need advice on sketch programs

[mmorris3191]

There's a million programs out there that you can do a drawing of a floor plan for a house, but so many of them have 3D features that aren't necessary, or the program is just hard to manipulate. What do you guys use? I'm a new investigator, and I'm experimenting with different programs, trying to find something SIMPLE- I don't need 3D. Help please?

[alcofrd3chief]

Scene PD is a good program. I have used it to diagram my fires since my dept. purchased it. Its easy to navigate and has very many useful functions.

[mmorris3191]

I'm kind of limited by what I can use for a free trial or just use free as far as trying different programs goes. What is online that I can try, either free or with a 7 day free trial that one of you is using?

[joshball]

The Cad Zone has a programs that are easy and great to work with

[KenNFD1219]

I've used Cad Zone http://www.cadzone.com/default.htm for several years, mostly to draw street maps. Easy to use and the company has very good customer service. They offer both a 2D and 3D version.

Visio is another good program. I purchased a set of fire department symbols for Visio for about $20.

IMO, Cad Zone is easier to use than Visio for floor plans for FD use.

[mmorris3191]

Thanks guys, I'll give cad zone a shot.

[kjohn23]

Google has a skeych program called Google sketch up, Not to fancy but it might work for what you are lookig for, and the price is just right

[madj51]

I find that the best way to do it by hand. There is a lot of technology out there but that does not mean its the best way to go. I find it better to rough draw at the scene and then make it neat later for the report.

[inspector536]

You can often find inexpensive ($10-30) programs at Target, Wal-Mart, etc. I use Vision with Fire Graphics stencils. I have also used CAD Zone with much success. When I started out though, I used a simple (cheap) product by Broderbund for home design.