I don't use ply for anything but backs and, ocassionally, panel inserts. It
really doesn't much look like wood. Either you get a weird rotary grain or
equally weird strips.
Inexpensive commercial furniture is mostly ply with either solid wood or
veneer over the ends.

Yes, real wood is glued up in panels. With care you can match the wood so
it is nearly invisible. If you take a course they will show you how.

wrote in message
oups.com...
The rabbet joint seems reasonable. Are most larger cases put together
with ply or real wood? When done with real wood, is it commonplace to
have to glue boards together to accomodate the larger widths of the
individual faces? Thanks!