CAD Software Review Using CAD Designing your own projects from scratch or using existing plans as a starting point is not only rewarding, it allows you to design the project to fit your specific needs. The best thing about CAD is that you don’t need to know how to draw to use it. In fact, even if you can’t draw a straight line with a pencil, CAD will help you make precise drawings using it’s many tools and features. Contrary to popular belief, a good CAD program doesn’t have to be expensive. For under $100 you can start designing your own projects with a full-featured CAD program.
TurboCAD Furniture Maker is a powerful plug-in to TurboCAD Deluxe, Pro, and Pro Platinum. More than just furniture creation, TurboCAD Furniture Maker helps you quickly design and edit custom cabinets, shelves, windows and doors, as well as a variety of home and office furniture.
Like everything else, though, if you want to get more capability, such as 3D modeling and rendering, the price starts to go up. To build a project from a CAD drawing, all you really need is 2D capability. This lets you easily create drawings like the ones you buy or used in woodworking plans, with fully dimensioned front, side, and top views (top photo). Some 2D programs also make it easy to create isometric drawings. More sophisticated programs allow you to draw in 3D, however they are more expensive and a drawing in 3D is more complicated than 2D. The advantage is that you can view and print 2D views of the drawing (i.e. Front, side, top, bottom, back) as well as isometric views that show all the parts (screen shot 3) or hide parts behind others (screen shot 4).
In addition, you can view a rendered version (screen shot 5) from any angle. Choosing a Program Beyond the differences in 2D or 3D drawing, most CAD programs work much the same, with similar features and functions that may work differently, but accomplish the same thing. Just as when you buy a tool, be sure that the software you buy will meet your long-term needs, not just today’s project.
The following reviews will give you some idea of the different programs, their features, ease of use and documentation. DeltaCAD Professional for Windows At $60, this is the least expensive CAD program on the market. It is also the simplest, both for ease of use and features, although it has all you need to draw most 2D projects. It uses a straightforward tab menu at the top of the screen that gives you quick access to the features and functions you need when drawing. This includes various snaps that make accurate drawing easier, entry of coordinates (which allows you to draw pieces by typing in their size) and the ability to enter feet/inch/fractional dimensions.
It doesn’t provide an isometric grid, however it includes a parallelogram drawing tool instead. Two features it doesn’t include that are available on all other programs is a Trim function (for trimming lines to length after they have been drawn) and a Stretch function. While a Scale function is provided, this changes the object’s size in both directions – a Stretch function allows you to change it in only one direction. Each of the features is well described in the manual, with a step-by-step guide on how to do things.
The manual starts off with a simple tutorial that exposes you to the basics of a CAD drawing, then the rest of the manual describes the various functions. Autodesk QuickCAD 8 By Autodesk, the maker of AutoCAD, this program is almost as inexpensive as DeltaCAD, at $70.
It isn’t quite as simple as DeltaCAD, however it has many more features to make drawing easier once you learn how to use them. When you start a new drawing, it asks you to select an experience level. Selecting “Beginner” will limit the features and simplify the toolbar menus so that only the standard functions will be available. The Advanced or Expert level simply adds toolbars and functionality, many of which will make it even easier to draw once you learn them.
In addition, the placement of toolbars as well as the functions on them can be customized. QuickCAD includes all the functions needed for efficient 2D drawings, including isometric grids to make it easy to make isometric drawings, stretching, and the ability to fill an area with a hatch pattern, solid colour, or even a bitmap image. A number of features QuickCAD has that DeltaCAD doesn’t have won’t be immediately useful to you, however, as you draw more projects, you may find them increasingly important. The manual is quite slim and is an introduction to drawing with CAD, using a tutorial format to explain how to use the basic features. It doesn’t explain each function or how to use them. For that, you need to use the Help menu within the program. DesignCAD Express v12 With a price tag of $125, this is the little brother of DesignCAD 3D Max that is reviewed later.
It is limited to 2D drawings. It has all the functionality of DesignCAD 3D except for the 3D capability. This includes the step-by-step tutorials available in the Help menu. AutoSketch 8 This program is also made by Autodesk, and is almost identical to QuickCAD with a number of added features for the $140 price. This includes a “new drawing” wizard,Web tools that enable you to create a web page so you can publish your drawing on the Web, and 3D effects tools (extrude and perspective).
