Computer Program?

I really like Google Sketchup. It is pretty intuitive and it’s free. You can download a copy here.

http://sketchup.google.com/download.html

Be sure to choose the free version (the one on the left.)

there are a lot of woodworkers using it. I don’t think you will find it too difficult to learn if you are not trying to model every detail. there are a lot of tutorials on the web. And there is a book called “Scketchup for Dummies” that will get you moving along.

-- Scott - Chico California http://chicowoodnut.home.comcast.net

I agree with Scott. I have Sketchup and you can’t beat the price. I have found it, like any new software, to be frustrating to learn but so it handcutting dovetails (which I am working on now). The book is a good resource to help and it has some videos to accompany the book which help. www.youtube.com/profileplaylist?user=aidanchopra

Hope this helps.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

Hey Tom, everybody seems to love Sketchup and say that it’s quite intuitive. However, after 30+ years in the computer business writing software, I’m of the opinion that they’re using somebody else’s intuition. I’ve tried to learn it a few times and have gotten so frustrated that I’ve gone back to a pencil, ruler and paper to do my drawings. It would be nice to use a program, but I just don’t get it.

-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.

Tom, I use SketchUp and Cabinet Cruncher. Now CC has a program that combines the two. I won’t get it until I need it again. I’m slowly learning SketchUp.

-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon

I am with Russel. I am by no means computer-illiterate. I just get very frustrated with sketch-up and I just go away.

-- Maplewood, MN

I have started using SketchUp and I like it. Instead of jumping right into drawing something, I played around drawing things for my little one. You can learn alot just drawing stick people and cars. I haven’t tried to draw anything to tough. The biggest thing I have drawn was a magazine rack, but imo it would be perfect for what you are looking for.

I did a lot of drafting on a previous job,

I’ve messed around with SketchUp a little.

I get a little frustrated with it, but I haven’t dug into it very seriously.

I still like my old T-square,

but I must be one of them old dogs, I guess.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

SketchUp rules! I use both SU and AutoCAD….. SU for customer presentation stuff and conceptual work and AutoCAD for my working drawings. Thos, what is this cabinet cruncher you speak of? Please my friend, tell me more!

-- Women love me.....trees fear me

Brad, It’s on the Web. Take a look, cabinetcruncher.com

-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon

As an “OLD DOG”(circa 1949) myself I say keep trying Sketchup. If I can figure it out any of you can too. Seriously – - – I’ve tried other cad programs & have been totaly frustrated, slunk away with my tail tucked firmly outa sight. There is a learning curve, but many tutorials are available Just keep playing around with the program & you will slowly add skills. The 3D feature is so usefull you really should spend the time to figure out some of the features of the program. You do not need to be THAT well versed in all the tools that are offered to be able to come up with a really detailed sketch of your project. I started with really simple stuff then tried to draw sketches of past projects. Now I never pull out the High school drafting set (yea I NEVER toss out a tool that still works).
Google “sketchup tutorials” & check out all the FREE help there is out there. Don’t give up it’s an terrific tool. You just have to learn how to control it, just like the many others out in your shop.

-- http://www.grandprairiewoodworks.com

Does anyone out there know where I can find the Sketchup application that can be used on a Mac (OS 10.3.9)? The only one I’ve seen for Mac requires OS 10.4.1 or 10.5 and I don’t have the $$ to upgrade my system at this time. I’ve never used Sketchup but it looks like a handy design tool.

-- Make things with wood.