We are millwork contractors that have our own shop
We have just won contract to do build outs on retail food shop in malls
We normal have full drawings supplied that we build off or have our engineer do auto cad drawings
These projects require shop drawings to be approved
Should we keep going down auto cad maybe paying a draft person as it's quicker than the engineer to do them
Or start to use ecabinets
we are panel saw shop no cnc while we have the dxf from the designer for curved parts which we are getting templates cut to work off as it's a mix of veneer and metal so we will have metal laser cut
If jumping onto ecabinets or a paid software like cabinet vision how much of a time period should we expect
These jobs only have about 15 base units no overheads and a front counter so not much in them but it's best to simply for everyone
We normal do solid timber work not much boxes
From contributor La
For simple projects like that just submit electronically using AutoCAD. If for some reason, unlikely, the architect can't open the standard AutoCAD files there is a free download form autodesk to do that.
From contributor To
Unless you have some experience with these type of cad systems the learning curve is a bit flat (slow) to begin. IMHO the time to implement a new cad system is NOT just before you have a project to complete. Straight AutoCAD would be a better choice. Next would be to subcontract the drawings to an outside firm that specializes in shop drawings/submittals.
Best,
Tom
From contributor Ke
ecabinets is not good for shop drawings and the learning curve is pretty steep for a new user.
From contributor Ch
I'm with ken. I tried ecabs for a while....difficult unless you are have previous cad knowledge and are a fast learner that can read between the lines from their online tutorials
From contributor Da
I also agree. We use ecabinets for cut lists and so on and submit our shop drawings after drawing them in autocad.
From contributor Ro
I use eCabinets for every job I do. I don't think its hard to use at all, I picked it up real fast. You can create your on library of standard cabinets you use, and adjust the measurements, I think it works great for the guys on the floor since you can print out exploded pictures of each cabinet so they know which tenons go where. Of corse we use a Thermwood CNC, so not sure if thats why I like it so much. I'm just saying it's a real easy program to learn and their support on line is great.
From contributor Wi
When I purchased my Thermwood 7 years ago I made the statement that I had no use for AutoCad because I had so many other software options including ECabinets. As soon as I stepped into the commercial work was I in for an awakening.
Every architect I came in contact with used Autocad I was sent AutoCad files and I was expected to make any changes necessary, document this and send them back to the Architect. 7 years later I am proficient in Auto Cad
They could care less what other software I had, because Autocad is the standard of the commercial millwork industry
This is where the steep learning curve began. I found my self having to learn to operate the Machine,using layered DXF files and combine with ecabinets and autocad all at the same time. I still use ecabinet to cut cabinet boxes
For the future I see us going to Solid Works and MasterCam for our Architectural Millwork and Aspire for Artistic work
