Software Options for Cabinet Making / Specialist Joinery?

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I am the designer / draughtsman for a cabinet making & specialist joinery company in Nottingham, England. I am currently using AutoCAD LT 2012 and it's amazing, but...........I have started to investigate software options for improved productivity. I am particularly interested in using 'Point Cloud' for our site surveying, which at the moment in done the 'old school' way with tape measures, spirit levels and step ladders!!! I am also interested in trying to automate the BOM / Cut List aspect of the design process. This obviously means a move from 2D draughting to 3D design.......but which one??

The nature of our work is fitting out exclusive properties in London, therefore, my scope of work is to interpret design intent drawings from Architects / Designers and from those, to produce working drawings that will be sent directly to the workshop for manufacture. I am required to layout whole rooms rather than free standing pieces of furniture and all the other trades work from our drawings once they are signed off.

So, I am looking for some help in deciding what my software options are for using 'Point Cloud' survey information with the ability to automate the BOM / Cut List process while maintaining the ability to share my drawings with other trades that are generally using earlier versions of AutoCAD - I know that's a big ask.......any takers???

Sorry for such a long winded post - thought it better to explain the nature of my work in some detail to help any would be advisers.

Regards,

Mike 

[Anonymous]

Spoiler

Talk to a good UK Autodesk reseller about your requirements, I personally favour CADLine ( NOTE:  I have no connection to them other than as my reseller before anyone starts)

As to a solution, I would look at Autodesk Inventor, I believe it covers all your requirements (I think the current version uses Point cloud info but I'm not 100% sure).

You model in 3D & get all your 2D DWG files, BOM, build instrucions, etc  for free.

It's not like AutoCAD though, so get a reseller to live demo it to you so you can see what it will do, downloading a trail version & fiddling won't uncover its real potential.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Strodeb.

I've since had a meeting with our local reseller and have been to their offices for a presentation / demonstration - very impressive!!

I've passed all the information onto my MD and I'm hopeful that he will decide to make the switch from AutoCAD LT to Inventor Professional - some jump hey!! But I'm looking forward to the challenge......I think!!

Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks for the sound advice.

[Anonymous]

you're more than welcome, happy I could help.

[joeHBVFC]

I am working for a joinery Firm in Essex and working with Revit as I have used it for over 10 years. I did look at Autodesk Inventor and Cutting tickets seem to be the issue. Now with the new ISO 19650 standards, and the main contractors will want things converted to RVT or at least IFC for coordination purposes, What would you recommend?

thanks