Best Woodworking Design Software

Have you ever been in the middle of a wood project and run headfirst into a moment of stupidity? Ever said to yourself, welp I could have thought that out a little more?

We have all been there. If only there was a way we could work out the details of our next woodworking project before we made our first cut. That would be great right?

The traditional 2D paper and pencil sketches of our woodworking projects just don’t cut it anymore. With the cost of goods these days, our clients and our own projects need more attention to detail and planning, especially for complicated builds. 

Today there are plenty of opportunities for both the professional and hobbyist woodworker to design their next project in the digital landscape. There are many great software programs out there to help you visualize your design long before the sawdust starts flying. 

In this article, we will take a look at the best woodworking design software. Design software is an important design tool if you are any type of designer, creator, or in this case woodworker. 

Having a direction to go before getting started helps you save time and money. 

To save you some time here are some of the clear winners:

• Best Woodworking Software For Everyone: SketchUp
• Best For The Hardcore Woodworker: Sketchlist3D
• Best For The Professional Or DIY Master: Autodesk Fusion 360
• Best For The Experienced Drafter: AutoCAD
• Best For Cabinet Design Studio: Pro100

Let’s get right into it. 

What Is The Best Woodworking Design Software?

Best Woodworking Software For Everyone: SketchUp

High-Level Overview

Courtesy: SketchUp

If you have been in the 3D modeling world for any period of time, you have probably heard of SketchUp. This program is a user-friendly 3D modeling software that is used by all types of designers and creators. One great niche for SketchUp is woodworking. Easily create built-to-scale 3D models quickly. In this CAD software, you have the option to select from a large assortment of textures, patterns, and colors to complete the look of your next project. 

SketchUp’s low learning curve is a credit to its careful and thoughtful software development. Based on extrusions and initial 2D modeling, it is easy to see how this program is on the list of the best woodworking design software. 

Use SketchUp as a resource to show off your furniture designs to clients, and develop construction and build plans. You can export your model in a variety of file types to incorporate into other design or estimating software. 

There is even an online based free version of SketchUp that is a great place to start.

Benefits

• Easy to use
• Work from a variety of surfaces and templates
• Share your work with a team or clients
• Go from modeling to putting together drawings with relative ease
• Can be used for woodworking and other design tasks

Price

• SketchUp Go 199/year
• SketchUp Pro: 299/year
• SketchUp Studio 699/year

Pros 

• Model while on the go
• Design anything
• Generate 3D renderings easily
• Jump into creating drawings quickly

Cons

• Textures may not perfectly represent the type of wood used
• Detailing joints can get tedious

Ready for a free trial?

Best For The Hardcore Woodworker: Sketchlist3D 

Courtesy: SketchList

High-level Overview

SketchList is a program made for the woodworker. It is designed to help you bring your ideas to life through a simple and efficient 3D modeling tool. This program is packed with features that the everyday woodworker needs in design. 

This is a great tool if you are going to be designing any cabinet layouts for your kitchen or elsewhere also. 

Create your model by inserting and building blocks in a 3D space. Quickly and efficiently cut and trim your 3D elements to size. Use the program to visualize your project before you buy the first piece of wood.

After your model is created, you can easily export your 3D design into cut sheets and build assembly drawings. This is helpful as you try to build estimates and get ready for the build. The extra effort here saves time and money when in the shop.

Benefits

• A design software for woodworking that uses understandable language and design practices 
• Low learning curve
• Easily build 3D models
• Powerful modeling tool lets you estimate projects more precisely
• Ability to generate reports and cut lists for CNC machines or hand cuts
• Create step-by-step build plan so you never miss a beat. 

Price

Sketchlist 3D Hobby: $250

Sketchlist 3D Pro: $850 

Pros 

• Standard objects available in the included library
• Cutlist generation is automated
• Create 3D renderings to show clients
• Intuitive software snaps and anticipates your modeling 
• Good customer support

Cons

If you are looking to design other things, this may be limited in its ability. 

Ready for that sweet sweet free trial? 

Best For The Professional Or DIY Master: Autodesk Fusion 360

Courtesy Fusion 360

High-level Overview

Autodesk Fusion 360 (Fusion 360) is an all-in-one 3D modeling software. Use by designers and engineers to create a variety of designs from a variety of materials. Create machine parts, components, and of course your next wood project with Fusion 360.

Create complex and intricate shapes for your next project with Fusion 360. Quickly build your design and incorporate it into your CNC machine with this program. 

Create highly detailed and realistic renderings of your project. This is great if you want to build and sell models online or are preparing something to show clients. The powerful visualization tools that come with Fusion 360 will help you save time and money by allowing you to see every aspect of your design. Work Fusion 360 into your woodworking workflow for all of your design projects. 

