CAD is it what I think it is.

[nethkhar]

Hi everyone,

I've been looking online for a piece of software I can use to create my own plans for woodworking projects. I'm a complete novice wood worker with no skills, but I'm a fairly competant computer user.

What I'm looking for is to design my own projects, so I basically draw it on the computer and then the computer prints out the individual pieces of wood I require for that project, and the sizes I need.

I've been looking at a few CAD software options and they look perfect except I'm not sure if the end product is what I want. e.g 2 X 75cm x 125cm x 2cm Plywood.
4 X 70cm x 5cm x 5cm Plywood.

Is this what CAD programs do or do they just print out the picture of the design. Does such a piece of software exist??

Thank you for any help you can give me.

[Sparky James]

CAD is what you need but it will do so much more too, drawing programs like microsoft visio will also do the job.

[thescruff]

I have the CADpro (£800)

It can do anything on paper, if you have a couple of spare years to learn how to use it.

[northwales4u]

Have a look here - there are lots of Freeware and Shareware CAD programs

http://www.tucows.com/Windows/DesignTools/CAD

[Mooncat]

I have the CADpro (£800)

It can do anything on paper, if you have a couple of spare years to learn how to use it.

That seems to be the problem with CAD, for simple projects, a pencil, rule, and plain or squared paper, is quicker.

[EJJ150847]

I have the CADpro (£800)

It can do anything on paper, if you have a couple of spare years to learn how to use it.

That seems to be the problem with CAD, for simple projects, a pencil, rule, and plain or squared paper, is quicker.

Same here draw to scale the old way, with details for joints and the like.



John