Instant Woodworking Design is a low-cost, but effective piece of software, particularly for those new to woodworking and CAD-based programs. Click image to enlarge

   Many woodworkers like building projects from drawn plans but until recently, most of us bought them from a retail vendor, or someone who knew how to use the intimidating CAD programs. Today, software like Instant Woodworking Design lets you modify and print a selection of plans on home computer equipment. In addition, if you are sufficiently motivated to learn the basics, you can draw detailed original plans.
   With a list price of about $29, (street prices in the $20 range) and a surprisingly small appetite for system resources, Instant Woodworking Design could be the software package many of us have been waiting for.

Installation and Setup
   Instant Woodworking Design has a very simple, automated install routine that requires little interaction by the user. I installed Instant Woodworking Design on a Gateway NT 4.0 (service pack 6) machine, equipped with 256 Meg RAM, and a Pentium II processor. Instant Woodworking Design produced no conflicts with other programs, plus, it found and accessed my printer on the first try, something too many software titles cannot do for some reason.

No Manual, But Extensive Help
   Instant Woodworking Design uses on-line help files that are loaded with the program to replace the fast-disappearing printed instruction manual. If you are accustomed to printed manuals, the electronic version takes a little getting used to, but can be even more effective as help is always close at hand: and you don't have to look for the manual every time it is needed.
   Instant Woodworking Design's help system, accessible from anywhere within the program by pushing the F1 key, includes a tutorial, step-by-step task-specific instructions, a Command Reference and Default Shortcut Key lists, and other explanations. Together they make locating, learning and using program functions much easier. Nearly all of the instruction pages are printable if you like having a hard copy to work from.
   Instant Woodworking Design also provides additional help and up-to-date information on their web site at www.Upperspace.com. Also available is a users forum where you can discuss specific issues with others who are using the program. Program-specific forums have proven to be a valuable asset for everyone from beginners to veteran users.

Ready-To-Use Plans
   Instant Woodworking Design contains dozens of simple pre-drawn plans that will be attractive to many new woodworkers: especially those who are new to CAD programming. Plans for everything from wide range of birdhouses, to a bookshelf, gun rack, workbench, doghouse and many more are loaded with Instant Woodworking Design.

The materials list was very accurate, complete, and close, but it indicated cutting two of each roof panel and one of each is needed. Click image to enlarge

   The pre-designed plans consist of several pages showing the individual parts, an exploded view, the finished project and a detailed materials list. You have the option of printing the complete set, or individual pages.
   The pre-drawn plans can be used as supplied or customized within the program (pre-set limits are automatically enforced) by the user. Instant Woodworking Design updates the affected portions of the plans, which can then be used on-screen, printed or saved for future use or modification.
   I tried a couple of the pre-designed plans, modifying each of them to see what Instant Woodworking Design produced. I increased the number of shelves in the bookcase plan to 8, and reduced overall depth from 12 to 10". The correct changes were made to the materials list, individual parts diagrams, and the shelf spacing detail drawings. However, the overall width of the unit shows as 36 ¾", or ¾" under the real size since butt-joint construction is indicated by the drawings. In addition, the finished project drawing and exploded views did not show the new number of shelves.
   I actually built one of the birdhouse plans. After increasing the height by an inch and printing the plans, I found that all of the dimensional changes were correct. Oddly, while the materials list shows one roof panel to be ¾" narrower than the other so the eves come out right, the list indicates cutting two of each side. Again, a small problem if you look the plans over before cutting the parts.

Aside from having to trim the floor piece, the birdhouse, cut as indicated, came out perfect. Click image to enlarge

   I cut all of the birdhouse parts according to the plans and almost all fit perfectly. Trimming ¾" from one end of the floor panel was the only correction I had to make.
   These relatively small problems should have no impact on the finished project. As with any set of plans, you should look the plan and materials list over before starting to make sure you understand it.
   Woodworkers, being a creative bunch, are no strangers to altering plans to suit their needs. Combining the ability to make basic dimensional changes with a little creativity increases the usefulness of the pre-designed plans in Instant Woodworking Design even further.

Custom Plans
   Instant Woodworking Design also includes a selection of typical CAD tools and commands with which more advanced users can draw original plans. Though relatively basic as CAD programs go, the capabilities of this program are more than adequate to produce nicely detailed plans.
   If you are new to CAD-based programs, a learning process is in your future before being able to use the available tools effectively. The length of your learning process depends on your basic computer skills and willingness to invest some time in the process. More than enough information is provided to learn this part of Instant Woodworking Design; you just have to make the effort to educate yourself.

I made this drawing after using Instant Woodworking Design only a half hour or so. The program has far greater capabilities than is demonstrated with this simple drawing. I had no prior CAD experience. Click image to enlarge

Saving Compatible Files
   Within the "File" menu are provisions for saving your work or exporting it for use by other woodworkers. All of the common CAD file formats are available.
   Instant Woodworking Design provides a mechanism through which you can save all or part of a drawing in the popular jpg format for use on Internet sites or further manipulation in most popular graphics programs. This means you can post or share plans over the Internet with those who do not have a CAD-based program themselves.

Conclusions
   Instant Woodworking Design is a capable program that in some ways may appear too simple for it's own good. The extensive list of pre-designed plans allows even novice users to build projects while familiarizing themselves with the more complex program capabilities.
   Initially I thought the included plans were overly simplistic but realized that for new woodworkers the lack of complexity is helpful. Using simple butt joints allow you to concentrate on making cuts that are correctly placed and square. Virtually everything else in woodworking is based on these two primary skills.
   The combination of simple pre-drawn plans and extended capabilities make Instant Woodworking Design a program that could be very useful in many home woodworking shops for years to come. You can practice the basic woodworking techniques, and then use the same program to draw more complicated projects as you learn to use it. Whether making plans for your own use, or to share with others, Instant Woodworking Design is an affordable package that will benefit a wide range of woodworkers.

Also, see my review of DesignCAD Express!

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