Last week, Chris puzzled if you happen to use CAD and which program particularly you favor. Thanks to all who share their experiences right here. – Editor
“I’ve been utilizing SketchUp for a few years, beginning with the free model and now Pro with an annual subscription. I’m retired and woodworking as a hobbyist. I nearly by no means contact a blade to wooden with out drawing in SketchUp. It has helped me work out software setup with angles, and so on. I designed my total basement undertaking from partitions to cupboards and even figuring sq. footage for flooring. It is a useful software. It additionally helps my spouse visualize and supply enter on tasks earlier than beginning. I exploit SketchUp to LayOut by Matt Donley as my go to information. I’ll name my potential as newbie/intermediate as a result of there’s a lot extra I can be taught when wanted.” – Dave Leske
“I just draw it out on paper and adjust on the fly.” – Thomas Hinaman
“I have used and treasured my Autodesk AutoSketch release 5, since I bought it in 1998. I have used it to shoehorn custom cabinetry into spaces, confirm component dimensions to the 1/16″, create drawings to support ideas and plans to clients and friends, made full-sized paper printout patterns, created leach field drawings for the permit office and most importantly, given me build assurance in the shop. When I have any doubt, CAD brings clarity. Alternatively, and for the benefit of 3D visuals, I have done a little work with SketchUp, and I think it is the most productive and useful tool available as a CAD substitute.” – Paul Landfried
“I’m like you: I have a simple CAD program that I have used since 1999 on a Windows ’98 computer. I have transferred it to an XP and now on a Windows 7 CPU. I keep telling myself I need to learn how to use a 3D CAD program but I just can’t find the time. I feel comfortable with the old CAD program and it does 99% of what I need. At 78 years old, it’s the ‘how to teach an old dog new tricks’ syndrome…LOL.” – Doug Ok.
“When I start a new piece, I hand draw it first to get proportions I like. Then I transfer it to graph paper for dimensions. Top, bottom, and side views. Maybe a crude 3D perspective. Too many shortcomings with this method. And at times the final product is not what I had pictured in my head. Two weeks ago, I downloaded SketchUp’s free version. Figured if I liked it, I would purchase the full version. I build one-of-a-kind pieces. Am not looking to draw detailed build drawings, just something that I could use to develop 3D images. Be able to visualize proportions and scale using the 3D fly around function. I spent about twelve hours with online tutoring and practice. My conclusions: SketchUp would be very helpful if my pieces were straightforward and without complex curves or irregular edges. Unfortunately, that is not my case. My pieces have curves and freeform edges. For SketchUp to work for me, the learning curve would be steep. Now, the preceding assumptions could entirely change if it is just my ignorance that holds me back from SketchUp’s potential. And I love to have my opinions changed. We’ll see what other readers have to say.” – The WoodFisch (aka Kim Fischer)
“Pencil, paper and eraser! Small 50-year-old drawing board. Draw full-scale where there are angles to cut. Excel to calculate timber required and the cutting list. Then becomes the shopping list at the timber merchant.” – phildupreez
“I use Autodesk 3D Max for any project I need.” – Sebastian Ciocan
“Glad to see someone writing about more modern woodworking instead of worn-out old school hand tools or ‘how to make the most of your tiny shop space.’ There is a large under-served group in woodworking: medium-sized shops using more modern machinery. And we spend far more with your sponsors than the old school guys!” – James Wilson
“I tried using SketchUp when I retired several years ago, thinking I now had the time to learn it. But my training in school was drawing board and T-square, and I just don’t design enough projects to keep me proficient on SketchUp. So, I stick with the engineer’s/architect’s rule, a nice sharp pencil and drafters’ triangles and can whip out designs very quickly.” – Rick Bird
“I only work with an iPad, and too many things get away from me. I was gifted a CarveWright machine but found the process too confusing using my wife’s Apple laptop. I was not happy with the fussy results using it on pine and other soft material. So, I gifted it to our church that got a donation to a local food pantry in exchange. Now, I just fake it or draw a design on my old drafting board minus the slide rule. By the way, I will turn 78 later this month.” – Robert Hanulec