Benefits

• Quickly build models
• Create renderings to share with partners and clients
• Explode views to show how assemblies work
• Reduce waste with 3D modeling and cut list generation
• Incorporate electronics into the design
• Take your design right into creating 2D drawings for construction

Price

$70 per month

Pros 

• Designs can be incorporated into CNC machine and lathes
• Cloud Based
• Model in a variety of techniques
• All in one spot for design and drawing development

Cons

• Not the least expensive option on the market
• Toolbar can be intimidating at first
• Might take a minute to learn the ins and outs

Check out the free trial 

Best For The Experienced Drafter: AutoCAD

Courtesy AutoCAD

High-level Overview

AutoCAD has long been one of the cornerstones of 2D and 3D modeling. This computer-aided drafting (CAD) program can be used to build accurate and detailed models for your next woodworking project. AutoCAD is a cloud-based service enabling you to work on your design from anywhere you have internet access. 

You can also use AutoCAD to build your bill of materials which will help you be able to estimate your project quickly and precisely. 

Building 3D renderings with AutoCAD is an efficient way to visualize your project and a great way to show off your design to your clients or family. 

This software has a plethora of quick tools and hotkeys that you can master to save time (and look really cool doing it)

Benefits

• Create 2D and 3D models with a number of components and assemblies. 
• Easy to shift from model to sheet space for drawing development.
• Build a bill of materials easily to help you save time. 

Price

$188/month

Pros 

• Autodesk has strong support and updates 
• Can be cloud-based
• Good for precise drafting exercises

Cons

• Expensive
• Learning curve, not the most easy-to-use 3D software for beginners
• Features may be different than you are used to if you have used other 3D modeling programs.

Ready for a free trial?

Best For Cabinet Design Studio: Pro100

Courtesy Pro100

High-level Overview

Pro100 is a design software build to help you and your next cabinet project. Incorporate cabinet design into floor plans and build 3D renderings of your space. Show off your design to clients and help everyone come to the most effective solution before you start construction. 

You can work on any type of cabinet and any application from commercial to residential construction. This program comes preloaded with a large library full of standard cabinet shapes and sizes so you can work on designs quickly. 

Pro100 has a few other features that are great for production. Incorporate your cabinet designs into CNC software for more precise and intricate cuts. Create a cut list and bill of material report to help you estimate this project. 

Benefits

• Create high-quality 3D renderings 
• Quickly generate cut lists
• Integrate price of materials to quickly pull together estimates
• Designer to be a cabinet design software

Price

Monthly:  $489 down/ $149/month (own after 14 months)

One Time: $2549

Pros

• Design intricate cabinets
• Perfect for home renovators looking to impress clients

Cons

• The upfront cost may be pricy to many
• May not be the best solution if you want to do custom furniture or carpentry modeling. 

Ready to give it a try?

Have Other Questions You Might Have About Woodworking Software

How Do I Create A Woodworking Plan?

The first part of any woodworking project is coming up with a plan. Knowing what you need and what your desired outcome is will help you visualize and determine your next project.

As you put together your next woodworking project, consider these steps to help you make a woodworking plan.

• Step 1: Determine what you are going to build. 

Consider the needs, the function, and think about the style or look you want to achieve. Sometimes a simple 2d drawing is all you need at this stage.

• Step 2: Start with a rough sketch and dimensions

 Measure the space where your project will go and start to get an idea of how the piece will fit. Start thinking in both 2d and 3d to bring your woodworking project to life. 

• Step 3: Consider the materials you want to use

Thinking about what you will build with can help you with some initial research into what is available in your area, pull together an initial cost estimate, and you can start to think about the finish and final look you might see for this project. 

• Step 4: Start Modeling

This would be a good time to build your model using one of the programs mentioned in this article. Getting the model up and running will let you develop a 3D rendering and is a logical next step in the design process. 

• Step 5: Finalize the design and build a bill of materials and cut sheet

Now that your design is the way you like it, get your bill of materials pulled together. This is when you can finish your material estimate and get a rough final cost.  

• Step 6: Time to get started building

With your bill of materials ready. Double check you have all the tools you need and lets get to work!

How Can Woodworking Software Help You Run Your Shop Or Business?

Integrating one of the products from this list of the best woodworking design software can help you and your business in a variety of ways. 

• Streamline your workflow
• Increase your precision
• Reduce waste
• Save time and money

The Wrap-Up

Incorporating the best woodworking design software into your next woodworking project, can help you in a variety of ways. Taking the time to develop a 3D model at the beginning of your project can save you time and money in the long run. 

Woodworking software helps you visualize your design, convey ideas to your client, develop material quantities, and estimate project costs. 

As you start your next project, consider testing out a free trial of one of the software mentioned in this article.