Cabinet design software

[JoshAndrews]

We're getting into some higher end millwork projects as of late and I would love to know what, if any, software some of you guys use that creates a more professional presentation than Sketchup and also doubles as a program that gives you cut lists for building your cabinets.

[Jay123]

I've seen guys using eCabinets, Josh. Never used it, but have seen some great results.

Like everything in life, you get out what you put in.

[IamTheWalrus]

What are you willing to spend? Who has the time to invest in learning to really use this kind of software?

I used eCabinets but only on the production end. I found it very tedious in producing renderings for presentation. Google Sketchup with Kerkythea was far better, in that one could do lighting, windows, materials, shadings, textures, accessories, and more, to a far richer level.

But eCabs is free, and it will definitely do those cut lists for you, whether you are a saw-only shop or a CNC shop. On the CNC end, you'll need a Thermwood router. eCabs is meant to run only on Thermwood, but really sophisticated users know how to do patches, I think.

I found myself going to Chief Achitect because of the way it could produce shop drawings, which for cab work means elevations, sections, and details, with full annotations. Chief also will do a fine job of photorealistic rendering.

You could learn eCabs and something like Kerky and still use SU for the presentations, and do the cut lists and buy lists easily by batch loading your cabs into eCabs to get the output. Very fast and easy.

Or you could go eCabs and Chief, or one of the interior only packages Chief has like Home Designer.

But the full blown cabinet factory packages like CabNetware and Cabinet Vision are big investments, maybe bigger than you wish to go.

[Ottoman]

We run Cabnetware it is a fairly effective program,but if I had it to do again I'd go with Vision. Expect to invest a high degree of training to make these operational. But, the payout is there.

[okmrazor]

I like Cabinet Vision a lot. I've been running it for about 2 years and am just really beginning to get a handle now on its power.

The more I learn, the more I realize I can do, and subsequently the more I realize I still have to learn. Really, the sky is the limit.

That said, when I started with it I was flying by the seat of my pants and totally teaching myself. I had kitchens going down to the CNC almost immediately. I had more bench manipulation back then for the weird cabinets, where now I integrate as much as possible.

I'd say you can get up and running very quickly with CV - but it's at a pace that keeps you even with the pack (and it's a pricey investment to keep you even with something like ecabs). You've got to commit to learning it to see it shine.

I think with something like CV or Microvellum, the upward mobility is where you gain - and you're able to produce very detailed, professional drawings... something that's crucial if you've got a host of Architect clients and interior designers to appease.

[Lamar Horton]

I'm an ecabinets user and have been for about 7 years. Yes there is a big learning curve but there is also good support on the forum. I have made some pretty impressive presentation views with it too. I think the nesting features are better than other programs. You can get the program plus the three day training at their facility for less than one of the other big name programs.

[svandyke]

Josh,

The Pro version of Sketch up has several add ons /plug-ins that will accomplish what you are looking for...but all these will come with a steep learning curve.

[DavidW]

I agree with Lamar and that the 3 day training would be best way to go. E-cab also has online training for $25 per month that can be used one month at a time and stopped. It works especially well if you have a two monitor set up, one to watch the presentation and the other play with the program.
I will also add that e-cab will work with Shopbot.