About SketchList
What would be the best package for me and my needs: Pro or Hobby?
It is difficult to say. For high detail work, where features such as multiple contoured shapes and many grain patterns and color are important, the Professional version is better suited. The reporting is more extensive and detailed in the Professional version. For example, one of the reports available in the Professional version shows the way to layout parts on materials to minimize waste.
The Hobby version is for the casual woodworker who is interested in designing in 3D, but because of budgetary constraints is willing to accept less detailing his or her designs and is willing to put more time in generating output necessary for building in the shop.
Both versions output a detailed parts list which is sufficient for actually building the projects.
Purchasing SketchList
Does the key for the Special introductory offer expire? Does that version include everything?
The introductory price of $240 for the Professional version, or $100 for the Hobby version, is a limited-time offer. However, the key itself will not expire. Any SketchList 3D package purchased under this special offer will indefinitely extend the trial period.
I’m considering buying this software as a gift for a friend but don’t understand the difference among what is available.
The initial release of SketchList Version Two attempted to provide many alternative payment plans to address the needs of every woodworker. Since that time, we have simplified by providing just two prices: Professional and Hobby versions. The Hobby version is being revamped – with several features added. An announcement will be made when the update is ready.
Upgrading
I bought an annual key and have not installed it yet because I have bought a new computer. Any chance I could pay the difference to get the unlimited key?
Yes, we would be happy to provide another key for the difference. Please email us with your contact information and we’ll be in touch.
Is there an upgrade path for Lite/Hobby users? I am interested in the Pro version now.
Yes, at this time we will upgrade Hobby users to the Professional version for the difference in the prices. Please email us with your contact information and we’ll be in touch.
Moving Between Versions
Any way to move projects from V1 (no longer available) to V2 (the current version)?
We’re sorry, but the amount of data needed to represent a project in Version Two is much greater than that of Version One. There is no way to transfer projects between versions.
Version One Issues and Errors
I am using the basic Sketch List 3D (Version One). First, the purchase list will not print; the program shuts down whenever I hit the print button from the purchase list window. Second, the 2D display becomes unstable at times.
I’m sorry you experienced those problems. They have been corrected in Version Two, but we are no longer supporting Version One.
How do we get software updates? I have SketchList 3D 1.5.0.21.
We are no longer supporting Version One of SketchList 3D. If you need to refresh your software with the download, or need a new key due to a change in your computer configuration, please send an e-mail.
I had to reinstall SketchList again and need a License Key. The Serial Number is FAXZB50TNEW
That type of serial number is generated by Version One of SketchList. This version is no longer supported.
Activation Keys
I can’t activate SketchList Pro on my new computer. It tells me I have used the activation number already.
Apparently the key had been registered on your old computer. You need to uninstall that and send in for a new key.
I purchased the new SketchList 3D Pro, and installed it on my computer. I have since purchased a new computer, and I am trying to move SketchList to the new computer. The license key doesn’t work.
With Version Two of SketchList you can only register the key once. Send an e-mail requesting a new key and instructions how to use it.
Platforms
Does SketchList 3d work on a 64 bit PC system?
Yes.
When do you expect to have a Mac version?
The Mac version of SketchList 3D should be available in March 2012. We will be looking for people to test the first release of the Mac software. Because of inherent differences between the PC and Mac, we cannot absolutely guarantee all of the current features will be available on the Mac in exactly the same way as they are on the PC version. Our goal is to make it so, but technical limitations may prohibit it.
When the Mac version comes out will there be the exclusive $240.00 offer?
The pricing and special offers have not yet been determined.
Can I purchase now to start with the Windows version, and then switch to Mac?
The expectation is that there will be some conversion policy for people moving from a PC to a Mac, but the details are not yet available.
Will an iPad app be available for this program?
We are designing concepts for an iPad version. Implementation has not been scheduled.
Using the Software
Is the software easy to learn for a Hobbyist?
Ease of use is a personal assessment. We have had people generate complex designs within a day or two of downloading the trial copy. Some say that SketchList 3D is much easier to learn than traditional CAD systems. Users proficient in those systems have moved to SketchList because it is more productive and easier to use. To make your own decision on the ease of use, view the videos. If they seem understandable, download a trial and see for yourself. If you have specific questions, send them to info@sketchlist.com.
Can I import projects from Google SketchUp?
Sorry, no.
Is it possible to make sure boards don’t bump into each other, i.e., not occupy the same space at the same time?
Not in any restrictive way. The tradeoff is that during design time – as boards are moved around – there are times when ‘bumping’ happens and restrictions would impede progress. For example a board with a tenon would ‘bump’ into the board with a mortise. The test of seeing that boards are butted and not overlapping to so see in the board spreadsheet that – for example – the right side of one board is less (spaced) or equal to (butted) that of the left side of the second board.
How do you create a dovetail?
A dovetail joinery type is applied to the edge of a board. Basically, you specify the height and angle of the dovetail. You can dovetail a surfac3e with the shaping tool
Does anything detail the creation of doors? When I try to enter opening orientations for the door, nothing happens.
There are two videos at www.sketchlist.com that show how to make doors. Creating a Five Piece Door and Raised Panel Doors. Hopefully they will help.
Will your program design pharmacy furniture, or you do have a specific program for that?
