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simple-woodworking-cad-design It's a useful tool and makes it easy to draw objects based on the grid's increments. Related Posts. My Family was never wealthy but we were creative and had what we needed because we could make it ourselves. It will help you learn how to use the program, but not how to draft a woodworking project. Trim Tools CAD trim tools act as simple woodworking cad design erasers.

This is more than a Design tool. It is a complete Woodworking Project Management System. If you design furniture, cabinets, boxes, decks, walls or anything that needs a 2-D display, you will find this system very beneficial.

You can download the Demo version which allows you to create a DEMO Assembly and experiment with the features of the system and print various reports. Buy Now. Skip to content. Too bad cutting plywood isn't this simple. Boolean Tools These are a special kind of trim tool. The term Boolean comes from the world of algebra, but simply put, a Boolean tool adds or subtracts one object from another. It's a very powerful and fun tool to use. There are three basic types of Boolean tools: One joins two shapes together; the second subtracts one shape from another shown at right ; the third type subtracts everything except the space where shapes overlap.

Easy-to-Modify Curves All programs have curve-drawing tools. The one we liked best is called a spline curve. We like it because it is the easiest to modify in most programs.

This is important, because let's face it, if there's one shape that requires finessing after it's drawn, it's a curve. It takes a little practice to master the spline curve tool, but when you learn how to use it, you'll be able to quickly produce smooth, flowing curves. Associative Dimensioning Associative dimensioning is a feature that links the dimension to the object.

If you resize the object, the dimension will change with it, and the new size will automatically display. Only a few programs have this useful feature. With them you can build your project complete with joints that can be taken apart. The 3D tools also let you rotate your project and view it from any angle. You can even open the doors and look inside if you want. Using 3D tools has a lot in common with real building, because the 3D shapes can be cut, mitered or dadoed using Boolean tools. Several of the more expensive programs in our test include 3D drawing tools.

You don't have to use them, but they are there if you want to try them. For example, clicking on the rectangular drawing tool allows you to draw a rectangle. It's particularly helpful if the drawing tool stays selected, allowing you to continue using it, eliminating the need to click on it every time you want to draw another rectangular or similar shape. Snap, trim and dimensioning tools are also more convenient to use if they stay selected.

You should consider several things before you jump into CAD, because to take full advantage of it, you need drafting skills, computer skills, computer power and a commitment to go through the learning curve. CAD programs will aid you in your drafting, but you still need to know how to do basic drafting.

If you remember your drafting lessons from junior high school, you know enough to get started in CAD. If not, check out a basic drafting book from your library or buy one and study up. Understanding the principles of drafting enables you to arrange your drawings in a way that communicates the information about your project in a standard and clear method.

Don't expect the manual that comes with your CAD program to teach you drafting. It will help you learn how to use the program, but not how to draft a woodworking project. To use CAD, you don't need to be a computer genius, but you should be comfortable around computers and familiar with how they operate. If you know how to use Microsoft Word or similar programs that have pull-down menus and tool bars, you probably have enough computer skills to begin learning a CAD program.

A CAD program will present you with many new tools, but such functions as saving files and printing pages are very similar to those in other commonly used computer programs.

It's also important that your computer have enough memory and disk space before you load a CAD program. Many are quite power-hungry. Without sufficient power, the program will operate very slowly and may even stall your computer. Power requirements vary among programs see Chart, page 84 , but most require a Pentium processor with a Windows 98 or newer operating system or a Macintosh G3 or later model running OS X.

Working through the learning curve is the biggest barrier for most people, and there's no simple way around it. You may spend 10 to 30 hours to learn a CAD program's basics and up to twice that long to reach a high level of comfort with them. The good news is that the help files and tutorial training that come with many programs do a great job in helping you learn the program.

Recommendations If you have some computer experience and a newer Pentium-powered computer, either our Best Buy or Editors' Choice will work for you. If you have limited computer experience or an older computer with less power, DeltaCAD is a good choice. It lacks a few of the features we like, but it's an easy program to learn and requires very little computer power to run. If you own a Macintosh, you don't have many choices. It lacks a few features we like and it's only 2D, but it does have a very easy-to-use resizing palette.

Deluxe is an amazingly powerful program for the money. It has many user-friendly features and tools including associative dimensioning and an inspection bar for resizing objects. The 3D drawing tools that come with this program are a real bonus. The beginner level has the fewest drawing tools, but that makes it simpler to master. It also has many of the user-friendly features we like. It lacks a resizing palette, but the snap and grid tools work very well.

QuickCAD is only a 2D program, but for 50 bucks it's hard to beat. Tips for Learning CAD 1. Use the tutorial. This is the best way to get started with a CAD program because the tutorial will guide you through a couple practice projects Simple Woodworking Cad 404 and help you master CAD basics. Not all CAD programs come with tutorials, but they should. Use the online help file. An online help file is included with many of the CAD programs we tested. Most online help files are a gold mine of information and provide a quick source of help-yourself assistance.

The file allows you to look for help in three ways: by a table of contents, topic index or key-word search. Click on the help tool. This tool is great! It adds a question mark to the on-screen cursor's arrow. When you click on an unfamiliar tool or menu item, you get Simple Woodworking Cad 2019 an instant explanation of its function. Read the manual. Some programs in-clude printed or PDF-file manuals. These manuals in-clude explanations of how to use the various CAD tools. Manuals are a good reference but are not generally as user-friendly as an online help file.

Other help options. Some companies provide free phone support for the first 30 days or more; others charge for it.

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