While it is not true 3D, it does simulate some 3D effects. The Autosketch manual is virtually identical to the QuickCAD manual. For advanced features, you need to use the Help menu. TurboCAD V8 At $140, this is the least expensive program with full 3D drawing capabilities. Since it is geared to 3D drawings, it is not as easy to use as some of the pure 2D programs discussed, mostly due to advanced features. If you don’t want to draw in 3D, however, you can simply ignore the 3D functionality. It doesn’t include an isometric drawing grid, so if you want the isometric look, you will need to learn to use the 3D features.
This program includes the complete range of features to make drawing easier. The manual is quite comprehensive and uses a tutorial format to explain almost every feature, with examples to help you understand how the features are used. A companion ‘Getting Started’ guide walks you through both a 2D and 3D project from start to finish, using most of the key features. This is an excellent start for a first-time user.
IntelliCAD Standard The next step up in price, IntelliCAD, is $210 and also has full 3D capability. While all the programs reviewed except for DeltaCAD can import an AutoCAD file, IntelliCAD actually uses the native Auto- CAD file format as it’s own format. It has rich compatibility with the actual Auto- CAD functionality, including the command sets, which can be entered by typing the command names instead of selecting a menu or tool. The 3D features and its higher-level target market, makes it less easy to use than the 2D programs. To accommodate novice users, it allows you to identify your skill level and will set up the toolbars and menu accordingly. DesignCAD 3D Max This is another full-featured 3D drawing program and the price tag is getting into the next bracket, at $250. While the DesignCAD 3D Max also provides 2D drawing capabilities, the program is very much geared towards 3D drawings.
This means 2D drawing will take a little more time to get used to. For the price, you get all relevant features except for an Isometric Grid. This program provides a couple of tools that make it easier to draw Isometric drawings without the grid, although it is still not as easy to use as some of the 2D programs. The manual is a simple command reference that lists each feature and describes how to use it. It assumes you are already familiar with how to draw using CAD.
Fortunately, there is a very good set of step-by-step tutorials included in the Help menu. Choosing a CAD Program The two main considerations when choosing a CAD program are price and whether or not you want 2D or 3D capabilities. All the programs reviewed will enable you to draw your project with the precision you need to build it, and do it relatively easily once you learn how. If you are a first time user, make sure to choose a program with good tutorials or manuals. If the manual is not providing the information you need, you can also buy a third party book on CAD that will help you get started, making the manual less of an issue. Some companies provide demo versions and, even if you don’t end up buying their program, it is an excellent way to decide if CAD is for you. The prices shown are US dollars list prices converted to Canadian dollars.
Sources A good source of free woodworking plans in CAD can be found at: CAD Programs CAD software is available at a wide variety of prices and capabilities. Here is a list of packages you may want to consider. The price range is about $100 - $250:. Autodesk QuickCAD 8, Autosketch 8. DeltaCAD -.
DesignCAD Express v12, DesignCAD 3D Max. TurboCAD V8. IntelliCAD Standard.
Use of Canadian Woodworking's Website and It's Content This website is presented with the understanding that:. The authors, editors and related web personnel are not responsible for the results of any actions taken on the basis of information on this website, nor for any errors or omissions;. This website is not engaged in rendering professional advice/services; and.
Any and all content submitted by this website's users is in no way an expression of the beliefs or opinions of the owners, webmasters, authors and editors. Canadian Woodworking disclaims all liability for any claim in relation to:.
![Turbocad Furniture Maker V12 Cadillac Turbocad Furniture Maker V12 Cadillac](/uploads/1/2/5/4/125498680/395195746.jpg)
any matters or factors outside of its control, including the availability or unavailability of the website and digital content due to the availability of the Internet, or telecommunications or other infrastructure systems; for any reasons including but not limited to power outages and maintenance. The owners, webmasters, administrators, authors and editors, expressly disclaim all and any liability to any person, whether a user of this website or not, in respect of anything and of the consequences of anything done or omitted to be done by any such person in reliance, whether whole or partial, upon the whole or any part of the contents of this website. Please exercise caution when working with any tools or machinery. Follow common safety rules and precautions as outlined in any manuals related to the equipment being used. If advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought. Use of Canadian Woodworking site and Forum By posting on this site and forum, the poster grants to Canadian Woodworking Magazine/Website the unrestricted rights to use of the content of the post for any purpose, including, but not limited to, publishing the posted material, including images, in print or electronic form in a future issue or issues of Canadian Woodworking magazine or related Canadian Woodworking products, and to use the post for promotional purposes without further compensation, as well as the right to use the poster's name in a credit along with the post. Your Privacy CanadianWoodworking never shares, sells or rents your information to any third party without your permission.
