Need a draw program to help me draw out my details

Sketchup is a really popular one right now, partly because it’s free. Not too long ago it cost around $500 but then google bought it and offered a free version. It allows you to draw your projects out in 3-D. If you google “sketchup” you’ll find a link for it.

sketchup.google.com

-- Rob McCune

I have to agree, sketchup is a great way to go. Another freebie option is a company called Alibre. They offer a free 3D CAD software at www.alibre.com/products/
no strings according to their website. I haven’t tried it, but it seems like it’s worth a look.

-- Straight grains & sharp blades

I agree on the sketchup.

Caution on the Alibre though. Although it’s a cool tool, you may get calls from a sales rep no matter what you enter in the little survey before you download the trial. I was very specific that I was a casual user, etc. and I received calls for like two months (I never happened to answer the first few times and then became able to recognize the number on caller ID.)

That said, they do specifically market to woodworkers and I liked what I saw. I would have had to update some database components on my older PC and opted not to do that. If you are using a machine running XP, you are probably good to go.

-- Jeff, St. Paul, MN

drawing pictures is over-rated… cut the sticks, glue them together, clamp them up and finish it. David Marks doesn’t waste a lot of time drawing pictures, so I figured it must not be that important.

Besides I got a bunch of them pads with the little squares on it, and i use that when i need a picture.

-- http://ye-olde-cabinet-shoppe.com/

Not all of us are so gifted as you Obi. Some of us need a drawing to go off of. Having said that, I am making the Artist Table off of just a picture. I have made a lot of mental notes, as well as some design changes along the way. I am in the process of putting on the finish, so pictures will be coming soon. It has been tough, but also a good learning experience.

-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com

I would like to thankk all of you who helped me find a program that I can use. I wish I had this program when I was in college majoring in Archutechulal Drafting. ( sorry about the soelling. I’m not sayning that I am that old I am still in my prime but, I had to use the thing called a pencil and drafting paer, with a real ruler, a Cheat plate to take of all the excess likes and I even had to take a coarse in lettering and show card. Boy that was hard. any way the Google Sketchup is great , it will take me a few days to get into it but I am already using it and It is a good program. Again Thank You to you all. Jim

-- Jim Earl http://www.myspace.com/earle5

I was in the same boat Jim. They had a computer, yes just one, that was going to make everything they taught us obsolete. No wonder I felt like I was wasting my time. If I only knew then…

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com