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Floorplan Software for Macs?

Posted by Cliff on from the tools-for-digital-architects dept.

jgardner asks: "I was asked by my employer to create a scale drawing of the floorplan for our company's buildings. Using Illustrator or Freehand and building everything from scratch seems too time expensive. I spent a long time online looking for a program which is designed to create floorplans, but only found expensive, high-end products. I need something inexpensive, and it just needs to draw flooplans. No 3D modeling, or walkthroughs required. There are plenty for PCs that are under $100. So far for the Mac, I have only found Architecture 3.03, by Abracadata. This program was originally written for OS 6.x, so it is very old, and has severe limitations. Does anyone know of a better Mac alternative? Maybe even an inexpensive set of tools for Illustrator or Freehand? Preferably OS X, but I can boot into 9 or operate in Classic if forced to."

80 comments

  1. Graffle it? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    I know that omnigraffle, a flow chart program that comes with most newer macs has basic office layout symbols built in to it.

    It's not the most exact in the world, but it's something at least, no?

    1. Re:Graffle it? by Stefman · · Score: 1

      I second that. The program is good and cheap. You can easily do what you need to do.

    2. Re:Graffle it? by gregwelch · · Score: 1

      Amen. I just used OmniGraffle (Pro) to do a floor layout for my new office, and it worked great.

    3. Re:Graffle it? by amichalo · · Score: 1

      I have used Graffle for basic flow charting (without registering), Does the registered version allow the user to automatically map Database schema or build object models? I have been told Visio Pro can do such amazings tasks.

      --
      I only came here to do two things; kick some ass, and drink some beer...looks like we're almost out of beer.
    4. Re:Graffle it? by muonzoo · · Score: 1

      You can see a screen shot of my lame attempt at making a cube with Graffle.

      For quick sketches and graphs, its an amazing little tool.

    5. Re:Graffle it? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      The nice thing about "Ask Slashdot," is that somebody is bound to know exactly what you need.

      The downside of "Ask Slashdot" is that about 200 /. who don't know what you need will also answer your question, just because they like to hear themselves talk.

      Go download OmniGraffle, and ignore all other posts.

    6. Re:Graffle it? by jeblucas · · Score: 2, Informative

      Yep, Graffle is the way to go if you don't need flythrough's or anything. It's free with "Power User" Macs, like Powerbooks and towers. The office palette has furniture, computers, network drops, outlets, etc, so you can square everyone with that stuff.

      --
      blarg.
  2. Stone design has Create by Whatchamacallit · · Score: 4, Informative

    It's quicker and easier then Illustrator or Photoshop. It's also a lot cheaper.

    http://www.stone.com/Create/Create.html

  3. MacDraft? by darkkewulf · · Score: 2, Informative

    I've never used it myself, but there's MacDraft (which seems to be a full-featured CAD app).

    --

    "All universal moral principles are idle fantasies." -The Marquis de Sade
    1. Re:MacDraft? by repetty · · Score: 1

      I've used MacDraft for OS X. I measured off the first floor of my house and created a version my actual floorplan in MacDraft.

      Worked great. Simple and cheaper than everything else I see suggested.

      --Richard

  4. QCad by Verence · · Score: 4, Informative

    Don't have any personal experience with it, but wasn't there a blurb about QCad a wihle ago?

    --

    ... that's all i wrote...
    1. Re:QCad by Jermsy · · Score: 5, Informative

      Yes, QCad would do everything you need... and it's free!

      http://www.qcad.org/

    2. Re:QCad by shpoffo · · Score: 1

      Yea, it's interface is also freaky due to the lack of interface conventions. I'll let steve be an Interface Nazi if it prevents nightmares like QCad from happening.

      All due respect to the QCad developers - but you have to make better documentation, or have a big splash page warning users that your interfaceface conventions are severely different than most other apps they've ever used.

