Do it Yourself: [DIY] Re:AutoCad and Alibre:

01 January 2013

[DIY] Re:AutoCad and Alibre:

JD, I'm afraid that over time AutoCad will go the way of WordStar and several of the other earlier "wonder programs" of their day, because like Studebaker, they just can't seem to get rid of the tongue in their wagon. I tried working with AutoCad for a while but it wasn't worth the effort nor the cost, especially since I was sure there had to be a better way. I still have a drafting machine and table in the attic where they are likely to stay for a very long time.

Dale in the Flatlands.

J. D. Brown wrote:

Howdy Dale and Everyone,

Dale just cought a part of your post about Alibre and was it still avalable. Yes it most certinly is and easy to get. Infact for the first 90 days it's on a free trial bases. I have reallyed liked it as it's much easer to use than AutoCad for small quick drawings. I've done and used full AutoCAD, when it first came out.(by cutting off a leg for the cost, and then a loan from a loan shark)

However though I use AutoCAD on some of my dwarings for professional projects, I will stay with Alibre for ALL my small personal drawings and for fast print-out drawings for friends.

AGAPE,

jdb, txredneck

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----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Dale S <dalu@hbcomm.net>
To: DoIt_Yourself@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, December 31, 2012 10:37 PM
Subject: Re: [DIY] Wood Cut Sheet

Let me explain a bit further about Alibre. This is a full blown mechanical CAD system which I purchased for some of my other projects and using it for building cabinets and furniture is like taking a 747 to the grocery store, it is so easy since I already use if for many other things and it gets dimensions down to 4 place accuracy. In fact I have quit using pencils in the shop, I use snap blade knives instead and have found that no matter how sharp the width of that that pencil line is a loose fit in the making. Nothing quite as satisfying as splitting a line created with a knife blade.

Dale in the Flatlands.

Dale S wrote:

I use a CAD package called ALIBRE which was at one time available for a one time offer of $99.00 and since it normally cost about 400 I jumped. I don't know if it is still available for that price but if so I'd get it. I simply make 3D drawings of all the individual parts, then assemble them and when I'm satisfied with the final unit, lay out the individual parts on a diagram of my stock and get my best fit.

Now that I have impressed you with how I should do it, I'll tell the truth. I usually get my panels pre-cut in 2 foot by 4 foot panels for ease of handling and then what would otherwise be waste becomes shop drawers, tool chests and all the other smaller niceties I decide to make later on. Since most of my work is cabinets and the likes, 2x4 foot panels work out just right. The lumber yard has a good panel saw and so their cuts are easier to make than would be mine. I'm getting too old to wrestle 4x8 panels on a table saw or through the radial arm, and I'm too cheap to buy a panel saw of my own when I can use theirs for free. I do however make drawings first of all of my projects since it is so easy to get all of the dimensions and angles just right.

Dale in the Flatlands.
John S Moss wrote:

I'm looking for a better way to layout a cut sheet for a woodworking project. I have my materials list, but need to figure out what sizes wood I need to minimize waste. Drawing the layout by hand can get tedious and prone to arithmetic mistakes.

What do others use? I found a bunch of software online, but would like recommendations.

Thanks,

John

Death, like photography, is simply a series of chemical reactions.

--Franchesca Woodman