I’ve been building my projects starting with rough paper drawings. If needed I’ll do full size drawings. I still struggle with coming up with a cut list. Somehow Sketchup, with all its capabilities, intimidates me even though I’ve never used it. What software should I consider? My primary concern is easy learning curve, after that cost. I don’t see me drawing curves or scallops, so a basic program would fit the bill now.
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I'm interested to hear what alternatives people come up with. I had a copy of Autocad that I got for free (legal but long story) but had to stop using it when the license needed renewal -- very expensive. I tried TurboCAD for awhile and it was not great and got pricey (not sure it's even still around). Been using SketchUp for awhile now. I didn't find it any harder than anything else and cheaper than most. One caveat: if you only want 2D, there are probably alternatives. But 3D design software is generally a professional product and therefore it's going to cost. And it's doing something complex, so you'll have to learn the parts that work for you. As for 2D, honestly, I'd just draw on paper. Get yourself a small drawing board and a t-square.
No matter which software you use there will be a steep learning curve.
For me, the first software I used was Adobe Illustrator because I was a graphic designer and had it handy. I still like the way Adobe could print full size plan views and print them out on a 36x48" plotter. Now I've moved onto SketchUp. I like the way I could look at joinery and spin it around. Of course, I have never master how to printout plan views so that kind of sucks.
Maybe one of these would help you get there:
https://www.finewoodworking.com/?s=printing+sketchup
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As an interior architect/furniture designer I've been using AutoCAD since it began. I still use it on every project. I've used Sketchup since the beginning as well. For furniture design specifically I use them for two different operations. I use AutoCAD LT for quick/prep drafting, dimensioned 2D drawings, construction print docs, and the cut list. I use Sketchup to do preparatory 3D modeling and also to model 3D jigs - this to examine "more fully" the objects. I *could use* Sketchup (Pro is what I use on PC/$299) to do all of it. Sketchup can be used quickly for 2D work - and this is often forgotten. If I couldn't afford LT, I would probably use Sketchup Pro, but LT gets so much use day in and day out, indispensable. And frankly, I don't need a 3D model of everything I design - it's just not necessary and can be a waste of time. Think of all the extraordinary things that have been designed and built through the centuries with *only* 2D plans, elevations, and sections. When I worked for a custom furniture co. doing the construction dwgs - these were ALL 2D. Acquaintances too who do same work? - ALL 2D drawings.
I’ve used iDesign and Graphic for the iPad. Both are 2D design software packages and are less than $10. Having an Apple Pencil helps a great deal on the iPad.
Its worth learning Sketchup in my view for its additional 3d modeling capability if nothing else. It's true there is a lot to the Sketchup software program, but like any other software program you only need to learn what you need to use. I really don't know and use all the capabilites of any software program I have. In Sketchup I draw up the model, spin it around, look at it from different angles, hide and unhide parts to make it easier to see and adjust and come up with a final design. I correct joinery and design mistakes there, then create a Cutlist file with a free add-on extension in Sketchup, open the file in Cutlist, tweak it a bit and I'm off to Almquist lumberyard with a list of materials. I started with a freebee version of Sketchup. I bought "Sketchup guide for woodworkers, the basics" dvd by Dave Richards and went from there. It takes a while to learn and get comfortable with it, but for me it was worth it. There's a ton of youtube how-to videos out there. I went from drafting board to taking a class in AutoCad and buying the student version years ago. Then Microsoft updated its operating system and the student version no longer worked. Autodesk wanted $1000 for a new non-student version. I'm sure they have more options now. For me, there's a world of difference between 2d and 3d software if you want to visualize what you're building. Good luck.
Being able to model in 3D and literally build the piece in 3D and examine every component and all the joinery before cutting the first board has prevented many a costly mistake for me. I do use SketchUp Pro but my son with his Autocad experience prefers Fusion 360. I will say you can probably get more assistance here and on FW with SketchUp. Dave Richards is a tremendous asset and if you post a SketchUp question in the blog he usually pops in with an answer you can rely on.
Thank you sir.
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Dave you made my point
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Just going to chime in. If you're looking to learn SketchUp, Dave's blogs and classes are absolutely the way to go. I learned from his blog years ago and can model pieces with limited frustration.
That said, I have switched to Fusion for a bunch of non-woodworking reasons. It's a great program, but it requires more of an engineering mindset than SketchUp does. SketchUp works more like a woodshop, Fusion works more like a machine shop.
If your primary focus is woodworking, it's worth investing your time into learning SketchUp. The curve isn't as daunting as it seems.
You can also find hundreds of *free* Sketchup tutorials online by a multitude of experienced users - I've used them frequently. There are also forums which again, give free advice, regarding almost anything related to Sketchup. Keyword...free.
473... you can learn anything for free online. Not everyone has the time and inclanation to search for, and filter through the noise to get to the good information.
