I'm looking for software to layout a shop.

just did a google search for "Room Design Software" and got dozens of hits.

I also echo some of the previous comments, If you are comfortable with CAD, then that is a great way to go. I currently use Autocad. However if not, then the learning curve is generally too steep for a single simple project like a room layout. Possibly one of the many online "Room Design" applications will be simple but probably just paper and scissors will be the most time efficient way to do this as a one-off project.
 
Boswell said:
just did a google search for "Room Design Software" and got dozens of hits.

I also echo some of the previous comments, If you are comfortable with CAD, then that is a great way to go. I currently use Autocad. However if not, then the learning curve is generally too steep for a single simple project like a room layout. Possibly one of the many online "Room Design" applications will be simple but probably just paper and scissors will be the most time efficient way to do this as a one-off project.
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I did searches too, I tried a few, and they were not what they appeared to be. Too many are living room or kitchen oriented. The library of furniture doesn't match my machine sizes.
 
In the past I have used both:

1) paper cutouts, worked fine

2) microsoft visio, just because it was already on my computer

Both methods require you to measure all the machines and equipment to produce your own "models", but really any method would also.

Either one is a huge step above moving tons of equipment just to realize that something doesn't work! ;)

Brian
 
Microsoft Excel or any spreadsheet is an easy way to do this. Simply size the cells into sqaures and decide what each one represents. I normally consider each cell 6". Then just put a border around your shop size and start coloring in groups of cells based on the relative size of the machine.

Simple, fast, and easy to copy paste things where you want. You don't need to see the machine, you just need to know the footprint it takes up.
 
If you're somewhat enterprising you can even use PowerPoint. When I was laying out my shop, I measured each piece of equipment and made either squares, rectangles, or circles to scale in Power Point. Here's an example of what it might look like.
 

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projectnut said:
If you're somewhat enterprising you can even use PowerPoint. When I was laying out my shop, I measured each piece of equipment and made either squares, rectangles, or circles to scale in Power Point. Here's an example of what it might look like.
Click to expand...
Interesting. I didn't know you could scale in PowerPoint.
 
Actually the FreeCad Draft workbench isn't completely worthless for this type of thing. I got curious and dove into it. I'm playing with a layout for my new building.

It has a snap to grid feature (which is enable with a # button on the toolbar) , and allows objects to be dragged around and rotated. No need to manually dimension everything, just drag out some rectangles of the size of interest. You do have to enter the initial setup scale in mm (ie, 25.4 to get a 1" grid) in the preferences, but it draws in in/ft.
 
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On a new slide all you have to do is right click and select "grids and guides". You can adjust the size to whatever you want. When you select an object to insert (square, rectangle, etc.) adjust the size to whatever size you've chosen for the grid. When placement of objects is complete you can delete the grid.
 
You might take a look at any number of free architectural drawing packages, especially those with limited use such as kitchen floor planning. They are generally easier to learn and do a suitable job if you limit footprints to various size rectangles.
 
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