TurboCAD Tales of Success showcase the extraordinary possibilities unlocked by choosing the #1 best-selling CAD software in retail. Whether tackling expansive architectural plans or intricate mechanical designs, TurboCAD empowers users to bring their visions to life—no project is too big or too small. With TurboCAD Platinum, Pro, Deluxe, or Designer, available for both Windows and Mac, users gain access to powerful tools that adapt to every creative challenge.

Making a Steam Engine

Bob Holme is a dedicated machinist and long-time TurboCAD user who specializes in model engineering. In 2007, he began redrafting original plans for historical steam engines—many of which contained critical errors that were only discovered after castings had been produced, rendering them costly and unusable.

To avoid these issues, Bob transitioned from traditional 2D drafting to 3D modeling in TurboCAD, which allowed him to identify structural flaws that weren’t visible in the original layouts. This shift made a significant difference in both design accuracy and production efficiency.

Bob credits the TurboCAD 2D & 3D CAD Fundamentals training products for helping him quickly become proficient with the software, enabling him to unlock advanced features and improve design outcomes.

Beyond his personal projects, Bob serves as moderator of the Model Engine Maker online community (www.modelenginemaker.com), where members collaborate on precision engineering builds. One such example is the Corliss steam engine model—designed entirely from bar stock. This model can evolve from a basic working prototype into a fully governed engine that runs on compressed air or steam.

Thanks TurboCAD!

Design with a View

Brian St. John-Mosse began his career in design and construction in 1971 as a 15-year-old carpentry apprentice. Today, he leads Newleaf Interiors, a Bahamas-based design business focused on outdoor structures like cabanas and carports, as well as interior spaces for hospitals, banks, and restaurants.

He first discovered TurboCAD while exploring woodworking content on YouTube and has used TurboCAD Pro since version 18 for both woodworking and interior design. What sets TurboCAD apart for Brian is the highly customizable User Interface, which allows him to tailor the software to his exact drawing style and project workflow.

This personalized setup has accelerated his design process and helped him deliver finished projects to clients with greater speed and efficiency—an essential advantage in the fast-moving world of bespoke design.

Thanks TurboCAD!

Creating the Perfect Camera Bracket

It all started when a group of creators needed a custom camera bracket to complete an extreme video project. After wasting time trying to find the right solution in stores and online, they realized the perfect bracket simply didn’t exist. So—they designed it themselves.

For their CAD solution, the team chose TurboCAD. It offered just the right blend of power and accessibility, with a learning curve that made high-precision design approachable. With TurboCAD’s modeling tools and a state-of-the-art MakerBot 3D printer, they began prototyping. The results were better than expected: a rugged, reliable bracket engineered to perform under demanding conditions.

Soon, friends and fellow creators wanted in—and that demand sparked the birth of RAD Brackets Ltd, a new venture built on custom camera mounts and the power of digital design.

Thanks for TurboCAD and our 3D printer!

Woodworking with TurboCAD

For more years than they'd care to count, this woodworking enthusiast has embraced the challenge of building intricate, custom-crafted pieces for both friends and clients. Though it's technically still a hobby, the craftsmanship tells another story—one of pride, precision, and continual improvement.

To tackle complex projects, TurboCAD Pro became the go-to solution. Guided by the training tutorials by Don Cheke of Textual Creations, they found clear, practical instruction for mastering the software while producing stunning real-world designs.

Supporting the process even further is the TurboCAD Furniture Maker plug-in. This powerful tool enables quick design and editing of custom cabinets, shelves, windows, doors, and virtually any piece of home or office furniture imaginable.

With these resources in place, woodworking has transformed from weekend hobby into something much more refined. The next big project might even include designing a personalized shingle to mark a new title: Master Carpenter.

Thanks TurboCAD!

Design Engineering with TurboCAD

In the Design Engineering lab, creativity and technology collide in the best possible way. It’s the one place at school where ideas come together—where inspiration turns into design, and designs become real. Lately, the stream of exciting new ideas hasn’t stopped, and this classroom makes it all possible.

TurboCAD 2D/3D software plays a central role in the lab’s success, offering the precision and flexibility needed to shape concepts into detailed models. Paired with the lab’s state-of-the-art 3D printers, students go from sketches to prototypes with ease.

Even better, it’s all supported by powerful training applications that make mastering the software intuitive and enjoyable. With these tools in place, there’s no limit to what students can create—and no better environment to dream big and build boldly.

Thanks TurboCAD!

Cost Effective Classroom Design Solution

In the ever-evolving world of tech education, keeping students engaged and inspired is critical. Nothing disrupts the energy of a classroom more than an unprepared teacher or an ineffective set of tools.