      -shpoffo

    3. Re:QCad by stephentyrone · · Score: 1

      different from photoshop, yes.

      different from anything you've every used: not if you get out much :?)

      once i figured out the basic idea (about 2 minutes), i found the interface makes perfect sense, and is quite easy to use. could be better, of course, but perfectly adequate, and better than most in some ways.

    4. Re:QCad by Jermsy · · Score: 1

      it isn't like the current standard, autocad, has such a great GUI either...

  5. Visio? by blackcoot · · Score: 0

    I don't know if MS has ported this to OS X yet, but it sounds like this is exactly what you want. Yes, it's an M$ product; however, it's reasonably good at what it does (sorry folks, Dia has a *long* way to go to catch up) and can be used for a lot more than "just" office layout (the pro edition has office layout stuff, ERD and UML as well, if I remember correctly).

    Just my $0.02.

    1. Re:Visio? by Frightened_Turtle · · Score: 4, Informative

      As far as I know, Visio will not be ported to the Mac.

      I've used both Omnigraffle and Visio. Visio is a very good program and very comprehensive. The problem is, it's not very easy to use. It's fairly difficult to make it do what you want it to do. Make a mistake or need to resize your chart, you are in for hours of editting.

      Omnigraffle is much easier to use! Very intuitive interface, easy to adjust things -- and yes, it does come with an office layout pallette. You can even import your own graphic elements, if you choose. The new version 3 does even more cool stuff!

      If the folks at Omnigroup ever decide to take on Excel (my favorite M$ product), I've got some money I'd like to throw at them...

      --


      Whew! This water sure is cold!
    2. Re:Visio? by blackcoot · · Score: 1

      odd.... i know that m$ was pushing office interoperability with visio, kinda positioning it in the same kind of class as publisher is in --- a second string player on the team. anyways, isn't this what virtual pc is for?

    3. Re:Visio? by Johnny+Mnemonic · · Score: 1


      There is no Mac Publisher, either. Or at least not for awhile. So there you go.

      --

      --
      $tar -xvf .sig.tar
    4. Re:Visio? by WestonB · · Score: 1

      MS Publisher on a Mac? Why would anyone want such a thing?

  6. Xfig! by CrazyWingman · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Load up your X11 server and run xfig. :)

    1. Re:Xfig! by brauwerman · · Score: 1

      Won't launch with X11.app :-(, and interestingly, pasting text from xterm into another app crashes xterm....

    2. Re:Xfig! by CrazyWingman · · Score: 1

      It apparently also has an fink version. Sorry if this is of no help - I don't actually have a mac [yet], so I can't try it myself.

    3. Re:Xfig! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I got Xfig through Fink and it runs just fine with Apple's X11

  7. URL, btw by CrazyWingman · · Score: 3, Informative

    And, if you don't know what xfig is, a) shame on you, b) here is a link.

    1. Re:URL, btw by nyamada · · Score: 2, Informative

      If you've got fink, you could look at dia as well.

    2. Re:URL, btw by stephentyrone · · Score: 1

      if you don't know what xfig is, you're much happier than you otherwise would be. jeez, i'd sooner just write postscript by hand.

      my $.02: xfig is an incredible chore to use. (i really do just write postscript instead)

    3. Re:URL, btw by CrazyWingman · · Score: 1

      IMO, xfig is only a chore to use for about the first project, maybe two that you do with it. After that you have everything figured out, and can do pretty much anything with it.

  8. Try ConceptDraw by mikeloader · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Have you looked into ConceptDraw? It's a Visio style drawing and flowcharting program. There are a couple of versions at different pricepoints. I've used it for flowcharting, site mapping, wireframing, org charting, and, well, designing my new kitchen. :-)

    Here's a link to the libraries. I think even the cheap version supports floor plans.

    http://www.conceptdraw.com.ua/en/tours/libtour/cdt ours.php

    I've used ConceptDraw a lot in a work setting. I don't think it's quite as good as Visio, but it is the most full featured program of its type for MacOS. I found it very stable but with quite a few UI quirks. (Not as polished as an Adobe or Macromedia product.)