SketchList 3D will allow you to design any type of cabinet or storage unit. What may be specific to the pharmacy, I do not know.
One area I spent a long time on was shaping. Other software I’ve tried does not typically limit shaping to the surface side only and allows it to also be done on the edges. SketchList 3D says this is not possible. I wondered why?
Shaping only the two surfaces is a limitation and relates to how I viewed a board when I created SketchList – mostly concerned about joinery back then. The question is do I make all ‘surfaces’ able to be shaped OR do I provide functions to help users more easily accomplish the shapes without the work. This depends a bit on programming difficulty and use input when I get to it. I suspect this will be addressed in V3 next year. Maybe sooner depending on user demand.
The only other area I was surprised at was what appears to be an inability to put say multiply dovetails along an edge. It seems to let you create one big one, but not multiple little ones, and not always in the plane I wanted them in.
The current approach to dovetails as a joint is to give you the ability to add one sliding dovetail parallel to the board surfaces. You can also shape a dovetail into a surface. But you cannot create (which is which – pins?) the other dovetail. Again this is a function we can add if demand is there for it. The questions are how much control or flexibility is too much? Is the presence of dovetails visual design only or needed in the shop?
What about a library of hardware – or doors or drawers for that matter?
We will provide a library at some time. Currently two full kitchens are in the works for distribution with SketchList 3D. Email me if you’d like a copy.
How do I insert a board in an assembly?
Many videos show this. For example watch this one.
I have been working on drawing a kitchen table. I have 7.5″ boards for the top. I rounded the first board with the “shape” tool with a 7.5″ rounded corner. I wanted to clone it to the other end but cannot find any way to flip it so it would work. Where is the tool to flip a board?
There is no flip or rotate functions in version two. I am planning on putting on into version three – winter of 2013.
Can you simulate wood bending in Sketchlist? I’m designing a bed with an arched headboard that has a molded cap on top. To build the molded cap i want to bend and epoxy several thin splines of wood against the mold. I have found in the material shaping function how to cut arch shapes into wood, but there doesn’t appear to be a function for actually bending a board into an arch ?
You might tke a board and shape it to affect the curve. I have done this and it works to a large extent. SketchList does not bend wood.
Can you simulate wood turning objects… for example if i needed to turn a wooden leg for a chair?
No SketchList 3D cannot turn a round. You can create a dowel by shaping a long board to a round shape – and even stack a series of square boards – say 1 inch thick – that have a contour applied all around and then shaped to a circle.
I have a question for you…do you know when or if a change is going to be made to the reports so that they show the dimensions in fractions rather then decimal.
We are on the hunt for all text boxes that do not accept both decimals and fraction and converting them to do so. If you find one – let us know.
How can I easily add double lines of shelf pin holes inside cabinets and bookcases? I tried using the hole function, but kept getting an error message stating the hole touched the board….
Two answers here. the touch a board message is a bug that has been fixed. Will be out in the March 1st update. We are working on a clone and space function for holes so you can take 5mm or 1/4 inch holes and space them every X distances apart.
Having played around with scetchlist a bit now I was wondering if there is an option for all materials to be in millimeters as we rarely use inches in Britain.
You can create materials either as imperial or metric system sizes.
Other Questions
Does the application check for upgrades or do I have to download the update?
At this time we notify our users about upgrades. Over time we will implement an automatic upgrade checker.
Is there a method that I can delete previously created “standards”? I’ve accumulated a lot of junk in that database and would like to eliminate those standards that are in error or no longer used.
The ability to delete shop drawings is in the current version. The ability to delete standards will be in the update of March 1.
I need a little help on one of the attached files. I am attempting to make dentil molding that wraps around the side of my wall cabinet.
Two approaches to dentil molding. One is to cut non-round holes. After the March 1 upgrade you will be able to cut and then clone and space them over a given distance. The other way to to take a small block and do a clone and space with that — that works in the current version.
Can I copy a drawer from one assembly to another?
You can select the drawer (or board, or door, or assembly) and make it a standard. Then you can call that standard into other places.
Is there any way to delete dimension drawings?
We have implemented the ability to delete dimension lines in a drawing and are working on deleting old on unwanted drawings. March 1.
Is there a way to upload custom textures for the board materials.
It would be great to have textures that are transparent for glass or brick and stone for use as a fireplace surround.
There is no ability to input your own texture. If you have one you want to use and are willing to share – I’ll see about incorporating it. There are textures for stone in the material database, and you can set the transparency of materials.
Similar software packages have user forums and shared project areas. I was wondering whether SketchList 3D has a similar setup or user based infrastructure.
We have twice in the recent past attempted to get designs to share among users. I have perhaps 10 projects the users have submitted. I don’t know why the number is so low – there are probably thousands of projects out there around the world. I will make the project I do have available on the web page and perhaps in the DB of SketchList 3D. I also have on my list of things to do the addition of an open forum area on the web. If you have suggestions on how this should look / work I am all eyes.
What do I do if I have some other question?
Send an email to info@sketchlist.com.
Are there support forums?
No support forum has been formed as of yet. Questions regarding the use of the product are generally answered in the form of posts to our website at www.sketchlist.com. You may register to receive email notifications when new articles are posted.
