Replies

1. 
   Fred_Matthews | Feb 19, 1999 10:48am | #1

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   SteveM-I'm not aware of any "smart" software which will calculate and/or generate cutting lists, but I'm sure there are some which do. CabinetVision may-check some of the cabinet shop trade mags. A good CAD program can't generate cutting lists, but will give you exact dimensions in feet and inches (or any other units you wish). I'm not confident letting any software determine how I'm going to cut my sheet goods. With CAD, I don't dimension anything til I'm down to my final design, and even then, I pull dimensions right off the computer (I find dimensioning within the CAD program tedious anyway).

2. 
   Guest_ | Feb 19, 1999 05:48pm | #2

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   Steve, they exist, but you will nedd to do some evaluations. I am shopping for one now, and I still havent't settled. Here are some suggestions to follow up; hope I'm not covering stuff you already know.1)Pattern Systems-aimed at big shops, lots of computersied gear, very expensive but capable. 2)Cabinetvision/Cabnetware-industry standards (small to med) will prepare cutlists, panel optimisation, door/drawer lists, hardware counts, prepare shopdrawings and renderings, prepare proposals , quotes, all your business forms, generated from within the program, which is programmed with how you build your cabs.Vision is supposed to be better for people doing lots of custom stuff, 'Ware for standard kitchens. Both have pretty committed followers and equally committed detractors, and neither seem to be close to perfect. Check out the forum at "Cabinetmaker" magazine (online). 3)Lower cost alternatives to CVision and Cware= Cabinet Pro (Siskiyou), Quisine Insite, Kcd (?). If you start searching through the woodworking sites under software you will turn all these up.The bottom line seems to be this; we pros need the software, but as a market we are too small (like 75000 shops) for these companies to put adequate research money into compared to something like Autocad. The result is that we have to buy what are essentially prototypes, and find the bugs ourselves. Why do we do this? Like you, we need to make the process more efficient, and even if these programs aren't perfect, they beat all nighters with a pen and calculator. And they will inevitably get better. As I say, I am looking at them, and I have a general cad program I am learning for one-off stuff and floor plans. Good luck

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   SteveM_ | Feb 20, 1999 08:19am | #3

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   I agree with you Fred that getting the most out of a sheet is probably too much to ask of a program, but it seems to me what I want should not be too much to ask of a PC. These are relatively simple calculations and repititious as he$$.
   Adrian, I would be interested in knowing what you finally settle on. I would also welcome more info on the volume of business you do etc etc. Either or both of you can e-mail me or post more info here. Thanks so much!
   SteveM

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   Guest_ | Feb 20, 1999 09:13am | #4

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   Steve , after looking at all the programs mentioned in the previous post and using a trial version of a couple of them I finally bought a program called Cabinet Solutions .They ran a special in January for a fully working thirty day trial version for twenty dollars which they applied to the purchase price of $ 1600.00 ( reg. $1900.00) . I havnt used it much but I'm already getting the hang of it .I would have liked to buy Cabinet Vision or Cabinet Ware but really couldnt justify the cost ,about $6500.00 . This program gives accurate cut lists if you set up your job standards right .It also does panel optimizing[ which I probably wont use] ,job costing,3D [the graphics suck ] ,proposals ,face frame or frameless . email me if I can be of any help . Chuck

5. 
   Andy_Campbell | Feb 21, 1999 09:13pm | #5

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   Steve, our cabinet shop builds an average of five kitchens a week. We use Cabnetware for both frame and frameless.Depending on the jobs, we go through about 60-90 sheets of various materials,plus face frame stock.This program is great.It's alot of work to set it up to your specs so all the pieces get cut correctly.Once you have it tuned in, then its a breeze.As long as you don't change anything, your cutlists will be accurate each and everytime.We have the Panel Optimizer option,but never use it.We find it too rigid for a custom shop.We get better results with trained people making those decisions.Also, in time we wind up using most all of our downfall. A shop that uses only,say MDF,part.bd.,Melamine,may find it advantageous.Both Cabnetware, and CabinetVision have everything you will ever need.Both are very expensive. A lesser known and much simpler program(but very nice)is one called AutoCabinet. It is around $2500.Hope this helps.

6. 
   SteveM_ | Feb 21, 1999 09:25pm | #6

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   I custom build about a dozen kitchens a year. I hate calculating the exact dimensions of every piece before I start. I am looking for software that can do this for me. Keep in mind that the software must be able to either understand inches and fractions or be EASILY instructed inches and fractions. If any of you have had experience, good or bad, with programs of this nature I would be grateful for your input. Thanks!
   SteveM