Which design software??

[Noddy100]

Hello all!

I'm looking into design software for my business, i currently do drawings for customers the old fashion way on a drawing board, but it surely got to be quicker doing them on a computer!?

I don't want anything to technical and if possible, software easy to use , i want to be able to use the software to design fitted/freestanding furniture, kitchens etc.

I was wondering if any forum users could come up with any suggestions/recommendations???

Cheers

[mark270981]

Sketchup make is a good starting point for this for 3d modelling and draftsight for 2d drafting

[templecarpentry]

Autocad is invaluable. Not fond of sketch up. Probably because I used acad first.

[tusses]

QCad is worth a look for free 2d CAD

[davidpidge]

Sketchup all day long. Free download and can do more than you'll ever need. Really simple. Anyone could learn the basics in an afternoon. Pro version is amazing and really cheap for more advanced stuff.

[thatsnotafestool]

SketchUp. Buy the Dave Richards DVD from Fine Woodworking. Worth every penny. Don't get sucked into some of the online SU for woodworkers sites as they are written by guys who often don't really know how to use SU and will freely admit to the fact.

[davidpidge]

Everything you'll ever need to do with sketchup is explained in youtube videos As well.

[thatsnotafestool]

Everything you'll ever need to do with sketchup is explained in youtube videos As well.

I'll have to disagree with you, David. Yes, there is some stuff on YouTube but TBH it's not very good, teaches the wrong approach and is made by many people who freely admit that they are learning themselves and that if they started over again then they would do things differently.

[jfc]

Isn't that called just changing your mind and doing things differently

[thatsnotafestool]

Isn't that called just changing your mind and doing things differently

Maybe ! But they don't go back and update their website to reflect their enlightenment. So the same old crap still stays out there, punters stumble across it and then wonder why they're not making much progress with SketchUp.

[almorris]

I see that I'm not the first who recommend you Sketchup:), a really good one. Of course I heard about Autocad, but I'm not sure how it works. So many men so many minds you know..

[Ted_B]

In my opinion Autocad really works best.

[Belmont Bespoke]

I would definitely go with Google sketchup, I tried loads of different software a while back and finally took the plunge to teach myself to use sketchup,
Well worth it, there isn't anything you can't do on it, fair enough nothing is automated like the kitchen and wardrobe planning cad designers, but this also makes it great for any woodworking project, plus it's totally free!
I've been using it for a few years now for my business.

[lynx]

AutoCad and 3ds Max, Wouldn't touch anything else. Got Sketchup installed at home and find it horrible to use.

[johnboy]

I have been playing atound with auto desk fusion 360. Full 3D cad, rendering and cam. Free for personal use and small business.

Dimension driven parametric design. So much easier than sketch up to make changes.

John