Cad design
 

Hey guys/ladies I have a question. I'd like to make a woodworking book on jigs,tips,plans and funiture and what not.
When I look through these kinds of books they have really nice detail 3d designs with out great detail in texture. Its not needed. If any of you know what I'm talking about. What kind of program do they use. I've included a sample picture of what I'm kinda looking for. Also do cad programs render the output or do you need a 3d party program for that?

Have you tried using the LW Cad plugins that come if you buy the LW9 bundle?
I haven't yet myself but everything that's on that image you can reproduce with the plugins. When using the plugins every line and every space between points can be measured (then you can paste the text in Photoshop or other photo program)

Not the best at totally describing the LW Cad plugins but it's possible. (If you try to buy the LW Cad plugins it's like 130 - 170 $) (If you get the LW 9 bundle it comes free with Vue 5 and free LW Cad Plugins)


Hope that helps solve your question.

There are cheap CAD tools available that might be more up the alley you're looking at (ArchiCAD, TurboCAD, etc). I believe most of them have basic rendering engines in them that will do the sort of diagrams you need.

I used turbo cad for a while it's not bad and should be good for what you need....It was cheap too...not sure about price now though.

3D Via Composer is a high end solution that does everything you describe and much much more.