Christine

Hey everyone! I am usually a lurker on this group but thought I would
ask the advice of ya'll on the topic of drafting programs.

I started unschooling this year, after I came to the very true
realization that textbook teaching was not at all suitable to my
kiddos' way of thinking and learning and we've had such a blast ever
since!

My daughter has found that designing automobiles and working on model
cars is what she loves. I thought that introducing her to computers,
i.e. learning about how to use graphics and drafting programs, would
enhance her current interest in designing cars and paint graphics.
Now the quandary: some of these programs can get VERY pricey!!!

I was wondering if any of the ladies out there in internet land had a
child...or even a spouse, who currently pursued an interest in this
field who could suggest a program that would be suitable for a
beginner that is not too pricey?

Thanks in advance!
Christine

Debra Rossing

Hmm I work for a software developer in the CAD/CAM field - and prior to
this I worked for a CAD software company. You might check out any local
colleges or vocational schools - check their bookstore (or wherever the
students get their materials) and see if you can find a copy of whatever
CAD software they use in their classes - student versions are usually
much cheaper than the pro versions. The demo version of our software is
pretty cheap because it can't save files (it's just a demo after all)
but there is a basic design type package. However, she might also want
to have solids modeling capabilities since much of the industry is
heading in that direction. Also, I know that places like Home Depot have
some pretty basic type architectural software packages on sale - you can
push them to do other stuff but their strong suit is doors and windows
and roof styles and things like that.

If you want, feel free to email me directly and I'll try to be more
specific (I'm trying to be really careful to not mention specific
brand/product names right off) and see what I can do to help out.

Deb R


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AnnaA

Hi, another lurker here. My husband is an architect and he recommends that kids try Google Sketchup. It has a free version. http://sketchup.google.com/%c2%a0Apparently the program is good enough that some firms use it as a supplement to their main software. If the interest is with architecture specifically, he recommends doing as much in 3D as possible. He HATES those programs where you design a 2D floor plan, because that's not how architects think.
 
HTH,
Anna






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BRIAN POLIKOWSKY

I don't know if this is what you are looking for is this but I downloaded Gimp 2.6 for free and it is for some kind of designing
that my son wanted to make models for Roblox.
I have not tinkered with it yet !
 
Alex Polikowsky
http://polykow.blogspot.com/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/unschoolingmn/

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homeschool mom

TY for the suggestion! This program looks amazing! I downloaded the google earth application a while ago and my son just loves it. He has learned SO MUCH about Geography using this program. Did you know this has an auto link to wikipedia in it as well as a flight simulator? I am just amazed at the "did you know" discussions that come out of a session using this program.

Christine

----- Original Message -----
From: AnnaA
To: [email protected]
Sent: Friday, December 12, 2008 12:12 PM
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] advice on drafting programs?


Hi, another lurker here. My husband is an architect and he recommends that kids try Google Sketchup. It has a free version. http://sketchup.google.com/ Apparently the program is good enough that some firms use it as a supplement to their main software. If the interest is with architecture specifically, he recommends doing as much in 3D as possible. He HATES those programs where you design a 2D floor plan, because that's not how architects think.

HTH,
Anna

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Debra Rossing

www.anim8or.com go to download page and read directions. The website
also has tutorials and a user forum.
Free 3D drawing software - this is what DH and DS use to make new
'stuff' to use on the Roblox website. It's pretty cool - DH suggests
looking through the tutorials because some things are not totally
intuitive

Deb R


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erik_adler

I've used Google's free Sketchup to design furniture. I'm a
woodworker, and it was my first foray off pencil and graph paper.

It's free, so no loss. AND it works on a MAC!!

Erik