Why Cabinet Tools ?
Preliminary Home Design is a fluid changing process. The design of cabinets is part of that changing process. I created Cabinet Tools for that purpose. A tool with which the Designer can quickly create a concept for discussion with the client, and from which the final design can flow. Cabinet Tools geometry is therefore minimal to keep file size down. For example, there is no actual drawer behind the drawer fronts. There is no need since every Cabinet manufacturer will know how to make the actual drawer, including the sliding drawer hardware, there is no need getting bogged down in the additional detailing of drawers in 3d.
There is also nothing wrong with using ready made components from the Google warehouse either. As long as one recognizes when to use them and when not to use them. I'll use them if I'm paid to create interior renderings. Otherwise they are overly detailed, geometry heavy, and mostly time consuming to search for, including the great variety, of wood alternative textures, to select from. These Component Cabinets in most cases qualify as great 3d Shop drawings, that's why these Cabinet manufacturers created them.
Hence I think Cabinet Tools, is the perfect alternative for quick preliminary Cabinet design. All Cabinets are derived from 4 sub-cabinet menus:
1. SGL Cabinet - Door: Creates a Single Cabinet with a right or left facing door.
2. SGL Cabinet - Door + Drawer: Creates a Single Cabinet with a Drawer option and right or left facing door.
3. DBL Cabinet - Doors or Drawers: Creates a Double door Cabinet, or a Drawers only cabinet, with Drawer Size options.
4. CNR Cabinet - Door: Creates a typical Corner Cabinet, with corner door size option.
In addition:
1. Each Cabinet has an option to include, Knob, Pull, or no Hardware.
2. Each Cabinet has an option to include, or exclude a Finished Counter Top.
3. Each Cabinet Door shows a transparent visual panel, which can be changed to a non-transparent color or texture later using the SketchUp Paint Bucket menu.
4. Each Cabinet Door or Drawer is created with a distinct display color, which can easily be edited later using the SketchUp Paint Bucket menu.
By default base Cabinets are created. However by changing the depth and deleting the Kick space; upper Cabinets are created. Similarly by changing the height; floor to ceiling Cabinets are created. All members are grouped, hence copying and pasting additional shelves or dividers into Cabinets depends on how much time you want to spend adding elements to the default Cabinets. In the end these Cabinets will also render as well as any manufacturer created Cabinets at the warehouse.
If you are interested in this Plugin and want to view the videos, please click the link:cabinet
cheers!
