Woodworking Design Comments

Woodworking Comments from Terry

“I’ve been using SketchList for a VERY short time, less than a month. I have some experience with 2D drawing from working 35 years as engineer, but I do have some wood working experience, about 50 years. But I’m far from being a journeyman. Now that I’m retired I’m working on replacing all 3 of my bathroom cabinets and completely redesigning my kitchen, which will require about 20 to 30 new cabinets. What I found in SketchList was that it was very intuitive and I was able to begin designing a simple medicine cabinet immediately without taking the time to investigate the available attributes of the software. Which is a mistake as learning by try and error is not as proficient. I purchased the Pro version because of the complex cabinet designs that I expect. The following is a response to the 3 questions you sent me.

What did SketchList do for you?

Simplified the design process of cabinets.  It is very intuitive and the basics can be learned within hours.  SketchList has a very well written manual.  The table of contents are hyper linked to each of the sections and most of the sections have hyperlinks to YouTube videos, illustrate the process very clearly.  In addition, there are numerous YouTube videos that illustrate how-to.

How did SketchList 3D help you?

I have only used SketchList for less than a month and within the first 3 days of using it I was able to design a bathroom medicine cabinet. Not just a box design but I was able to place the peg holes in the panels, dado set the walls to the face and set and check clearance tolerances. In addition, add a raised panel door to the cabinet with hardware. I have cabinets to design and build for 3 bathrooms and 20 to 30 kitchen cabinets to design and build.

What would you say to others?

While SketchList is not a high end software package like AutoCAD, which would be an overkill for designing cabinets, it is easy to learn, has the capability needed to initially design cabinets and is very well worth the price. I’ve reviewed several other software packages and their cost/capability doesn’t compare.”

Terry added in this email:

“I sent you an email regarding the design of a Roman Ogee raised panel door.  I attempted your recommended approach but was not successful.  The software limited the contouring to the edge of the board.  I’ve also investigated every other potential approaches but the software would not allow me to contour the face of a board.  Is there an approach?  I’ve also attached what the contour of the door face should look like.  I may be wrong, but if the algorithm attributes of the Edge and Surface had the same capabilities, the capabilities of the software would be well enhanced.”

My response email to him:

“I thought I got back to you about the contour.  Yes SketchList 3D does not contour a surface – in my mind [scary place sometimes] it doesn’t belong there.  Now it’s on an edge – but in V5 we will probably put contours on corners – where edges meet.

What we really need to add is a more flexibly contour definition form.

I was able to use the roman contour to do this – which isn’t exactly what you want….  But the Roman contour is a very flexible contour in SketchList 3D.

Now if you REALLY need that you can change the orientation of the board onto its side [surface face up and down] and use the shape tool.  You will be able to do the shape.   The downside is that board won’t optimize or appear correctly on the cut list.

SketchList 3D is not a CAD tool so the level of detail is less than CAD might do.  We are working on more detail in V5.  If you like – you have lots of experience – take a pass at designings a universal contour form.  We’ll certainly take any input you may give.”

Quick review of contours – watch this video.  [Some of the forms in this video maybe have been modified after the video was captured.]

Thank you Terry for taking the time to communicate.  With this type of feedback we can continue to modify SketchList 3D to be even better for designing for woodworking.