Looking for software for woodworking design

[whitecobra]

I am looking for EASY software to design projects with

The requirements are that it is material based not project based and it is NOT line based (like CAD/CAM stuff)

What I mean is that for example one can pull up a dimensional piece of lumber state its length and width and place it on the diagram. Then add in another piece and when the two pieces meet they "connect"

What we need is a software package that is super easy to use for kids and young adults to design small wood projects like cabinets, jigs, and fixtures on that then prints the diagram so that a cut list and or similar can be made up

Does this exist???

NOT looking for CAD software that is WAY too involved. We have cut management software but we need to input the individual pieces and we need software to calculate those pieces and needs

If we look at a 4 drawer cabinet in a kitchen or bath we need front frames made up of stiles and rails with connectors in between each drawer then we need sides tops and bottoms then each drawer needs fronts backs and siders etc.....

The materials should be able to be determined since that would alter the dimensions etc...

Thanks in advance

Doc

[Doug Jones]

http://www.sketchup.com/

[tedkitch]

I don't know about a particular woodworking software, but there are two programs that I use for doing basic stuff that isn't that involved. The first one is free and the second isn't, but I like it.

1. Google SketchUp (Free) can be downloaded here. Learning curve isn't too bad and for the price it does a good job.
2. Microsoft Visio (Price varies) can be purchased here. There is so much that can be done with this software and it isn't nearly as difficult to use as a CAD/CAM product is. However, it isn't intended to be used for woodworking, but it is very easy to get it to do what you want and it does snap pieces together by default. Another bonus is that so many templates exist for this program, you can do everything from the layout of your house to a network diagram.

HTH,

[whitecobra]

Sketch Up is WAY too hard a curve to learn to use and the Visio might be neat but at $300 that wont' work for kids either

Doc

[dlminehart]

If you can afford $150, take a look at Design Intuition. Specially designed for woodworking, and easy to use.

[Warren]

Sketch Up is pretty intuitive. With kids who are comfortable around computers (pretty much most of them are) I'd let them play with it for a while, get creative, with a little guidance they'll probably pick it up faster than I did.

If you don't have it. Down load it and mess around for a couple of evenings.

[whitecobra]

We messed with Sketch Up but couldnt' seem to get it to do the basic fast enough
We need to for example crank out a kitchen cabinet diagram with door fronts and drawers quickly with the software calculating the dimensions once the carcass is created and materials determined

Doc