  9. Not on MacOS X by redragon · · Score: 2, Informative

    Visio hasn't been ported...and as far as I know, there aren't any plans to port it. Given the recent relationship between MS and Apple, I wouldn't count on more apps being available on MacOS X, but less.

    I liked someone's suggestion of using OmniGraffle. It's awesome for UML, and flow-charts. Wonder if someone could make up a pallete with walls, windows and doors...I like that idea...

    --
    - Sighuh?
  10. floorplan hackers! by dema · · Score: 5, Funny

    Anyone know why when I searched for "Mac floorplan software" in google I got a ton of mac warez/hacking sites? I guess a lot of pirates these days have grown, and need to design their new super 1337 pad.

  11. Paper by nado · · Score: 2, Funny

    I would use paper and a pencil and then scan it. Just make sure you pick a nice scale so that you can do the math in your head.

    1. Re:Paper by shamste · · Score: 1

      Actually, what we did in my office was scan the blueprints into Illustrator, draw in a couple of the cubicles and put peoples names on their office/cube.

  12. Just use an emulator... by peteshaw · · Score: 1

    If you are in a hurry, and know of several progams that work for windows. Just buy Virtual PC, or some other emulator (you might want to try Bochs).

    The only question is price. If your time is worth the price of the VirtualPC software. But this would seem to be the simplest answer to your question.

    And please, spare me the philosophy. I understand the reasons for going pure-mac, or pure-linux, or pure-whatever, but the question is "How to I get from A->B most effictively" and that is how I answered this question.

    --
    www.avacal.com -- the home page of pete shaw
    1. Re:Just use an emulator... by muirhead · · Score: 2, Insightful
      The only question is price. If your time is worth the price of the VirtualPC software. But this would seem to be the simplest answer to your question.

      You forget to mention that users are also required to pay for a licensed copy of the Windows operating system to run Windows programs using the Virtual PC software.
      There are plenty of solutions much simpler than resorting to an emulator.

      And please, spare me the philosophy.

      No.

      It's seems unjust to recommend giving money to a convicted felon for no good reason.

    2. Re:Just use an emulator... by greentree · · Score: 2, Informative

      definitely. it'd be much cheaper to just FIND a windows pc somewhere instead of paying quite a bit of money for virtual pc. at the apple website it's about 130 dollars alone, not including the os pack which would be i think another hundred dollars or more. you could probably buy a mac os x piece of software for that price to get the job done, not to mention perhaps there are other suitable free programs too.

    3. Re:Just use an emulator... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      My honey installed Bochs on his 700MHz iBook and ended up with a 1 or 2 MHz machine.

      Heck, I got a 25MHz winbox for $20 a few years back.

  13. SketchUp by JonoPlop · · Score: 4, Informative

    I must say, SketchUp wins hands-down over any floor-plan-type software. It does have 3D modelling and walkthroughs, but you don't have to use them. The only thing is that it's not inexpensive, as you specified (the web site says US$475), but there is a free 30 day trial. Check out some of the tutorials, too, to see what amazing things you can do with this app.

    1. Re:SketchUp by grue23 · · Score: 1

      I've played with the demo version - lots of fun!

    2. Re:SketchUp by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      SketchUp is a truly awesome app - but I do think it's a bit pricey. It is the most intuitive 3D app there is; but it's overkill for 2D.

      The 8 hour demo is enough time to do 3 or 4 smallish projects.

      h

  14. Re:Graffle it! Here's the key by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    The key thing with OmniGraffle is that you can punch your dimensions into a text box and it will draw everything to scale. You don't need to muss with rulers, scale conversions, etc.

    On top of that, it comes with pallettes of objects (desks, network access points, chairs, server cabinets, etc.). You can download extra pallettes, and you can make your own pallettes by dragging and dropping images.

    I used it to draw out plans for a kitchen conversion in our office. I've also used it to draw out network diagrams; diagrams of where data is stored on the server... It's a great app!

