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Pool 2D Drafting Software: What I Actually Use, Day In and Day Out

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I’m Kayla. I design pools. I also fix plans when crews call me from a hot backyard at 3 p.m. So yes, I live in 2D drawings. They get permits. They guide crews. They save me from “Wait, where does the spa spill?” calls.

Quick note: if you ever want the stripped-down cheat sheet of programs and why I lean on each one, I stashed it in this overview of pool 2D drafting software I actually use—bookmark it for reference.

You know what? Pretty pictures sell. But clean 2D plans build the pool.

The quick gist

  • I used AutoCAD LT, ArcSite on iPad, SmartDraw, SketchUp + LayOut, and Vip3D plan sets.
  • I’ll share real jobs, what worked, what didn’t, and who each one suits.

Why 2D still matters

Inspectors want clear line types. Crews want callouts they can see in sun glare. Owners want scale. A simple 1/8" = 1'-0" plan still runs a project. It’s not cute. But it’s solid.

What I used this year

  • AutoCAD LT (PC)
  • ArcSite (iPad)
  • SmartDraw (PC/Mac)
  • SketchUp Pro + LayOut (PC/Mac)
  • Vip3D plan sets by Structure Studios (PC)

AutoCAD LT: rock solid, a little stiff

I did a 16' x 32' rectangle with a 7' x 7' raised spa in Plano. The lot had a 5' utility easement. I set paper space to 1/8" = 1'-0", made layers (beam, waterline, coping, steel, gas, electric), and used blocks for skimmers and lights. My Bosch laser gave me the lot line swing. I traced it clean.

Pros? It’s exact. Offsets and fillets hit right. The plan printed sharp at 24" x 36". The city permit tech smiled. That was a good day.

Cons? It’s slow to learn. No field notes baked in. No quick material takeoff. And it’s not cheap. Still, when I need to show a 2% deck slope and a 12" raised beam with steps, it hits. If you’re weighing whether the full AutoCAD license is worth it, this in-depth comparison of AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT breaks down exactly where the productivity gaps show up.

Side note: if you’re comparing price tags, the leaner cousin gets a full rundown in my no-nonsense Cadlink review.

A small thing: I set water lines to blue. My crew says they can spot it fast, even with dust and sweat on the page.

ArcSite on iPad: fast in the yard

I used ArcSite for a freeform pool in Austin… July heat, shade was a joke. I traced a satellite photo, snapped to scale, and drew the pool shell with Apple Pencil. I dropped symbols for skimmers, returns, and lights. I added a gas run around the house with a simple line type. Then I shared the PDF with the builder while he was still measuring the set-back. That speed felt great.

Good stuff: It works on site. It snaps to scale. My notes look like I wrote them, because I did. It also makes a quick quote.

Not-so-good: Hatch fills can get chunky. Line weights can look heavy when you print big sheets. The curve tools are fine, but not as crisp as CAD arcs. And, again, it’s not cheap. For a deeper dive into where it shines (and where it stumbles), check out this comprehensive ArcSite review that gathers real-world user feedback.

Still, when the homeowner wants to see where the tanning ledge hits the oak tree roots, I can show that right there on the driveway.

SmartDraw: quick HOA sketches

For a basic 30' freeform with a small Baja shelf, I used SmartDraw to make an HOA plan. It took me 20 minutes. The pool shapes library was handy. I added a north arrow, scale bar, and set back lines.

Great for simple approvals. Not great for permits. The scale is “fine,” but line weight control is limited. Layers feel thin. I wouldn’t mark plumbing on it. But when the HOA wants a one-page plan with a few labels? It does the job.

SketchUp + LayOut: the hybrid that grows on you

This is my “I need sections” setup. I modeled a raised beam with two spillways, then sent views to LayOut. I made a clean plan, a wall section (beam, cap, tile, steel), and a little equipment pad view. All on one sheet. The inspector asked about weep holes. The detail showed them. We passed.

For an alternate route in the 3D-to-2D world, my long-night verdict on Rhino 3D might help you decide whether NURBS belong in your own workflow.

It takes some setup: layers, styles, and tags. And you must draw neat in SketchUp or your dims get off. But once the template is dialed in, the pages pop out clean.

Vip3D plan sets: 3D to very clean 2D

I do most 3D sales work in Vip3D. The “Construction” tools let me spin out plan sheets fast. I build the pool in 3D, then add page sets: layout, steel, plumbing, lights, equipment, and details. The hatch patterns for steel are clear. The callouts stick to the objects, which saves time. I exported a 24" x 36" set for a job in Frisco with a slot-over spillway. The spa section looked crisp. The tile line matched the step rises. The crew liked it.

Limits? You need Windows. You also live in their text styles. It’s flexible, but not full CAD. Pricey too. But for a pool firm that sells and builds, the flow is smooth.

Little lessons that saved me

  • Keep layers simple: beam, steel, tile, water, deck, gas, electric, lights, notes.
  • Use one scale per sheet. I use 1/8" = 1'-0" for most yards. Tight yards get 3/16".
  • Add a north arrow and a benchmark note. “Top of beam = +0'–0" at patio door.”
  • Put code notes in plain words. “Dual drains, VGB covers, 3' min between suction points.”
  • Blocks and symbols matter: skimmer, main drain, returns, vac line, autofill, handrail. Save your set and reuse it.
  • Colors help in the field. Blue for water. Red for electric. Green for gas. Grey for steel. Keep it steady across jobs.

If you ever end up scaling these habits into full-blown facility management, my hands-on Archibus story shows how those same layer tricks hold up in a much bigger sandbox.

Also, label the equipment pad like you mean it. Pump, filter, heater, sanitizer, check valves, unions. If I skip a label, that’s the one the plumber calls about.

Real job snapshots

  • Plano rectangle + raised spa (AutoCAD LT): Full plan set in 4 hours. Two revisions for a side yard easement. Passed permit on first try.
  • Austin freeform with tanning ledge (ArcSite): On-site layout in 35 minutes. Marked live oak critical root zone. Saved a redesign.
  • Suburban HOA one-pager (SmartDraw): 20 minutes. Approved. We did the real permit set later.
  • Sloped lot with 12" beam step and weep holes (SketchUp + LayOut): Clear section saved a messy phone call. Tile guy texted me “Thanks.”
  • Frisco modern pool with slot spill (Vip3D plan sets): Clean pages, easy steel hatch. Foreman pinned it on the fence. No guesswork.

Pros and Cons, the short list

AutoCAD LT

  • Pros: Precise, prints sharp, trusted by cities.
  • Cons: Slower to learn, no field-first tools, cost.

ArcSite (iPad)

  • Pros: Fast on site, Apple Pencil feels natural, easy share.
  • Cons: Heavy line weights at scale, curve tools so-so, cost.

SmartDraw

  • Pros: Very quick, good for HOA and simple layouts.
  • Cons: Weak layers, limited line control, not for full permits.

SketchUp + LayOut

  • Pros: Great details and sections, strong sheet control.
  • Cons: Setup time, must model clean, can get fussy.

Vip3D plan sets

  • Pros: Fast from 3D to 2D, clear hatches, linked callouts.
  • Cons: Windows only, style limits, cost.

So which one should you use?

  • Builder who needs crisp permits and tight dims? AutoCAD LT or Vip3D.
  • Sales or design in the yard with a tablet? ArcSite.
  • HOA

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