Hi there,
I’m new in the woodworking and would like to know, since you have more experience than me, what Software (if any) are you guys using to make plans for a project. I know some that are very complicate to use like AutoCad but is there anything else (in software) or are you guys doing it by hand?
Thanks for the information.
William.
Replies
Willy, I suggest DesignCAD 3DMax or 3DMaxPlus, found at the following website. The non-plus version can be bought for as little as $161.95, and it's much, much easier to use than AutoCAD.
http://www.upperspace.com/products/cad/3dmax/default.asp
Lee in Cave Junction, Oregon
On the Redwood Highway
Lee,
I have an old version of Design Cad 2 D, written for Windows 3.1. I've never felt the need to upgrade - only a bit of an apetite to do so. Are you familiar enough with the capabilities and differences in this old software and DesignCad 3D to tell me what improvements serve you well? If so, I'd love to hear from you about them. Speculation welcome.
jdg
There is also CADopia's IntelliCAD2001. The company's website allows you to download the entire program on a limited trial basis. It has some advanced capabilities without the high cost of AutoCAD.
I tried the program myself and thought it to be a useful program, but as a beginning woodworker, I usually follow other people's plans. As a result, I let my trial expire and did not pay for a licensed copy.
Take care, Greg
Hi Greg,
i went on the site but the only thing they do now is showing a little demo Online and nothing else. Maybe they changed... but i'm still gonna see if there is something with them to be able to download it!
Thanks!
William!
Hi Willy,
That software is about all I can afford on Bridge City....nice stuff....
I'll go on their website and see if I can find the software.
In the meantime, e-mail me at [email protected].
lp
Hi,
About 1.5 years ago I purchased "Draw Lite" from Bridge City Toolworks. This CAD program sold for less than $100 and is SOOOO easy to use. I'm a social worker...not an engineer.
You can be up and running on basic drawing functions in 30 minutes. More advanced features take longer.
This program does have some cons.
If you want true 3-D rendering with lots of plug-ins and fancy functions, this one isn't it...
But if you want an easy-to-use drawing program that will draw plans to scale and help you design and build a project, it's WONDERFUL.
Even though I follow others' plans usually, I'll still "build" the project using the Draw-Lite program..and learn to anticipate some issues that the plans don't address...invaluable.
Good luck!
lp
Thank you Larry,
i went to the site that you gave me and i was really impressed by the tools they have (and the PRICES.. OUCH!). The products that they have are really precised tools. I 'm gonna go look again and see if i can buy something that is affordable for me. Thanks again!
William!
I use Turbo Cad Version 7, which has the 3D capability. It is available on EBay for less than $25. It is relatively simple to use and has a lot of features which are useful to woodworkers
At that price, you are bound to be buying a bootleg copy. Beware!
--
Lee in Cave Junction, Oregon
On the Redwood Highway
As best I can tell this price is for older versions of Turbo CAd. The version I bought was new and I was able to register it.
AutoDesk just brought out QuickCad for under 65.00 at Office Depot and its easy to use and great.
ED
You can buy QuickCad from the Autodesk website for $49. I just checked. There was just a review of that software in the June issue of Popular Woodworking.
I'm a woodworking novice who is also looking for a little computer design help when it comes to writing plans for projects.
I've read through the discussion threads and did a little research out on the web. It seems like the folks who like QuickCad are the people who either have used an autocad program before, or have some proficiency in design/engineering. I have neither.
Any other suggestions for computer programs that would assist in plan development for novice/intermediate woodworkers??
I don't think of myself as too cheap, but I really don't want to spend more the $75 in this area (based on the beginning threads I realize it might not be realistic).
Scott
I have been trying out DeltaCad the last week or so. It's cheap and works pretty good! Free trial download also.
It's not AutoCad but I can draw most all the furniture I make with it.
http://www.deltacad.com/demo.html
I too started using DeltaCad about a year ago.
The thing that caught my eye was the free download (for a month, I think)
I had never used any CAD program before but kept plugging away and have become pretty efficient at using it. I find myself having a lot fewer measurement errors that when I was hand drawing projects. Now I just lay them out and use the dimension feature to grab all sorts of measurements that help me get thigs right the first time.
If you have some patience for learning new software, give it a whirl. When I upgraded to the real version, it came with pretty good documentation, in the form of a paperback book.
I do have a pretty strong computer background but had never used CAD before.
regards,
Bill
I am probably the culprit who is tauting QuickCad.
I am an architect and spend my weekends building furniture.
My reasons for suggesting QuickCad are these. have used it since about 1988 when it was a new product brought out by someone in Kansas. So yes I am proficient in using it. I usually draw in 1/4" = 1' and lay out plans, elevations, each separate piece and cutting diagrams so I know what I need to buy. If I need a detail at full scale, I either copy a portion of the drawing to another drawing at 1:1 scale and print it.
However, I believe it is a reasonably easy program to learn. In that light I am writing a tutorial which I hope will help anyone who wants to use it.
It will take me a few weeks to post it but my idea is to give instructions to draw the plans for a simple table. Step by step
If by chance, anyone out there is using QuickCad now and has any questions, let me know and I'll try to answer them
ASK
I'm about as frustrated as I can be trying to figure out this QuickCad program for use in furniture design. How's that tutorial you've been promising? I'd be glad to subscribe if you ever decide to publish it. In the mean time, QuickCad is gathering dust since I've reverted back to pencil and paper.
Don
Mardon,
I was busy last weekend. My daughter got married last Saturday so I haven't had any time to work on it.
I start again next week.
Perhaps this could be helpful.
I have found that using the polar mode most useful
Click draw, line, multi
click somewhere on the screen and then hit the r on the keyboard. This will bring up the polar mode screen.
In the top two rows click on the second box from the left.
Now type in a number for a distance ( 12" say) then hit either the comma or tab key
and then type in either n, w, s or e for the direction of the line and click on enter.
Continue typing in distances and directions and you should get some lines.
Hope this is helpful
ASK
Hey Willy,
I pulled out my Bridge City catalogue....dated 2001. The software is called DrawingBoard LT and retailed for $49.95...Page 45 of the old catalogue.
Again, easy to use, fast and fits the bill for 2-D woodworking projects.
Again, e-mail me if you're interested in discussing.
[email protected]
lp
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