What desing software is everyone using for designing their cabs

[Sensei]

I have a couple of cabs that I've built and would like to share the plans with a couple (or more if they want) of others.  Right now, the plans are simple diagrams on paper but I'd like them to be a little more exact and...well....pretty.

I've used a couple of design programs in the past.
Design workshop lite
Smart Draw

But neither of them are exactly what I was looking for.  I'd like something that can provide allow for building materials with depth.  (say 5/8" boards not 2 dimensional rectangles).   Creating isometric (3 dimensional perspective) drawings would be a definte plus.  Also something that can automatically put in measurement lines would be really nice (yah know....the little arrows saying that this board is such and such length).

Keep in mind I dont wish to have to take a course in AutoCAD or anything.
(or am I expecting too much for too little).

Thanks for your input.

[Grasshopper]

A very good program that is often given away with magazines is TurboCAD 7 but it does have a steep learning curve.

I doubt that you'll find an easy to use CAD program that can properly handle 3D.

[Howard_Casto]

I use pencil 2.0 and paper 1.0.   

[danny_galaga]

I use pencil 2.0 and paper 1.0.   

hey, same here!



software for scaling"

[kelemvor]

Could use something like Visio if you have access to it.  Or search for some free trial CAD software on google or something and give one a test drive.

Otherwise good old fashioned Graph Paper has always worked well for me.

[M3talhead]

Try Sketchup. Its super easy to learn and is perfect for these types of projects.

[Sensei]

Try Sketchup. Its super easy to learn and is perfect for these types of projects.

Hey! Now that's what I'm looking for!

I've tried Visio.  Very nice for diagrams but not exatcly for construction plans.  Thanks anyway, kelemvor. 
I've also done Pencil 2.0 and Paper 1.0 (in fact I've bought the 3.1 and 2.5 upgrades respectively....that is Mechanical Pencil 3.1 and Graph Paper 2.5) but I'd like to see them done on the computer for ease of sharing.

M3talhead, I've gone on to http://www.sketchup.com and read through the product overviews.  This is exactly what I was looking for.  I'll download the demo and see if that's the ticket.
But HOLY CRAP!  Did you see the price tag on that puppy! $500.00.

[Taborious]

I'd love to get my hands on this app as well, but I'm not dropping 5 bills for it. Have to check the web to see if I can find a discounted version...

Please post if you find it "discounted" somewhere...

[kelemvor]

Try Sketchup. Its super easy to learn and is perfect for these types of projects.

Hey! Now that's what I'm looking for!

I've tried Visio.  Very nice for diagrams but not exatcly for construction plans.  Thanks anyway, kelemvor. 
I've also done Pencil 2.0 and Paper 1.0 (in fact I've bought the 3.1 and 2.5 upgrades respectively....that is Mechanical Pencil 3.1 and Graph Paper 2.5) but I'd like to see them done on the computer for ease of sharing.

M3talhead, I've gone on to http://www.sketchup.com and read through the product overviews.  This is exactly what I was looking for.  I'll download the demo and see if that's the ticket.
But HOLY CRAP!  Did you see the price tag on that puppy! $500.00.

Might want to upgrade again to cardboard 3.7 and scissors 1.9.  Doing something on the computer is great but it works well to just cut out some circles of the right sizes and such and set them on the cardboard so you can slide them around and such.  Everyone's fingers are differnt lengths, some people are more comfortable with things spaced differently, etc.

There's some templates you can already download to use as a guide but that's still a static image that can't be adjsuted well.  But make some cut outs and slide them around until you get ehwat you want.  Then plop it into the computer program and have it align everything just right.

[Brax]

I use AutoCAD. A bit of overkill I suppose but you use what you know, right? I'd say it's the best solution but as said, a huge learning curve, very expensive and really it's way more software than you need for this application. I still can't help myself. I like complete, detailed plans. I've drawn mine all in 3D; the abilty to check for crashing tolerances is important for me as I'm modifying a 1up inspired design.

[jcrouse]

Autocad Mechanical 6. Overkill does not exist!

John

[Sensei]

By the way, I downloaded the Sketchup program and it's great.

You can create your cab and divide it into components (layers) which can be hidden if wished.  Drawing 3-dimensional objects is a breeze.  There hasnt been a curve, a slope, or anything that I haven't been able to create yet.  (and believe me I'm no whiz at design).  All the tools are like simple carpentry tools (right down to a tape measure for marking points and a compass)

It provides isometric views, and you can finish it off with custom textures or bitmaps. (so if ya wanna get crazy you can add in your sideart too).
I personally liked the ability to add dimensions to your drawings so that I can create easily read and followed plans.

Thanks again, M3talhead.  This was perfect.



Oh and....

Autocad Mechanical 6. Overkill does not exist!
John

I'd hate to see what you swat flies with John. 

[cabe]

After spending a couple of hours fiddling around with Sketchup I decided its worth starting small and working up.

So I did.

http://cabe.fatboylan.net/bitblaster/ - hopefully this will help someone (I did look at the Oscar library, and whilst technically more detailed they don't import at the correct sizes natively, next step, conversion )

[chemame]

Most of my cab is a modified version of Russ Prince's very handy layouts available on his site. I modified the base somewhat, as I found he had a large footprint, and I went impromptu on the keyboard shelf and speakers and stuff. All of these mods I was able to do easily in Corel Draw (yes, what a great drafting package... heheheh).

The control panel, though, is a different story. I've just completed my 6th control panel in 3 years, prompted by the fact that I finally scraped together enough $$$ for a happcontrols trackball (yay).

I finally have a repeatable process for what I consider flawless control panels. Amazingly, I also do this in Corel Draw! The horror!

What I do is, I have templates that I've made with exact hole size and spacing for buttons, joysticks, trackball, etc etc. I have a 8.5 x 11 sheet full of buttons at an exact spacing (I think 1.5" on center, but YMMV) so I can cut out groups on them in any configuration and keep the spacing exact.

So what I do is, I have this large roll of graph paper (1" grid), it must be for presentations because the back has post-it glu on the top and bottom. It's the perfect size for me to roll it out and stick it on my board, and lay out all of the templates precisely where I want them on the grid. I can feel it out, do some imaginary motions, see if the config all works... and if so, I just tape down the templates, take it to the garage, and drill away. The result is flawless, with everything pleasing to the eye and the hand (as all things should be).

Anyway, like I said, it's what works for me, YMMV.

Chemame

[Nannuu]

Coreldraw is great.  It won't do the 3D but it does a nice job for 2D layout.  And you can do your artwork in the same program. 

[Havok]

So, you have mastered Sketchup, but what about the Bokken?

 

[rbarr110]

AutoCAD r14 or AutoCAD 2005 Architectural Desktop.  Just depends if at home or at work.....shhhhh dont tell the boss.

[M3talhead]

If anyone is still looking for a "discounted" version of Sketchup, I think I can come up with a good source.