I am designing a kitchen and I need more options than come in the Design Tool Catalog-imperial (using latest version of AutoCad Arch).  I have gone to some of the manufactuer's web sites like Kitchen Aid and got nowhere.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

what kind of things you are searching for?

  You can DL a free trial of KCL CADalog here :http://www.kclcad.com/ it contains drawing files from  almost every major manufacture in the industry.
FloridaCAD2010-07-23 14:36:48

Thanks for replying!  I am looking for 3D: Pro style 48 inch wide range.  Ventilation hoods.  Induction style Cooktop.  Double oven unit.  Smaller sinks that would go in a kitchen island.   More options on counter top edges.  Auxillary refrigerator (24 or 30 " wide by 34 high).  Nice looking pendant lighting for over the sink and island.  Also the same level of interest for bathrooms.  Any and all help is appreciated.
 
-JE

Jon - KCL is for Commercial kitchen equipment , may not be what you are looking for. - Sorry 

You could take a look at Evermotion.org or Turbosquid.com and see what they have for sale. The only problem is that most of what you will find will be in either .max or .obj format, which is no good to you if you need to bring these models into Autocad. If you can find .3ds files, you can Import those into Autocad.
 
Your other option would be to either build the models yourself, or hire a freelancer to build them for you.
 
Take a look at these sites also.
They have free models available for download:
 
http://www.3dmodelfree.com/
http://archive3d.net/
 
 
 
 

Jon, all ofthe items you mentioned can easily be made with autolisp.
These items can also be parametric so that a function that models sinks
will model all sinks. I have made a few models of sinks and refrigerators while playing around.  If you have information as to specific sizes I may be able to write a routine for you. I,m thinking a cabinet routine would be useful to you.

A lisp routine that can build 3D models?
Accurate, detailed 3D models?
I think I would have to see it to believe it.
Can you post the routine that builds refrigerators? I just don't see how this is possible.
 

-Many thanks!
-I have not checked out all the web sites yet and thanks for the heads-up on kclcad being commercial. 
-So far:  I got a 48" wide range in 3D from the Thermador web site.   My computer moves extremely slow when handeling it but it works.  The 3D .dwg refrigerator from Subzero is probably 50 feet wide (I didn't check) in model space which I have set at 1'-0"=1'-0".  I have not figured out how to fix this problem.  What did I do wrong?
-Right now it looks like the real challange is going to be the ventilating hood which has to be 54 inches wide and wall mounted.  The style is going to be either Craftsman (mostly wood) or a modern stainless steel look.  I am really going to have to improve my skill level to create my own.  Where does one get advanced training? 
 
-Jon E

[QUOTE=JonErnest]I am really going to have to improve my skill level to create my own.  Where does one get advanced training? 
[/QUOTE]
 
Enroll in a class or buy books or training DVD's.
And practice, a lot.

Thanks.  I just finished an intro, 16 week Autocad architect desktop class at a local community college.  The next level will not be offered until next spring.  How about an online course?  One with some meat, not fluf!
Which DVD's?  Books are my favorite.
 
Also, I checked out your website and I am impressed with your work/artwork.  Top notch!

It's a lot harder to find books or DVD's that are geared specifically for Autocad 3D, than it is for other 3D software. Autocad training usually revolves primarily around 2D drafting, with just a little introduction into the basics of 3D. Nothing really substantial. 
 
But having said that, check Amazon.com for books, search online for tutorials and just get into the program and start messing around. In my opinion, experimentation is the best teacher. And if you have questions, just ask them here. I do all of my 3D work in 3DS Max, but I do have a fair amount of Autocad 3D experience, so I will do my best to answer whatever questions I can.
 
And thanks for the feedback on my website.

I have been using autolisp to build 3d models for years and yes they are accurate. I do not have a routine to model refrigerators but this can easily be accomplished as a refrigerator in nothing more than a big box. There is no need to model the inside even though this is also possible. As far as seeing to believe a lot of people don't believe even after they see. They say "wow" man I didn't know autocad could do that. I have a routine for modeling Dodge USAF 500 pillow block bearings. It models approx 65 different bearing sizes 2 and 4 bolt with 2 different types of seals. I would like to post it but I,m don't know. I will send a copy to the webmaster and see of he will post it. If you send me an email I will send you a copy. As far as the refrig model being 50 ft wide, It may be a metric model and needs to be scaled down.

Autolisp.  You make it sound so easy! 




I am not sure how I am going to get to a custom sheetmetal range hood but I am going to check it out.  It's Sunday so the library is closed but I requested the following:
 
The AutoCADet's guide to Visual LISP : optimize and customize your AutoCAD design environment /

by Kramer, Bill, 1958-





 
Regards,
-J

I just don't understand why you would spend a lot of time writing a lisp routine to create a 3D model. It just seems kind of pointless because once the routine creates the model, it is no longer relevant because the model is done and you can insert it into any file you're working on. And in the time it takes to write the routine and get it working correctly, you could have just built the model anyway.


 
I don't know. Maybe you shouldn't listen to me. I'm an artist, not a programmer. I would much rather spend my time building a model than writing a bunch of code to build it for me. My fun comes from modeling, not typing.
 
You should do whatever you enjoy most.

LISP routine by Greg Culjan:
uploads/20100725_195055_NU_usaf_500_4_b.lsp

as you probably know 3d models = large file size . a autolisp file of just a few kilobytes can make a model millions of kilobytes in size. try using my bearing routine thats just been posted and let me know what you think.
I wrote a routine for jon that will model his range hoods for him. He can make them any size he wants. It took about 2 hours to write the program. jon send me an email and I'll send you the programgreg culjan2010-07-25 23:07:31

I can't download the routine. I keep getting an error saying the page cannot be found.
 
 
 
 

-I can't get the upload either.
-Large files are killing me (slowly)
-Autolisp goes: I'm a ceramic artist when I'm not remodeling houses.  I like to do things myself but I am stuck on a plateau with Autocad Arch.  If Greg spent that kind of time (which worries me because he knows what he is doing and I am a newbi) to help me out I am all over it.  
-I really appreciate the opinions expressed here.  Obviously I will give it all a try and see what works for my situation.   
 
-What is the proper way to give Greg C. my email?
 
Thanks to all of you!

You can choose to have your email address display in your profile by going to Settings > Member Control Panel Menu > Edit Profile > Forum Preferences > Show my Email Address.


 
In fact, if you click on Greg's name, you will see that he has an email address available for you to contact him.

Thanks!

There are many Revit families resources. Try Turbosquid.com, revitcity.com or revitbay.com