Best Software/Guide to design an in desk computer system

jbgcal

Commendable
May 11, 2016
2
0
1,510
Preface: Hello! I'm about to embark on a journey to create an in desk computer build. There's still a lot to hash out as far as components, design, layout, etc. But I have to start somewhere. I felt that given my overall budget and wants, I'd be happiest designing my own desk to make sure I have room for all the components, water reservoirs, fans, accessories, etc. Again, I'm not 100% set on anything yet, so I want a design method that allows for change.

Based on my research I'm heavily leaning towards a 3D CAD Software, but I'm definitely open to any advice to do this a different way. I want this to be as exact as possible (hopefully holes/slots can be precise down to the millimeters). Also, I've found surprisingly little on the topic, and I was hoping someone could point me towards either a forum or a guide to help the process.

Approximate Purchase Date: I hope to make this purchase within the next few days so I have ample time to design and then construct my desk. I am looking to purchase the construction materials in late July or August, computer parts in Late September or October, and water cooling a few days after my parts get in and component assembly is done

Budget Range: Under $150 for the software (preferably one time purchase, but if it's monthly, under $15)

Location: California, USA; I need the license to be applicable to my situation (I don't intend on selling anything, its for personal use/construction)

Additional Comments: Once I'm done with the desk build, I plan on uploading pictures and I'd happily share/include the design files, as long as the license allows it
 
Solution
jbgcal,

For your use and criteria, it's impossible to think of a better software choice than Trimble Sketchup Make 2016/ This is free for non-commercial use and is a very intuitive 3D software.

It's possible to to download, install, and by just playing with the controls for twenty minutes, make a rectangle, extrude it to 3D, add another box on the side, put a window with blue glass in it, cover it in polished Aluminum and export a 2D image with shadows. There is a good object and layer control and reasonable level of dimensioning and notation tools. I'm not sure, but I think the free Make version also has the shadow tools which projects shadows for the month, day and time.

A really terrific feature is...
jbgcal,

For your use and criteria, it's impossible to think of a better software choice than Trimble Sketchup Make 2016/ This is free for non-commercial use and is a very intuitive 3D software.

It's possible to to download, install, and by just playing with the controls for twenty minutes, make a rectangle, extrude it to 3D, add another box on the side, put a window with blue glass in it, cover it in polished Aluminum and export a 2D image with shadows. There is a good object and layer control and reasonable level of dimensioning and notation tools. I'm not sure, but I think the free Make version also has the shadow tools which projects shadows for the month, day and time.

A really terrific feature is the "3D Warehouse" where you can download a 3D model of about anything- trees, people cars, chairs, engines. A month or so ago, I did a design for a wall-mounted computer (dual Xeon workstation) and computer desk in Sketchup Pro. I downloaded a quite precise model of a Herman Miller chair, a dual Xeon motherboard, RAM modules, a GTX 970, a computer power supply, Dell monitors, Wacom digitizing tablet, case fans, and etc.- all ready to go.and set it in a room with a corner window having a view of mountains plus a skylight, then exported day and night images with shadows- fast and looks quite good.

Quite amazing given the price.

The 2D drafting and precision is somewhat limited as everything is a 3D object- a plane, and, for example, the angle accuracy is 0.1 degrees (whereas I use .0001 in AutoCad and Solidworks). The Pro version allows import and export of AutoCad DWG and DXF, but I had a disaster when Sketchup rescaled my Auto Cad drawing to 0.987 and I worked in it two hours before discovering it.

But give Sketchup a go- it's free- has a version for about every platform, and up to a certain level it's really useful and easy to learn. It's very single--threaded but I tried the Pro version on a 2007 dual core Dell Dimension E520 and it ran much better than I imagined, given I usually use a 6-core 3.7 /4.0GHz Xeon E5 system.

Cheers,

BambiBoom



 
Solution