Thread: Woodwork design software

Look at the TurboCAD suite of products, not free, however the cost is quite modest and dirt cheap compared to an AutoCAD licence.

Traditional "CAD software" utilizes linework, faces, objects etc and "blocks" - a means of presenting a group of linework etc representing an individual component (a hinge, catch, box side etc). Once drawn / created and saved as a "block" that component can be saved in the drawing or saved in a directory for reuse in other drawings. Blocks also offer the advantage that a modification to the block will update all occurrences of that block within a drawing but can also have unintended consequences if you wish to only modify one specific object.

As a Surveyor / Designer I have worked with AutoCAD from 1985 on and its niche products like Map / Civil, plus a few others such as Cadsman etc. The most difficult issue I have had with TurboCad Deluxe is "unlearning" the Autocad process / methodology / syntax of commands from near 35 years of continuous use.

TurboCAD Deluxe offers 2D and 3D capability though I still prefer to work in 2D, so can't offer any real personal insight on its true 3D capability.

DraftSight, not free but very good, its what I use

i started using sketchup many years ago, but switched over to Fusion360 a few years ago and haven't looked elsewhere

I primarily only do a model with something that requires me to plan out something big ie laundry reno.

If its something small or fairly simple in design ie a cabinet, i'd do a rough drawing and scribble some notes down in onenote and other than that winging it, is my go to option.

I used ViaCad which I've found works quite well. I can design individual components and then assemble/disassemble them, rotate, mirror etc, and change sizes using smart dimensioning, although I don't often use that.