Author Topic: What is an easy to learn program for drawing cabinet plans (Read 2999 times)

johnm160 · « **on:** March 08, 2007, 08:02:02 pm »

I am looking for an easy to learn program to help design a cockpit cabinet.

Dmod · « **Reply #1 on:** March 08, 2007, 08:05:01 pm »

Try Google Sketchup. It's very easy to learn.

Loki · « **Reply #2 on:** March 08, 2007, 08:07:07 pm »

I love Google SketchUp. It's really easy and you can find a lot of video tutorials online.
If you want to make some build plans I have no idea other than CAD

Flip_Willie · « **Reply #3 on:** March 08, 2007, 08:49:44 pm »

Quote from: Loki on March 08, 2007, 08:07:07 pm

If you want to make some build plans I have no idea other than CAD

Adobe Illustrator is good, in my opinion.

Just as it is,
Flip Willie

johnm160 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 08, 2007, 10:58:08 pm »

Thank you everyone,

I will check them out.

BobA · « **Reply #5 on:** March 09, 2007, 10:05:22 pm »

The advantage of Google sketch up is the basic program is FREE.

Loki · « **Reply #6 on:** March 09, 2007, 10:07:49 pm »

Is there much difference in the free and pro version?
I Haven't tried the free one ^^;

TOK · « **Reply #7 on:** March 09, 2007, 10:10:47 pm »

spriggy · « **Reply #8 on:** March 10, 2007, 05:41:07 am »

3D = Sketchup
2D = DeltaCAD. Full working trial. Just re-install when run-out. Small footprint. Professional looking plan templates.

Organic Jerk · « **Reply #9 on:** March 10, 2007, 06:08:35 am »

Quote from: TOK on March 09, 2007, 10:10:47 pm

I concur

Loki · « **Reply #10 on:** March 10, 2007, 06:43:21 am »

For 2D build plans I rather draw on paper too, but nothing beats programs like sketchup when you are still working out your ideas so you can already have a good view how it will look.

shardian · « **Reply #11 on:** March 10, 2007, 07:54:39 am »

You can get a 30 day trial of AutoCAD from the autodesk website. The only catch is that any plots you do will have a "sample" watermark on them.

NiteWalker · « **Reply #12 on:** March 10, 2007, 08:41:09 am »

Quote from: spriggy on March 10, 2007, 05:41:07 am

3D = Sketchup
2D = DeltaCAD. Full working trial. Just re-install when run-out. Small footprint. Professional looking plan templates.

QFT. I love delta cad.

shatter · « **Reply #13 on:** March 10, 2007, 03:46:53 pm »

I used Microstation to draw up the plans for my control panel. I believe there is a free home use/student version you can get. You would need some basic CADD experience though before I recommend going that way.

Fozzy The Bear · « **Reply #14 on:** March 10, 2007, 04:04:56 pm »

Quote from: johnm160 on March 08, 2007, 08:02:02 pm

I am looking for an easy to learn program to help design a cockpit cabinet.

Amabilis "3D Canvas" and there's a full version that you can use free of charge. http://www.amabilis.com

You'll find some of my models built with it here:
http://www.amabilis.com/gallerymstssteamlocomotives.htm

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

Organic Jerk · « **Reply #15 on:** March 10, 2007, 04:21:28 pm »

After downloading and trying Google's sketchup, I must agree that it seems pretty cool.

johnm160 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 12, 2007, 10:11:51 am »

Quote from: TOK on March 09, 2007, 10:10:47 pm

Good for 2D but I wanted 3D.......

and I don't draw that good

I downloaded sketchup, I am gonna try some of the other suggestions also.

melarky · « **Reply #17 on:** March 12, 2007, 01:19:43 pm »

Quote from: TOK on March 09, 2007, 10:10:47 pm

Ha, when I first saw this, I thought you were showing off what you had done in sketchup for a second. I was blown away at how life like it looked

.

TOK · « **Reply #18 on:** March 12, 2007, 03:31:54 pm »

Sorry, wasn't trying to derail the thread with the pencil... I just do 2 drawings for my "3D" stuff, a front and a side.

Dudeman · « **Reply #19 on:** March 12, 2007, 05:06:54 pm »

I use alibre Design Express. It's free. You can print out 2D drawings. You can save as AutoCad files. They tutorials are darn good.

www.alibre.com

johnm160 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 13, 2007, 09:52:16 am »

Quote from: TOK on March 12, 2007, 03:31:54 pm

Sorry, wasn't trying to derail the thread with the pencil... I just do 2 drawings for my "3D" stuff, a front and a side.

I could do that too, I just figured I might get a better feel for the cab with a modeling program. I have already started sketching on paper while I am playing with some of these programs. I am thinking it might help me find problems before I start cutting.

modessitt · « **Reply #21 on:** March 14, 2007, 02:55:19 pm »

For a good 3D modeling program, try Blender3D.

http://www.blender.org/

It's free and updated quite regularly by a community of 3D modeling programmers.

You can model, render, whatever. Even has a new "sculpting" technique.

I've been messing around with it for a few weeks and haven't gotten proficient in its use yet, but there are lots of tutorials posted for using it, one of the best being: Blender3D: Noob to Pro

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Blender_3D:_Noob_to_Pro

This program is also good for "modding" object for a lot of 3D computer games.

I've also heard good things about some programs call Milkshape and Wings3d (both supposedly free) but haven't tried them, so I don't know how they will work.


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