  15. Canvas by DaRat · · Score: 4, Informative

    I'd highly recommend Canvas from ACD Systems (formerly Deneba Software). It's a mite expensive (~$350) but it excels at doing technical drawings/illustration particularly to scale. I've been using Canvas for doing starship deckplans for the Traveller game, and I can set the scale to be 1 X to be 1 Y and then have all of my drawings/measurements displayed in the Y units.

    Canvas is pretty easy to learn though it has its quirks. On the plus side, while it is geared towards technical illustration, it's also a general purpose graphics package that can handle bitmap editing (subset of Photoshop functionality, and some photoshop filters work with Canvas), light page layout, and flow charting. Canvas imports and exports a wide variety of formats. I couldn't live without it for my work (user interface design).

    There is a free 15 (I think it's 15) day trial version available.

  16. You may want to look at these... by bobdobbs3 · · Score: 4, Informative

    I suggest you go to VersionTracker and search "CAD."like so.

    You may want to see if these fit the bill for you.
    CADintosh X 4.4 - 2D CAD - 2.6M - Shareware
    CADtools 2.1.4 - CAD plugin for Adobe Illustrator

    --


    This is the best Democracy money can buy?!?!?
  17. Omnigraffle by slackbox · · Score: 1

    Check out http://www.omnigroup.com/applications/omnigraffle/

    The professional version is very cool.

  18. You *could* try Linux CAD... by pbrammer · · Score: 1

    Linux CAD

    Phil

  19. Mac Architect's Site by geperoo · · Score: 5, Informative

    There are lots of options. See http://architosh.com or http://architosh.com/DPG/software/tables/cad_archi tecture_aec.phtml
    --
    They don't list QCAD, a free Mac OS X native 2D only program. I recently loaded it on my 64 450 it has worked well so far and should do what you need. QCad uses the AutoCAD .dxf as it's native format so you can import/export infomation from other sources.

    PowerCADD X is also a good choice, simple and stright forward. The new Mac OS X version is $895.00 with $150.00 extra for a AutoCAD translator. Cheap for a CAD application but still a good outlay of cash for something you may only use once or twice.

  20. Free option! by American+AC+in+Paris · · Score: 5, Funny
    Hey, don't forget--Glider Pro is now free!

    Design your entire home from the ground up and test it for paper-airplane-friendliness!

    --

    Obliteracy: Words with explosions

  21. CAD / 3D Resource for Macs by HiredMan · · Score: 1

    It might be more than you're looking for but whenever CAD is mentioned don't forget an underappreciated Mac resource in architosh.com.
    The site for all things CAD.

    =tkk

    --
    Bill Gates - Creationist?!?
  22. you need to go to ... by djwu · · Score: 1

    www.architosh.com there you will find plenty of resources for the Mac Architecture applications

  23. Floor Plans, etc = SketchUp by ShimmyShimmy · · Score: 5, Informative

    SketchUp absolutely takes the cake on this one. SketchUp is the best 3-D modeling design software available (no reason you can't work in 2-D). SketchUp features automatic length and surface area calculations, as well as automatic labelling and dimensioning.

    You can also use walkthroughs; literally walk through the model. You can build on different layers and hide any/all of them, and even deaignate a plene on your model, such that everything on the positive side of the plane is hidden, but the rest is visible (perfect for cross sections, cutaways).

    SketchUp costs $475 for the full version, but you can get a demo, which can either work for 30 days, or for 12.0 hours of actual use time. THere is a windows client as well. The best part about SketchUp is the versatility. You can actually save drawings as .dwg (AutoCAD drawing), pictures, and many other formats.

    SketchUp is definitely the way to go.

