Replies

1. 
   badoyn | Mar 02, 2006 06:35pm | #1

   I would suggest you look at Design Intuition (http://www.gizmolab.com) or SketchUp (http://www.sketchup.com). Both are very nice. SketchUp is more expensive but has more features.

   Michael

1. 
   Jimma | Mar 02, 2006 07:35pm | #2

   Last time I looked, Design Intuition did not support 3-D functions. But, the program is wholly Mac derived.

2. 
   user-112792 | Mar 03, 2006 05:59pm | #4

   Thanks the suggestions are very helpful!

   T-Rex

3. 
   storme | Mar 04, 2006 10:52am | #5

   SketchUp gets rave reviews from certain creative types, don't know if it's what you want though. They have roving classes (sign up and they will send you email schedules when they pass through your area) and really nice online tutorials. About $500Oh and it's Mac, not MAC (MAC is a network thing which is why the distinction)good luck,
   -s

1. 
   badoyn | Mar 06, 2006 06:30pm | #6

   Both Design Intuition and SketchUp are both Mac and PC. I prefer the Mac version.Michael

1. 
   Kaleo | Mar 10, 2006 02:10pm | #12

   I've been using vectorworks. It seems so far llike a really good program. It works for both Mac and PC.

2. 
   tangomike | Mar 13, 2006 07:17am | #14

   How does Design Intuition work on laptops (15" screen)? Also, what input device are you using with it? thanks for the additional information.

1. 
   badoyn | Mar 13, 2006 04:36pm | #15

   I would assume it works fine. It's a quick program with a menu palette on the right and top. You can resize the work window to whatever you need. I use a 3-button mouse and it woks fine.Michael

4. 
   pauldowns | Mar 07, 2006 06:44am | #7

   I use sketchup a lot but it is not a drafting program at all. It would be difficult to impossible to use it to make 2d drawings of the components of your pieces. I usually work the other way: start with 2d to work out dimensions, then replicate in Sketchup. For 2d drafting I use PowerCADD from Engineered Software, which is a very good and powerful drafting program specifically designed for the Mac. Might be more than you want to spend if you are doing simple things.

1. 
   mikegagne | Mar 12, 2006 11:57pm | #13

   pauldowns, yeah at $1000 for the program with plugins additional it can outpace the less than dedicated hobbyist but not the professional. I love PowerCADD and it has an easier (Mac-like) interface to learn. You can actually DL a free trial version that wont allow you to save or print until you pay for it. It'll tell you if its worth it for your particular application. aloha, mike

2. 
   RickL | Mar 02, 2006 08:21pm | #3

   http://www.pure-mac.com/

   New to mac so still learning my way around but a good selection is here. Cadintosh is free. Been playing around with that but haven't got too far.

3. 
   Davedavedave | Mar 08, 2006 11:39pm | #8

   I have used Vectorworks quite a bit.  It is a full-fledged drafting program and has 3D.  It is available for MAC and PC.

    

   Dave

1. 
   user-112792 | Mar 09, 2006 04:53pm | #11

   Thanks for the suggestion, I'll look it up.
   T-Rex

4. 
   mbpm | Mar 09, 2006 01:14am | #9

   A very interesting program for the Mac woodworker is Design Intuition. I have only played with it briefly, but it has a number of unique features - not the least of which is the ability to create a materials list.
   It's at http://www.gizmolab.com

1. 
   user-112792 | Mar 09, 2006 04:49pm | #10

   Thank you for the suggestion. i am checking out the program. However, I may need to buy a new computer because mine may be too old to update!
   T-Rex

5. 
   giametti | Mar 14, 2006 03:19am | #16

   For an inexpensive CAD, I think the best for Mac is High Design from ilexsoft. If you still run in classic, the version 3 of TurboCAD was quite good. The recent version for OSX is a very different program, and I didn't care for it.
   I'm currently using Vectorworks. I found a good price for it on eBay.

   Jim Eddy

   http://www.jameseddywoodworks.com