KCD Software
Design, pricing and CNC software
for cabinet and closets
User views on cabinet software
Cabinet makers share their opinions and experiences with the major software packages and vendors. September 26, 2000

G Code Trick
Writing code that repeats itself at different xy locations. June 4, 2004

Making Code from Sloppy Drawings
The frustrations of messy drawings, and a parallel discussion of CNC theory vs. reality in terms of function. December 9, 2004

Shifting from CAM to CAD
Scaling drawings for machining. (CAD Forum) May 17, 2003

The Value of Interfaces
A user discovers the power of interfaces and others join in the conversation. February 25, 2005

Using Spreadsheets in a Woodworking Business
Business owners describe how spreadsheets can help a woodworking shop get things done. April 6, 2007

CNC Code -- Causing a Line to Be Ignored
Code which will exclude a line from the program. June 4, 2004

CNC tooling slippage
Could it be the collects, the cleaning, the cones... what? July 9, 2002


Configuration for Cowards
Basics of configuration December 5, 2001

Macro to Note Dimensions in CAD
Ace coders fine-tune a macro for noting dimensions in architectural style. March 17, 2005

Converting lines to polylines
Step by step CAD instructions. December 17, 2003

Z axis oscillation code
Programming the Z-axis of a router to use more of the cutting length of the tools. February 19, 2002

The Web as a customer interface
Shop owners share their ideas on the Internet's usefulness from a marketing and customer service standpoint. September 6, 2000

Fishtail problems with CNC router
Could it be the CAM package or controller? February 19, 2002

Deleting Blocks and Layers
Why won't these stubborn ACAD elements go away? December 9, 2004

AlphaCAM nesting problem
Should the postprocessor be modified? March 23, 2002

Titleblock in CAD
How-to instructions for setting up a titleblock for your template. July 24, 2002

CNC Routing From PDF
Definition of a tap file, and whether or not PDFs provide precision. August 17, 2004

Recovering Lost Data from Hard Drive Crashes
If the hard disk is physically intact, the odds are good that your data is still there. April 21, 2007

Whether And When To Purge Drawings
Cleaning out the clutter cuts file size and processor time. April 11, 2005

Should engineers do parts drawings?
Product engineers can draw impressive sketches. But should they be expected to write code? November 15, 2000

Digitizing board recommendations
Digitizing drawings that are larger than the tablet. July 24, 2002

Making Cool Stuff with Metal Components
This thread started out with a question about finding T-nuts for rigging up an adjustable cabinet pull-out shelf slide. But it goes on to consider all sorts of things you can rig up in the shop using off-the-shelf metal parts. February 13, 2009

Computers: Turbo-Charged Filing Cabinets
With a little effort, computers can make information storage and access a quick and painless process. 1998.

Cautionary Tale: Backups and Computer Malware
A shop owner describes how his data survived a virus attack that wiped out two computer hard drives and erased a backup disk (one backup version miraculously survived). April 21, 2011

Computer Clinic: Where 'Deleted' Files Go
What really happens to deleted files, and options for permanently removing all traces of them fron your hard drive. 1998.

CAD software for architectural millwork
Choosing the right CAD package for angle calculations and complex displays. January 3, 2001

What does Visual Basic do?
An explanation of how Microsoft's Visual Basic for Applications works. June 13, 2001

Which software?
Ideas on reasonably priced, comprehensive computer applications for cabinetmakers. February 13, 2001

Communicating via email
Buying and Selling Wood on the Internet: Part 1. January 3, 2002

G codes and plot codes
The differences between and attributes of each. August 13, 2002

Computer purchase recommendations
Choosing the right computer system to run CAD and more. January 3, 2001

Database and inventory software
Recommended software for customer databases and inventory tracking. November 21, 2000

3d Cnc
Programming 3D work on a CNC. August 26, 2004

Converting AutoCAD to metric measure
Setting up AutoCAD for metric, instead of imperial, measure. February 28, 2001

Dimension Tick/Arrow Defaults
Ideas for making arrows the norm, rather than tick marks, in dimension callouts. January 24, 2005

CabinetVision and Mastercam
Using these systems for kitchen cabinet design and construction. March 23, 2002

Is 3D a CAD necessity?
Choosing the CAD package best suited to your work. December 12, 2000

Free Forestry Sciences Laboratory Software
Here's a collection of free computer software designed to help with starting and running a wood products business. December 22, 2006

Parametric AutoCAD drawings
Setting up parametric AutoCAD drawings to accompany CNC programs. November 22, 2003

