Which CAD?

[nat_wheatley]

I'm looking for a CAD program to cut some of my cabinet parts. I'm currently using Cabinet Parts Pro to cut the bulk of the pieces, but I need another program for some of the auxillary pieces. Ideally I'd like to be able to open a nested sheet of DXF parts (using Cutlist Plus to get to this point) and then be able to edit the individual pieces. I'd like to have the ability to choose all the items on a given layer and add the same detail to all of them at once, without editing each individual part. An example would be to choose the door layer, and add a knob hole to one, and have this hole show up on each door on that layer. Another bonus would be the ability to 'stretch' the parts and have these added details stay in the same place relative to a chosen point on the part. The last step would be to bring the finished parts into PartWorks to do the toolpaths.
I have an older version of Bobcad, and haven't been able to do this. Hopefully I haven't confused everyone with my description of what I'm looking for.

[bcammack]

I think that IntelliCAD is quite good for the money. Very much an AutoCAD work-alike.

We've been using the "PE" edition from these folks for a couple years now. Good value, IMO.

http://www.intellicadms.com/

[carlosgmarroquin]

Adding to Nat's question, I would like to know if ALIBRE could do those operations?

Some people in the forum have mentioned that software.

[kirkkelsey]

Alibre will do this kind of operation. We use it all the time for cabinet design, as well as other design work as well. The Parametric nature of Alibre Design allows us to drive the design with equations and values.

Send us an email and we will be glad to discuss how to do what you want with Alibre Design. Start with the free version as it can do work with up to 10 parts at a time and give you an idea of what it will do.

[curtiss]

If you need to do something fairly quick & simple with AutoCad, you may be able to find a cad lab at a local college, draw up what you need & save it out to a dxf file or whatever...

cdj

[carlhopkins]

I am using Progecad standard $250. when I bought it for single user. You can use progedad smart for free but not for profit. I was a bit of a sceptic at first but it is for real. It is powered by intellicad and works like AUTOcad also. You can spend more and get more options but for me it works very well.

[carlosgmarroquin]

Thank you. I got the free version.

I will start using it and get back to you.