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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: johnm160 on March 08, 2007, 08:02:02 pm

Title: What is an easy to learn program for drawing cabinet plans
Post by: johnm160 on March 08, 2007, 08:02:02 pm
I am looking for an easy to learn program to help design a cockpit cabinet.

Title: Re: What is an easy to learn program for drawing cabinet plans
Post by: Dmod on March 08, 2007, 08:05:01 pm
Try Google Sketchup.  It's very easy to learn.
Title: Re: What is an easy to learn program for drawing cabinet plans
Post by: Loki 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
Title: Re: What is an easy to learn program for drawing cabinet plans
Post by: Flip_Willie on March 08, 2007, 08:49:44 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
Title: Re: What is an easy to learn program for drawing cabinet plans
Post by: johnm160 on March 08, 2007, 10:58:08 pm
Thank you everyone,

I will check them out.

 :cheers:
Title: Re: What is an easy to learn program for drawing cabinet plans
Post by: BobA on March 09, 2007, 10:05:22 pm
The advantage of Google sketch up is the basic program is FREE.   
Title: Re: What is an easy to learn program for drawing cabinet plans
Post by: Loki 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 ^^;
Title: Re: What is an easy to learn program for drawing cabinet plans
Post by: TOK on March 09, 2007, 10:10:47 pm
(http://www.artsupply.com/alvin/pencil.jpg)  ;)
Title: Re: What is an easy to learn program for drawing cabinet plans
Post by: 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.
Title: Re: What is an easy to learn program for drawing cabinet plans
Post by: Organic Jerk on March 10, 2007, 06:08:35 am
(http://www.artsupply.com/alvin/pencil.jpg)  ;)

I concur
Title: Re: What is an easy to learn program for drawing cabinet plans
Post by: Loki 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. :)
Title: Re: What is an easy to learn program for drawing cabinet plans
Post by: shardian 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.
Title: Re: What is an easy to learn program for drawing cabinet plans
Post by: NiteWalker on March 10, 2007, 08:41:09 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.
Title: Re: What is an easy to learn program for drawing cabinet plans
Post by: shatter 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.
Title: Re: What is an easy to learn program for drawing cabinet plans
Post by: Fozzy The Bear on March 10, 2007, 04:04:56 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 (http://www.amabilis.com)

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

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)
Title: Re: What is an easy to learn program for drawing cabinet plans
Post by: Organic Jerk on March 10, 2007, 04:21:28 pm
After downloading and trying Google's sketchup, I must agree that it seems pretty cool.
Title: Re: What is an easy to learn program for drawing cabinet plans
Post by: johnm160 on March 12, 2007, 10:11:51 am
(http://www.artsupply.com/alvin/pencil.jpg)  ;)

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.
Title: Re: What is an easy to learn program for drawing cabinet plans
Post by: melarky on March 12, 2007, 01:19:43 pm
(http://www.artsupply.com/alvin/pencil.jpg)  ;)

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 :).
Title: Re: What is an easy to learn program for drawing cabinet plans
Post by: 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.   :cheers:
Title: Re: What is an easy to learn program for drawing cabinet plans
Post by: Dudeman 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
Title: Re: What is an easy to learn program for drawing cabinet plans
Post by: johnm160 on March 13, 2007, 09:52:16 am
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.   :cheers:

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.

 :cheers:
Title: Re: What is an easy to learn program for drawing cabinet plans
Post by: modessitt 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.