While 3D CAD design and modeling has taken nearly every industry by storm, the importance of 2D CAD drawings still remains. Manufacturers and architects benefit from the use of 2D technical drawings for floor plans and layouts. Unfortunately, the different software available often comes at a hefty price, which may lead to smaller firms or those just stepping into the digitalization process to take pause. DraftSight was developed to change that, offering an affordable, easy-to-use solution for 2D drawings.
The Need for 2D Layouts and Plans
For manufacturers, there is a constant balance to maintain productivity, quality and cost-effectiveness. Regardless of the product and materials used, the base element of achieving that balance is developing efficient processes. To achieve that, a company needs to maximize a factory-like process for success. A poorly designed process can contribute to a host of issues from beginning to end.
Developing an efficient balance starts with considering the flow of materials and products, as the correct placement of machines and workstations can help minimize product travel. Space utilization is another key factor. Hidden redundant tasks may mean additional equipment that is unnecessarily taking up key space. Other considerations include employee movement and safety precautions.
Using software such as DraftSight enables a manufacturer to create a precise layout of a facility, as well as designing the building layout. 2D CAD provides the tools needed to measure and create efficient plans without the hassle of unneeded manual labor or making the change numerous times. The software allows key parties to quickly see design options, improving communication and teamwork. Knowing that what layout works now may not work down the road, 2D CAD software provides the ability to embed certain requirements into a drawing, such as ceiling height, that can be reused, making the next design easier to create.
In the architectural world, 2D and 3D designs are woven into the industry. While 3D provides a wow factor for clients, as well as providing numerous benefits during the design process, a reliance on 3D software does not always translate well to the actual construction of a building. Although the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry has slowly started to embrace the latest innovations, not every company is on the same page. From the general contractor to the numerous subcontractors, they may all have varying degrees of expertise with different software.
Since its release, DraftSight has been able to open any DXF or DWG file, creating more efficient collaboration. The software lets users open, create and make changes to DXF, DWG and SAT files, while also allowing for exporting into additional file types, including EMF, PNG, JPG, WMF, SLD, SVG, TIF and more. The ease of sharing files enables a more efficient and precise building process, which helps both the designer and final production team avoid issues before they happen.
In both the manufacturing and architecture industries, the ability to have access to 2D drawings is a cost-efficient solution for key stakeholders to understand the technical specs and scope of any plan or layout. In many cases, the ability to interpret these drawings comes easily, eliminating the need for extra training associated with 3D.
Key Benefits of DraftSight
While some larger firms have a need and the budget to invest in expensive software, not all companies are the same. Every company is unique with different processes, budgets and needs. When the need for 2D CAD is necessary, even if only some of the time, DraftSight may offer the right solution to architects and manufacturing firms.
One main benefit of DraftSight is that it is available in a multi-user license on one machine. This flexibility allows for different team members to access the software when needed without having to buy a single license per person. Additionally, the multi-user license comes with an open API for customization. This enables integrating the software into existing databases or workflows.
Thanks to DraftSight being designed similarly to other CAD software, users with minimal experience can easily navigate the software’s tools, which include power trim, auto dimensioning, batch printing, draw compare and dynamic blocks. The software comes with supplier-certified design content, and users can also use existing templates and standard layers from other CAD software seamlessly.
For firms slowly forging ahead into the realm of 3D, DraftSight makes 2D and 3D collaboration an easier process. Companies can upgrade to DraftSight Premium, which incorporates the necessary tools for converting, digitizing and augmenting the different styles of drawings.
New DraftSight 2024 Features
Since its initial release more than a decade ago, each iteration of DraftSight has come with new features to further enhance the ease and efficiency of using the software. The latest version has plenty of new features. For users looking to more easily create floor plans or building layouts, key new offerings include:
- Tool Palettes: Provides quick and easy access to drawing, editing and annotation tools in one location. It is customizable per user for increased productivity while also allowing a company to make custom tool palettes for all users to ensure adherence to any company CAD standards. Users can create new palettes or import existing ones.
- Layer Palette: The move from dialogue box to palette helps streamline the process of working with, creating and editing layers, making the process much more efficient. Users can easily isolate types of objects, such as walls and furniture on a floor plan or types of equipment, work cells and staging areas in a shop layout. The new feature enables freezing or thawing layers to show only the object the user wants to see in a given view. Users can choose to have the palette docked on the side or free floating on the screen.
- Enhanced User Interface: Whether a novice or an expert, the user interface plays a big role in user efficiency and confidence. The new workspace CAD General adds functionality designed to be familiar to users of other CAD software, ensuring a more streamlined transition for new DraftSight users.
In both the manufacturing and AEC industries, precision and efficiency play key roles in ensuring a smooth production or build process. The ability to create, access, modify and share 2D drawings helps companies bolster their efforts. The latest offering of DraftSight may be worth considering for companies with a limited budget or minimal need for expensive software. DraftSight prices start at $299. Users can also try a 30-day free trial.