Woodworking and Furniture Design Software
Woodworking design software falls into three groups: 3D modellers for drawing anything (SketchUp, Fusion), woodworking-specific design tools with cut lists (SketchList 3D, Polyboard), and parametric plan libraries where you resize ready-made furniture (Plymap). Which is best depends on whether you want to design from scratch or build a proven design at your own size. The first two groups are CAD software for woodworking: a woodworking CAD program draws any shape you can imagine, while woodworking project software built for furniture starts from the piece and produces the cut list.
Based on each product’s public website in October 2026. Features and prices change; check before you decide.
Comparison table
| Software | Type | Free option | Cut list | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SketchUp | 3D modeller | Free web version | With extensions (desktop) | Drawing any design |
| Fusion | Parametric CAD | Free personal licence, with limits | Manual or add-ins | Precise, parametric models |
| SketchList 3D | Woodworking design | Trial | Yes | Furniture and cabinets with reports |
| Polyboard | Parametric cabinet and furniture design | Trial | Yes, plus CNC | Custom cabinets and shops |
| Plymap | Resizable furniture plans and optimizer | Free plans and optimizer | Yes, with sheet layout | Building furniture from sheet goods |
| FreeCAD | Open-source parametric CAD | Free | With add-ons | Free CAD for those who can learn it |
Drawing vs resizing a plan
Drawing gives you complete freedom, but every part, joint and board thickness is yours to work out, and a 3D model is not yet a cut list. Resizing a parametric plan is the opposite: the design is fixed, but you type the size you need and get a correct parts list, door gaps and drawer boxes at once. Many woodworkers use both: a modeller for one-off pieces, a plan library for cabinets, wardrobes and bookcases.
What matters for furniture from sheet goods
- Board thickness in every part, so tops and bottoms between sides come out right.
- Edge banding and grain marked on the parts.
- A sheet layout that respects the saw kerf, so you buy the right number of sheets.
- Millimetres and inches, with fractions for the US.
- Working offline, in the shop.
Plymap
Plymap is built for that last group of needs: choose a bookcase, a wardrobe, a desk or a cabinet, type its size, and read the parts, the 3D model and the sheet layout. The cut list optimizer and several plans are free; the full library of resizable designs is a subscription.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free woodworking design software?
SketchUp’s free web version for drawing in 3D, Fusion’s free personal licence for parametric CAD, and Plymap’s free plans and cut list optimizer if you want parts and sheet layouts without drawing.
What is the easiest furniture design software?
A parametric plan library is the easiest: you choose a piece of furniture and type its size. Drawing from scratch in SketchUp is easy to start but takes time to learn well.
Do woodworkers use SketchUp?
Yes, it is the most popular 3D tool among woodworkers, often with an extension such as OpenCutList for cut lists and sheet layouts.
Is there woodworking software that makes a cut list?
Yes: SketchList 3D and Polyboard are built around cut lists, SketchUp needs an extension, and Plymap calculates cut lists from resizable furniture plans.