New Draft IT Version 2. Completely free, easy to use, 2D CAD system.

UK CAD software developers CADlogic have just released Version 2 of Draft IT TM, the powerful, NO-cost, 2D PC CAD system. The new Draft IT is significantly faster than its predecessor and is just as easy to use without training.

Now packed with even more easy to use commands Draft IT draws up previously time-consuming items instantly. And, with this standalone system being completely free of charge it represents a no risk trial for any potential users. CADlogic now offer two enhanced versions which both include even more functionality, Draft IT PLUS for just £10 + VAT and Draft IT PRO for just £49 + VAT.

PRODUCT FEATURES
Create, print and save your own professional drawings

Draft IT is a full CAD system which unlike other free software allows you to create, print and save your drawings without restriction. There is no time or usage limit, just download it, run the installation and that’s it.

Easy to use - visual aids compliment all commands.

Draft IT assists the user at all stages of drawing creation with a variety of visual drawing aids. For example in most drawing or modifying functions it is possible to switch on dynamic dimensions displaying Cartesian (X, Y) or Polar co-ordinates, thus allowing the user to easily identify the next position without keyboard entry. Alternatively ‘‘snaps’ can be selected and Draft IT displays the relevant symbol and description at the cursor when browsing over end points, mid points, intersections etc.
Another of the Draft IT visual aids is the ‘Entity Handle’. These handles are displayed when an entity is selected for modification. The user can simply click on a handle to select it and then either move the complete entity or redefine the handle position as required.
The visual aids combined with the flexibility of the user input compliment the powerful Draft IIT drawing tools to create a slick and uncluttered interface. Individual commands are available for selection from pull down menus and toolbars which are logically arranged around the drawing area.

Features and Functions

Draft IT has a number of settings the user can define for new drawings including support of Metric and Imperial units for co-ordinate input and dimensioning. The following settings are available:- Millimetres, Centimetres, Metres, Decimal Inches, Fractional Inches, Decimal Feet / Inches, Fractional Feet / Inches. Sheet Size can be selected from A0, A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6 sizes and the Scale can be set from standard drawing scales 100:1 through to 1:100.
These are some of the other Draft IT features and functions:- Drawing: - Line, Arc, Circle, Rectangle, Text, Dimensions (Linear, Radial, Angular, Leader Arrow, Double Arrow).
Modify: - Copy, Mirror, Rotate, Rectangular Array, Polar Array, Scale, Offset, Fillet, Chamfer

Draft IT PLUS Features
Draft IT PLUS is a low cost enhanced version of Draft IT. It contains the following features over and above the free version.
Polyline – Draw Polylines with variable radii
Polygon – Draw ‘N’ sided Polygons
X & Y Snap – Allows selection of X & Y points separately
Break Entity – Break an entity at a specific point
Polyline Area Calculation – Find the area of closed polylines
Datum Dimension – Add datum dimensions to your drawings
Explode – Break Hatching, Polygons, Polylines, Symbols & Ellipses into multiple entities
Build Polyline – Create a Polyline from existing entities
Set Symbol Insertion Origin – specify the insertion origin point of Symbols
Entity Info – Display properties of individual entities
Stretch – Stretch a group of entities
Measure – Measure the distance between two points
Direction Input – Use the keyboard arrow keys to force orthogonal direction input
Hatch – Fill enclosed shapes with hatching, the user can set the hatch pitch and angle. An option to toggle the display of hatching is also provided.
User Symbols – Save pre-drawn shapes for use within other Draft IT drawings.
Ellipse – Add ellipses to drawings
Drawing Templates – Create your own drawing standard layouts including sheet borders.
Multiple document interface – Open multiple Draft IT drawings simultaneously and copy and paste between them.
Line thickness – Add thickness to lines on drawings.
Layers – Create and manage layers within drawings
Selection Filters – Facility to include/exclude entities from the selections process, by colour, layer, type etc.

Draft IT PRO Features
Draft IT PRO is a low cost professional version of Draft IT. It contains the following features over and above Draft IT Plus.
Import/Export DWG/ DXF - Import and Export DWG and DXF files
Export PDF files – Export your drawings as PDF files
Area Fill - Fill enclosed shapes with solid fill colour. . An option to toggle the display of area fills is also provided.
Insert Image - Place Raster (bitmap) images onto drawings
Selection Filters - Select entities by colour, layer etc.
Additional Pens - Add more pens (default 15, max’ 125)
Attribute – Add text attributes in symbols
Isometric Grid – Define an isometric grid
Trim – Trim or extend lines/arcs to other entities
Advanced Symbol Features – More powerful symbol handling
Save Named Views - Store zoom windows for quick drawing navigation, printing or PDF export
Hatch Patterns – Fill polylines with pre-defined hatch patterns
Symbol Libraries - Select from hundreds of pre-drawn symbols, including Mechanical, Electrical
Drawing Properties – Store drawing related information via a dialog box
Text - Special Characters – Add selected non-keyboard to text strings

Customised Systems based on Draft IT

Many companies and organisations have benefited from using a custom CAD system developed by CADlogic. Now Draft IT has made this process even easier, whether a few additional specialist commands are needed or a complete bespoke design system.

COMPANY BACKGROUND

Specialist developers of CAD systems since 1988, CADlogic of Lichfield, Staffs, provide architectural, structural and mechanical engineering design solutions with their wide selection of CAD products.

These complete solutions as well as tailored systems enable you to optimise design efficiency, quality and accuracy, new business proposals and return-on-investment (ROI), whilst reducing the "time-to-market" of your new ideas. Accordingly, CADlogic possess the ideal product background and intellectual resources to produce such a new and useful design tool as Draft IT.

IN CONCLUSION

CADlogic’s Draft IT is worth a closer look as a free yet sophisticated and feature-filled, PC CAD system for boosting productivity in any design and drawing environment. Supported by low cost upgrades to Draft IT PLUS & Draft IT PRO as well as the option for CADlogic to develop bespoke functionality for your application, it represents an effective design solution for the home or office user.