Best SU to AutoCAD Workflow Practices

SketchUp Pro
1

I’ve been a SU/LO - only guy for almost 20 years but it seems that AutoCAD isn’t going anywhere and most engineers/millwork companies demand industry-standard dwg files. I am somewhat familiar with AutoCAD but it’s been years since I’ve used it and all I really remember is hating the workflow and UI. However I am going to bite the bullet, buy the software, and bridge the gap.

I’d like to keep doing my typical meticulous SketchUp modeling but need to create clean dwg files for engineering and millwork companies from my skp files. I’d appreciate any pro tips, best practices, or tutorial recommendations. I’m particularly concerned about drawing organization translation and making sure other firms get exactly what they’re expecting when they request dwgs and not just a pile of exported linework.

Thanks in advance.

2

Just do it only in AutoCAD to avoid the hassle of file conversions.15 years in furniture business - no way to escape AutoCAD when working with others.

3

I’d use Curic toCAD.

And, if you’re on the woodworking side of things Open Cut List might be interesting too.

Edit: oh, and if you need to fix something in your drawings, why not use a free DWG editor. I use NanoCAD, myself, but there are others out there. Some are opensource.

1 Like