I began working on my concept of SketchList 3D about three years ago. I had built a hutch and didn't like the proportions of the upper and lower sections. Resolving to do more design and planning before my next project, I went to a design workshop and picked up a few ideas. That workshop stressed building scale models. Model building took a lot of work and time, and being a computer oriented person, I went off looking for ways to design on the computer.

There was precious little available. Some packages cost too much. Some didn't do what I wanted (in fact none of them did). Some were overly complex to learn. So I designed my own 'dream woodworking' package. It is what I wanted for designing and planning furniture before I head to my shop. I wrote a manual describing the idea and offered it to two software companies so they might develop the idea. Both refused. Finally I hired programmers and began development. The idea has been improved by input from a number of people and here I am, years later, beginning to sell it.

Asked why I invested so much time and money in SketchList 3D I can say that I really wanted to develop something that is fun to use in its own right, provides significant value to woodworkers - both amateur and professional, and adds to the enjoyment woodworkers get from practicing their craft. That's really it. Of course I want to make a profit, but unless value and function are there, the profit will be small and short lived.

Ease of use was the primary goal: "Learn to use it in an evening" was how I quantify that goal. I'm not sure people become experts in an evening, but so far many users have said 4 or 5 hours got them designing and using the package.

Related to ease of use is comprehensive functionality. I am put off when I have to take data from one program and enter into another and so on to get what I wanted from the start. Integration of different solutions is central to the thinking of SketchList 3D. The other important idea is that of built-in, automated woodworking functions. Why bother to design a drawer over and over. The computer can be instructed how to do this so that you only need to say "I need a drawer here and it should be so wide, so high, and so deep." Finished! All elements of the drawer are on the drawing, shown on the renderings, included in the parts list and the cutting layout diagram. Rails and stile on that drawer front? Click your mouse and the rails and stiles appear. Integration and built in functions are what create ease of use and speeds work from design to shop.

Another important goal - in terms of value - was to keep the cost of SketchList 3D low enough that you can afford it.

I have observed in my travels to woodworking shows and such that woodworkers are as different as -- well people are different. One sands wood and another says that proper use of a plane and scraper eliminate the need for sanding. One uses mortise and tenon joinery, the other pocket screws. One uses all the latest gadgets and visits the Festool website every day, the other has no electricity in his or her shop. Everyone has an opinion and point of view - sometimes strongly held. Given that, I know that SketchList 3D won't fill very need of every person -- but we keep trying hard to do so.

Compared to other software approaches, some costing thousands, some taking weeks or months to master, some requiring the use of consultants, SketchList 3D is a very complete solution that meets the vast majority of what woodworkers want.

My commitments are that when problems are discovered, to address them as completely and quickly as we can, to keep developing documentation and training materials so that you get the most from your investment, and to listen to and consider your input and to be responsive.

Thank you for evaluating SketchList 3D. I hope you purchase a copy and find that it does indeed add to value and joy to your woodworking experiences.