Replies

1. 
   RickL | Oct 04, 2006 02:30pm | #1

   Why not try sketchup?  The free version is quite good and they have versions for windows and Mac. There's other free cad stuff out there as well like Cadintosh, cadopia and more. Try a google search for free cad stuff.

1. 
   nagar1 | Oct 04, 2006 04:33pm | #2

   Thanks for your reply,

   I have been using the free version of Sketchup and i was just wondering if TurboCad would be more useful.

    

1. 
   5n2 | Oct 05, 2006 03:54am | #3

   I've used both TurboCad and SketchUp.  While SketchUp is great for doing creative workups and conceptual drawings.  I've found it less satisfying for production design drawings with precise measurements noted.  TurboCad is a fairly straghtforward CAD system I have enjoyed using.

   There's certainly a place for both packages.  It may well come down to your own preferences and style.

2. 
   JoeHeasley | Oct 10, 2006 04:30pm | #4

   I've used Torbo Cad and found it very good for 2D drawings. Very hard to get the 3D view to work, however.

   If you have the money to spend try Autodesk Inventor.  It is top notch for 3D display of your designs.  The piece is first drawn in 2D and then translated to 3D.  All The parts of a "project" are then assembled in another field.  I find it a great way to build a project mentally before committing expensive lumber to a design and find out I've got a measurement wrong.

   You might be able to get a demo of Inventor from the Autodesk web sight.

1. 
   eddiefromAustralia | Oct 10, 2006 10:36pm | #5

   Hi If you want a free version of turboCAD to try, there's TurboCAD Learning Edition 4.0 available, 2D capability only.Google on TurboCAD Learning Edition or TurboCAD LEedit:
   http://www.nhcad.com/freecad/index.html#turbocad
   ftp://ftp.imsisoft.com/download/turbocad/docs/CompleteGuideToTurboCADv4.pdfCHeers,eddie

1. 
   Dave45 | Oct 18, 2006 05:08pm | #6

   After 15+ years of using AutoCad LT, I'm making the move to 3D so the paying customers can get a better understanding of what I'm designing for them.  My plan and elevation drawings make perfect sense to me, but the customers seldom really "get it" - lol

   Since the full version of AutoCad is way too expensive and I haven't really had much luck learning Sketchup, I downloaded a 30 day trial version of TurboCad 12 and think this is what I'll use.  Functionally, it's pretty similar to AutoCad and the learning curve (so far) is mostly learning the TurboCad commands.  The price (~$100) is looking like a better deal every day - lol.

2. 
   user-211435 | Oct 18, 2006 10:22pm | #7

   I tried Inventor and it was incredible!  Way too expensive for me personally though.

   I loved how projects could be rotated to show all sides, and even the shadows changed.  Very fun to use.

   Hal

   http://www.rivercitywoodworks.com

    

1. 
   dkyle | Oct 19, 2006 08:21pm | #8

   I am totally new to CAD and I purchsed TC12 professional with the mechanical pack and I really like it. If you are going to work in 3d it is defineitly worth it to get professional with the mechanical pack.  You can do 3d holes ( like a mortise ) parametrically. this saves a ton of time

   I downloaded their trial of 11 deluxe and their other ( cheaper ) product and even though i never purchase another CAD product, they gave me the upgrade price on TC pr wich made it reasonablee for me,

   I had a lot of trouble trying to do 3d unitl i tried tc pro version 12

   Don

3. 
   mudman | Nov 27, 2006 06:37pm | #18

   I noticed that you recomend Inventor. I have been compairing Inventor to Solid Works. I learned Inventor first and I have been sucessful in "getting the job done" I am still having trouble understanding how "shared" and "adaptive" sketches work. Also the way sketches are used at the assembly level versus the part/feature level is lost to me. I keep wanting to reuse a sketch or feature in another part or even in the same part but I can't always get it to work. I have started learning Solid Works, but it seems less intuitive and more complicated. I like the drawing interface and the way constraints are applied and managed. But I seem to be having a harder time getting started with Solid Works.

