Expert: Bob - 6/7/2005

Question
I interested in designing part libraries for woodworking shops. What is the best way or format to produce these parts so most CAD operators, with a variety different revisions can use them?  I am using AutoCAD 2004

Answer
Hi-- My response is mainly going to be about homework and market research. The people who are in that industry should be able to tell you what they need much better than I can, so check them out thoroughly and see what your competitors lack. I do not know the particulars of that industry - obviously, you either do or will need to learn them.
As for how to create the drawings-- Autodesk Inventor would  be my first choice to create them, but I am sure that AutoCAD formats are more wanted for distribution. (you can get there from Inventor-- and Autocad will do fine if it must)  Some machinery will want R12 dxfs (as many laser cutting shops do) -- some will want dwgs. This is part of your research.
The main mistake people make in wanting to start a business is failure to do adequate research, second is financing. (I originally was a UC Berkeley Marketing graduate)
Good luck!
Bob