SketchUp is an outstanding tool for designing kitchen cabinets. The free version has abundance of strong features, and even professionals with access to $30,000 cabinet design software regularly use it.

Before you start drawing, think about what you’re actually trying to accomplish. If you mean to draw every end panel, top, bottom, shelf, back and toe kick for every cabinet, you’re going to misuse a lot of time. Drawing all those parts isn’t essential. popularwoodworking.com published this news writer by Nick Lieurance. We are presenting you an excerpt.

The designing of Kitchen cabinet with the help of SketchUp is interesting. You just desire to see what the design is going to look like.

Here’s a tip for designing kitchen cabinets with SketchUp the simple way: Draw the overall shape of the cabinets and doors, but don’t make divide parts for each cabinet. You just want to see what the design is going to look like. You can make sure anything is going to fit without wasting any time drawing parts you’re going to have to put in a cutlist later.

If you have a difficult situation that requires a custom cabinet, create a new model and sketch all the parts so that you can show, exactly how to set up the cabinet. If you require using a custom piece of hardware, download the specs and use them to make sure you know how to slot in.

When you sketch your cooking place, start with a precise, to the point and exact drawing of the room itself, with accurate wall heights, lengths and other dimensions. First of all, calculate your kitchen and create note of the sink center and plumbing locations. Draw the outlets, windows, doors, trim and other features of the room. A well-dimensioned model will help you keep away from the surprises during installation.

You’ll want to generate several layers in SketchUp to help you keep everything prearranged. You should put the room on the default layer (Layer0). When you’re trying to turn the model around and look at things up close, having the room on its own layer will come in handy. You’ll be able to conceal the walls, floor and other structural things that might block your view. Create separate layers for appliances, base cabinets, base fillers, countertops, upper cabinets, upper fillers and trim. Make sure you regulate the current layer each time you switch from drawing a base cabinet to something else, or from an upper to trim, and so on.

You’ll use it to trial with doors and drawer configurations, cabinet widths and other ideas. When you’ve settled on the overall design, you can make dimensioned shop drawings and work out the small detailings.

Ref: www.popularwoodworking.com