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Simple CAD tool for small framing project

  • 15 Aug 2025 3:05 PM
    Quote
    Reply # 13532353 on 13531426
    Jeff O'Brien

    I would highly encourage you to learn Sketchup. If you learn the keyboard shortcuts it’s much quicker. In Sketchup it’s very easy to create a part, duplicate it and make changes. There is also a cutlist extension that is very helpful in layout of your parts.

    Jeff
  • 14 Aug 2025 8:52 AM
    Quote
    Reply # 13531815 on 13531426
    James Meyer

    Pencil & paper works for me in a pinch.  Nothing to scale but labelled with target measurements. If sclae is important I sometimes draw on graph paper, although the graph lines sometimes translate to awkward sizes 1"-3".    In CAD I tried Sketchup but I disliked a few things, so I switched to Autodesk Fusion.  I would advise to stick to paper unless you plan on drawing a lot or sharing the plans
  • 13 Aug 2025 10:45 AM
    Quote
    Message # 13531426
    James Garrison (Administrator)

    I need to design a simple framing project for a garden screen/trellis.  I've looked at several tools including SketchUp, but don't want to spend time defining lumber pieces.

    Is there any simple (preferably free) tool that comes with pre-defined lumber objects (2x4x8, 1x2, etc)?

    More generally, what do Guild members use for design software?  

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