The hard truth is that outdated design methods can slow you down, waste valuable time, and cost you money on every project.
As a woodworker, you know the right tools make all the difference, and that starts long before the first cut. SketchList 3D gives you a faster, easier way to plan custom projects, create accurate designs, and move from idea to finished piece with more confidence.
Start your woodworking software free trial today and see how much easier it can be to spend less time planning and more time building.
If you can’t produce high-quality drawings and plans for your woodworking, you’re toast. And even if you can create drawings, you still need to make revisions quickly and react instantly to changing circumstances if you want to remain ahead of the competition.
Having the right woodworking software tools can make all the difference. Using the wrong software, however, is really counterproductive.
Sketching out designs on paper is time-consuming and challenging to modify. You are wasting time by frequently preparing and changing your drawings. And instead of impressing your prospects with your proposal, hand-drawn proposals create doubt, raise too many questions, and fail to separate you from the pack of other bidders.
While CAD software may seem like a time saver, it’s really a time sink. It’s draining to learn and sorely limited in its ability to quickly make adjustments. And when it comes to cut-lists or material diagrams? Don’t even ask!
You need software that was designed by woodworkers, for woodworkers. It should ‘think’ like you do so that you can focus on the design and not the software.
SketchList 3D’s woodworking design software enables you to optimize your design process, turning your vision into a step-by-step action plan, complete with cut lists, material layouts, and purchase reports for accurate cost estimates.
With the advanced features and an interface specifically designed for the woodworking workflow, you’ll have less stress, fewer headaches, and be able to unlock your full potential to design more complex and sophisticated projects with confidence.
How It Works
The 3D rendering engine uses your design calculations and cut angles to generate 3D models instantly on the screen. The built-in features and analytical tools automatically generate the layouts, spreadsheets, drawings, cut lists, and purchase list reports for all your needs. From chairs and benches to tables and closets, our woodworking software makes project guesswork obsolete.
01
Inserting virtual boards
02
Cutting them to size
03
Locating them in the design
Feature
Every SketchList 3D design produces a complete cut list automatically, and it updates the moment you change the design. No plugins, no manual recalculation. Export it to PDF or CSV for the shop, or DXF for a CNC.
Workflow
SketchList 3D is a design and planning tool rather than a CAM program, but it fits cleanly into a CNC workflow. As you design, the built-in optimizer generates a DXF file you can import directly into your CNC software, along with automatic cut lists, material layouts, and shop drawings.
For shops that need full CAM with G-code generation, SketchList hands off to tools like Fusion 360 or Vectric. For shops that cut by hand or on the table saw, no CNC is needed.
Foundations
Woodworking design software lets you model furniture, cabinets, and custom builds in 3D, then automatically produces the cut lists, material layouts, and shop drawings you need to build them.
SketchList 3D is purpose-built for this. It is used by professional cabinet and furniture shops and by hobbyist woodworkers alike, with no CAD background required, because it works in real shop terms: boards, joinery, and cuts.
Your Path to Expertise
Choose a woodworking and carpentry design program that is better at streamlining your workflow.
Whether you are new to the world of woodworking or can recite the different wood types in your sleep, here are the steps to take to bring your woodworking designs to the next level:
01
Sign Up for Free
Download and install SketchList 3D and access the full woodworking design software experience with our free software 14-day trial.
02
Review our Video Tutorials
Review our collection of step-by-step video guides that give you a comprehensive deep dive into each one of SketchList’s powerful features.
03
Start with a Basic Project
As you get started with your first practice project in this new world of 3D carpentry, we are only a call, email, or text away. We also have a comprehensive collection of supporting materials that will guide you along your way.
04
Fast-track the learning curve by joining our weekly workshops where we explain in detail how the tools work, discuss some tips and tricks, and answer any and all questions about our woodworking design program.
Your Competitive Edge
2D Drawings with pencil and paper as part of the design and drafting process just don’t cut it.. Show your clients your woodworking ideas in a realistic 3D model, and the project is as good as yours.
With a few clicks, you can reproduce recurring design elements and generate wood-cutting lists, shop drawings, and material layouts.
Designing furniture and 3D modeling unique, functional pieces is now faster and more cost-effective with our in-built features and state-of-the-art drawing software.
Make sure you and your clients visualize and have the same goal from the get-go.
After a 3D model is complete, your client will have a much better idea of how the final project will look. If something in the plan needs to be changed, you can do so quickly with minimal effort.
Whether you’re looking for furniture design software or kitchen design software, no matter which area of woodworking you specialize in, SketchList supports them all.
Whether you’re a commercial woodworker or just starting out, our drawing software has the tools to help sharpen your skills. We have helped nearly 5,000 users go from wasting hours in their process to creating quality, detailed woodworking design plans and schematics for their projects in less time than they’d imagined possible. We’re here to give you the same dedication to your journey – no matter what stage you’re at.
When you choose our carpentry design software, you’re choosing a tool that will help you achieve complete success in your woodworking projects. We understand the importance of having a professional-grade design tool that is easy to use and reliable – something that will save you time and frustration.
After dedicating a little bit of time to learning our wood modeling software, we guarantee that you will walk away with confidence that you are making the best decision for your woodworking needs.
Designed for Simplicity
Use only the best woodworking design software tools to model everything from full kitchens and offices to entertainment centers, display cases, cabinets, beds, and drawers.
Working with virtual 3D model boards replicates the methods, woodworking, and practices you use in the shop.
3D boards make modeling feel like working in the shop.
Drag and snap features help cut proposal time and ensure accurate placement of adjoining objects every time.