Ben, I dont think that it's that difficult or a time sink imo. Asking someone on a Sketchup forum will get you ten options quickly. Paid for tutorials can be a *real* time/money waster too...especially with a bad presenter ..."umming, uhh, uhh, ohing, silence, silence, silence"...without the slightlest clue they can edit down their "audio waste". Not everyone is a Deke McLelland (Lynda/PS), or Mike Pekovich (FWW)...the best possible presenters, teachers, and...communicators.
The arc tool sucks in sketch up. When I learned drafting I started on AutoCAD and got pretty good at solid modeling. I used SKup to model several architectural remodel projects. Now that I’m retired I use SKup to model wood projects, but I am not happy with it. CorelCAD is a 2D alternative to AutoCAD and much cheaper. AutoCADs Sketchbook is great for quick sketches. I still do lots of work on the board.
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A looot of people use SketchUp and it's easy to get into, but I really love fusion 360 because it's much easier to "evolve" a design in a parametric design software (iterate, edit, etc). The learning curve is steeper, though!
Agreed. I find I wind up starting over a couple of times before I get things parametrically correct... if that makes sense. It's been worth it for me though.
Ben, what do you think makes the most sense if you are also thinking about expanding into 3D printing and CNC?
Long answer short... CNC is mostly a 2d operation so that doesn't sway me as much as 3d printing. For 3d printing, the ability to export an STL is paramount and I can't afford SketchUp Pro. Fusion is free for hobbyists... so that is the main reason I use it.
For 2d stuff... I'm not sure what I'd lean towards yet. We're getting a CNC soon at the FW shop, so I'm sure I'll be digging in soon. When I did it years ago I mostly used free web-based tools like Easel.com.
Does Sketchup Pro export .stl files?
I can't seem to reply to your comment below, but no way?! Haha! Zack is lovely! I'm so glad he started a channel, and that is been going so well. ☺️
Did you get a resin printer?
Mars 3 this Christmas. My kiddo and I have been using it to print Star Wars dioramas.
Heyy, that's a great lil machine! ☺️☺️ Nice work
I used to run the world's largest 3D printing community and I currently work for a company making software for Lasers and CNC. Definitely go parametric if you intend on making anything functional! If you're making organic/sculptural things there are better options. I made a poster to answer this very question, it's the last one here: https://www.billieruben.info/post/my-3d-printing-posters-1
I'm STARSTRuCK@!
You're the person who got me thinking about getting a resin printer on Zack Freedman's channel!
SketchUp exports really poorly for 3D printing. A lot of the objects are exported as "non-manifold" with tiny gaps and reversed faces, which confuse the 3D printing software ("Slicers") as they can't tell what's "inside" the object vs "outside". Essentially SketchUp exports objects that aren't "water tight".
It also gets really crucial to be able to easily iterate an object when 3D printing.
As an example, say you print a gizmo, and you go to screw it together, but you realise all the holes are too big and your screws won't bite. And there are 20 holes on this thing! In sketch up you'd have to manually re-size and re-align everything individually. In fusion (if you do it right) you only have to change one number and boom! It's all recalculated for you and you can export and print.
It's really really handy for CNC/woodworking in cases like above but also stock thickness. Say you designed for stock of X thickness, but you realise the stock is cupped and needs to be planed back/trued up, resulting in a thinner stock. In sketch up this would be a bloomin' nightmare to fix. You almost might as well start again. In fusion, again, one number to update and it recalculates your whole object. ☺️
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If you set up the file right, in Fusion 360, you would literally only have to change 2 numbers and you'd have your new bed.
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I don't use any software .... yet. One thing I heard on the YouTube channel Shop Nation caught my attention. He uses Fusion360. He described that not only can he design in it but he can also use the program to 3D print. As such, if I were going to learn how to use a piece of software, I might as well learn one that I could later use for 3D printing. At this point, I have no interest in either aspect. I spend all day working on a computer. Woodworking is an escape from that. However, I can see potential here. Would be nice to make something virtually and then print out a small scale model.
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3D printing is an awesome supplement to other traditional crafts. I used to run the largest 3D printing community on earth, but I've always been a maker-of-many-kinds. 3D printers (and other digital fabrication like laser cutters and CNC routing) are invaluable for making tools and jigs.
Just this week I made two tools to help me reupholster a chair (my first time!) A webbing stretcher and a tack-spacer.
With tools for traditional crafts becoming rarer and more expensive, I find digifab invaluable in my work flows. ☺️
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Thanks.
Sketchlist (not Sketchup) is a very capable piece of software that was really designed with woodworkers in mind. It is 3D and essentially allows you to create the drawing just like you would build the piece, board by board. The Version 5 I own is a huge improvement over past versions and was refined with the input of a number of woodworkers. I find it easy to learn and use, especially for basic furniture and cabinet drawings. I'm not sure about price right now because, within the past year, it went to a one-time purchase price, but annual fees if you want to keep it uptodate. I think it's a good option for woodworkers and, at least for more basic pieces, is easy to learn; much easier than Sketchup (which I used for years). I think you can download for a trial period (at least you used to be able to).