simple 2d program

I've been using 2D cad programs for over 30 years now. Currently use Draftsight Pro on Windows 10. It's nothing to whip out a simple drawing for a widget in hardly no time! For the work I do, I've created all of my own tool libraries of blocks for all of things I work with.
My problem now trying to getting used to using Solidworks for stuff I do for one of my customers, using their computer they provide me with. It's not easy! And very difficult to use for me!
 
I have tried to use programs from Auto Cad, Sketch Up, Fusion 360, and others, and I tire of them all before I get close to getting real, enabling results from them. I think a lot of people use these programs mostly to seamlessly crunch the math for them and to play with the graphics. I am not afraid of math and build graphics in my mind. Not bragging, just how it is done. Pretty drawings and 3D rotations are merely fluff to me -- so far. What I need is an interface from brain to finished part that frees my creative juices, and CAD just does not seem to do that for me -- so far. I get distracted by the software. Seriously, closed eyes and an open brain, followed by pencil and paper, works better for me -- so far. No doubt much of that is from embracing familiarity.

I have a friend who is an architect and recently retired from 40+ years in the business because he cannot use his pencils, t-square, and triangles (not to mention his artistic and practical skills) any longer, everybody in business now requires CAD drawings. I feel his angst, and share his rants, and do understand quite clearly that we both are not keeping up with technology.
 
Bob,

I started out using Tee squares, triangles, templates and so on. Had a nice drafting machine with I say about ten sets of scales to use with it. Still have most of my equipment. Never dreamed of ever learning and using 2D CAD.
 
While I have found it a bit challenging to learn, Fusion 360 seems to be the standard these days. It is free to the hobbyist and there are lots of good YouTube tutorials out there. It allows you to do some very nice modelling from which you then generate the renderings and drawings that you may want.

I have just recently decided it was time to dive into it a deeper way and spent some significant time on it this week. I am pleased that I finally took the time.

It is a bit frustrating in the beginning but using the tutorials is a big plus and the ability to go back and review as you as need it is very helpful.

I am now a dedicated user and will eliminate my manual sketches all together for the near future. All of them are an opportunity to "learn by doing" and the more you learn, the faster you become. I can already do a model and generate a drawing faster than I can do it the old way.
 
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