Sketchup 7 is a free CAD program from Google that has a Mac version. (They also have a Pro version that they charge for). It's NOT kitchen design program, but you can at least draw a 3 dimensional representation of your kitchen. With PC's you do need a graphics card in your computer - not sure about macs.

I've used some of the 3D Home design software in the past, but never any other CAD software. It didn't take very long to figure out how to put together some useful drawings.

Here is a link that might be useful: Google Sketchup 7

I'm a Mac person, too, and never found anything except Sketchup--I didn't have the patience to get thru the learning curve but YMMV. However, the woman I worked with mostly at Ikea said the Mac version of their design software was FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY supposed to come out in August or September--just as I'm screwing on my last door front probably! I'd still take that all with a grain of salt, though, as it's been rumored for a long time. :)

I use Sketchup. There are tutorials on YouTube. To draw a simple floorplan and basic rectangular shapes for your cabinets, appliances, etc is not hard. Might take a couple of days to figure it out. To get details, colors, textures, curved surfaces will be harder. I use the ''woodworking template'' as it uses inches as dimension, simpler than feet-and-inches for me.

Thanks all. I tried Sketchup...and though I'm usually pretty adept at computer stuff, it defeated me. Maybe I'll give it a shot again.

I couldn't get through the learning curve with Sketch-up. Found it NOT very user friendly at all.

Glad to hear I'm not the only one. That was most confusing, and I'm usually pretty good at teaching myself programs (database stuff, spreadsheet stuff, powerpoint)... but that was beyond me.

yeh i work on a mac ALL DAY as a graphic designer and almost ripped my own head off trying to learn sketchup. it was just so frustrating...and even more frustrating was hearing everyone talk about how easy it is!! ugh

I'm a design person but still find the learning curve on Sketchup a bit steep....several years in I'm still getting the hang of it. So I use that, but I also use the almost-free Sunset Kitchen Designer, which is more limited (appliances, cabinets, finishes only in certain sizes and styles, versus Sketchup where you can do everything under the sun) but far simpler---drag and drop placement, so it's a lot quicker. It does 3-D renderings and walk-throughs, which have been hugely valuable. I got our copy when I bought the Sunset Magazine Kitchen Design book (also very useful for ideas) for $15 or so. You might be able to get the program online, too; not sure.

Also, for Ikea people, I don't have the link anymore but last fall I played with the Ikea Mac version on the European site---worked fine except for everything being in Swedish and in metric (and their Europe v. U.S. stock varies a bit), but I found that if I sat with the U.S. website open, I could tell pretty quickly what was what, and was able to throw our layout into it pretty readily. I think I found the link on IkeaFans somewhere. More tedious, of course, but not as tedious as getting a PC. ;)

It is interesting to see the wide range of reactions to Sketchup. I wanted to add some thoughts/tips that might help the learning curve, or perhaps convince you that Sketchup is not for you . . . .

Sketchup is a CAD program, basically you are defining line segments that enclose surfaces. The application is literal and precise, a 0.0001'' miss is as good as a mile. So the first rule is, don't size things ''by eye''. If you want a line 48.125'' long, use the pencil tool to start the line and type 48.125 [enter]. Don't drag the pencil to a smidge over 48'', that will not work. If you want to draw a line parallel to an existing line, use the measurement tool to pull a parallel guideline, then draw the line over the guideline. Don't wave the pencil tool around until the lines ''look'' parallel, they won't be.

Second rule is that surfaces cannot be curved. Drawing line segments to enclose a space will not create a surface, unless the segments are all in the same plane (co-planar). Hence the need for precise lengths, if you're trying to draw table legs up from the ground, the top surface can't be created unless the legs are all the exact same length. ''Curved'' surfaces are built up from flat surfaces, which is usually too much of a pain for casual kitchen planning.

Third rule is that the two surfaces of a wall have to be exactly parallel. If not, then the usual technique of cutting a window by drawing a rectangle and then using the ''push/pull'' tool to push the rectangle through the wall, will not work. Again, if you drew the wall by eye, you're going to have a problem.

Fourth rule is, where possible, build an object (e.g. a range) by drawing the range's footprint on the floor, ''pulling'' that up to make a 3D box, then adding detail to the box, Don't start by drawing each side and corner of the range, that is too tedious.

Fifth rule is, import rather than build. 3D Warehouse has hundreds of kitchen items that you can import into your model, some contributed by the manufacturers.

Sixth rule is, make things into components. If you have an appliance, make it a component so that you can move it around, try it in different locations. if you have a cabinet door, make it a component so you can duplicate it 10 times rather than tediously drawing each door. The Make Component dialog box has an option for "glue to", you don't want that.

I hope that helps. I agree w/ the comments that Sketchup has a learning curve. I wasted time discovering the above, I could have learned a lot faster if I'd known about the tutorial videos.

By the way, for any Mac users out there---the IKEA Mac program is finally out for the U.S. market!

Alas, I also find Sketchup to be very difficult, despite being quite IT literate. John, your tips make good sense until I'm confronted with that gawdawful blank grid and feel like I've been trapped in some sadist's remake of Tron.

Here's the US version of the IKEA kitchen planner for the Mac:

Here is a link that might be useful: IKEA 2020 designer plugin

I always just use the drawing tools in MS Word. No, I don't get a 3D rendering from that, but for basic layout ideas, it works just fine and is super simple to use. For sizing, I put a jpg of graph paper in the background and go from there.

Mac users can also use Homestyler by Autodesk, which is free.

Try it here:
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/index?siteID=123112&id=14943677

Oh, I forgot...Mac users can also use Merillat Floor Planner.
Try it here:

http://www.merillat.com/plan-your-space/floor-planner.html

Thanks for the link, circuspeanut!

(I never got anywhere with Sketchup, either, for all the hours I've wasted looking at tutorials)

Melissastar, Ikea has just made their software available for the Mac!! Check out their website - you download a plugin and you are all set. It is web-based and you need Leopard and the latest versions of Safari or Firefox.