This statement explains how we collect information from you and what we do with that information. What this Privacy Policy Covers.
This Privacy Policy covers CanadianWoodworking.com's treatment of personally identifiable information that CanadianWoodworking.com collects when you are on the CanadianWoodworking.com site, and when you use CanadianWoodworking.com's services. This policy also covers CanadianWoodworking.com's treatment of any personally identifiable information that CanadianWoodworking.com's business partners share with CanadianWoodworking.com. This policy does not apply to the practices of companies that CanadianWoodworking.com does not own or control, or to people that CanadianWoodworking.com does not employ or manage. Information Requests and Use. CanadianWoodworking.com collects personally identifiable information when you use certain CanadianWoodworking.com services, when you visit CanadianWoodworking.com pages, and when you enter promotions or sweepstakes. CanadianWoodworking.com may also receive personally identifiable information from our business partners. Personally identifying information is information that can be used to identify who you are such as: name, mailing address, email address.
To enter certain areas of the site, you will be required to register and provide information about yourself. This information is for the purposes of Canadian Woodworking and helps us to tailor the site to best meet the needs of our audience. CanadianWoodworking.com also automatically receives and records information on our server logs from your browser including your IP address, CanadianWoodworking.com cookie information and the page you requested.
CanadianWoodworking.com uses information for three general purposes: to customize the advertising and content you see, and to fulfill your requests for certain products and services. Promotions. The personal information that we retain is what is provided by you voluntarily. We use it to send you information about Canadian Woodworking and its products or to correspond with you regarding your subscription. If you are a subscriber we need this information to be able to deliver you our product(s) and service your subscription. By completing a form on this website, you will be able to receive email correspondence from Canadian Woodworking.
These emails may include information on upcoming events or special offers for subscribers. If you do not wish to receive email correspondence please email and ask to be removed from our email list. Every email that we send to you will include an 'opt-out' from receiving future email correspondence. Aggregate information is information that cannot identify you personally. We collect information on our subscribers that may be used in summary reports presented to our advertisers. This information helps them to better understand our audience and provide advertisements that are more likely to be of interest to you and your organization. Our intention is always to gather information that will help us serve you better and never to gather information without your knowledge.
As with most websites, we do log web visits. This information, however, does not have a link to you personally. These logs help us understand the needs of our audience and the areas of our site that you do or do not find useful. When you simply browse our site, no personal information is being collected. We may disclose this non-personal information to third parties such as sponsors, clients or advertisers.
Information Sharing and Disclosure. CanadianWoodworking.com will not sell or rent your personally identifiable information to anyone. CanadianWoodworking.com will send personally identifiable information about you to other companies or people when:.
We have your consent to share the information;. We need to share your information to provide the product or service you have requested;. We need to send the information to companies who work on behalf of CanadianWoodworking.com to provide a product or service to you. (Unless we tell you differently, these companies do not have any right to use the personally identifiable information we provide to them beyond what is necessary to assist us.);. We respond to subpoenas, court orders or legal process; or. We find that your actions on our web sites violate the CanadianWoodworking.com Terms of Service or any of our usage guidelines for specific products or services.
Cookies. CanadianWoodworking.com may set and access CanadianWoodworking.com cookies on your computer.
Cookies are small text files that most Web sites, including canadianwoodworking.com place on your computer. Cookies help us identify your interests. They also prevent you from having to register repeatedly on canadianwoodworking.com or from repeatedly seeing the same ads. Canadianwoodworking.com is not able, and does not wish, to use cookies to track your activities on the Web outside of our site. And no cookie delivered by us will interfere with the operation of your computer. In cases where there are links to other sites, Canadian Woodworking recommends that you review their organization's privacy policy, as once you have left our site you become subject to the privacy and security policies of the new site.
Third party advertising. If you submit your name through a form on our website to request information from an advertiser or third party, canadianwoodworking.com is not responsible for any marketing or other use of your name by that third party.
