Do any of you use software to plan or design your setups?

[nwmnnaturalist]

I'm horrible at drawing, and I want to use some sort of basic drafting (CAD-Like) software to plan out my vivariums. Does anyone have any recommendations on software? Hopefully free stuff? ^^

I'm not looking for anything fancy. Just something that I can plan out dimensions and placements.

 

[KingCanon]

An architect friend of mine used ot use Auto-Cad, I'm going to be honest and not sure if that's a type of software or a brand.

Maybe looking into architectural software might yield the freebie your after. If you find one I'd be Really interested in seeing the finished drawings.

 

[KingCanon]

Were you able to find anything in the end?


Sent from the comfort of my throne room

 

[sallie2010]

I used Google Sketch up. You need to run Chrome to gain access to it. It wasn't bad...I found it complicated at first but after playing with it a while I got the hang of it.

 

[KingCanon]

Have you used anything like it before?
Once upon a time I was pretty good with photoshop so I'm wondering how similar they are? Laptops out of action so I'll have to wait to find out


Sent from the comfort of my throne room

 

[RavaLock]

Perhaps a bit late but...

I have used Sketch Up. I did not need to use Chrome to access/download it either. I use Mozilla and I think you can still download it via IE if you're a masochist lol.

I like Sketch Up a lot for most of my mockups for anything. I've used it to design my kitchen, my basement, a desk, basic aquarium layouts, and various other things. I have not delved into doing aquariums too much though since I can draw and usually I just prefer to sketch it if it doesn't require exact measurements to plan.

As far as I know, and I've looked a little before, that's your best free-be plan. And Sketch Up is very easy to use

Since my post is a bit late: Have you found anything else to share with us?

 

[SludgeMunkey]

Software is overkill. I used to make rough pencil sketches (a few are on here), but I really just go with the flow and let nature take its course.

I do use Google sketchup when designing a custom tank though, strictly because it is easier to print out the templates with dimensions for my glass cutting guys. The interior decorating is still on the fly though.

I do this as oftem what looks good on paper just plain sucks or isn't possible in reality. (Or very, very hard to clean....)

 

[KingCanon]

I'd agree that critters will always have the final say on a design. If they wish to change the athstetic design to suit them then so be it, after all it's their space.

I've always used photoshop (an ancient paid for version) to design tanks. Only because I can print them off to allow people who buy them off me to see how things went in so that should they want to copy the design exactly they can. This is for fish might I add who don't really complain as long as their hiding and spawning places are present.

For me designing tanks is great fun so a programme that lets me play about till I find a tank I really want to create is awesome and a huge money saver lol. Like many if I had the chance I'd have wall to walk creations for critters. Alas my time is limited so I stick to the drawing board for now.


Sent from the comfort of my throne room