Woodworking Software

[Yves en Acadie]

Sheet layout form Productivity Software is ;ikely what you are looking for.

http://www.sheetlayout.com/

[don33butler]

I use SketchUp for everything I do in the shop.

If one doesn't try this technology, one is dropping down on the wrong side of the learning curve, as far as I'm concerned.

SU is so flexible, so accurate, it is as neccessary as an accurate measuring device in the shop.

Did you know you can model (notice, I don't use the word draw) to the smallest detail, to the smallest measurement?

Did you know that SU allows the user to dive into the 3D model to see how it looks inside?

That's not just a curiosity. It's very useful to ensure accurate fit of parts when their edges or corners aren't visible from the outside.

Did you know that the appearance of the model can be changed to various templates so the model can have a sketchy look, plain black and white or colored-in look? SU calls the applying of colors or textures to the model surfaces Materials.

Did you know that users can import ready-modeled parts or whole models from GOOGLE right from inside the program?

Did you know that there are hundreds of free add-ons called Rubies that complement the basic tools in SU? They include such things as automatic generation of spiral figures, spheres, and round overs on corners as well as application of advanced mathematics to 3D models.

Did you know that there are free programs that allow the user to export SU models to the programs which produce beautiful images that look just like photographs? That's called photo rendering.

Did you know that the program allows the user the make a complex model and then extract a cutting list?

Did you know that SketchUp has so many great features it would take a whole book to discuss them all? As far as I know, despite the great proliferation of books on the subject, not one of them tells of all the things a user may do with it.

Did you know that a user can use as much or as little as they wish of the many features of SketchUp?

It's very easy to get started with it and there are many tutorials on the Internet as well as user groups to help the user get up and running.

Did you know that many professionals in many different fields ar using SketchUp?

That includes, of course, woodworkers, architects, engineers and artists.

Now, don't you want to go and download your own copy of SketchUp?

[MSWOODcraft]

For my curved work SU is a dream. I can work on getting the proportions right, and only then figure out what the various radiuses are.

Had I drawn this cart by hand I'd have been scratching my head and guessing the whole time.   Not with SU. 

The intentional deviations were the depth of the drawer box, the detail of the side walls on top and bottom deck, and how high I chose to ultimately place the bottom deck.  

The rest of the work came directly from this drawing.

This program is my newest best friend.