SketchUp is much easier to learn and gives you everything in 3D. Be bold and jump in with both feet. Like you, I was a pencil-and-paper type of guy. I could do it faster that way until I took the time to learn CAD.
As with anything new, there is a learning curve and it takes time and devotion to learn. Most CAD programs are very similar, so moving from one to another is not much of a problem. Where I am having difficulty now is the cost. It seems that everyone in CAD is moving from a desktop one-time purchase to the more expensive SaaS Software as a Service business model.
It seems what I found that I wanted was that and more. SketchUp is doing the same thing as of November My go-to has always been Autodesk and their line of CAD products. That is what I cut my teeth on. It really is a good starting point, plus there are ample resources available for SketchUp.
Another good choice would be Fusion by AutoDesk. This program is great because there are ample resources available for free via YouTube and because of how you can design your pieces with the software. The way I design my pieces — and this is actually how Fusion is built — is with something called parametric modeling or parametric design. This allows you to go in and set up parameters for different aspects of the project and reference these variables while you design.
For example, if you set up three parameters for height, width and depth you would reference those while designing your pieces. So instead of just saying I want my face frame stile 36 inches long, I would define a variable called height and set it 36 inches. When designing the face frame, instead of typing in 36 inches as the length of your stile, I would just reference the parameter I set up at the beginning. This comes in handy if you need to make an adjustment to the overall height, width or depth.
Another good feature about Fusion is that you can create detailed exploded view drawings and technical drawings for your pieces and these drawings reference your parameters that are set up in your design.
So if you have already created your build sheets and drawings but need to change a parameter, the drawings automatically update as well. I have another piece of software that I use to create those cut lists for me. You can also animate joints and test structural strength of possibly weak points in your design. Anyways, I just wanted to pass along my opinion to you and hopefully you might get some good use out of it.
I am a retired mechanical designer with extensive knowledge in CAD software. Woodworking was always a hobby but more now that I am retired. For me, I do the woodworking just like I did mechanical design in metal. All the design is done on the computer and I print out drawings for my wood projects. I know this is not traditional, but it works for me. One of the advantages of modeling your ideas in the computer first is you can visualize it before you cut any wood.
It also allows you to see any potential interferences for complex assemblies. My job was to design and 3D model holding fixtures. I used Autodesk Inventor, which I just loved using. I found it very intuitive to use and it was so exciting to design something, create the blueprints from the 3D model, then see it out in the shop fully assembled in real life. Autodesk Inventor is pretty pricey, but Autodesk has come out with a 3D modeling and drafting software package called Fusion that is very similar to Inventor and in some ways even better, and you can use it for free!
It is an outstanding product, and there are tons of training videos on YouTube. I highly recommend you give it a try.
There are some very good absolute beginner videos, and you will soon be creating models and drawings. I am retired now and enjoy woodworking and some welding, and I often use Fusion to help me figure out dimensions and how a project will look before I begin. Taking it to the next stage by designing the project on your computer and then having it control the manufacture may make you proficient, but it is not a handmade, hand-crafted object that you made, complete with that little ding that you see with a flashing light attached to it.
And what company is harvesting all that data that you are generating? Maybe someone has hacked into your system? What was that book we read back in seventh or eighth grade… ? And we are paying for and installing all this monitoring equipment. But all those programs are very expensive. I am now 62 years old and am finding more time and resources to pursue a hobby of woodworking.
I came to a similar conclusion that I had enough computer aptitude and a desire to try a CAD system, hoping to eliminate waste and design a project that really worked the first time.
After experimenting with SketchList for a couple of weeks and doing one training session online with the creator of the software, I built a Festool Systainer and MFT3 cart that doubles as an outfeed table. I had the whole thing designed before I ever cut a board.
Then when I started building, I had detailed shop drawings to reference, parts lists and optimized cutting layouts to reduce waste even could designate the blade thickness to make sure all pieces fit. Since then I have built more projects like the cherry table and benches for my daughter photo above.
I visited her and took measurements of the room and then designed and built everything at my garage shop. Everything fit perfectly. I could share more but in my opinion here are some points to consider: 1 SketchList is created by a woodworker; 2 It is a small responsive company that understands what a woodworker needs; 3 SketchList hosts Tuesday and Wednesday night free online Zoom meetings for instruction and collaboration between its users; 4 SketchList version 5 is coming out soon, and 5 SketchList works.
If there are questions or suggestions, you can reach out to a real person. Quick and easy point and click woodworking drafting tools allow you to quickly create any type of woodworking projects.
These easy to use design tools are great for any kind of woodworking drawings or blueprints. Quickly create precise woodworking blueprints with smart dimension tools. When creating blueprints that require precise dimensions, let CAD Pro take the work out of the process. The software offers an optional day free trial. Both the pro and hobby versions have many features and can help you get started in the industry. In addition to the CAD software, there are many other design programs you can download for free.
It has many features for woodworkers, including a library of templates and tools for generating parts lists. You can easily add text notes, audio files, and other elements to your models. Some programs even offer 3D models. CAD programs are also great for beginners. Some of the best CAD applications allow you to model furniture in two dimensions.
This allows you to see the finished product and compare it with other similar products. A CAD software is not only beneficial for woodworkers but for designers in any field. A 3D software is an essential tool for any industry. There are several types of woodworking CAD software. Some are free, while others are paid. SmartDraw offers a variety of design tools and includes an easy-to-use interface.
The first major difference between CAD software and other design software is the interface.
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