"Dick Snyder" wrote in
:

I have always designed my projects using graph paper, ruler, pencil,
and (lots of) eraser. I have a somewhat more complicated job I want to
do now. There is a design for an entertainment center in FWW that I
want to adapt. I would like to take the measurements from the article,
enter them on a computer somehow, and then change the things I want. I
have a friend who uses Google Sketchup. He found it awkward to use and
not that sophisticated. I don't want to invest the money and a lot of
learning time on a CAD program unless I can get a recommendation on
this group for a product that one of you likes to use. Should I stick
to my paper, pencil, and eraser?

TIA.

Dick Snyder



If you're familiar with drafting, a program called CadStd will get you
going right away. It's basically computer drafting. A little quirky at
first, but once you get used to the interface it's easy to use.

Sketchup takes a bit to get used to, also. I had to take the time to get
used to the 3D aspect, but didn't find anything too difficult. The
interface is a little quirky as well, but not terrible. (Zooming, for
example, is done by selecting the Zoom tool and moving the mouse up or
down.)

CadStd has a Lite version that does quite a bit, or a Pro version for
around $50. Sketchup is free, with a Pro version that costs around $500
(I think). For the base program in either case, you're out only your
time to try it.

Puckdropper

--
Never teach your apprentice everything you know.