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Given a recent posting of mine seemed to devolve into that discussion, I thought a more focused thread on the point might be of interest.
I'd like to hear how you design a project. Do you follow some one else's plans?. Just wing-it in the shop? Draw up your own on paper or CAD? If you use CAD, how detailed do you go? For those that don't use CAD, I'd like to hear about how you design. Do you make shop drawings?
As should be obvious to even the most casual observer, I am a CAD proponent. But, I will often not bother with a plan for simple things. For most projects with more than a couple of parts, I draw up a 3D design in CAD and make a shop drawing. For parts with joinery or complex structure, I will detail out the joints and test the spacial relationships. Moving parts get some special attention to make sure there aren't restrictions. I also use the CAD process as a way to think through and visualize the build process - this helps me avoid stupid process errors. Another thing I do with CAD is make multiple versions to see how they look - the what-if game. If I'm making something for the house, I'll create a 3D view and show my wife to get her input. I often give her alternatives and let her choose which one. That helps to create buy-in on her part. I do the same if it's for someone else.
I'd like to hear how you design a project. Do you follow some one else's plans?. Just wing-it in the shop? Draw up your own on paper or CAD? If you use CAD, how detailed do you go? For those that don't use CAD, I'd like to hear about how you design. Do you make shop drawings?
As should be obvious to even the most casual observer, I am a CAD proponent. But, I will often not bother with a plan for simple things. For most projects with more than a couple of parts, I draw up a 3D design in CAD and make a shop drawing. For parts with joinery or complex structure, I will detail out the joints and test the spacial relationships. Moving parts get some special attention to make sure there aren't restrictions. I also use the CAD process as a way to think through and visualize the build process - this helps me avoid stupid process errors. Another thing I do with CAD is make multiple versions to see how they look - the what-if game. If I'm making something for the house, I'll create a 3D view and show my wife to get her input. I often give her alternatives and let her choose which one. That helps to create buy-in on her part. I do the same if it's for someone else.