Ty michael and david.

Will any of these that you are proposing allow me the option to draw in 2-D and three separately? This way, I can avoid AutoCAD altogether and do 2-D for simpler jobs and then 3-D for obviously more complex jobs.… Or am I going to be stuck still using AutoCAD for my 2-D drawings and 3-D for things more decorative?

Here is one job I would have loved to have drawn in 3-D. I would need to draw all four parts of a column, plus the fluted part of it as well and then make it into one assembly and then have the capability to stretch and shrink the entire assembly without losing Say the flutes are 2 inches from the top and 2 inches from the bottom are either of the programs you guys are suggesting have tutorials in YouTube that I can start to learn from before I activate the 30 day trial?

Also, the programs you are suggesting, are they strictly black and white or do they have the option to do color and how realistic can you make it? I’m not really interested in learning the rendering part of things, as I’m a one person company and I have enough crap going on that I really don’t have Hundreds of hours to dedicate to learning another program to that degree but just curious to know what the program can do unless you guys know of a video that will show me what any of them will end up having the capability to do. Thanks again guys

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David, you are right regarding this is very close to AutoCAD. What is the best way to go about learning the actual program itself? Is there any type of support for people that would speak English, because it appears to be a European based software program. Here is a video I found that looks very close to what I’m looking to do.

Does this have the same capabilities as plotting that AutoCAD does, as I Have a big plotter

https://youtu.be/jQGK0ypYyaw?si=kw5WvQxp6a0XCcSn

What does using code benefit you?

Obviously I have 1 million questions that can’t all be answered in this forum. I remember the slice and subtract command, but I forgot how to use them. Is there a video that will go over the different commands and show you how to use them?

Hi Mike, per our phone discussion, grab a copy and we can do a walk through and you can see what it will take. It works almost exactly like Acad and will plot and use viewport and flatshot in addition to having parametrics for standard cabinets.

In regards to writing code ... are you referring to code in AutoCAD (like AutoLISP, ARX or VBA) or G-Code for machine(s) or overall general "code" like VBA, C++, Python, etc.?

I can provide tips and resourses for AutoLISP inside AutoCAD ... but you would need to give specifics of an example of what you'd like to do with a LISP routine.
And my honest opinion ... if you've been doing AutoCAD 2D AutoCAD can and does 3D .. ok. It's not parametric like Inventor or SolidWorks though.

Here is an example of 3D cabinets in AutoCAD via Microvellum

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Wow .... that's alot and good luck with that :-)

No help with C# or C++ - Mainly know LISP and VB - And haven't had the need for learning anything more ... LOL

But what you described sounds very interesting though!

It's nice if you have acadlite or verision of acad that does not have support for 3rd party apps. I can fill out title blocks automatically from the data already have, measure entities much easier than with acad's data collection, clean up 2d drawings of 400,000 lines or more in just seconds and create and generate the documents that I will need for that specific project and ot goes on and on. Sometimes we don't know what is possible, but if it saves time and makes it easier than a business probably needs it or at least can benefit from it. Yeah, it's a lot.

Mike,

If you already know AutoCad and are adept at drawing in 2d, the transition to 3d AutoCad should probably be easier than learning a new software.

Once you draw something in 3d AutoCad you have the ability get sections and all information needed for your 2d drawing in Paper Space.

With some add-on programs you can also get a bill of material and use the 3d parts to make the part drawings needed for a CNC. If a cabinet is drawn in 3d AutoCad, there is rarely a need for any 2d drawings. All elevations, sections and details for the drawings in Paper Space are derived from the 3d model.

If I have a cabinet drawing in 3d AutoCad, there is rarely a need for any 2d drawing All elevations, sections and details are derived from the 3d model.

Personally I have tried other software that draw in 3d environment and find AutoCad was an easier transition, than learning a product like SkethUp or Inventor.

Hey David,

I hope all is well.

AutoCad may not be as fun as Sketchup. Though, AutoCad can be quite productive even in 3d. It may also be the easiest transition to 3d if a user is proficient in 2d. If a user wants more color and fun in AutoCad you can always try rendering.

Lastly if a user wants to have more fun, try Fusion by AutoDesk. To add even more fun, if you are drawing cabinets add the app JoinerCad.

In the end, what is the user looking for. Fun and a pretty picture and Sketchup may be the best for them. If the user wants to learn a marketable skill and produce drawings that provide more than simply lines, well then AutoCad is a good program.

If you are wearing many hats I don't think I would to add a time consuming task to the hat rack

I started using 3d with Solidworks , then Autocad 3d, then sketchup with cabinet sense

That’s a tough spot with the Cabnetware dongle issue, especially with Planit no longer supporting it. You might have luck finding independent experts who can help bypass the dongle or offer a workaround. I'd also recommend checking out forums or user groups for legacy software, as they can be a great resource for finding someone who has dealt with similar issues.

Mozaik is the way to go. You can get a 3rd party add on to do renderings if you want

GStarCAD, is another viable option atm.