Commonly used board joinery happens when you select the board and click to apply the joint. Add a few sizing points and you have it.
Cut virtually any shape onto a board surface. Add curves, cut angles, notches, and create circles or ovals in minutes.
Arrange boards in your design quickly and accurately, with the ability to make copies.
Dynamic material database with precise measurements, textures, and opacity that are easily added to or modified. Use any material you can envision.
Get access to templates and other tips and tricks for optimizing your workflow and improving quality and accuracy.
Wow clients, friends, and family with the photorealistic 3D image before you even start building.
Instant updates simplify client collaboration and reduce back-and-forth revisions. You can save and share any drawing or image in standard file formats.
Integrated reporting ensures that project changes are reflected in all reports instantaneously.
Automated material costing helps you make accurate bids.
Automated reports show how much material you need and help prevent CNC cutting errors. Shopping lists detail the required materials, quantities, and costs.
Layout optimization reduces scrap and trims material costs. A by-product of the optimizer is the DXF file for interfacing with computer-aided design for precise CNC cutting.
Metric and imperial options allow you to work in either measurement system.
Import any photo to incorporate diverse wood types, colors, and grains into your designs.
Product Comparison
How SketchList’s woodworking design software measures up against the general CAD tools woodworkers reach for most.
Built for woodworkers
Engineering CAD adapted for woodworking
3D modeling and visualization
Real-time 3D with photorealistic materials
Strong 3D, optional V-Ray rendering
Built-in joinery
Automatic cut list
Automatic, updates with every change
Requires a plugin (OpenCutList)
Not available
Material and board optimization
Built-in optimizer; outputs DXF plus material/cost reports
Not available
Not available
Shop drawings and reports
Learning curve
Pricing
CNC integration
Plans start at $37.50/mo with a 14-day free trial. No credit card required.
When compared with SketchUp or Fusion 360, SketchList 3D is the only carpentry design software truly built to mimic the way a woodworker thinks. If you are struggling to create cabinets in SketchUp, stop wasting time, win more bids, and work smarter. Try SketchList 3D with our woodworking design software free trial.
Design Possibilities
The beauty of custom woodworkers is that if you can imagine it, you can build it. And 3D modeling is the best way to bring your ideas to life!
SketchList3D
Nearly 5,000 people, just like you, have trusted us to help them transform their woodworking workflow and achieve their goals. Join the SketchList 3D community and reignite your passion for woodworking.
Testimonials
Plain AWESOME software!
I’ve had Sketchlist for a few weeks now and already sold four jobs with it. I just figured out how to put all 4 wardrobes into one project and run the optimizer to see what materials to order! Thanks, you just saved me some time! Thanks again for all the hard work you put into your product to make it amazing, you thought of everything. I can’t wait to discover all the tricks and tips in the future.
Shawn Jensen
Cabinet Designer
I am a beginner at woodworking but a veteran PC user (software developer/tech) so being able to use software to build the furniture I want in an intuitive manner before trying to figure it out in the real world is a huge plus for me. I have been trying to figure out a desk design for my studio for over six months without much luck, with SketchList I got it down in about 8 hours.
Pat Kelley
Hobby Woodworker
I have to say, I’m impressed with your product – so much so I did purchase after the trial. I’m truly a “basement shop” hobbyist! I’ve dabbled in woodworking in school and on and off again.
After an office remodel, I decided to make a desk to my liking instead of wasting time and effort shopping for one.
Love the software, keep up the great work. 🙂
Todd
Hobby Woodworker
I am a brand-new customer and, after 30 minutes, have fallen in love with SketchList Hobby. Your program is exactly what I needed – and it is so easy to use. In my first 30 minutes of use, I learned all about SketchList Hobby as I entered my current project. It’s just a simple crate, but it has to be exactly right in order to protect the contents that will be stored within. As I learned more about the program, and took advantage of the different views and tools, I found more than one…
John Canning
Furniture Builder
FAQ
Common questions about choosing and using woodworking design software.
Professionals and cabinet shops generally use purpose-built woodworking software like SketchList 3D, general 3D modelers like SketchUp, or engineering CAD like Fusion 360. Shops that need production-ready output, automatic cut lists, material layouts, and shop drawings, tend to favor purpose-built tools because everything is generated straight from the design with no plugins.
It should, if you are building and not just visualizing. SketchList 3D generates a complete cut list automatically and updates it instantly with every change, no plugins. SketchUp requires a plugin such as OpenCutList, and Fusion 360 does not generate cut lists at all.
Yes. SketchList 3D exports a DXF file that imports directly into CNC software for cutting, along with cut lists and shop drawings. It is a design tool rather than a CAM program, so shops needing full G-code pair it with Fusion 360 or Vectric. Shops that cut by hand do not need CNC at all.
SketchUp is a capable general 3D modeler, but it was not built for woodworking, so cut lists, joinery, and material reports usually need plugins or manual work. Purpose-built alternatives like SketchList 3D include those out of the box. Other options include Fusion 360 and free tools like FreeCAD. See our full breakdown: SketchList 3D vs SketchUp.
Whether it is purpose-built for woodworking, automatic cut list generation, built-in joinery, material optimization to reduce waste, shop drawings and cost reports for bidding, the learning curve, CNC and DXF export, and Mac plus Windows support. SketchList 3D covers all of these in one tool.
SketchList3D
SketchList 3D V5 gives you the stress-free design experience you’ve been looking for. Sign up for 14 days of our woodworking design software free trial. No credit or card is required.
Enter your information below in order to download the Free Trial.
Please check your Spam/Promotions if you don’t see the email.
© 2025 SketchList3D Inc.
All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy | Cookies Policy
