Computer Aided Design (CAD) in Carpentry
Where did it start?
There is no disputing the fact that computer aided design (CAD) has aided conceptual visualisation for both clients and industry professionals over the last six decades. Sixty years ago, the “Father of CAD,” Dr. Patrick Hanratty created the first numerical control system, which would later become Computer Aided Design or CAD. The precision, versatility, and edit-ability of CAD designs revolutionized the engineering, architecture and manufacturing landscape. The importance of CAD cannot be understated.
However, although the emergence of computer aided design programmes revolutionized many industries, accessibility to such programmes became an issue for many small and medium sized businesses that struggled to keep up with the rapid digitalisation. Popular CAD software programmes such as; AutoCAD, Creo and CATIA are often an expense that small businesses cannot afford, with the most professional programmes costing £10,000+ for a single license. These programmes are increasingly complex and often require hundreds of hours of painstaking work to understand at the most basic level. Once mastered, CAD offers unmatched visualisations that are both beautiful and precise. Google recognised this issue of accessibility and offered a free and easy to understand design programme, Google SketchUp, which released at the turn of the 21st century. With the new generation of tech-armed carpenters among us, Google SketchUp has provided a window of opportunity for the veterans of the trade.
How I use it?
Prior to my discovery of free CAD software, the process of visualisation prior to completion was largely left to interpretation to some extent. Customers proposed ideas with images found in magazines and photos of completed works from friends and families. Some customers that struggled with inspiration also requested drawings – which in some cases I was happy to provide – so I polished up on my skills from technical drawing from college and pushed forth. However, within the last 5 years, CAD drawings are expected from most customers at almost every stage of a build, irrespective of trade.
SketchUp is an intuitive 3D modeling application that lets you create and edit 2D and 3D models with a patented “Push and Pull” method. The Push and Pull tool allows designers to extrude any flat surface into 3D shapes. All you have to do is click an object and then start pulling it until you like what you see. SketchUp is a program used for a wide range of 3D modeling projects like architectural, interior design, landscape architecture, and video game design, to name a few of its uses. The program includes drawing layout functionality, surface rendering, and supports third-party plugins from the Extension Warehouse. The app has a wide range of applications, including in the worlds of architecture, interior design, landscaping, and video game design. Sketchup has also found success with people who want to create, share, or download 3D models for use with 3D printers.
What we do?
We at Carpenta are based close to Thame, OX9, Oxfordshire and offer carpentry jobs and services to the following areas, Thame, Long Crendon, Haddenham, Princes Risborough, Wendover, Aylesbury, Tring, Brill, High Wycombe, Marlow, Beaconsfield, Chalfont St. Peter and in deed most parts of Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. If you would like some inspiration for your project, visit our Houzz profile.