Popular Woodworking 2003-06 № 134, страница 64

When using an existing drawing as a basis for a new design, the first step is to draw the basic components of the existing piece you wish to transform. Although the drawings are not very exciting in themselves, they're the basic "words" that make the "sentences" that lead to the "story" of the design.

After I created the basic components of my design, QuickCAD allowed me to easily transform the original drawings into what you see here.

62 Popular Woodworking June 2003

(to me) CAD software was Autodesk's QuickCAD, the baby brother of the professional AutoCAD 2000 program I use on a daily basis. I'd heard that it contained some of the best features of my drafting, illustration and spreadsheet programs, yet cost only $50. I assumed that the power of the program would be proportional to its price. After working through Carah and Dan's dresser project, I'm pleased to report that QuickCAD is a powerful tool and an amazing bargain.

The leap from pencil to screen is easier than you think. Why take the jump? QuickCAD dramatically increases the flexibility of your design and saves you hours of drawing time - all for $50. For example, with QuickCAD, you always get a straight, consistent line. And you can turn, flip and move that line in seconds. Need a box that's square? Simply add several lines together. See what your design would look like with an extra drawer, wider door stiles or a different edge treatment. And all that can be done (and undone) with a few swift mouse clicks.

When your design is complete, you can consult your electronic drawing during construction to work out joinery details or calculate complex setbacks. It is an astonishingly powerful $50 tool.

QuickCAD isn't alone; there are several inexpensive CAD drawing programs available with similar features, including TurboCAD (imsisoft.com) and DeltaCad (dcad.com).

No Problem to Show Less Leg

According to Carah and Dan's first e-mail message from Maine, the footprint of the dresser was to remain the same as the original sideboard: 18" deep by 48" wide. Conversion of the sideboard to a dresser required shortening the legs and lengthening the body