Help With Plotting in AutoCAD
Advice for plotting a building floor plan. February 25, 2005

How do you do it? -- CNC Programming
Programmers share their methods. August 17, 2004

ACAD OSNAP Help
Troubleshooting the loss of OSNAP settings in ACAD 2002. February 25, 2005

Nested base manufacturing
Switching from a P2P to a CNC router, and taking on new software and a new process. August 29, 2001

Selecting the Right CAM System
A CAM systems administrator outlines the top considerations involved in choosing computer-aided manufacturing software. August 16, 2005

AutoCAD Drawings, Step by Step
Efficient development of shop drawings. April 18, 2004

Microvellum Users Assess New Version
An extensive and detailed look at the powerful drawing-to-cutlist integrated application's traits and quirks. August 29, 2005

Five-piece doors on CNC
Doing raised-panel work on a CNC router. November 26, 2001

CNC configuration
Building a CNC router. May 1, 2003

Going from handcrafted to CNC
Discussion of P2Ps, dedicated boring, edgebanders and other equipment, software and processes. August 29, 2001

Choosing CAD/CAM for Complex Carved Custom Furniture
What programs could handle the drawing and machine control requirements for reproducing an intricate, highly decorated, hand-carved piece of custom furniture? April 19, 2011

Layer Names and Line Defaults
Organizing and simplifying layers in CAD. May 19, 2004

Synchronizing and Backing Up Multiple Computers
How do you keep an office computer, home computer, and smart phone synchronized, backed up, and secure?July 28, 2012

To nest or not to nest?
Is nesting appropriate for all shops? June 4, 2003

WOODPRO - Species Selection Made Easy
A free complete working computer program (that can be downloaded at WOODWEB), allowing woodworkers to select the most suitable wood species for any particular application - 1997

Upgrading the Controller on an Older CNC Device
It's hard to upgrade old equipment to a new computer, but here are some suggested workarounds for getting the most out of an outmoded setup. January 4, 2014

Cost of Developing Custom Applications
Business aspects of code written to order. April 11, 2005

AutoCAD Dimension Lines
Cleaning up extension lines. December 26, 2004

Upgrading Office Computers
Business owners suggest ways to improve the speed and power of your office computers, without switching platforms. April 19, 2015

Drilling Problem
Participants help troubleshoot a "boring" challenge. February 25, 2005

Changing Splines to Polylines
Easy AutoCAD tips for a quick change. December 26, 2004

Variables in Parametric Programming
Forum participants guide a user through programming customization techniques for an Andi CNC with a Fanuc 18I controller. January 24, 2005

Managing Computer Obsolescence with Old CNC Equipment
Microsoft has stopped supporting the Windows XP operating system, but some CNC equipment still relies on it. What are the practical workarounds for machine owners? April 18, 2015

Using Spreadsheets to Standardize Cabinet Part Specification
You can make an Excel spreadsheet to automate and standardize your process of specifying cabinet part dimensions. August 5, 2010

Moulding Calculator Spreadsheet Program
A free downloadable Excel spreadsheet that calculates the price per foot to charge for mouldings. December 16, 2000

Estimating and purchasing software
Recommended reading and computer software for estimating architectural woodwork. February 7, 2001

Software for Making MDF Doors on a CNC
A shop owner gets a few suggestions for door fabricating software to go with his new CNC. April 18, 2015

ITEMIZER - From R & R Drummond, Inc.
Use your computer to generate efficient layouts for cutting sheet material into desired sizes (a link to a demo download is provided)1998

Parametric Drawings
Can parametric design simplify change orders? May 19, 2004

Production Management Software for a Woodshop
Once you have your paper systems straight, what can a computer software package do for your materials and time tracking, labor productivity evaluations, et cetera? April 20, 2008

Parametric Programming Versus CAD and CAM Toolpath Creation
A request for help in defining a shape mathematically for machine code leads into a discussion of situations where hand-coding and math are better than working in higher-level drawing and toolpath programs. February 19, 2013

Printing and Viewing Blueprints for Bidding
Cabinetmakers discuss the nuts and bolts of working with digital blueprints, including a look at software that helps with takeoffs and estimating. April 19, 2015

Bar Codin' Blues
A Visual Basic script can generate bar codes for inputting CNC instructions. April 10, 2005

Drawing Units and Precision
Deciding on the level of precision needed for cabinet and millwork design. October 20, 2004

- Spreadsheet Calculation Program -- for Curves, Angles, Compound Miters and Springback
Free downloadable program(s) in both Excel and MS Works, including illustrations that support the formulas.. August 6, 2002

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