Can someone out there recommend a reasonably-priced computer software for developing design diagrams and cut lists for coffee tables, kitchen islands, adirondack chairs, jigs, etc. AutoCAD looks to be expensive and eCabinet systems appear to be directed toward kitchen cabinets. I’m looking for something I can start with just to be able to design and document electronically any furniture I build.
Regards,
Buzzsaw
Replies
There's a handful of us on this board that have had some luck with DesignCAD. It does not, unfortunately, provide cutlists. Right now it is dirt cheap ($15.95) at
http://www.nothingbutsoftware.com/Catalog_Type.asp?ProductCode=32484&ai=1818
I use it to deisgn and document; for cut lists I go through the pieces manually and transfer the sizes over to excel, where I have a worksheet that converts shoulder-to-shoulder lengths and finished widths to dimensioned and rough stock, similar to what you can find elsewhere in FWW or this board (my version differs in using shoulder to shoulder lengths, then adds the tenon length to it. I like this since if I choose to use floating tenons, my cut lengths are already set).
Paul,
Can you save the drawings in a format other than the native format? For instance, can you save in a pdf format? Could you possibly send me a sample of something you have created with DesignCAD?Regards,
Buzzsaw
You can save images in a variety of image formats; I didn't see pdf support, but there is VRML and a few other 3D formats. Not sure about AutoCAD formats...best is if you go to the IMSI web site and check their documentation.
I recently posted a 3D rendered image (jpeg) in this discussion section. Look for the thread titled "Is it live, or is it DesignCAD." I could send you a DCAD file, but without DCAD to look at it, I don't see how that will help you.
Good luck,
Paul
Buzz, the DesignCad he's speaking of (that's so cheap) is version 14. Because the current version is 15. I have it too, and have played with it a bit. Look at the following thread to see one rendering in DesignCad. There's another one somewhere! but I can't find it right now. It's a tall table with all the joints, constructed in layers, with drawer(s), very cool, having a senior moment, sorry.
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-knots/messages?msg=22305.1
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
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