    --
    Partial Credit: The Engineer's Best friend
    "Well, the bridge didn't fall all the way down!"
    1. Re:Floor Plans, etc = SketchUp by eduo · · Score: 1, Insightful

      I found it strange nobody had mentioned Sketchup yet. Sketchup is a great, native program (not a port, but made from scratch for the Mac) which uses OpenGL to do 3D rendering on-the-fly (and works as well for 2D) and has lots of tools that ease the layout of floorplans or buildings.

      http://www.sketchup.com/ has several demos and tutorials to try out. The thing has automatic scaling, several libraries of objects and materials, a bustling community and the people behind it must be some of the nicest businessmen still out there..:)

      Eduo

  24. Illustrator plugin by Gropo · · Score: 1
    Being that you've apparently already got a copy of Illustrator in the office, I'd recommend Hot Door's CAD Tools, a package I've used in the past.

    While OMNIGraffle and Stone's CREATE will take a smaller chunk out of the expense account, consider the notion that you'd be extending Illustrator's functionality rather than investing in a stopgap solution.

    --
    I hate Grammar Nazi's
    1. Re:Illustrator plugin by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I don't have experience with Hot Door but it does look like it can produce great output.

  25. New to OSX - High Design by Jakomcbean · · Score: 1

    This is a quality drafing program most likely in the price range you are looking for. ($149.00 for the standard edition.) I have tried the demo and its easy to use and should net you some nice looking floorplans quickly. I use high end CAD packages daily ( Ashlar products etc.) and although they are great products there really are no low end versions. At least this High Design was written from scratch for OSX ao it really looks and performs well. You also will be able to add some color - something very limited even on high end Cad programs.

    1. Re:New to OSX - High Design by jgardner · · Score: 1

      Thanks for your response. Would you please tell me where to find High Design? A web search didn't turn it up. -J.

    2. Re:New to OSX - High Design by uncle_lar · · Score: 1

      Go to version tracker www.versiontracker.com and look for it there. This and the apple web site (made4mac) is a good place to start all your searches for software.

  26. You are all silly. by DAQ42 · · Score: 2, Funny

    The Sims.
    The original one.

    The original concept of the application was to design a layout design program. Yeah, it's "semi-3D" but you can view it from multiple perspectives.

    so yeah.

    --
    Don't Ask Questions. I don't know the answers and even if I did I wouldn't tell you.
  27. Intaglio by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    Try Intaglio... nice, Cocoa app with dimensions, scaling, layers, etc.

  28. CADintosh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    By the developer of Graphic Converter and only $33.

    From their website:

    Key features of CADintosh

    * it is a 2D-CAD program for technical and architectural drawings
    * interactive window redrawing (you can work in the same time of the window redrawing)
    * number of elements limited by memory
    * pen oriented mode: 8 line widths/line colors/pens
    * individual mode: line width from 0.0 to 99.99mm, pattern and colors
    * it has a lot of tools like lines, arcs, dimensions, splines, hatching etc.
    * import and export HPGL, DXF and PICT
    * 6 line types (solid,dash,dot-dash,phantom,zigzag,dotted)
    * 32000 groups
    * 1024 layer
    * alternative units in inches or freely definable
    * shareware version has a simple layer filter (easy to use)
    * registered version has a additionaly extended layer filter (named filter sets, palette with name of filter)
    * shareware version has internal symbols (number of symbols only limited by memory)
    * registered version has additionaly external symbol librarys and more simple work with symbols
    * user preferences saved in the drawing
    * runs native on MacOS X
    * has a very low price of around $33 (U.S.Dollar)
    * it is shareware - so, you can try before buying it - download it now

  29. EazyDraw by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I haven't had that much time to play with it - but it seems to be quite nice aside from some interface issues... I'm using to to plan my backyard landscaping...

    http://www.eazydraw.com/

  30. Pencil and paper by gerardrj · · Score: 2, Funny

    Works every time. Has nearly zero learning curve or Internet research time.

    You might want to have the office supply staff invest in a straight edge and a drafter's/architecht's scale and a few circle/shape templates. If you want to go overboard, a few different hardness pencils and a small colored pencil set.

    In all the hardware mentioned should run less than $100.

