As you dabble further into woodworking you may take on larger projects that require more thought and design than small, quick projects. An ideal solution to this is woodworking design software. These woodworking design softwares have various features and we have found some of the top options to help you select your ideal one.
A good woodworking design software will allow you to design your project from start to finish usually with a 3D feature allowing you to gain a full view of your future project to assess its viability and plan everything in detail. Certain design softwares are not specific to woodworking and therefore have added features that may not be relevant to your projects.
We have found a range of top woodworking design softwares from the simple to more complex to suit all experience levels. There are also a range of price points to suit all budgets. With these great choices you will find your dream woodworking design software with ease.
Table of Contents
1. Editor’s Choice – SketchUp
Features
- Upload photos of wood grain, color, and finishes, or pull from material catalogs on 3D Warehouse.
- SketchUp reports pull model information so you can do things like add up parts for cutlists and cost estimates.
- Turn your 3D model into a 2D plan that includes dimensions, details, notes… anything you need to start the build.
- Various plans and pricing available to suit all budgets.
SketchUp is an easy-to-use 3D modeler that lets you think through and pre-build projects on the computer before you tackle them in real life. Experimenting in woodworking software or cabinet design software is a lot less expensive than experimenting in the shop. Use SketchUp to visualize as many designs as you like without wasting a single piece of wood. Make sure your idea is possible and get any mistakes out of the way in SketchUp before you head to the hardware store.
If you want to be productive fast, you’ve come to the right place. SketchUp is the easiest way to learn how to draw in 3D. And once you learn the basics, SketchUp gets out of your way so you can draw whatever you want, however you want. Think of 3D modeling your project as the ultimate form of measurement. With SketchUp, you can model accurately, take dimensions, and generate a cutlist in 3D before you build it. SketchUp is remarkably accurate, so you can model anything—from a wall of cabinets to a lap joint—with as much precision and detail as you like.
WHAT WE LIKE
It has access to a robust user created digital warehouse and integration with Google Maps. Sketchup is integrated into other design software which is functional. Good software which is very easy to use and not very expensive. SketchUp’s ease of use makes 3D modeling quick and as accurate as you like. 3D modeling makes selling projects much easier than 2D designs. The ability to then push the model into Layout makes creating construction details a breeze.
WHAT WE DONT LIKE
It has access to a robust user created digital warehouse and integration with Google Maps. Sketchup is integrated into other design software which is functional. Good software which is very easy to use and not very expensive. SketchUp’s ease of use makes 3D modeling quick and as accurate as you like. 3D modeling makes selling projects much easier than 2D designs. The ability to then push the model into Layout makes creating construction details a breeze.
PROS
- Access to digital warehouse
- Integrates with other design software
- Ease of use
- Quick and accurate 3D modeling
- Ability to push layout into other programs allows for easy construction
CONS
- Moving objects can be challenging
- Lack of troubleshooting tools
- Export option are limited
2. Best Free – Fusion 360
Features
- Fusion 360 enables you to explore many iterations quickly with easy-to-use CAD software.
- Design and engineer products to ensure aesthetics, form, fit, and function.
- Uses a large amount of your device’s memory
Fusion 360 is a cloud-based 3D modeling, CAD, CAM, CAE, and PCB software platform for product design and manufacturing. Design and engineer products how you want to ensure aesthetics, form, fit, and function. Engineer, design, and create anything with comprehensive electronics and PCB design tools. Save time and money and get quality parts out the door faster
WHAT WE LIKE
You can model parts and do an assembly in the same work space and that is a very nice and effective way to work. It comes with an active community that is great at answering questions, and a lot of YouTube tutorials put out by Autodesk and others that fully explore Fusion 360’s functionality. Fusion 360 is a lighter and cheaper alternative for the design of 3d parts, in fact Fusion 360 can be used for free if you are looking for a hobby. It’s so easy to use and understand how it works and you can make amazing designs of projects in minutes.
WHAT WE DONT LIKE
Sometimes it slows down or crashes when working on heavy files. Assembling a complex design is difficult as compared to other softwares and requires in depth training to overcome. It is very limited on creating features on CAD if you compare it with top design CAD software.
PROS
- Can model and assemble parts in one space
- Active community and videos for support
- Lighter and cheap option
- Free for hobbyists
- Easy and quick to use and understand
CONS
- Joints can occasionally be restrictive for assembly environments
- Some functionality changes and when you are working on a project
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3. Best 3D – SketchList 3D
Features
- Create sketches, copy designs from project to project, work with virtual 3D boards, and design custom contours, joinery, and boards with a few mouse clicks
- Gain inspiration from a vast library of materials, objects, and projects.
- Reports are automatically generated and modified as you develop your project. They provide complete parts and cut lists for CNC machines, shop drawings, and material layout diagrams.
- With templates, reports, spreadsheets, and productivity tools, every tweak you make to your wood design is instantly reflected throughout the whole project.
Woodworkers are frustrated by CAD software that forces them to learn things that have nothing to do with woodworking, adding to their confusion and wasting time. Woodworkers like SketchList because it uses woodworking terms and practices. It is easy to learn and lets our users focus on their craft. The ability to focus in the shop leads to better output – bringing joy and satisfaction to woodworking.
