: Which software can produce drafting scale line diagrams Which software can be used to draw lines at exact measurements? I am looking for a tool which could be used for example to draw a top

@Yeniel278

Illustrator is a perfectly viable option for a 2D CAD application (as is Inkscape), in small volumes. The basic difference is that you would not draw the image in 1:100 scale in a CAD application*. Rather you would draw in 1:1 scale and then the print view would be in scale. This speeds up the process since you can just type measured units.

The trick to accurate drawing is to type dimensions in. This is just as possible in Illustrator as it in Autocad or any other CAD application. Cad applications are just slightly more optimized to this, but the difference is not big, with line tool hold alt down and you get the same result.



Image 1: Autocad (Right) numeric input and Illustrator (Left) numeric input dialog side by side comparison.

Trimming lines is also slightly snappier in a CAD application, but not something you can not overcome with the shape builder tool. Precision in Illustrator is probably ok for your purposes. If you really get pedantic then it suffices to say that Illustrator can not do perfect circles. The deviation is really tiny tough.



Image 2: An old quick drafting test made to keep my skills up on Illustrator specific workflow. Most measurements deleted to keep the small image as clear as possible.

There is however the question of what your peers use. Sharing is what makes most of our design documents valuable, so use what your peers would use.

* Modern CAD is more modeling than actually drawing anything the CAD handles drawing you just supply the border constraints.

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