Furniture Design Sites?

[John Harrison]

Does anyone know of any websites to design furniture for free?

A website that might allow you to blue-print your projects?

 

Also, how about room design? 

I have a job (possibly) in a couple of months, to build and finish a sports complex waiting room and office area.  I would LOVE to be able to input measurements to make a more accurate materials quote.  It would also allow me to achieve a better mental picture of the overall project. 

 

I usually do this with pencils and paper (and straight edge).  They look pretty good too.  I'd like to make a better presentation of conveying whats in my head to the customer.  More professional.

 

If you don't know of any FREE sites, that's ok.  Do you know of any good software I can purchase?  Preferably a program you've used several times.

 

Thank you Ladies and Gents for any assistance you can lend.

HAPPY WOOD WORKING ALL!!!!

 

John Harrison

H.S.W.

[Ken Darga]

John,

Check with your local building supply centers.

Check with their ''contractors desk'' people.

Many of them offer ''how-to'' guides and books.

[John Harrison]

Thanks Ken.  I've got some how to books on specific things.  I'm looking to convert to using a computer to see if it fits into, efficiency and the over all plan.

[James P. Cottingham]

Have you looked at Sketchup (www.sketchup.com)? It's free, has a lot of free components, and is used for everything from designing furniture to buildings.

[Stephen]

James is right about sketchup; it's extremely robust and creates a professional, 3D design. Best of all, there are tons of tutorial videos online to assist with the learning curve (which can be steep if you have not used design software before).  There are literally hundreds of thousands of user created models to use in the drawings.  Someone's also modeled pocket holes so if you want to show your joinery in your plans, you can, and it's all free.

[John Harrison]

Thank you James & Stephen.  I will be checking this out this evening.