Security. In certain areas CanadianWoodworking.com uses industry-standard SSL-encryption to protect data transmissions. Changes to this Privacy Policy.
CanadianWoodworking.com may amend this policy from time to time. By using this site, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy. Canadian Woodworking reserves the right to make changes to this policy at any time. Please check back periodically to review any changes.
Questions or Suggestions. If you have questions or suggestions please.
Design Custom Cabinets & Furniture with Ease TurboCAD Furniture Maker is a powerful plug-in to TurboCAD Deluxe, Pro, and Pro Platinum. More than just furniture creation, TurboCAD Furniture Maker helps you quickly design and edit custom cabinets, shelves, windows and doors, as well as a variety of home and office furniture. TurboCAD Furniture Maker then makes it easy to put your completed symbols into production. It’s a must have plug-in for architects, woodworkers, or anyone using TurboCAD for interior architectural design. Flexible TurboCAD Furniture Maker comes with a library of kitchen, home and office furniture symbols, including chairs, tables, cabinets, and new freestanding appliances.
Easily swap doors, knobs, hinges, clamps, office table footing, shelf footing, window and door panels, and more, even change dimensions to fit your need. Customize with 1,800 modern materials, or use materials already in TurboCAD. Fast Tutorials and drawing examples help you quickly learn the software. Whether you’re looking to create custom furniture for manufacturing, or simply want to place furniture in your architectural designs for space planning, TurboCAD Furniture Maker helps you can create them on the fly with incredible ease.
Powerful TurboCAD Furniture Maker simplifies putting your completed furniture designs into production with tools to optimize cuts and eliminate waste, simplify ordering of parts, and furniture production. Key Features. Get Started Right Away Quickly learn how to use TurboCAD Furniture Maker (TCFM) to speed the design of custom cabinets and furniture with the included step-by-step audio video instruction and getting started guide.
Plus, examples offer inspiration and helpful tips. Work with Existing Parametric Objects TurboCAD Furniture Maker comes with hundreds of pre-drawn furniture and cabinet symbols, include sinks and appliances. It also works with all parametric symbols included in your version of TurboCAD. Use TCFM to more easily change the symbols size or material, and save the new symbol to your TurboCAD Symbol Library.
TCFM also allows you to resize the configuration of the symbol or any symbol element. Create Custom Furniture Symbols TurboCAD Furniture Maker’s fully layered drawing templates allow users to easily create all cabinets elements – doors, drawer type, base, knobs, shelves, etc., as well as other furniture designs. Users can set up to 18 cabinet elements for easy exchange. New Position and Group Now visual presentation of design intent and organization are easier then ever. Each element in the drawing can now contain position data and group identifiers which can be independently specified.
New group and position layers have been added to control the visibility of these data markers, adding a further dimension of control over data presentation. New Prefix Auto Position Supplemental data can be associated via the new position function through the use of the auto-prefix feature. The Prefix Auto Position prepends a user specified prefix to a sequentially generated unit providing a unique ID for each object based upon the object type, position, and order of creation.
New Minimum and Maximum Element Size It is now possible to preset the maximum and minimum size for any element. This makes it easy to avoid the creation of undesirable or unrealistic components.
A minimum and maximum size can be set in X, Y, and Z. Any attempt exceed this limit will not be applied, and the user will be displayed a warning. New Blum Symbols Extend your design options with new 3D cabinet hinges and fittings symbols. New m3 Unit of Material Volumetric information of materials is now available via the m3 feature which computes the cubic meters of material used by an element. This information can be used in consumption, costs and supplier reports. New Work Schedule New simple project management feature helps to support time management.
New Numbering of Edges New parameter allows users to define the sequence of machining the edges. New Group, Position Transfer of information from the graphical part of TurboCAD into the Group column and position in DAEX CUT. Improved Nesting Optimized cuts allows for special treatment when nesting components. This combination allows for more complete machining of elements directly on the CNC Improved Parts List Print Report There are now new columns for allowance of X and Y-X NP and Y NP Which improves the accuracy of cost estimates. Improved Summation of Storage Cards At the end of the print report, there is now a summation of all items. Improved Floor / Ceiling Graphical previews are now provided for the selected floor and ceiling materials.
System Requirements.