With SketchList 3D, you reduce your design time with less stress and fewer headaches. You increase your sense of achievement and self-confidence to bid on and win higher-end jobs. This is thanks to our ability to create stunning mockups, multiple design model options, cut lists, material layouts, and purchase reports.
WHAT WE LIKE
This is not a complex CAD package. It is a reasonably priced cabinet, furniture woodworking design program driven by woodworkers. Projects are developed board by board, pretty much the way you are going to build them. The Initial learning curve is low. Optimizing function tells you what materials are needed.
WHAT WE DONT LIKE
Needs better setups facilities allowing users to define options such as text size. It could be more consistent across different functions and user interface screens. Optimizers could better deal with odd size stock or scrap. Not everything needs to come in full sheets
PROS
- Simple CAD package
- Reasonably priced
- Specialized woodworking program
- Projects are developed board by board
- Initial learning curve is low
CONS
- Needs better set up
- More consistent across user interface screens
- Optimizers could be better
4. Best for Professionals – AutoCAD
Features
- Complete your projects faster with AutoCAD’s automations and customizations.
- Gain access to thousands of parts and additional features with industry-specific toolsets, APIs to automate common processes.
- The newest updates in AutoCAD let you collaborate with teammates, gather drawing data more quickly, and export designs to other Autodesk products.
- Enjoy a connected design experience with AutoCAD across devices. Create, view, edit, and annotate drawings with the AutoCAD mobile app (US site) or on any computer using the AutoCAD web app.
Power your teams’ creativity with automation, collaboration, and machine-learning features of AutoCAD software. Architects, engineers, and construction professionals use AutoCAD for various functions.
Design and annotate 2D geometry and 3D models with solids, surfaces, and mesh objects. Automate tasks such as comparing drawings, counting objects, adding blocks, creating schedules, and more. Create a customized workspace to maximize productivity with add-on apps and APIs
WHAT WE LIKE
The most useful thing is to be able to design realistic 3D models using one of the solid, mesh and surface modeling tools. The best advantage is that it allows you to orbit, travel, pivot and fly over a 3D model in order to see all the perspectives of the design. Its model space and layout space are innovative, so one can model in model space and do detailing in layout space, with no limits for both spaces. You can export dwg, dxf files to other software as well. AutoCAD has an easy layout that is user friendly. It is easy to make changes and reduce risk of error.
WHAT WE DONT LIKE
It does not give real time scaling for templates so you need to rescale it manually. The software requires a powerful team, specialized for the use of design applications, and the cost of this software is somewhat high due to a large number of tools. It is very complex to learn it quickly, it requires a lot of time to learn it.
PROS
- Realistic 3D models
- Multiple perspectives of design
- Model and layout space innovative
- Export to other softwares
- Easy and user friendly layout for quick changes
CONS
- No real time scaling for templates
- Cost is somewhat high
- Complex to learn initially
5. Best for Beginners – Easy Woodworking Design
Features
- It is a complete Woodworking Project Management System including design, project and assembly reports, creating inventories for any category of products to name a few.
- Display a 3-D view of a 2-D assembly.
- Create / Edit / Update / Delete and Copy Boards
- Define Specific information for Projects, Assemblies and Boards
Easy Woodworking Design Software for Woodworkers will enable you to begin work on a project with minimal design time resulting in clear Assembly Drawings and Reports. This woodworking software is not only fun to use, but it will save you a lot of design time.
Boards are created with dimensions built into the board. Boards can be precisely connected with a simple click of an icon. The software was designed to be user friendly so that in a manner of minutes, you will be creating assemblies for your woodworking project.
WHAT WE LIKE
Creates reports on building costs ideal for woodworking project management. A simple interface means you can use this software with ease. No prior knowledge needed so this is a good alternative to some other softwares that requires intensive training to use effectively. A powerful editing tool that allows you to make accurate changes to your design quickly and easily.
WHAT WE DONT LIKE
The features are fairly basic of this software and it is much better suited to beginners or hobbyists. It does not look at the viability of a project like some other software which is not ideal. There is one flat rate price which may not be suitable for all budgets.
PROS
- Creates useful reports
- Good for woodworking project management
- Simple interface
- Easy to use for beginners
- Powerful editing tool
CONS
- Fairly basic features
- Does not assess viability of project
- One flat rate price
Conclusion
When it comes to woodworking design software you want something that has sufficient features to help with your woodworking projects but is still user friendly. All our top choices achieve this but SketchUp has to be our best choice. The ability to integrate with other design software adds to the program’s versatility.
The digital warehouse and integration means you will not be short of resources. A good functional software that is easy to use but still at an affordable price point. The quick and accurate 3D design is useful and moving into other software allows for seamless construction. You will not be short of useful features with Sketchup and it hands down is the best woodworking design software.
I am a woodworker with over 21 years of experience crafting everything from furniture to ornamental pieces. I take pride in my ability to bring out the beauty of the wood I work with, creating unique and lasting objects. My passion for woodworking has been a life-long pursuit and I strive to push myself further and further with each new project. I am dedicated to the craft and take great satisfaction in the final product that I create.Read More.
