Layout Computer
  • Layout Computer
  • Projects
  • New project
  • Pricing
  • What’s new
  • Blog
  • About

What’s new

Better-looking models

July 2026

I’ve revamped how your furniture looks in the app, with and without grain. The latest blog post is about how this all works behind the scenes.

In other news, the app now supports chairs with three legs.

Bespoke dial controls

June 2026

All sliders are gone, replaced with a new dial control. This makes it easier to support wide ranges of values. Additionally, you can now input numbers directly. In case you are curious, I talk about the design process in the new blog section.

Also, most controls now have a tooltip explaining what they do. Thanks, Richard, for the nudge!

Introducing Layout Computer Pro

May 2026

All the existing features remain free. The Pro subscription gives you:

  • unlimited projects

  • 3D model export

  • viewing models in your space with AR (augmented reality)

The export feature is handy for adding finer detail to your project in other tools, for prototyping on a 3D printer, or just for archival.

Also, you can now save multiple copies of a project to compare different versions. Look for the button.

New option: table design

March 2026

You can now design tables. Choose between rectangular and round tops, with three different base styles for each.

I also added a little entasis for chair stretchers that connect to each other to make the joints look more realistic.

Minor improvements

January–February 2026

  • Leg diagrams for symmetric seats now label the front edge to avoid confusion. Thanks, Tom, for the suggestion.

  • The proportion of long sticks is now configurable for stick chairs.

  • More clarity on how sightlines and resultants compensate for the seat angle. Thanks, Adam, for bringing this up.

  • Narrower seats now supported for stick chairs. Thanks, Martin, for the suggestion.

Introducing accounts and project storage

December 2025

It’s been a while!

This is a big release with many changes under the hood, but here are the highlights:

  • You can now sign in to save projects in the cloud and access them across devices

  • Of course, you can still create and work on a project without signing in

  • All projects are now on a dedicated page

Also, everything looks nicer with wood grain.

Minor improvements

July 2025

  • Added seat bevels for stick chairs and stools

  • Added square legs for casework. Thanks, Brian, for the suggestion.

New option: stool design

May 2025

By popular demand, Layout Computer now supports designing stools.

Also both stools and chairs have a new stretcher diagram.

Desktop mode, doors and drawers

April 2025

Layout computer finally uses the entire screen on desktop or tablets.

In other news, when designing casework, you can now add doors and drawers.

New option: casework design

March 2025

Design cabinets, credenzas, bookshelves and other casework. The approach was heavily inspired by Industrial Arts Design by William Varnum.

Once again, Layout Computer was featured by Lost Art Press.

More precise dovetails

February 2025

You can now set board width down to 1 mm or 1/16 inch. Thanks, Joseph, for the suggestion.

New option: settle design

December 2024

Settles are basically very wide chairs (or benches with a back). Thanks, Todd, for the suggestion.

Make weird chairs

November 2024

More sticks and higher backs for stick chairs, because why not! Thanks, Mikko, for the suggestion.

New options: Irish stick chairs and backstools

October 2024

In addition to Welsh chairs (D-shaped seats), you can now design Irish ones (trapezoid seat, split arms). Backstools (no arms) are also supported.

New option: comb-back chairs

August 2024

You can now design comb-back chairs. According to Chris Schwarz, the higher the back, the better it sells.

Also, Layout Computer was featured on the Lost Art Press blog!

Hello world

July 2024

Initial release of Layout Computer with dovetails and lowback stick chairs. It looked so simple.