Dont throw the drafting table away just yet!

Brad Bassett · Post by **Brad Bassett** » Thu, Nov 12 2009, 6:09PM

Just started using eCabinet and was wondering if this software has the ability for me to start designing a project from scratch? I dont want to have to always use the stuff in the free library or buy designs. As a furniture designer and maker i need the ability to just start with a blank page. I get asked to design stools, chairs, benches, and i have a bid request for a Crib and a Dresser/changing station and was hoping to use this software on that project. Any help would be appreciated.

Gary Puckett · Post by **Gary Puckett** » Thu, Nov 12 2009, 6:54PM

Hi Brad,

Welcome to eCabinets, you will find the best support on this forum, and as for as the ability of eCab..... well lets just say if your mind can imagine it then you should be able to draw it.

Here is a sample of a custom piece.

Have Fun
Gary

George Davidson · Post by **George Davidson** » Thu, Nov 12 2009, 9:10PM

A Crib I made 2007

Brad Bassett · Post by **Brad Bassett** » Mon, Nov 16 2009, 11:43AM

george and gary great looking stuff but how do i do that on e cabinets? Currently i have to start all drawings from a library how do i start with just a plain page and design what i want? What am i missing?

Gary Puckett · Post by **Gary Puckett** » Mon, Nov 16 2009, 2:39PM

Brad,

One way is to create what you want is to do it one piece at a time then put it together.

Gary

George Davidson · Post by **George Davidson** » Mon, Nov 16 2009, 2:44PM

Hi Brad
I am not good with words look at the picture I have in the ZIP file

DanEpps · Post by **DanEpps** » Mon, Nov 16 2009, 4:33PM

Start with a standard cabinet an modify it to suit your needs.

Brad Bassett · Post by **Brad Bassett** » Mon, Nov 16 2009, 7:00PM

I can keep this up for only so long. How do i turn a kitchen cabinet into a mission style crib ???????? Or better yet how do i turn a cabinet into a stool or chair. Seems like this is a great design program for the cabinet maker but not the furniture maker?
If i pay a $1000 for the training sessions will that open up a special section on design from scratch because without that this is worhtless to me.

Kerry Fullington · Post by **Kerry Fullington** » Mon, Nov 16 2009, 7:42PM

Brad,

eCabinets is primarily a cabinet design software. It is just versatile enough that many of the users are designing furniture and many other items using it. There is no special section for "Designing from Scratch" You modify and use cabinets or any or all their parts. For what you are wanting to do I would probably just use display boards. You will have to create materials that are the thickness of any materials you would need, then you create display boards that you cut your parts from using the display part editor. You can also create tools to cut profiles. It is not something that we can explain in a single post on the forum. You can create anything you can dream in eCabinets but it takes a good knowledge of how the software works. I would suggest purchasing the Nearly Complete Guide to eCabinets start at the beginning and work through it. I would wait and get the guide for Version 6 when it comes out.
Post a picture of something you would like to build and we can give you some pointers possibly.
There are usually many different ways to go about every project.

Kerry

George Davidson · Post by **George Davidson** » Mon, Nov 16 2009, 8:06PM

Brad If you would download my ZIP file
It will show you how to start with a display boards
Like Kerry said you will have to create materials that are the thickness of any materials you would need, then you create display boards that you cut your parts from using the display part editor. You can also create tools to cut profiles.

George Davidson · Post by **George Davidson** » Mon, Nov 16 2009, 10:58PM

Corner Cabinet

Brad Bassett · Post by **Brad Bassett** » Tue, Nov 17 2009, 7:26AM

Thank you guys for all the resposnses i really appreciate your time and efforts. That being said it looks like the old drafting table my wife complains takes up to much room will continue to do so. This time consuming software is obviously geared to the cabinet maker not the furniture maker. How you offer a design software that you cant start from scratch is silly but i guess you get what you pay for. Thank you guys once again for the time. Time to un-install this program and hit the drafting table.

Kerry Fullington · Post by **Kerry Fullington** » Tue, Nov 17 2009, 7:56AM

Brad,

Sorry we couldn't help you. The fact that we don't have to start from "scratch" is a feature of this software, not a drawback. You are correct that it is primarily for cabinet work but it can do furniture pieces nicely. You just have to dig a little deeper into the software to learn how.

: table.jpg (129.6 KiB) Viewed 39342 times

Kerry

Gary Puckett · Post by **Gary Puckett** » Tue, Nov 17 2009, 8:11AM

Brad,

Don't get frustrated, hang in there you can do just about anything with this program. Just think on how you would build it and draw it the same way. Insted of buying the boards you create them.

This project was drawn that way.

Gary

George Davidson · Post by **George Davidson** » Tue, Nov 17 2009, 10:17AM

Kerry I like your table
Gary Are you going to put knickknacks on it

Thermwood / eCabinet Systems