3D CAD Software For Designers and Fitters

More and more carpenters, kitchen and bathroombe changed at some point to a greater or lesser
fitters, shop and interior designers, landscapedegree. It may be the client changing their mind or
gardeners and builders of decking and wood barnsthe local authorities laying down restrictions. In the
and are realising the need and benefits of coming offpast this may have meant starting again with a new
the drawing board and using a CAD system as theirdrawing but with a CAD drawing this is achieved
main design tool. The long term benefits arepainlessly by simply updating your drawing. Because
substantial in terms of time and cost and learningit's easy to edit it is also easy to present the client
how to plan in some CAD packages is fairly easy forwith variations on a basic design without having to
anyone in these businesses, especially those used todraw each one individually. Different colour
reading plans.combinations or wood finishes can be displayed with
Some CAD programmes are exclusively 2D, but moretwo clicks of the mouse and after a while being able
and more these days clients want the ability to beto 'walk through' your proposed design will impress
able to view designs in 3D to get a clear idea of theand win the contract.
finished look of the building and this is now possibleIt is important that the CAD system is able to read
with software costing about the same as a drawingall the main file formats, as many as possible. As long
board. It is also possible to photograph an existingas this is the case, swapping files with other
interior, building or plot of land, import the picture intocompanies and other designers is not a problem. It
your computer, (this operation takes two minutes),will also make reading Sketch Up files and building
and superimpose your revised design to present toupon them possible. Being able to save as PDF will
the client. This level of technology, while easily learnt,allow you to send designs to those without their own
gives any designer / builder an edge overCAD package for approval or comment.
competitors, especially if the opposition are still relyingOnce the fundamental skills are learnt designs will
on 2D drawings.take a fraction of the time they used to, or if you
The first steps in putting the design together are nohave been paying an architect or CAD professional,
different on a computer than it is at the drawingwill save you thousands of pounds in costs.
board. There are a few lessons to be learnt, but forThe more you use CAD the more you learn and the
many packages this can take only a day and there ismore possibilities start to open up. Large material
often on line or telephone help when stuck. Thelibraries are available to be imposed on a surface with
three big advantages to coming off the drawinga click of the mouse. Bricks can be laid as Stretcher,
board are firstly that mistakes and changes are easilyCommon, Flemish, English, Stack and Rowlock. Wood
corrected. Secondly, components used on a regulargrains can be opened up, changed direction or colour
basis can be stored and simply dropped in, no needand there are metals marbles, stones, textiles, wood
to re-draw each time. Thirdly, drawings can beflooring etc, etc. Both indoor and garden furniture can
electronically sent to clients, manufactures or possiblybe downloaded free and inserted into your design to
local authorities via the planning portal, for planninggive a more realistic look. Lighting can be changed to
permission and comment.create shadows to add a bit of drama to the finished
Most designs, in all areas of construction, will need tovisualisation and - it becomes fun.