Tools to create a floor plan

There are a lot of ways to actually start drawing a floor plan. This may, of course, simply be done by hand, on paper and with pen or pencil. As long as it meets the requirements that may apply. However, it is much more convenient to use digital tools. For example, it is easier to create different versions and adjust things. It is also easy to copy objects, apply scale and quickly see if something fits. If you can then feel free to create a floor plan in Paint, Word or Powerpoint. Below we have listed a few tools and types of software that you could use as well. There are numerous tutorials and videos on the Internet that allow you to teach yourself. See what feels comfortable, decide how much time you think it will take to master and also consider how often you want to use it.

Online tools

You can find a lot of tools on the Internet that allow you to create a floor plan, often for free. The application possibilities are sometimes less than with the paid software we describe below, but you can get by. Just see what suits you and what seems to work easily. One of the somewhat more commonly used sites is www.floorplanner.com. But just Google "map making" and plenty of resources and tips will come up.

Photoshop

This is a program you use to make graphic drawings and to shape things. It is often used when making posters and flyers. It can also be used to create floor plans, even though it is not quite intended for that. Applying scale is a bit trickier but otherwise it offers a lot of ease in creating and inserting objects, figures and graphics such as icons. Photoshop is software from Adobe and purchase costs money. More information can be found here.

Autocad

This program is very professional and widely used worldwide. However, it is helpful to have some aptitude for graphics programs and some spatial insight. It is possible to load existing floor plans and edit them further. The drawings you create will be very detailed and the program offers many tools to set scale and insert and copy objects. You can work with different layers to omit or make certain details appear. Autocad is expensive to purchase. So consider carefully whether you are going to use this a lot. You can find more information from the publisher of the software.

Sketch-up

A program that is also frequently used is SketchUp. With this program you can create floor plans as well as generate a 3D view of your booth, event, artwork or location. In doing so, it looks like you can walk through the environment. It is possible to load locations from Google Maps and the same goes for existing pdf files. It is easy to work with scale. There are a huge number of tutorials for this program as well, and it is somewhat easier to master than Autocad. There are trial versions of it available for download but buying the whole package will cost several hundred dollars. More information can be found on this website.

Smartdraw

You can also get started drawing floor plans with Smartdraw. You can buy the software or get started with it through an online tool. Smartdraw is a package that can be used more broadly than just for creating floor plans. It offers many templates and examples that you can use. The program is easy to use on different types of devices. You can use a version for free after registering.


If you have any knowledge from your own expertise that would fit this topic, or if you see possibilities to improve this text, we look forward to receiving your message at info@cultuuracademy.nl.