I'm not sure what I'm looking for exists, but thought someone here might. I'd like a computer program that creates the top, front and side views of an object like you did in high school drafting class. If it also does a 3-d view, that's fine, but it doesn't need full CAD capabilities.

My goal is to be able to "draw" small fabrication projects that I'm either working on myself or could take to a welding shop. Input would be setting up the standard size materials and then putting the pieces together in one panel. The other panels would adjust as lengths and angles are changed in the active panel.

I hope I've made a somewhat coherent description of what is in my mind.

Thanks for any advice.

Here is your best option based on your need. Sketch up.

https://www.sketchup.com/?gcli...kEAAYASAAEgKM4_D_BwE

I'm not sure there are any flat/2D drafting programs left. The entire drafting community has moved to 3D drafting and has been there for years.

In 3D drafting software, you first build a 3D model of your object. For CNC fabrication, you just send the machinist the 3D model. For manual fabrication, or if you need it for some other reason, the 3D drafting software can generate flat drawings from the 3D model and you can then add dimensions (with the values taken from the underlying 3D model - you don't enter anything manually) where you want them.

For assemblies or weldments, you typically generate separate 3D models for the individual pieces and then stick them all together.

It's a different process, but it's generally pretty intuitive.