How to Draw a Bookcase Using CAD

Whether you’re creating a bookcase for function or aesthetics, there are basics construction techniques that must be followed while using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) as your drafting platform. Following the six steps below will give you a basic bookcase drawing that you can add your own flair and creativeness to.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• CAD program
• Advanced CAD skills

1. Determine the wall length you are creating the bookcase drawing for by either measuring the existing wall or dimensioning the wall on the plan you are working from.
2. Draw the shell of the elevation showing the ceiling line, the floor line, right wall corner, and left wall corner, using the overall dimensions determined in Step 1.
3. Create the outline of the bookcase by offsetting one horizontal line up from the floor line to the desired height of the bookcase.
4. Create a toe kick by offsetting one line up from the floor line 3 inches.
5. Create the frame of the bookcase. Draw a rectangle from the top-left corner of the bookcase to the intersection of the toe kick and the right wall. Offset the rectangle to the inside: 1 1/2 inches.
6. Create equally spaced a half inch thick shelves by offsetting horizontal lines inside the rectangle.

Tips & Warnings

• Your shell lines should be thicker than all the lines inside of the shell for printing purposes and should be a different color for easy viewing.
• Adding a crown at the top of the bookcase secured by a cleat adds a creative touch and gives it the look of furniture.
• A decorative base can be used in lieu of creating a toe kick by adding blocking behind the base.
• The outside rectangle is used to construct the frame and may be deleted after the using the offset command.
• The purpose of the frame is to hide any visible pins usually found on adjustable shelves. If you want to use a decorative bracket for shelf support, you should eliminate the use of the frame and skip to step 6.
• Shelves are usually spaced 10 to 14 inches apart depending on what their use will be.
• Constructing a bookcase with a width greater than 3 feet will require a support every three feet or a centered support if the width is less than 6 feet to prevent bowing.
• The shelf type should be noted on the elevation to ensure proper supports are used. You could have pin holes for adjustable shelves or cleats for fixed shelves.

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