Where do you get quality plans?

[mr rusty]

If you can get your head around 3D cad, plans become very easy. I use TurboCAD Deluxe - Advanced & Affordable 2D/3D CAD Software. There is nothing like drawing up in 3D, and then being able to rotate and explode whatever it is you are drawing to get all the cutting dimensions.

You have to get your head around the fact that everything you draw starts on the workplane, but get that and 3D drawing starts dropping in to place. Makes things very easy - for example, you can draw one 3D part, and then subtract it from another part to create the joint, then just measure the dimensions.

 

[Beanwood]

This may be of absolutely no use whatsoever but I found this a while ago and, occasionally, stare at it again for a while...

https://bradford.missouri.edu/passive-solar-greenhouse/

Very interesting for the concept of stored heat using water - but not quite for me thanks.

If you can get your head around 3D cad, plans become very easy. I use TurboCAD Deluxe - Advanced & Affordable 2D/3D CAD Software. There is nothing like drawing up in 3D, and then being able to rotate and explode whatever it is you are drawing to get all the cutting dimensions.

You have to get your head around the fact that everything you draw starts on the workplane, but get that and 3D drawing starts dropping in to place. Makes things very easy - for example, you can draw one 3D part, and then subtract it from another part to create the joint, then just measure the dimensions.

Wow - even the explanations look tricky. Seriously - I should be able to do it if I put my mind to it - I was an Engineering Drawing student back in the 1970s, but that was a few years ago now. I was really after a source of good quality plans - not because I can't draw them (Despite as I mention above I have no artistic flair) but so that things such as the best design for 3 and/or 4 way joints would be 'solved' for me rather than making a mistake.

 

[marcros]

I can't see it mentioned on the thread so far...

I am not a designer. I do like to use inspiration from things that I see, and I wouldn't want to sell these for fear of infringing IP rights so they are for my own use. I am certain that many others on the forum do similarly. If in doubt, check what Heals offer And they probably have some inspiration and very useful size info. IKEA are also very good for size information, Between the two you can usually work something out. I would caveat that with chairs where angles can make a huge difference.

I find the book "Human Dimension and Interior Space: A Source Book of Design Reference Standards" really useful, particularly where there isn't something existing and handy to measure.

 

[DennisCA]

I can imagine why, as he seems a bit 'hard sell', but do you avoid him for any particular reason?

"Ted" is a scammer plain and simple.
https://woodgears.ca/ted/