Rendering Software

[Ahren I]

I looked around and I couldn't find a discussion about the rendering software some of you use to render your different wood working project designs. Anyone have any good programs that are somewhat easy to use and render really well?

[Tim E Daniels]

I use sketchup because you can get a plugin to do a list of what wood you need too.

[Tim E Daniels]

http://www.finewoodworking.com//item/9186/how-much-wood-will-it-take

[Jens Jensen]

I and some one else uses Home Plan Pro

[michael pope]

for a free and easy to learn to use program..definitely google sketch up..

[Don Grubish]

I'd go with what they're saying, sketch up. I'm fortunate in that I've been taught how to use Adobe Illustrator since I'm a graphic designer by trade. My brother Denny has been known to use Microsoft Excel, believe it or not. My other brother, Dan, uses CAD, but then he's an architect.

I haven't dealt with Sketchup, but that's probably your best bet right out of the gate.

[Ahren I]

Thank guys for all your responses. Keep on building!

[Tim E Daniels]

I made the workbench in sketchup.
Also made a collection of pocket holes.

[Tim E Daniels]

Here is a link to the workbench file with views, since I couldn't get the file to upload to here.
If you are using the cutlist addon please add the word "hole" in for hardware.

I can create a tutorial of how to create models like this if the community is interested.

Tim

[Tim E Daniels]

The pocket hole components I created in sketchup are useful in planning your project as they will be laid out where the holes would be on your stock. You'll see if the hole will be too close to an edge or if it would cut out of the edge, and rethink your plans. Once you use the plans with cutlist, it will tally all of the holes too so you could know how many of each screw type to use, besides it calculating your boards you need.

Tim E Daniels said:

Also made a collection of pocket holes.

[Tim E Daniels]

Here are screen shots for the cutlist of that project.

[Tim E Daniels]

By using better wood textures, the model can look quite realistic in sketchup.
http://www.woodmagazine.com/materials-guide/lumber/wood-grain-textu...
http://www.defcon-x.de/c4d/textures

Image of updated texture with shadows.

Link to new sketchup model in 3dwarehouse.

Also updated the model with views including the finished view.

[Dan]

Well you've certainly have more screen time at Sketchup than I do, but it nice to see some of the things you can do with it. I like your progression - step images.