Floor Plan

[robos99]

Add another to support for Autocad. I've been using it for various things since high school....it can do almost anything design related. It's not cheap that's for sure. But you could really put it to work for designing a haunt. If you make a "block" for your wall panels (those who use it know what I mean) you could get reports that would tell you how many of each type of wall panel you have in there. Plus it has 3d capabilities, far better than sketchup, not to mention you can have layers much like you do in photoshop. So you can create different print versions of your floor plan each showing different things, like one for construction, one for electrical, one for emergency exits and such, and it's all part of the same drawing. No need to make multiple drawings.

However when it comes to just drawing up something quickly to visualize it, sketchup is great. I use it on occasion, but compared to autocad it's tools are very limited.

But if you do get autocad, it might be worthwhile to get a book on it too. I've been using it for 13 years, and even I have trouble figuring out some of the features in newer versions, especially when working in 3d.

[Allen H]

I beat the dead google sketch up horse, I love the program.

[Evilution Unlimited]

Autocad. It can be a bare to work with but the drawings look professional and make building a cinch.

[Rocky Mountain Terror]

Thanks for the Google advice!!! I was looking into buying AutoCAD. Free sounds much better for a start-up haunt!!! Lol.

[gadget-evilusions]

I use Autocad myself. I have used sketch up and its good for 3-d modeling scenes and things, but for me Autocad is faster when all I want is a 2-d layout.

[themagicofjustinarrigo]

AutoCAD. Although it is a program that is capable of designing almost anything, it is rather simple to use if you just want to make floor plans. You would only need to use the basic commands, and if you wanted to, you can learn the program fully and make 3d images and diagrams of your entire attraction.

[evilmanor]

Jim wrote ""Wall thickness" when drawing plans. This was my first big mistake. The walls were thicker than I planned and hallways got skinny."

Ha! Jom, I thought we were the only ones who made that mistake! LOL At least now we can say, "been there done that!" LMAO~!

Kel

PS. I second the recommendation of Google Sketchup

That's what I like about sketchup. I can make build a virtual modular panel and copy/paste them into place. Then I know for sure how many 4x8 panels I need and where I need to make changes/modifications to finish a wall. FREE is a great thing!

[Jim Warfield]

Those thick walls of long ago..

Were us army 90mm. ammunition boxes, made of wood, nailed together like large wooden bricks.
After they were erected I thought they were too rough and splintery so we wrapped them with cardboard to smooth them up, not a practice I would ever recommend.
It was the old JCs haunted house, which was in the basement of what is now my house.
Yes, I wanted to buy this house for many years before I got to buy it.

[freak 'n' stein]

Google Sketchup all the way!! Perks are it's free, relatively concise, simple to use and you can do a 3D walkthrough (which I love). Our structures and building are permanent, so it's really easy to change things in the computer first.

[Raycliff Manor]

Jim wrote ""Wall thickness" when drawing plans. This was my first big mistake. The walls were thicker than I planned and hallways got skinny."

Ha! Jim, I thought we were the only ones who made that mistake! LOL At least now we can say, "been there done that!" LMAO~!

Kel

PS. I second the recommendation of Google Sketchup

[MovieRelics]

I'd recommend Microsoft Visio if you have it. Otherwise, Google Sketch-up is a great free alternative.

[evilmanor]

I started using Google Sketchup last year and love it. I went to our building and took all the measurements I needed to start building. Then I made 4x8 panels just like mine and then just copy, paste and rotate them as needed. Make a blank copy of your space before starting and you'll have a blank canvas for next year or be able to work up multiple layouts without having to recreate it each time.

You can download it from here http://sketchup.google.com/

After watching these video tutorials I've been able to pretty much do whatever I've needed.

[Jim Warfield]

Remember

"Wall thickness" when drawing plans. This was my first big mistake. The walls were thicker than I planned and hallways got skinny.
O0PS!

[Haunted Acers]

I am planning my haunt for this year and i am tired of drwaing my floor plans. What do you guys do to plan your floor plan for your upcomming haunts?