Do you want to start woodworking? Do you want to improve your understanding of wood uses and design? Then you should be using the best software for designing. While there are many such tools such as AutoDesk (CAD) programs, I personally prefer PADS. You can learn more here: Best Software for Woodworking Design
You’ve got an idea for a woodworking design. Now you have to translate that design into a working prototype. Today, software can aid you in most stages of your woodworking design cycle, including creating your plans, creating your 3D model, importing it into CAD software or even experimenting with different materials. Here are our top picks for software for woodworking design…
SketchUp
There are few free drawing applications as popular as this software and these are due to its history. SketchUp’s purchase by Google played an important role in increasing its popularity and number of users as its parent company put its huge advertising power to sell the app. Today, SketchUp is owned by another company but its popularity remains due to its features.https://www.youtube.com/embed/u80grW1zjOw?feature=oembed
The drawing software was built for both 2D drawings and 3D modeling. Woodworkers can make use of the hand or a stylus pen to draw woodworking designs on its responsive workspace and interface. These 2D drawings can then be turned into 3D models which provide a more accurate view of designs. SketchUp also comes with a wide array of tools that simplify drawing from scratch or editing already existing ideas.
Pros
- SketchUp is free which means you can use all its extended features for woodworking designs without paying a dime.
- Diverse drawing tools that enhance productivity including a woodworking plug-in dedicated to woodworkers.
- Easy to use for both beginner and professional designers
Cons
- It is limited in terms of executing stress analysis or testing the feasibility of a design
- Using SketchUp for commercial designs comes with a cost
SketchList 3D
Unlike the other options above this application, SketchList 3D was designed solely for woodworkers. It is not a suite of packages with woodwork design features but a suite of tools solely built for woodworking designs. To this end, the features are easier to use, and in many cases, woodworkers design by dragging and dropping components to make a functional design.https://www.youtube.com/embed/UwKx6Y-G5FU?feature=oembed
SketchList comes equipped with design features such as one-click curtains, one-click joints, drill hole emulation, different wood types, and custom design materials for woodworking. The extended repository of components it offers also simplifies the task of creating woodwork designs. You can also choose to input designs from other platforms and edit them using SketchList.
Pros
- SketchList isn’t free and you may have to part with approximately a hundred dollars to use this application. The payment is a one-time payment that allows you to use it for life.
- SketchList allows you to create project reports that include the number of materials needed for a job and the cost of executing a job.
- It comes with an easy learning curve, unlike other CAD applications that can be used for woodwork design.
Cons
- Although you get an easier tool to use for designs, it does not come with the advanced features needed to test ideas before implementation.
- SketchList isn’t free but with a lifetime purchase of $100, it is affordable for commercial woodworkers looking for a software application to use.
Easy Woodworking Design
As its name suggests, this application was designed with the aim of enabling woodworkers to create designs as quickly as possible without any prior CAD knowledge. To this end, it comes with simplification tools such as one-click design features and reporting features. The software enables 2D drawing and creating 3D models.
Easy Woodworking Design Software is a woodworking project management system which means it does more than just design. Users can use this application to develop reports and analyze building costs. It is also an excellent editing tool that supports the uploading of external designs into its interface for enhancements or cost evaluations.
Pros
- It provides support for the creation, edit, and deletion of boards with ease. Its intuitive user-interface also ensures users get started with designing quickly.
- It allows the user to drag and drops boards while showing the effect of these edit to an assembly in real-time.
- Provides support for calculating shelf or divider spacing, cut angles, and other design calculations.
- Generates diverse reports which include project and assembly lumber reports, assembly hardware reports, and create inventories for any product or design.
Cons
- At $39, Easy Woodworking Design is affordable for commercial users but may be viewed as an expensive design tool for hobbyists.
- Despite its many features, it does not provide extended features for testing the viability of designs.
EZ Wood Project Designer – Best Furniture Design Software
We like simplicity, and we’re sure many designers out there would agree. EZ Wood Project Designer is straightforward to use and a complete package in one, all at a pocket-friendly price. From guides, templates to plans, the collection they offer has everything that would assist you.
You won’t need to have extensive experience with design software and CAD tools—EZ Wood Project Designer allows you to finish your projects with their complete assistive books, guides and charts. They also have a very handy tool that allows users to estimate the potential costs of a project before starting.
It’s a perfect fit for woodworkers who are beginning their woodworking journey and haven’t dabbled yet in CAD software. It is affordable, packed with many benefits, and a bargain for any level of woodworker.
Pros
- All-in-one package
- Affordable
- Easy to use
- Great for beginners
- Complete guides, books and charts available
- Projects can be designed with a pencil
Cons
- Not a software
Pro100
This Woodworking Design software caters to woodworkers and interior designers. This program helps you plan and visualize your woodworking ideas and has both 2D and 3D capabilities.
Our experts say Pro100 has a very strong 3D plan simulation with a very convenient rendering engine. If you like to build detailed designs, Pro100 has with all the gadgets and tools to realize your vision. You might have to watch a few videos to get the hang of it.
Pro100 does charge a fee for users, but before you take the plunge the software features an estimation tool that will show you the approximate cost of each design build.
Pros
- Simple to work with
- Powerful 3D rendering engine
- Great for Gcode production for CNC machines
Cons
- Costs money
- Won’t have as many features as some other software
Conclusion
Choosing the right woodworking design software can be stressful because you want to be fully informed. Unfortunately, many sketchup tutorials are not very practical. I have found that there are only a limited number of woodworking design software applications that are worthy of being used because they offer everything you need.