Replies

1. 
   ABenker | Apr 05, 2003 12:17am | #1

   Check out AutoSketch. I used it for my first set of commissioned cabinets and it worked well. I also use it for some furniture. You can create multiple layers on top of the cabinet boxes to represent face frames, doors and drawers. It helped me tremendously in getting all of the dimension down the first time prior to building. It's like pre-constructing the cabinets and I'm sure it save me a lot of headaches. There is a little bit of a learning curve, but not too difficult. The cost of the product is around $100-$150. There maybe other sketch type programs out there, but this is the only one that I am familiar with. Since you do custom work and one of a kinds this should work well. This product is compatible with CADD.

   Aaron

2. 
   DennisS | Apr 05, 2003 06:32am | #2

   If you're looking for a CAD type program, you can download Intellicad from http://www.cadopia.com - and 'evaluation' copy. It runs for 1000 (that's one thousand) sessions before it times out. It's got a pretty easy learning curve, that is if you have reasonable computer skills to start with, and is a more that AutoCAD compatible clone of AutoCAD itself although with limited 3D capabilities.

   ...........

   Dennis in Bellevue WA

   [email protected]

3. 
   Jamie_Buxton | Apr 06, 2003 09:13pm | #3

   I'm a one-man shop doing custom furniture. I use DeltaCad (http://www.deltacad.com).  I considered the industrial CAD programs like AutoCad and the programs specifically designed to run big cabinet shops.   They'll do lots of stuff, including 3D.  However, because they'll do lots, the learning curve is long, and if you don't use it 8 hours a day you forget most of it.   They're also quite pricey -- like $500 and up.   In contrast, Deltacad does just enough to design and build one piece of furniture.  It is quick to learn, and inexpensive ($40).  Like most of the programs in this class, they'll let you download a free trial version.

4. 
   AlanTurner | Apr 07, 2003 02:29pm | #4

   What a good question, and I hope there are a lot of responses.  I bought TurboCAD, for about $25 off of the web.  Theliterature said it had 3d capability, but it didn't, unless you were building a house.  What I would like to do is draw a piece in 2D, and then be able to see it in 3D, from various angles.  Then adjust dimensions, look again, etc.  Does anyone know if there is a user frinedly program, not too expensive, and of course easy to learn, that would do this?

1. 
   davidh | Apr 07, 2003 08:24pm | #5

   I also bought TurboCad. It has a long learning curve because there is no manual on how to learn or use it. Turbocad try to charge you extra for courses to teach you how it works. Also it has some strange effects if you try to snap to a grid; dimensions do not add up etc. It is not an easy program to use so be careful.

1. 
   AlanTurner | Apr 07, 2003 09:44pm | #6

   It has already hit the circular file. I can draw a bit, as can all woodworkers, but I wanted to be able to see the different perspectives, which this software does not do. And, there is noone to talk to about what "3D" actually means in the context of this particular software. That is no accident, I suspect.

5. 
   TomFerreira | Apr 08, 2003 05:16am | #7

   I can't speak to the design aspect of your question, and it looks like there is plenty of good advise here already on that but for cut lists and sheet optimization I use Cutlist Plus. You can get this at the link below. It allows you to specify either boards or sheet stock, and allows you to enter what you have in the lumber rack to use that up first. Works great. it's well worth the $25 bucks or so I paid for it.

   TDF

   http://cutlistplus.com/