Editing floor plans

3187 Views 15 Replies 10 Participants Last post by jhelm, Jun 12, 2009

mauramac

Discussion Starter · Jun 4, 2009

Any suggestions for a programme that I could maybe download (preferably a freebie) that would allow me to do some very basic editing in Word or Excel.

I am trying to alter some floor plans which I have pasted and copied from an Estate Agents online brochure into a Word Document. The floor plans are of a property we are viewing this weekend and I would like to see if it's possible to make some alterations to the drawings before we go and do the viewing. They are only black & white layout drawings - not the professional architects drawings so we not doing anything illegal.

The idea is to take the sketches to our builder to get his opinion and rough cost for changes.

Anyone know of such a software download I could use for this purpose. It musn't be too complicated or need loads of memory as my poor old PC still running in Windows 2000.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Maura

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maxautotrail

· #2 · Jun 4, 2009

mauramac said:
Any suggestions for a programme that I could maybe download (preferably a freebie) that would allow me to do some very basic editing in Word or Excel.

I am trying to alter some floor plans which I have pasted and copied from an Estate Agents online brochure into a Word Document. The floor plans are of a property we are viewing this weekend and I would like to see if it's possible to make some alterations to the drawings before we go and do the viewing. They are only black & white layout drawings - not the professional architects drawings so we not doing anything illegal.

The idea is to take the sketches to our builder to get his opinion and rough cost for changes.

Anyone know of such a software download I could use for this purpose. It musn't be too complicated or need loads of memory as my poor old PC still running in Windows 2000.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Maura

Google have produced just that. Have a look at http://sketchup.google.com/intl/en_uk/

I havn't had a play with it as I havn't had time so can't comment on how easy it is.

Keith

EJB

· #3 · Jun 4, 2009

In most cases it's best to draw it then scan it as a jpeg

Or, print the original and make the alterations in a different colour then scan to a jpeg.

Just a thought

mauramac

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jun 4, 2009

Hi Ted
Thanks, I wish I could but my printer/scanner/copier gave up the ghost a while back and now I just have a very basic printer.

The point is, I have a reasonable floor layout of the property which is a bungalow so just the one floor plan.

The design isn't quite right for our needs and I would like to try and edit the original and then print off the before and after version to show the builder at the weekend if possible.

If I can't find anything online then I'll have to revert to drawing the options up by hand but I was sure ther must be a bit of software on here that could have made it easier for me.

I took a quick look at the Google Sketch link Keith, thanks for suggesting it but it does look quite a bit more complicated than either I (or my PC) could manage I'm afraid.

M.

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JeanLuc

· #5 · Jun 4, 2009

Why not use the drawing tools in Word since you have pasted the copied image file into it already?

Philip

Pudsey_Bear

· #6 · Jun 4, 2009

Hi,

Try this if you can, take a digital photo of the drawing, drag it into a drawing prog, even MS paint might do MS Publisher would be better, then you can mess about with it as much as you want, as it's only a floor plan, and not a building drawing, it doesn't need to be top drawer, just understandable.

It just occurred to me that you must have got this from someone, would .
they email a copy of it to you.

BTW if you do manage to do what you need and use MS Pub, you can save the file as a Jpg, dump it back to your camera or a Memory stick and take it somewhere to have it printed out.

Just needs a bit of lateral thinking.

Hope you get it sorted in time.

Kev.

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mauramac

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jun 4, 2009

Thanks guys.

I've tried editing in Word Philip but it wont allow me to do anything to it apart from re-size it.

Kev, I will have a go at doing the photo thing if all else fails. The layout drawing is taken from the online brochure of the property which is on Rightmove and on the Estate Agents website. If I right click on the image and copy it I can then past it into Word etc. There is a facility to save as but this only allows either a GIF or Bitmap file.

I have found a website
http://www.freeserifsoftware.com
which has a free download for drawing so will have a look at that as well.

Cheers
Maura

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JeanLuc

· #8 · Jun 4, 2009

With Word Drawing, you would have to draw over the top of the pasted image. What you copied and pasted was a gif image file. It will probably have been converted into a bitmap in Word. In order to change the original picture, you need image editing software such as photoshop. You might try a free image editor called The Gimp.

See below

http://www.gimp.org/

Autumn

· #9 · Jun 4, 2009

Sounds like any electronic editing will present you with a learning curve.

If you are able to print a version of the original plan, you could place a piece of tracing paper over the drawing and make the modifications while being able to make reference to the original.

The original plan could be put on a memory stick and printed/enlarged at a local library, perhaps.

Pads of good quality A4 tracing paper can be bought at an art shop.

The tracing paper, although translucent, can be photocopied onto white paper.

lgbzone

· #10 · Jun 4, 2009

Hi

Try the following;

1. Right click on the image in word and select copy from the menu
2. open paint (start menu > programs > accessories > paint)
3. in paint select paste from the edit menu and you will have a copy of the image
4. use the tools in paint to add alterations, you can remove original items by possibly using the eraser tool or colouring over them in white
5. select "select all" from the edit menu
6. select copy from the edit menu
7. go back to the word document
8. scroll down to a new page then select paste from words edit menu
9. the word document will now have both images in, before and after

HTH
Lee

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CliveMott

· #11 · Jun 4, 2009

Microsoft Office Professional has a package called Visio Technical. Its a 2D package so its not long winded.
I use it all the time, it will do everything you require.

Ask around.

C.

raynipper

· #12 · Jun 4, 2009

Any one used the free download "Open Office 3".?

Ray.

jhelm

· #13 · Jun 4, 2009

As an architect we use CAD extensively including 3D models of most of our projects. However, for the kind of thing you want to do the most efficient way to do what you want (and what I would do) is with the old reliable pencil or felt tip pen and tracing paper. Just sketch out what you want even if it's very crude the builder should be able to understand what you are thinking about.

mauramac

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jun 11, 2009

Hey everyone, I'm sorry for not replying but I didn't get any further email alerts to say there was any more responses....so glad I double checked.

I am trying to do some sort of rough sketches by hand as well but I also have to take some reasonably accurate drawings to the Council to get some pre-approval prior to deciding if we want to go ahead and buy the property.

Now....if possible I would like to add the details of the proposed extension which sits at right angles to main (original) building, so it will end up like an upside down L shape building.

Within the new wing will be 4 rooms - plus possibly a hallway. I need to be able to play around with drawings to see what works best but I can do that on graph paper if necessary and then transfer details onto plan online.

Because my PC is rather old and I don't get the new one till next week I am loath to keep downloading software as it b*ggars it up somewhat.

I am going to copy and paste your suggestions and print them off and try some of them later. Will let you know how it goes.

Cheers for all your help

Maura

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mauramac

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jun 11, 2009

CliveMott said:
Microsoft Office Professional has a package called Visio Technical. Its a 2D package so its not long winded.
I use it all the time, it will do everything you require.
Ask around.
C.

Seems you need to have Windows Vista for this software - I'm still on Windows 2000 for the time being.

jhelm

· #16 · Jun 12, 2009

If you would like to have some real drawings done, we could do them for you for a reasonably low fee. PM me. We are on our way to Croatia so not sure about internet connections but we will be back in a week.

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