Software recommendations needed

[cc1]

Hi,

 

I'm in need of recommendations of software to purchase to create plans/drawings for railroad crossings. Any help or suggestions to point me in the right direction would be much appreciated. See attached images for example drawings of what I need to create. If you have trouble viewing please let me know and I can upload to hosting site and link or email to you.

 

Thanks,

 

Casey

[ReMark]

If your work will be primarily 2D in nature you could buy or lease (on a monthly and as needed basis) AutoCAD LT.

[cc1]

If your work will be primarily 2D in nature you could buy or lease (on a monthly and as needed basis) AutoCAD LT.

 

Thanks for your reply. Yes my work will consist of 2D only. Does AutoCAD LT have symbols that are commonly used for electrical circuits that can be quickly inserted or would these items have to be drawn each time? For example, the electrical receptacle and light switch shown in one of the attachments in my first post. Also, resistor, and capacitor symbols etc.

 

Thanks again

[Cad64]

Does AutoCAD LT have symbols that are commonly used for electrical circuits that can be quickly inserted or would these items have to be drawn each time? For example, the electrical receptacle and light switch shown in one of the attachments in my first post. Also, resistor, and capacitor symbols etc.

 

Autocad does ship with some electrical symbols, but you can easily create your own symbols and save them to a folder. When you need them, just insert them as blocks in your drawings. You don't have to draw them each time.

 

You can also find pre-made symbols for free online, like these: http://www.draftsperson.net/index.php?title=Electrical_Symbols_-_Free_AutoCAD_Blocks

[cc1]

Excellent! Sounds like Autocad lt is the way to go then. I don't have any experience with it, but I'm sure I can get the basics down and learn enough to do what I need to do with it. I wonder if it would be better to purchase or subscribe? I'll probably only use it once or twice a year. If purchased, are updates free of charge?

[Cad64]

If you're only going to use it once or twice a year, you will probably want to do the pay-as-you-go monthly option: http://www.autodesk.com/store/products/autocad-lt?term=1year&support=advanced

[cc1]

So it looks like all they offer now is a subscription. Are there any alternatives that are comparable that can be purchased?

[Cad64]

Alternatives to Autocad? Yes, there are several, but I think the best is probably BricsCad: https://www.bricsys.com/en_US/Bricscad/?gclid=Cj0KEQiAperBBRDfuMf72sr56fIBEiQAPFXszdrAjcvXsAC96_TzEDy56S2vmr74XR3H96jeZVUJfHoaAhHO8P8HAQ

 

There is also a pretty good free program called Draftsight that you might want to take a look at: http://www.3ds.com/products-services/draftsight-cad-software/free-download/

[cc1]

Excellent! You're the man! I'll look into those. For what we need it for BricsCad may be a better option. I'll check them both out

[BIGAL]

Another Intellicad different versions are available.

[f700es]

Another vote for DraftSight, why pay for software (AutoCAD LT) when DS is all you need and you can use it free, even for profit.

[Ski_Me]

Was gonna suggest Visio but can't beat free.

[cc1]

I will check out DraftSight, thanks