Hi Everyone, I’m new to the forum so if this question belongs elsewhere I appologize. I’m looking for a pretty simple 3D cabinet/furniture design software program so I can design pieces and show my clients a more true to life visual example, instead of a hand drawn picture I have been doing. I really don’t want to spend $1000.00, and would really like not to spend my next 2 years learning how to work it.. Thanks for you info.
Lisa.
Replies
DesignCAD and TurboCAD always rate pretty high for usability, but the truth is (at least from my experience) that all of these programs have a learning curve to them. While you won't have to spend 2 years learning them, it's not going to be 2 hours either.
Another program worth looking at is Sketchup (http://www.sketchup.com/). If you primarily want something that you can use for client drawings, or even doodling new ideas, this could be a good choice for you. Keep in mind that this is not a full blown CAD program but rather a 3D design tool.
Having spent many years writing heavy duty CAD systems, when I took up furniture making professionally I used an AutoCAD compatible system (one of the IntelliCADs) for a while. But then I descovered Sketchup. It is so easy to use that I now take it to customers homes and modify designs in real time with them sitting there, and they love it. Buy it, you won't regret it.
b.t.w. need I say that I don't use IntelliCAD any more?
Edited 1/19/2006 6:12 am ET by NickJW
Edited 1/19/2006 6:13 am ET by NickJW
REVIT will allow you to design your 3d universe, but sadly, it would mean drawing line for line all of your cabinetry before it becomes useful in 3d. Once thats done, you can go wild. Many millwork models are available by others on revitcity.com. REVIT ias also very expensive. As an architect, I love it though. My friend here does well with Chief Architect, but I do not know how well it allows you to design the cabinets and doors. It seems to me that sketchup has had many positive reviews by designers. Bricscad has some smokin' software also - with a bit of a learning curve.
I have recently tried a CAD program --http://www.cadstd.com ---CadStd. Having never used CAD software I find it relativly easy to use -- perhaps because it is a 2D program. The drawing tools seem to be more than sufficient for furniture design. It is free for the lte version and $25 for the pro verison ( The Pro version permits you to print multipage drawings). I did a little test to see if a printout at full scale was accurate (laser printer)and It was very good so it might be good for preparing template drawings. I will be updating to the pro version
Stan---
Hi lisa,
I've been using sketchup for some time now and find it much simpler than any cad package I've ever used. I've used it for development of 2d templates individula pieces of furniture and for the complete remodel of my kitchen (including drawing out all the cabinets). My one caveat is it doesn't handle complex curves very well. The demo is free check it out do some of the tutorials and you'll be suprised how fast you'll be up and running.
Check out eCabinets - http://www.ecabinetsystems.com - its excellent software and its free to the trade...
i agree with mcain , ecabs is excellent, it took me a while to learn it & i already knew turbo cad. thurbo cad is also a good value. have fun!
I use Turbocad and I find it very good at creating and rendering. I do furniture design/building as well as architectural and general drawing as an hobby. The online forum is what sold me on this program. It is absolutely the best forum I have ever used for getting by sticky problems that can take a long time to figure out. I got the trial version, and used the forum a couple of times and I was sold. Good luck.
Allen
For several years I have been teaching a C.A.D. program called "Easy C.A.D." They also sell a 3D versiion called "Fast C.A.D." You can download both and use them free for a trial period. The reason they are easy is because they use words NOT icons to draw. The turorials are "to die for". Tech wrtiers are really good.Their designers realized that the simpliest method that conveys the message HAS to be the best. (Keep it simple stupid). This is why I decided to use this in my classroom. Several schools near me switched to the same program after preview. It can also communicate with AutoCAD. It is sooo easy to teach with this program. It has a short leaning curve and in no time you will feel confident. Consumers are "turned off" by the tile "Easy CAD". They think it's lame. WRONG. It's direct competition ,and then some. Fast cad is better, downlad it for free trial period.
With all this said, I must admit, I previewed this program several years ago and thought it was superior to equivalent competitors. Since then the advice of other posters could be vaild. I am only familiar with Autocad, Autocad sketch, Cad Key, and Versa Cad.
You can download Fat CAD from Google search Evolution Computing. Their product was sold by Microsoft. I don't know if it still is. When I visited their booth at the National Design and Engineers show in Chicago for several years , I left with the feeling that they were wonderful.
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