Sketchup by Google is a popular one and it is a free download, however it does have a learning curve but if you search Youtube you will find tutorials that will help out tremenduosly
Sketchup is having a hard time with my brain! :-( I have tried several times to create something simple and just can't do it. I keep going back to graph paper. At least I can draw something I recognize. :-(
I'm an electrical engineer by day and use AutoCAD on a semi-regular basis at work. Going back and forth between it a Sketchup is not the easiest at times, but I've found Sketchup to be much easier with basic 3D design. I drew up plans for a buffet for the wife from a picture in a couple of hours last week. I'm still experimenting with the CutList settings, but it seems to be a pretty good material takeoff extension.
sketchup has a pretty harsh learning curve to start but once you've got the basics it's much easier to develop the other skills. I like using it but most times I do a 2-d design on paper in a much shorter time than I can do anything on sketchup. I have modeled my whole house in sketchup (the basic structure, not the cosmetic details) for purposes of making quick changes to see what I like better, though.
Watch a couple quick YouTube vids and you should have at least the basics of SketchUp down pat in about 10 minutes.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Woodworking Talk
1M posts
88.3K members
Since 2006
A forum community dedicated to professional woodworkers and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about shop safety, wood, carpentry, lumber, finishing, tools, machinery, woodworking related topics, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!