[ILUG] House plans

[Keith Hyland]

>Message: 8
>
>I recently came across architect's plans for my house,
>and I was wondering what the simplest way would be
>to convey these to computer.
>
>Is there a standard Unix or Linux format for house plans?
>
>If so, what is the simplest way to pass from paper to computer
>given that I have no scanner
>(but do have a digital camera)?
>
>All suggestions gratefully received.
>
>--
>Timothy Murphy
>e-mail (<80k only): tim /at/ birdsnest.maths.tcd.ie
>tel: +353-86-2336090, +353-1-2842366

Tim,

I have found that with hardcopy drawings larger than the scanner i have 
access to (A4), photgraphing, then converting them from raster to vector, 
saving as Drawing eXchange Format (dxf) then importing to you cad application.

depending on the accuracy you require, this method might be sufficient.
you will however need to "clean up" the drawing to compensate for errors 
and irregularities in the raster to vector step.

alternatively, you might be able to import the raster image directly to the 
cad application, then draught the plans from that.

either way, it is time consuming.

that brings me to the cad application:

I work in a Microsoft centric company. I have to use AutoCad;  there is no 
Linux version, there no apparant plans for a Linux version.
however, VariCAD  (http://www.varicad.com/) looks useful.

keith