What are you guys using when drawing designs? is it the good old trusty paint or are you using something that can calculate the angles and such for you?

Been doing a few designs, mostly working possible folds... it gets tedious after a while. Can you help me out?

Check the first post of the tweaks topic in my signature line. I have linked a couple of simple programs there you may find useful. Some freeware and some with "evaluation" versions.

Thanks

No problem! I was just trying to find another post where someone posted a LOT of different CAD program recommendations but I struck out. Hopefully, one of the few I linked will prove useful to you.

I hate to say it,but I like the old fashioned pencil!
Paint is very useful for getting ideas across,but due to technical difficulties! ,I think cad programs are too complex for my tiny brain!
Having said that,some excellent chaps on these forums have demonstrated superb skills at illustrating designs,using various programs,do a search on "strent".He did some very nice diagrams for instance.I am sure he mentions what he uses in there somewhere!
Cheers p

Google has recently purchased SketchUp and posted a free version! Woo Hoo! This is an awesome, easy to learn and use 3D modeling tool. You won't be making the next pixar film with it, but 3D doesn't get any easier. Get yours before they come to their senses!

I got TurboCAD Designer 11 a few weeks ago for $30, and it works pretty well.

EDIT: Just downloaded the Google version of SketchUp. It's pretty fun.

Mostly I need it for the damn angles, so slow to do them by hand. Adjusting a mirror on a pencil drawing is alot of work.

Does sketchup have raytracing(that's the light and angle thing right?)

No automatic raytracing, but it isn't really necessary. You can trace the critical rays by hand. I find that multiple views in 2D are easier to deal with for light path design. I recommend Visio (or any other vector-based drawing program with rulers) rather than a CAD program.