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Thread: Woodwork design software
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10th November 2023, 10:18 AM #1New Member
- Join Date
- Aug 2023
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- Melbourne
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Woodwork design software
Does anybody have some recommendations for general woodwork design software (free)? I build mainly utilitarian wooden things, which stop short of being furniture - boxes, hutches, steps. Very simple things dictated by my restricted tool set.
I am into 3D printing, so are quite familiar with SketchUp, Fusion 360, Freecad, Tinkercad and OpenSCAD. None of these are ideal for woodwork. The least worst is SketchUp, but it's not parametric/object oriented. I need software where the components of the drawing remain discrete so that I can resize them when I change my mind. SketchUp is based on faces, and it is difficult to change your mind.
For even simple things, I like to model it first, on the principle that "the earlier you cut timber in the design process, the longer it will take".
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10th November 2023, 11:52 AM #2
Look at the TurboCAD suite of products, not free, however the cost is quite modest and dirt cheap compared to an AutoCAD licence.
Traditional "CAD software" utilizes linework, faces, objects etc and "blocks" - a means of presenting a group of linework etc representing an individual component (a hinge, catch, box side etc). Once drawn / created and saved as a "block" that component can be saved in the drawing or saved in a directory for reuse in other drawings. Blocks also offer the advantage that a modification to the block will update all occurrences of that block within a drawing but can also have unintended consequences if you wish to only modify one specific object.
As a Surveyor / Designer I have worked with AutoCAD from 1985 on and its niche products like Map / Civil, plus a few others such as Cadsman etc. The most difficult issue I have had with TurboCad Deluxe is "unlearning" the Autocad process / methodology / syntax of commands from near 35 years of continuous use.
TurboCAD Deluxe offers 2D and 3D capability though I still prefer to work in 2D, so can't offer any real personal insight on its true 3D capability.Mobyturns
In An Instant Your Life CanChange Forever
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10th November 2023, 12:54 PM #3
DraftSight, not free but very good, its what I use
The person who never made a mistake never made anything
Cheers
Ray
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10th November 2023, 03:08 PM #4SENIOR MEMBER
- Join Date
- Feb 2016
- Location
- Perth WA Australia
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- 809
i started using sketchup many years ago, but switched over to Fusion360 a few years ago and haven't looked elsewhere
I primarily only do a model with something that requires me to plan out something big ie laundry reno.
If its something small or fairly simple in design ie a cabinet, i'd do a rough drawing and scribble some notes down in onenote and other than that winging it, is my go to option.
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11th November 2023, 06:02 PM #5