   I have a file that I used to build a table. Are you famuliar enough with Inventor to critique my design process? The Cad Forums I have looked at are more advanced and I dont want to pester them with my simple questions. So how about you?

    Pardon my spelling,

   Mike

   Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.

3. 
   Kenne | Oct 21, 2006 06:36pm | #9

   Checkout the google site called sketchup. Free CAD for the novice and resonable price for the advanced. Good instruction video on line etc.  ... http://www.googlesketchup.com

   Enjoy

   Kenne

4. 
   DonStephan | Oct 28, 2006 03:33am | #10

   After startign with TC10 Deluxe I moved to TC11 Pro and been MUCH happier. Deluxe was buggy at times, and lacked some very useful features.

   Significant advantage of TC is the user forum - lots of real power users that never seem to mind the simple (sometimes stupid) questions.

   You're welcome to look at a couple tutorials I put together on TC. I'm sure they're not as sophisticated as they could be, but I learned a lot making them. The link is "Files that may be of interest to woodworkers" at the bottom of the page at http://www.stephanwoodworking.com

5. 
   user-67934 | Oct 30, 2006 06:18am | #11

   I use AutoCAD and Microstation at work. When I needed to buy a cad program for home use, I got TurboCad because it was cheap and a friend recommended it. I think TurboCad is a powerful program with a lot of the features available in both of the high end programs. I'd say buy it. I've seen it for under $100.

6. 
   boyoak | Nov 01, 2006 02:26pm | #12

   I have been using MacDraft for years. It is simple to learn and has enough tools to satisfy my needs as a professional cabinetmaker. There are free demos available for Macs and PCs.

1. 
   csacoe | Nov 02, 2006 03:04am | #13

   What are your thoughts on Alibre or ecabinet systems?

1. 
   Dave45 | Nov 22, 2006 08:50pm | #14

   Are there any AutoCad LT/TurboCad v12 Pro "gurus" here?  I design/build custom cabinets and want to be able to show customers 3D drawings.  I'm making the switch from ACad LT to TCad and am going bananas trying to understand TCad's version of the "Stretch" command.

   In ACad, I have several generic drawings of cabinet doors that I can "stretch" to whatever dimensions I need for a specific cabinet.  The only things that change are the outside dimensions (door width and height) and everything else (rail/stile width, panel shape, etc) stays the same.  I can slam a door on a cabinet in just a few seconds in ACad.

   In TCad, the Stretch command just wants to move the door in the distance and direction I'm trying to stretch it.  If I try to edit a stile length, TCad actually scales it changing the tenon lengths as well as the overall stile length.  This ain't making my day!! - lol

   In my experience, 99.99% of my software problems result from my failure to really understand what I'm doing and I'm sure this is no exception.  I've about run out of ideas and would sure appreciate some help.

   Thanks

   Edited 11/22/2006 12:52 pm by Dave45

1. 
   DonStephan | Nov 23, 2006 05:44pm | #15

   Lots of very pleasant and helpful TC gurus, some even with woodworking background, on the TC discussion forums at http://turbocad.com/support.asp, click on the user discussion forums link.

1. 
   Dave45 | Nov 23, 2006 07:09pm | #16

   Don -

   I had posted this question there too, but I wasn't sure if anyone there would know much about cabinet door rails/stiles, etc.

   Man, was I wrong!!  There were 2-3 responses this morning - including diagrams. - lol

7. 
   MarvinW | Nov 27, 2006 04:45am | #17

   Hi,

   I have been using TurboCad for a while now.  I have the most recent Professional version, not for a good reason, I like toys.  Anyhow, the 3D view is great for designing woodworking projects, once you learn how to use it.  You can put in precise dimensions for lumber then cut away what you don't want, just as if you were working on the project in the shop.  Then you can fit the pieces together to make sure you haven't made a mistake.  I really like it and it keeps improving with each release.