Drawing software

[Steevo]

Anybody able to recommend some good drawing/image editing software that doesn't need a degree to understand it?

I used to use Photoshop Elements which was handy but won't run on latest version of Windows.

What do others use?

I need something a bit better than a "Paint" so I can import an image (e.g. map) and then mark points, draw lines, add text etc. Nothing major, but just the ability to overlay things like that on top of an image would be what I'd ideally like.

 

[Deutzdx3]

Try coral draw. Think there are free versions of it floating about.

 

[Crex]

I use Adobe Pro for that sort of thing.

 

[Storeman]

Have you looked at paint.net?

 

[rollestonpark]

Try gimp, very good and free

 

[Steevo]

Try gimp, very good and free

Thanks. I did try this but it got me all confused. Perhaps I was missing something.

 

[Steevo]

Try coral draw. Think there are free versions of it floating about.

Thanks. Haven’t heard the Coral name for years. Forget it even existed. I’ll do some searching.

I use Adobe Pro for that sort of thing.

Thanks. Sounds a potentially expensive option.

Have you looked at paint.net?

New one on me. I’ll go take a look.

 

[rollestonpark]

Yeah Gimp is fairly complex, adobe like. But given it's free, worth trying to get to grips with if your doing things often.
Look here, for a list of portable programs, (they are altered to run from a folder and not install and take resources)
Portable Apps
These guys check the quality of the free software.
Some good ideas here

 

[Clive]

Google sketch up for anything Techincal or design is good

adobe sketch is good if you use a Apple Pencil

 

[Sledgehammer]

Photopea.com is surprisingly good for a browser based app, might be worth a look.

 

[Steevo]

Have you looked at paint.net?

Thank you for this. I tested Paint.net out this afternoon to do a small job and it's pretty handy. A bit of a cross between MS Paint and Adobe.

I'll try and give the others a try soon too.

 

[B R C]

@Steevo did you find some suitable software? Just got a plasma table and brake press and looking to start drawing some things. I thing I’ll use e machine shop for simple 2d style plates etc but will need something for designing more complicated things

 

[Steevo]

I just bought the latest version of Photoshop Elements to use as I understood it.

 

[Deutzdx3]

I moved across to shapr3d. Got it on iPad pro but now available on pc as well. Phenomenal programme. Still use emachine shop for fast 2d cutting on the plasma table but for cutting tube on the laser or cnc folding shapr3d is great. Also, way cheaper than any solid works type programme.

 

[andyinv]

@Steevo did you find some suitable software? Just got a plasma table and brake press and looking to start drawing some things. I thing I’ll use e machine shop for simple 2d style plates etc but will need something for designing more complicated things

For CAD-type stuff, this is free for home use: https://www.onshape.com/en/

Downside is on the free plan, all your drawings are public :/

 

[goldeneagle]

@Steevo did you find some suitable software? Just got a plasma table and brake press and looking to start drawing some things. I thing I’ll use e machine shop for simple 2d style plates etc but will need something for designing more complicated things

Qcad is good for plate drawings as will output DXF files which your CNC can read.

Was £30 for a licence and any problems can be sorted via community site for it.

I was used to Autocad in a former employment and have found this to be a suitable alternative,