quickly and with much less frustration than Microsoft products. It has been designed so that schools only have to teach (and purchase) one application for both CAD and Graphics lessons (although things have changed a bit nowadays where software is more integral to the curriculum and they will teach Adobe products aswell).

Nothing to lose by downloading the free demo and having a play with it, and I'm happy to answer questions and help out.

https://www.techsoft.co.uk/products/software/techsoft-design-v3-download

(From memory, I think saving is disabled in the demo version rather than having it on time expiry, but it might have changed now.)

I just drew up a drain layout for my house which we're extending:

A sample drawing from the software:

 

[pe2dave]

Well looking at software for images, for the 2D technical stuff I use Qcad and no issues here but what about producing images for documentation, yes we have Adobe products but at a price that I no longer want to pay, it is now a monthly cost rather than a one of hit for as long as the product suits you and I have done some odd task using the drawing tools in Excel but it is not efficient and rather clumsy so who is using what if anything ? I am not looking at full blown technical drawings but rather an image that is representative.

Qcad has the ability to scale (for your documentation) on output?
Depends where (which app) you're aiming for, but format conversion
is a simpler task once the drawing is scaled to fit?

 

[Spectric]

The big difference between the two requirements is that Qcad produces a 2d technical drawing that you can manufacture from and is very precise so for example with my library of router cutter profiles in Qcad I can come up with built up profiles and know exactly what settings to use on the router table to create the final profile. The other requirement is really visual information in that the diagrams are intended to convey information in a more explanatory way than words and so need to be more graphical. The other aspect is that any images produced in Excel can be edited in Excel but images produced external are imported as an image and cannot be edited but this is not an issue just something that has to be beared in mind, yes how many have created something in Excel then cut and pasted it as a picture before realising and deleted the original !!

 

[JimSmith1969]

Well looking at software for images, for the 2D technical stuff I use Qcad and no issues here but what about producing images for documentation, yes we have Adobe products but at a price that I no longer want to pay, it is now a monthly cost rather than a one of hit for as long as the product suits you and I have done some odd task using the drawing tools in Excel but it is not efficient and rather clumsy so who is using what if anything ? I am not looking at full blown technical drawings but rather an image that is representative.

I’ve tried Adobe, but the cost can be prohibitive, so I’m always on the lookout for alternatives. I often use Fusion 360 for technical drawings, and Inkscape has been great for vector graphics - plus, it’s free! I've found Affinity Designer is also a solid investment with a one-time fee.

Appreciate hearing everyone’s experiences!

 

[Torx]

Perhaps Microsoft Visio is worth a look for you, at least it’s designed for the task at hand. I think it’s included in 365 if you have a contract?