Replies

1. 
   xcutsaw | Aug 07, 2004 10:45am | #1

   Hi Km

   I have just started using Design Intuition, a project plan program for woodworking, in Mac OSX.

   You can work in 3 dimensions with total control over all numerical values. You can also preview and rotate your project in a simple 3-D rendering mode. Cool.

   Heres the url

   http://www.gizmolab.com/software/

   I've atached a screenshot of my computer so you can see what a work in progress (CD storage cabinet) looks like.

   Good luck

   Tom

   
1. 
   nikkiwood | Aug 08, 2004 06:08am | #3

   I have been looking for some simple CAD program for Mac -- one that is appropriate for a near computer illiterate such as myself. For instance, I can write in WORD, but only if I keep the formatting bonehead simple.

   So my question is, what kind of a chance would I have to make Design Intuition work for me? Does it include a decent tutorial -- say, something in pdf format that I can print out and read?

   Thanks much.

1. 
   xcutsaw | Aug 09, 2004 07:37am | #4

   Hi Nikkiwood,

   Check their website for availability of instructional materials.

   You can get a one-day free pass that enables you to download the software and take a free 24-hour test drive. The software will still operate beyond the test period, minus some functions like "save" and "print', so you can still fiddle with it up to a point and see if it works for you.

   Hope this helps,

   Tom

1. 
   nikkiwood | Aug 09, 2004 08:17am | #5

   Thanks for reply......

2. 
   badoyn | Aug 09, 2004 05:39pm | #6

   How do you like Design Intuition? I downloaded the demo last week but have yet to work with it.

   Does it allow you to draw free-form items with curves?

   Thanks,

   Michael

1. 
   Thew | Aug 09, 2004 08:21pm | #7

   I downloaded it a week ago, and have been quite impressed. From what I can tell, though, it does not allow for curved pieces, which I see as its biggest drawback. It does allow for cylindrical shapes, such as a turned leg with a consistent radius.

   I am proficient in CAD, but I think many of the features of DI would be easy to pick up regardless. The biggest strength I have found is being able to create a "Smart Object". For instance, a five shelf bookcase. Each of the components (shelves, kicker, back) can be given independant attributes that automatically adjust when the entire piece is resized.

   I will likely purchase soon.

1. 
   badoyn | Aug 10, 2004 12:41am | #8

   Thanks for the info. I gathered from the site that a new update is in the works, but I'm not sure what it will contain.

   I'll try out the demo shortly.

   Michael

2. 
   datachanel | Aug 07, 2004 03:46pm | #2

   Hello, I don't own a Mac, but I know that Mac users in the theater industry use Vector Works. It's also very good with rendering if that's important to you.

   Datachanel

   Doing things the hard way