Modern Vespa

I am a retired architect.

Just to keep my mind occupied, I want to develop designs for small housing units for starter homes / retirement homes.

I am looking for a 2D CAD software that will let me design, save and print simple 2D drawings in pdf format. Current mainstream CAD software will cost me around 6 months of my pension!

I am not in this for reward. I just want to be creative on a very basic level to keep the little grey cells functioning.

Anyone have suggestions on apps?

Last time I looked, pCon planner was still free to use, even for professionals. It has a focus on 3D, but you always start with 2D anyway.

I am not an architect. Here's an example of what I created.

Forgot the link:
https://pcon-solutions.com/en-gb/planner/

I've used TurboCAD 3D Deluxe Edition (turbocad.com) for a long time, for home projects and some work projects (mechanical and electrical drawings). It's for 3D modeling but it has 2D and architectural modes as well. There's also a 2D version called DesignCAD, which I believe costs a little less. The company IMSI also makes a FloorPlan software, which I've never used so I don't know exactly how it differs from TurboCAD and DesignCAD. My guess would be it's simpler.

I also use a program called FreeCAD (freecad.org) which is, as it says, free. I use both the Linux and Windows versions. Mainly I use FreeCAD for creating 3D models for a 3D printer. The 3D modeling is full of features, but some things like dimensioning don't work too well in the 3D modes, I've found. (TurboCAD is much better for dimensions.) There's also some Drafting and Architectural modes which may work a lot better with 2D drawings. I haven't used those features much so I won't say much about them.

I'm not sure that either TurboCad or FreeCAD support printing to PDF natively, but they do work with add-on "print to PDF" software, so you can get PDF prints if you need to.

Actually, if you're interested in these programs, I'd recommend looking into the 3D aspects. It's really helpful and neat to visualize a model in 3D.

You mention 2D specifically -- do you work primarily in top-view "floorplan" mode, or do you also want scale drawings?

There are a number of online floorplan designers that have fairly advanced features, e.g. https://www.smartdraw.com/floor-plan/floor-plan-maker.htm

(There are many more, too).

LibreCAD is open source, and portable.

I need to work in scaled, dimensioned 2D floor plans (as a minimum) with scaled, dimensioned sections and elevations. This is the 2D phase of 3D modelling.

PS - I studied my profession before computers, where designs were prepared on a drawing board on a large sheet of paper.

As did I, but not professionally. I did a year of drafting in High School, entirely on paper.

nope

Same here.

I've designed theatrical stage sets as an avocation for 50+ years. Made a few half-hearted attempts at using DesignCAD and SketchUp, but always felt they stifled my creativity... and I've always gone back to paper.

In the theatre group I've worked with most often I've been amused by my Master Carpenter, who takes my meticulously crafted and detailed paper drawings and converts them to SketchUp before building them.

Some people these days just don't trust anything that didn't come out of a computer.

Hey, good to see you around these parts, Silver Streak!

Thanks, Jess.

I've been mostly lurking the past couple of years, as advancing age and a few health problems -- as well as some competing interests -- have curtailed my riding a bit. Still have both of the Vespas, though, and I'm in the process of doing some deferred maintenance on both. Warmer weather has the blood stirring...

We'll keep the lights on for you.

I remain a working architect and have been using AutoCad or AutoCad LT since 1991.

Because I also started on a drafting board in the 1970's, I have stuck with 2d drawings for all of my work.

I am still using a version of AutoCad LT that I purchased before they went to the subscription basis, so it is free for me to use.

While 3d has taken over in most firms, most construction documents I see continue to be 2d.

Because I an old and close to retirement, I will stick with what I have for the remainder of my career.

Bill