Are there any CAD programs that can be downloaded for free?

Google SketchUp

Blender

SketchUp has great tutorials and is easy to use. Good presentation faculties and can draw from photo. Not easy to make 3D prints with SketchUp. Must use various third party software to run through all the checks.

Blender is more advanced, harder to learn… but not that hard. Excellent tool for 3D printing as all the components are built right in. It renders better for higher quality animation than SketchUp.

Both systems are free and have vast tutorials and support. SketchUp has a Pro version with very limited extras provided.

You just had to say legally. dammit.

There is also FreeCAD

Or maybe you would like to use the same CAD program that the US military uses; BRL-CAD

Both have a sale price of $0.00 and are distributed under the LGPL license.

Thank you guys! Seriously!

I’m sure 2D desig can be downloaded for free, and I think that Pro-Desktop used to do a free trial, I don’t know if they still do it now though.
What sort of things do you need it for? 2D models, 3D models, drawings?

Actually, just for a house plan, a blue print. I could do it in Excel using shapes, but it would be a LOT of extra work.

In that case, I would recommend 2D design, I used it in my Engineering GCSE a while back and I think it’s available to download for free, good luck!

I downloaded free CAD…but now it’s stuck on a note that says Attention: This wiki is deactivated. The new Wiki is up and running at freecad.com. Do not edit this wiki anymore, it will be deleted soon. If you have edit rights here, please read this article (linked) to know how to regain your edit rights on the new Wiki.

What is it talking about?

For a house plan, take the first four google sketchup tutorials. I think #2 gets into the interior space. Again, their layout function makes for easy presentations too. Change your master design, and every layout design changes along with it. Can’t do that with any other CAD system that I know of.

Sketchup Tutorials

Thanks @RealEyesRealizeRealLies. FreeCAD was giving me a major headache.

@RealEyesRealizeRealLies I COULD KISS YOU!!! This is so awesome and so easy!!!

If I had known is was for a houseplan, I would’ve made different (and simpler) recommendations. As a machinist, when I think CAD, I automatically dismiss 2D programs and go right to 3D ones as 2D CAD is useless for my job. Mea Culpa.

No, it was my fault. I should have explained more. As it is, I’m going to use Excel anyway. I love the program @RealEyesRealizeRealLies sent me to, but I can’t seem to get the measurements I want, among other things. I don’t know how to change line color, etc.