CAD???

[Blip]

Hi guys, was wondering if you could help me,i work with sheets of wood and was wondering if cad will work for me calculating where to cut out what piece of wood without wasting to much cut offs, i'm looking for a program that works in such a way that it will calculate where to cut what thus saving me from wasting too much, and maybe use it for technical drawing in 3D for planning, i heard CAD would work but i don't know if there is something els on the market.

Sorry if i wrote it in under water japanese, don't know how to explain it easier.

 

[czc]

The kind of CAD software that calculates things for you is expensive.

Have a look at alibre, when I was investigating it at one point people were using it for woodwork(I think there is also a add on woodwork module)

http://www.alibre.com/

 

[Jabberwocky]

you can design stuff in 3d with sketchup and optimise the layout with http://members.otimizenesting.com for free

 

[Skywalker42]

About 7 years ago I used QCAD to design and build a steel gate. After getting familiar with the software I drew the outside frame and specified the dimensions. From there on I drew the pattern/design I wanted inside the frame.
After all is finished you press a button and it will give you all dimensions and angles.
It was easy to use and worked perfectly. Try it !

 

[KobusDJ]

Is this what you are looking for?

1 Dimensional
2 Dimensional

Not drawing software, but it will help with the cutting list.