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thoughts about choosing a cad program

6/17/15       
tim Member

we just got a multi cam cnc and we are now looking for a program that will be easy to learn and use.I find it hard to understand all the different programs that are out there. What we do is high end closet interiors, little point of sale, and starting to get into cabinet building.

6/17/15       #2: thoughts about choosing a cad progr ...
Pat O'Sullivan  Member

Website: http://www.rogershaw.com

Easy to learn and use = basic and limited functionality

Now, don't confuse the formula above to indicate that basic programs are not worthy. If you have basic needs and basic functionality and don't anticipate the need to expand beyond that, then great. You're all set.

The more elaborate you need to be will dictate that you need a more complex software solution. More complex means more to learn and master.

You indicate that you currently serve hight end closet and are entering into cabinetry.

Cabinetry would ramp up the complexity a bit, especially if you need to address various forms of construction methods.

With this in mind, you're probably still able to find something relatively easy to learn and use.

Correct me if I'm wrong, woodweb audience, but in order to make money on boxes, you need volume and consistancy. If you are bidding the boxes and passing on the custom products, you're at a disadvantage.

Now, one must consider addressing boxes and customs. This adds more complexity to a software and requires more training. This often equates to "not easy to use". Well nothing is easy to use without the necessary training.

So, one initially looks for an easy to use solution that is inexpensive, buys it, invests time and money in gaining proficiency, reaches its potential and its limits, searches for something that can do more, abandons the first investment and spends more money and time on the next level up, reaches its potential and they cycle continues.

Determine what you want to be able to do in the next 5 years, the next 10 years. Make sure you don't have to completely relearn and reimplement something because it has reached its limitations but your business hasn't.

6/18/15       #4: thoughts about choosing a cad progr ...
yaakov

"Easy to learn and use = basic and limited "
i like it

about cadcam for the furniture industry ,
that need to be full parametric i think there only 2 real option
Alphacam ,and TpaCad(there also like DDx,Aspire..)but this 2 are very very powerful
alphacam more freindly ,but i think not more powerful ,but cost double then tpa

6/24/15       #5: thoughts about choosing a cad progr ...
Frank D. Jimenez  Member

Website: http://www.cabinetpro.com

I would suggest to consider what your needs are, find a software program that fills those needs, and then do whatever it takes to LEARN that software. If your needs are basic, then a simple and basic software program will do just fine. If your needs are complex, truly custom, or require a higher level of functionality, then you will outgrow a simple and basic program very quickly.

So how should you go about finding the software package that is right for you? I will be speaking on this topic at the upcoming AWFS show in Las Vegas under the title, "Inside Tips for Purchasing Software", so if you are going to attend the show, please drop by. But whether you do or not, here are some guidelines you may want to consider:

0. Find some software companies via the Internet, Magazines, Forums, etc., and make a list of what your needs are.
1. Call the software company for an online demo, making sure they understand you want to see how their program fits your needs.
2. Ask questions that are important to YOU, not the salesperson.
3. Take the salesperson out of his comfort zone and ask SPECIFIC questions on YOUR methods of design, pricing, construction, or CNC operations. It cannot be over-emphasized for you to be prepared to ask in-depth questions and ask the Software Representative to demonstrate the making of cabinets or other items YOU make.
4. Do not put too much importance on references....generally they are handpicked and will always give a good review.
5. How easy is it to edit cabinets, furniture, and/or components and change various aspects of those items?
6. Make sure your questions are answered by SHOWING you how your issue is resolved. DO NOT be satisfied with a verbal response. Verbal responses do not show how the software operates.
7. You are guaranteed to require technical support. What is the charge for technical support? How does the company provide technical support? Is there a charge per incident? Are there yearly fees? Are there charges for program updates?
8. How does the company handle computer crashes? Are there fees involved if your computer crashes, if you lose a key, etc?
9. How are you expected to learn the software? Written documentation? Video tutorials? Classes to attend? Onsite instruction? What costs are involved?
10. Know what your needs are before talking to a salesperson. Do you need design capabilities? Shop Drawings? Bidding? Cutlists? Door Reports? Face frame or Frameless? CNC support?
11. How is the software protected? If keys or dongles are used, how much will it cost if they are broken or lost? (You are virtually guaranteed to lose or break keys!)
12 How are reports customized? Ask to see a report according to YOUR expectations.
13. Have a pretty one-of-a-kind custom cabinet in mind, and ask the sales person to show how it would be built according to your specifications.
14. If you are inquiring about a CNC version, ask TO SEE how the software handles the generation of CNC code when changes occur, such as when a new batch of material with a slightly different thickness is applied to the job, or when edgebanding changes, It's pretty common to receive a new batch of say, prefinished maple with a thickness different from the last batch you received. How are insets, dados, and depths of cut handled in this situation? If you change edgebanding, does the location of machining change as well? These are just a couple of examples of the kind of questions to ask.
15. If you are inquiring about a CNC version, how are drawer guide holes, hinge plate holes, and other hardware machining handled? BE SPECIFIC.
16. Ask to have the program machine at least one part according to how you would machine that part.
17. Although graphics are nice, DO NOT be dazzled by great graphics thinking that the manufacturing end is just as nice! The manufacturing end will be your bread and butter unless you are a designer only. Make sure it is quick, efficient, accurate, and relatively straightforward.
18. How is hardware, accessories, and pricing handled? How do YOU price out your jobs? Ask the salesman to demonstrate pricing according to your method of pricing.
19. Do not be overly concerned if the software is not particularly easy. As long as the sales person can demonstrate to you the quickness and efficiency of the software, you will be fine. You will have reason to learn the software if you know it will function according to YOUR NEEDS. Ease of use of a software program like this is usually inversely proportional to its capabilities. As long as you have good technical support and a good training program (see #7 and #9 above), you will do well with learning the software.
20. Do not be discouraged if the software that fits you needs is difficult to learn. Just make a decision to focus your attention and your committment to learn the software. Your increased efficiency and profits will be worth the pain of learning. Of course, if the software is impossible to learn, then that is a different story.

If these things cannot be shown to you quickly by someone who is WELL-VERSED in the software you are contemplating, then you can rest assured that it will take you much longer to accomplish the task when you have the software on your computer.

On the other hand, if these things CAN be SHOWN to you quickly by the saleperson, then you will probably be happy with the software. Know that there is no software that will do ALL that you want.....but the software you finally decide upon should do ALL that you NEED, and the MAJORITY of what you WANT.

http://www.cabinetpro.com


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