Plan or drawing site/free utility?
 

I'm planning a few projects and wondering if anyone knows of any good ones or if its just better to do it by hand.

Thanks in advance!

Google Sketchup is great! I use it for furnature design, hardscape design, metal work...skys the limit...oh yeah....it's free

that depends on what your projects are too

I like printing off grid paper I find online for sketching.

that's a huge waste of ink/cash. go buy some grid paper for a fraction of the cost

It's nothing large, just trying to make a plan for a multi tank project that my poor drawing skills would really get in the way lol

I second Google Sketchup. There's a learning curve if you've never used it before, but once you get the hang of it, it's very handy.

I've done this twice in the last three years or so. I also use the draft settings for printing it. I suppose it would make more sense to drive to the office supply store and buy a package of grid paper.

I am starting to wonder if thinking outside the box is not welcome on this site.

I'm starting to think people get offended way to easily for being offered different options.

A few sheets of graphing paper aren't going to break the ink bank but I could see that if you printed like 100 sheets :)

I'm going to check out the sketch thing when I get home

Different options weren't really offered in this case. One idea was presented as being wasteful and expensive while the "correct way" was being pointed out. I'm sorry I took offense to it and will work on not rocking the boat since I am new and don't know I am giving bad advice.

most definitely not, but its good to have a bunch on hand. I don't know the last time I've sketched something out perfect the first few times.

google sketchup is great, but there is a lot to learn. I'd suggest watching some how to videos on anything related to it!

Sketchup (no longer owned by google) is fantastic and free. Yeah, there is a learning curve, but also plenty of videos and stuff on how to use it. I use it quite a bit because I am challenged at the art of using a pencil to make something recognizable.

Last time I looked at autocad they offered a 30 day full featured trial, but the learning curve may make Sketchup a much better option.
Very powerful software if you take some time to familiarize yourself with it however.