“My drawing of plans has moved with the occasions. I discovered to attract on a board in junior excessive store. I used a few drawing packages on earlier Macs. When we had been doing faculty development 25 years in the past, I needed to work with architects’ drawings on AutoCAD. I used the sunshine model. Then SketchUp got here out. I’ve been there ever since, from Google SketchUp to the present Trimble model. I’ve SketchUp Guide for Woodworkers by Dave Richards (Taunton digital product) from 2012. It was and nonetheless is excellent and useful. I simply subscribed to his new on-line course from Taunton. I’ve watched the intro video after which run out of time in my day. Soon, I hope. His stuff is actually good. I attempted Fusion 360 for a bit. I didn’t go any additional. I’m not working any CNC in my two-car store. SketchUp is ideal for me.” – Jim Wylie
“For several years, I’ve used Sketchlist 3D, which is a program that Rockler sells on its website. I initially owned Version 4 but participated in the development of Version 5, which is a really easy 3D drawing program to use. It allows you to build your drawing just as you would build the actual piece — board by board. The current version, Version 5, is really well designed for woodworkers, mainly because woodworkers participated in its development. So, while software like Fusion 360 and SketchUp may be more feature-rich and more versatile for use in variety of media, Sketchlist really shines for woodworkers. I’ve just finished designing a piece and, as always, it’s a pleasure to be able to take my original drawing and modify it to correct issues I might notice during the build process or just to make it look better.” – Randy Heinemann
“I’ve performed a number of designs utilizing SketchUp. After 40 years of pc trade expertise, I discover it cumbersome. I don’t use it sufficient and I’ve not mastered working round its object ‘stickiness’ and dealing with layers. There is a free model, however to actually make the most of this system, one wants to join a $119 annual subscription. That’s loads for a pastime kind. I’d quite spend the cash on instruments from Rockler. Speaking with Ben Strano (Fine Woodworking), he talked about the advantages of parametric modeling (in Fusion 360), one thing not included in SketchUp. Fusion 360 is predicated on parametric modeling and offers free on-line cloud-based entry. Limitations to a pastime man could be a max of 10 designs per yr, which stay saved on the Fusion 360 cloud. Either method, CAD with 3D modeling expertise are rapidly changing into a primary information set for woodworkers. At a minimal, 3D printers beginning at $100+ make nice templates for store use in addition to many jig-related elements. IMHO, one wants some degree of talent with 3D CAD to make the most of the identical.” – Norm Erwin
“I began using CAD programs in 1986. Countless programs later, I have been using SketchUp Pro since 2010. Just prior to SketchUp I used AutoCAD. I used to sketch on paper from the late 70’s till 1986 but found that the project took way too long. Using a 3D drawing program like SketchUp helps me design faster and see what the project will look like. I show these drawings to my customers. For woodworking, SketchUp is hands-down the woodworkers’ dream design tool.” – Leon Bridges
“Regarding CAD, I don’t think anyone actually keeps up with changing technology for all the systems. I think I used four very different systems during my career. And the training for updates was endless. Like you, as long as my version of CAD does what I need and gets the job done, I would have much preferred to stay with only one CAD software during my career.” – T. Newman
“I use SketchUp 2017, the last free version. It is harder to use because Trimble took away warehouse and some extensions and of course no updates. Unless you want to get serious, rent their latest version. I like the program, and it is easier to use than 360, but if I was going to start over I would go with 360.” – Tom Giacchina
“I use SketchUp. Joe Zeh has a set of tutorials that are fantastic. I struggled with some other tutorials, but his are superb. Anyone can learn quickly with his. Check it out. You won’t be disappointed.” – Loren Suter
“The finest tutorial (and most present) for SketchUp is the Fine Woodworking course ‘SketchUp for Furniture Design On-Demand.’ You get entry to it for a yr, and it’s fairly fairly priced to start with ($179, though I used to be ready to make use of a 35% off coupon so it solely price $116.35). It focuses on woodworking and covers all the pieces from dovetails to curves and utilizing photos to begin the design course of.” – John Hehre
“I use Autodesk Fusion, a very powerful CAD program that is free for non-commercial use. It takes a while to get the hang of it, and I’m sure I only use 5% of what it can do. I tried a SketchUp class from WWGOA, but the software used in the class didn’t match what was currently available online, so it was hard to follow. CAD programs allow you do use very precise dimensions. Unfortunately, real wood and tools can’t do this. So, you still need to know how to make things identical when necessary rather than matching a measurement. Dimensions are just a starting point.” – Rick Thornton