    Unless you already have them, aquiring the measurments of the buildings will take more time than drawing them, whether on computer or by hand.

    --
    Article X: The powers not delegated... by the Constitution...are reserved...to the people
  31. Use Kivio by aminorex · · Score: 1

    Install fink and say 'fink install kivio'.

    --
    -I like my women like I like my tea: green-
  32. Pov by milou · · Score: 1

    my husband used pov to model our house... http://www.povray.org/download/

  33. Hm? by martingunnarsson · · Score: 1

    "Using Illustrator or Freehand and building everything from scratch seems too time expensive. I spent a long time online looking for [...]" If he'd used Illustrator right from the start he'd be done by now...

    --
    Martin
  34. Try DrawWell by DWT · · Score: 1

    DrawWell is a very affordable ($49) general drawing program for Mac OS X that has document scaling built in for exactly this sort of use. Just set a scale and your preferred working measurement units in the Document Inspector Measurements tab and off you go! You even get handy tool tips giving a shapes current dimensions next to the cursor while you are drawing. Couldn't be easier. See www.drawwell.com

  35. Do you really need this? by gooru · · Score: 1

    There should be blueprints on file with City Hall. And, whoever designed the building probably still has them. Take the money you have for this program and just go purchase those.

  36. Re:OS 6.x by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    As Apple computers retain their value so well, I figure you couldn't get a mac II for less than about $2000.00.

    Unless the mactards are full of shit.

  37. MacDraft for OS X just released! by azav · · Score: 1

    http://www.microspot.com/

    Just announced today, 8.15.2003

    --
    - Zav - Imagine a Beowulf cluster of insensitive clods...
    1. Re:MacDraft for OS X just released! by repetty · · Score: 1

      Just released?

      I used an OS X native version of MacDraft a year ago.

      --Richard

  38. call your Architect! by tomdarch · · Score: 1
    Your building(s) were probably designed by an architect. They probably have the plans on file. Any architect who isn't stupid will probably give you copies for free (or the cost of printing if they're on paper) in order to maintain a relationship with you. If your building(s) is(are) newish, then the drawings may be in a CAD format (e.g. AutoCAD), so you may need to ask them to convert them to something useful (e.g. .ai)

    Another alternative would be to hire an architecture student to do the work. The developed world is currently crawling with tens of thousands of architecture students who are on summer break and would love to make a few bucks. One or two students (with a bit of experience) can do the measuring and drafting a ton faster (and a bit better) than you can.

    1. Re:call your Architect! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No, the Architect, assuming you could find him or her, is not going to give you plans for free. Drawings are worth money. Architecture isn't a hobby. The architect isn't desparate for a relationship, either, with anybody who won't spend more than $100 for software.

  39. DIA by tijger · · Score: 1

    I'am using Dia on Linux and it's a great tool. Nice to know I can it use on Mac OS X too.

    thnx for the info

    greetings, tijger

  40. Try Sketch Up by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Try Sketch Up 3.0 (www.sketchup.com).
    Very easy and powerfull.

  41. If you already have Freehand by The-Bus · · Score: 1

    If you already have Freehand, it's not that hard at all, and would probably take quicker considering you don't have to buy any software, ask management to approve the software, get the software installed, etc.

    Now, if you don't already have it, that's another story.

    --

    Small potatoes make the steak look bigger.

  42. Vectorworks by WatertonMan · · Score: 1

    I've not used it, but I've heard a lot of people rave about VectorWorks. It looks good, albeit perhaps overkill for simple floorplans.

  43. Look at "Design Your Own Home(R) 3D WalkAround(TM) by bonnyman · · Score: 1

    Design Your Own Home(R) 3D WalkAround(TM) http://www.abracadata.com/dyoh3dwalkaround-macinto sh.html It's by the same people, Abracadata, that did the older program you mentioned. We used it a year or two ago running system 9.x, so I would expect it would work just fine with OS X in Classic. I think it's just what you're looking for.

    --

    Al Bonnyman
    Community Broadband Networks