Before settling on a CAD platform, this educator carefully evaluated every angle. Was it cost-effective enough for budget-conscious schools? Did it offer the ease of use required for swift classroom adoption? Was it aligned with industry standards to ensure real-world relevance?

TurboCAD checked every box.

Now, teaching CAD feels less like delivering curriculum and more like facilitating discovery. Students are energized, instructors are empowered, and lessons move forward with confidence and clarity.

Thanks TurboCAD!

Environmental Project Design

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Things took an exciting turn when the engineering firm was awarded a high-stakes contract to design and install an advanced environmental heating and cooling system. The challenge was clear from the start: meet demanding deadlines, deliver exceptional precision, and stay firmly within budget.

Success hinged on choosing the right CAD platform. That’s where TurboCAD came in.

To meet the project’s demands, the team leaned into TurboCAD’s cutting-edge design capabilities, which easily handled the scale and complexity of the system’s requirements. No matter how intricate the layout or how tight the timeline, TurboCAD proved to be the right tool for the job.

Just as importantly, TurboCAD delivered unmatched value—a major advantage when compared to other professional CAD systems. By streamlining workflows and simplifying collaboration, it enabled the firm to hit every milestone while keeping costs in check.

With TurboCAD in the toolbox, the project was completed on time, on budget, and stress-free.

Thanks, TurboCAD!

Theatrical Scenic Designer

When tasked with developing staging concepts for everything from the glittering lights of Broadway to majestic opera productions in Beijing, this seasoned theatrical scenic designer faced a constant challenge: balancing artistic vision with technical precision.

In a field where every curve and contour must translate seamlessly from concept to construction, she turned to TurboCAD Platinum—a CAD solution that met the demands of both creativity and performance.

The software’s robust suite of architectural tools, including full compatibility with AutoCAD Architecture, allowed for fluid and detailed design iterations tailored to each production’s unique needs. The rendering engine delivered photorealistic visuals that helped stakeholders envision the final staging with clarity and conviction—often becoming the highlight of presentations.

Through TurboCAD’s advanced capabilities, she was able to maintain design integrity across diverse productions, adapting with ease to cultural expectations and logistical constraints. It became more than a tool—it was a trusted partner in the creative process.

With TurboCAD Platinum, her scenic designs consistently captivated audiences and collaborators alike—bringing stories to life with precision, style, and flair.

Thanks, TurboCAD!

Designing Affordable Housing

Faced with growing pressures around affordability, sustainability, and livability, the local design community reached a shared conclusion: traditional housing models weren’t enough. They needed bold, innovative approaches to tackle the future of affordable living.

One designer stood out by championing a vision that merged cost-effective engineering with environmentally responsible design—all while creating spaces that people could genuinely feel excited to call home.

To realize this vision, she turned to TurboCAD, the top-selling CAD software in retail. Beyond its accessibility, TurboCAD proved to be an exceptionally powerful design solution. Its tools enabled her to work quickly, accurately, and creatively—all without straining budgets.

Thanks to TurboCAD’s unmatched efficiency and value, the community embraced the new designs. What began as a local initiative now serves as a blueprint for communities worldwide seeking to reimagine affordable housing with heart and purpose.

TurboCAD didn’t just support the project—it empowered a movement.

Thanks, TurboCAD!

Designing a Polar Climate Research Vehicle

The TurboCAD Training Center, led by Hans-Jörg Bayer, partnered with the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) in Bremerhaven on a cutting-edge research initiative. Their goal: to design a revolutionary airborne platform called MANTAS—short for Maneuverable Active New Towed Atmospheric System. It was conceived as a towable aircraft-based instrument capable of collecting high-precision environmental data across extreme conditions, including polar and oceanic regions.

The scientific scope of MANTAS was broad. It was designed to measure ship emissions, monitor trace gases and turbulence in the Planetary Boundary Layer, observe low clouds in mountainous areas, and collect biological data from coastal and marine zones. At the same time, MANTAS had commercial applications that extended to search and rescue operations, pollution detection, plume tracking from volcanic activity or industrial accidents, radiation monitoring, and even land mine detection efforts.

To turn this ambitious concept into a functioning reality, the TurboCAD Training Center was tasked with engineering the drag body of the vehicle. They chose TurboCAD Platinum to drive the design process—valuing its flexibility, professional-grade tools, and ease of use. These qualities were critical in producing precise models and construction documentation that met all performance expectations.

By integrating TurboCAD into the heart of development, the team successfully delivered a research vehicle that fulfilled both scientific and commercial demands—expanding what was possible in airborne data collection.

View Hans-Jörg Bayer's work on the MANTAS Project at: TurboCAD Training Center MANTAS Project

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