CAD Software

[mrthethird]

Is there such a thing as a design program for the functionally illiterate, such as myself? I would like to convert some pencil sketches to share with a couple of designers, but scanning does not allow for manipulation that will need to be done. I have extremely limited experience with CAD, and have failed miserably at trying to teach myself AUTOCAD, TURBOCAD, Autosketch, and a few others. Is there any hope? The days of pencil, paper, and architect's scale are gone. I can't even find a replacement set of french curves anymore.

[Mike Donlin]

You might look at SketchUp. Google owns them now and I think there are 2 different versions. I have the program and like what it can do for concept drawings and for quick sketches that are easy to bang out.

Dave (the sketchup guru) will pop in here and show you his work that he has done in sketchup. It is a fairly easy program to learn but once you see his drawings you will see that they can get very detailed.

I use it for drawing buildings so the customer can see what his project will look like with different door and window placement. It works great for something like that where I'm not too concerned about correct placement.

Like any other cad type program there is a learning curve, although this curve is MUCH shorter than the other programs you mentioned. Hope this helps.

[Barry Pyeatt]

It is a free download from Google for the private use version. The two versions are functionally almost identical. There are a couple features that are unique to the professional version but you will find that you probably don't need them to make up good drawings. Yes, Dave is without question the Sketchup Pro here. It can be very detailed and very accurate if you want to go to actual scale measurements. And the learning curve is pretty quick.

I simply used "Paint" for years until this came out. I found that I could make up good conceptual drawings with it once I got used to how to use the drawing tools. It helps a lot if you have a good visual idea inmind before you begin with any of them.

[Dave R1]

Did someone call my name?

SketchUp is definitely an easy application to learn and you can add as much detail as you need. You can also add in dimensions and labels if you want. It isn't a real CAD application although SketchUp Pro 5 will export CAD files if desired.

Here are a couple of examples of what I've done in SU. The first two are low res screen grabs. If you have any questions feel free to ask. BTW, Barry's done some pretty amazing drawings in Paint.

[Barry Pyeatt]

I did the concept drawings for the bowsprit. A couple of them here. A couple of drawings from Paint that I did of hatch covers. I've had some drafting experience plus I do a lot of watercolors. Lots of them architectural in nature. So perspective is a good thing to have some basic understanding of if you want to draw things out so that they are clearly understood. But they never come out to scale. With Sketchup they are isometric projections so the measurments are accurate if you draw them with the scale.

[Dave R1]

Actually Barry SU can do isometric or perspective views as well as 2D views. I don't care for the isometric views for a lolt of things but they do come in handy once in awhile.

[Barry Pyeatt]

OH, really! :shock: :oops: I see that the router drawing is in perspective.

I've only had a little while to actually work with it and was impressed with how easy it seemed to use. But I haven't really sat down and spent much time trying it out, just went thru the basic tutorials. Got a ways to go before I can turn out drawings like you are turning out. I'm impressed!

Got something else to learn to use this winter. :roll:

[Dave R1]

They're all perspective views. You can select the angle of view or a 35mm camera lens equivalent as desired.

FWIW Barry, if or when you're ready to work on learning SU, I've already done a bunch of tutorials and I can point you to them when you want them.

[Frank Hagan]

Dave, is that a Wood Rat in your router SU drawing? Or did you build your own version?

[lewisboats]

Say Dave...could you point ME in that direction??? I really like what can be done. And Barry...those drawings are impressive...far better than what I have been able to achieve in Paint. The wood grain is awesome tho more time consuming than what I would wish to put in.

Steve

[Barry Pyeatt]

Dave,

I'll take you up on that offer a little later in the year. Thanks. I've got a couple writing deadlines to meet first that I can't ignore. But I'd like to learn to use this software. I think it has some awesome possibilities.

Thanks Steve,

I've had a lot of fun with Paint over the last few years. I use it as a sketch pad to work out ideas that are floating around in my head. And more than once to try to clarify some concept. Most of them are a lot simpler than these but some are a lot more complex and detailed as well. I've found that I can use some of what I'm doing with Paint in some of the multi-media presentations that I've done in the past. I also have an architectural drawing program with extensive kitchen and bath programming that I've used extensively for design work. But I would much rather pay attention to wooden boats now.

[mrthethird]

You could point me that direction as well, Dave. That program does have some promise.

[Dave R1]

Dave' date=' is that a Wood Rat in your router SU drawing? Or did you build your own version?[/quote']

Frank it is indeed a WoodRat. I drew that up inititially to illustrate a newer method of cutting dovetails than what is shown in the manual. It wasn't nearly as detailed then but I've fleshed it out at the request of Lewis Stepp, the fellow who owns The Craftsman Gallery here in the US. He had me add a number of his accessories and I can't make it "run". SU Pro5 will output video animations so I can set it up to make a cut and do it without the router and plates in the way if I want.

If you take a look here, you'll find a number of things I've done related to showing others how to use SU. Currently I'm in the process of drawing a project from start to finish. The last stage is to create working drawings that one could take to the shop and use to build the project.

If you're just starting out look at my blathering about templates as this will help you get things set up.

[Dave R1]

If you've got SketchUp on your computer now, take a look at this. I did it mostly for the fun of it but it illustrates a simple trick you could use for things like doors or other moving parts. Maybe a centerboard in a boat?

Open the file in SU and then, under View, choose Tourguide and then Play Slideshow.

[Frank Hagan]

Ah, so you're THAT Dave R! I pop into SawmillCreek frequently, but don't post too often anymore (too busy). It is the best woodworking forum out there, in my opinion. Very nice group of guys.