All right, this is a call to those cakecentral addicts out there who either have burning questions, or helpful experience in sketching, whether freehand or computer assisted.

Can't wait to hear all your questions, suggestions, short-cuts, tips, hints & more.

Oh gosh, Im grabbing a pop corn bowl and watching this one....Im still new enough....so always looking to learn and LEARN....

I could use help on this one too! My sketching/drawing skills are horrible!

I don't sketch, I trace. Pattern transfer is a valuable technique in my world!

I give all my customers a 'rough sketch' of my design. I outline details in marker colors. Its pretty rough so if I need to change something in the design its not a big deal. I don't commit to exact colors unless they bring me a swatch. I'll see if I can find a recent one

I went to school for Drafting and CAD Technology. We had to sketch alot, so graph paper is a big help. It helps to keep proportions right. Also I've found that programs such as SketchUp from Google works well to draw up a base cake, then print out so you can add details. Plus its free. HTH

I've also found Doug's sketches are invaluable when dealing with customers.

Heres the way my designs are for 75% of my customers.
I know Illustrator too so if a design needs to be more professional it can be

mplaid, thanks for the photo. That looks great.

I use my projecter alot..I can't freehand if you paid me but I wish I could.

I noticed on Amazing Wedding Cakes that Chris used stencils of circles, curves, boxes, ellipses, etc. to make the outlines of his cakes and then sketched on those.

I don't do it very often but if I'm having a hard time envisioning my idea, I use my computer...usually powerpoint because I don't have any drafting or drawing type software. I made this design in powerpoint just to see how it all fit together. Then I did the cake. As you can see, I changed it up a little but it helped so much to get the general idea.

Here's my computer design:
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/2000401/2002911

Here's my cake:
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/2000401/2002910

A really quick and simple way to get the basic shape, insert cylinders or squares into a Word file until you have the basic shape of a cake you're looking for. Print it out, flip it over, and now you can trace over those lines, making marks only where you need it, and not having all the lines show. Most people have Word, and this is my general quickie way of getting a rough template drawn out for customizing.

I just started using google sketch 8 until I save enough money for the the software I really want. Someone on CC mentioned it. It's free & helps when I wanna see if the designs I have in mind will look right

Here are some examples of amazing cakes by the Sugar Diva:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/berylbyrd/page106/

Meant to add that it looks like she uses a variety of media, depending on the cake.

Some of Sugar Diva's sketches look done by hand others look like they were done with computer program such as Wedding Cake Design Pro by ToppleStone. Its not too expensive, only catch is like the Cricut to get different shapes or images you have to buy "Expansion Packs".

No, I just happened to be looking at her cakes when the sketch thread was posted, so I had just seen them.

Mommafixit I Wedding cake Design Pro is the system I'm actually gonna get. I added all the extensions up & it's still the best price that I've been able to find.

Karen thank you for sharing her link because I was really looking into doing this. For the last few of days I've been searching the net to find different software. I am wanting to not only decorate but be a cake designer as well

I use Wedding Cake Design Pro. I have purchased some of the expansion packs. Even though I can use the computer, I print blank templates with different structures. It is easier for me to use color pencils and add notes on the sketch about the cake.

platinumlady, I've searched for one also and cake design software is hard to find. I do agree that Wedding Cake Design Pro was the best I found also. And from the screenshots, it looks like a very good program. I'd love to have it, but just got the cricut cake. So one new toy at a time. If you do purchase it, please let me know what you think about it.

Jan we copied the different shapes posted in the templates forum and use them to get general shapes that we then color with colored pencils and mark locations for special designs,inlays, etc and do a detailed drawing for that special design on the same page,then have customer sign-off on it.

We also got a large set of paint color chips from local home improvement store.That way we know the exact color the customer wants. No more "I thought it would be more greenish,pinkish, etc." Each chip has a number code on it and those are also noted on sketch,which customer also signs off on.

Great thread.....interesting ideas!

There's a little video in here that shows Wedding Cake Pro Design in action.

http://www.piece-a-cake.com/wedding-cake-designs.html

For anyone interested I just got email saying Rebecca Sutterby will be teaching her method of cake sketching and design on the next CakeFu Master's Series.