Lumber coming tomorrow...

[Han]

Swingman wrote in news:Tr6dnbYA4JepJXzNnZ2dnUVZ [e-mail]:

+1

[Puckdropper]

Amy Guarino wrote in news:68dfd72d-1f9f-42f2- [e-mail]:

I was tempted to make a Kindle bookcase just for the fun of it. If it wasn't for the stability issues, maybe multiple shelves 1-kindle wide. That way, you can store the Kindle 2, Kindle Keyboard, Kindle Light, Kindle Fire, Kindle Fire HD, Re-kindle and the fantastic flop Kindle-ING.

Puckdropper

[Puckdropper]

[e-mail] wrote in news: [e-mail]:

*snip*

I bounce back and forth at times. Sometimes I'll take the 2D drawing and redo it in Sketchup, and other times I'll take the Sketchup model and redo it in 2D. There are just some things that lend themselves better to one format or another.

Puckdropper

[Leon]

Just in case you are not aware, you can make Sketchup show your 3D drawing in 2D if you click a view other than ISO and change Camera to Parallel Projection.

[Larry Jaques]

Cool. Make sure you engrave the model number beneath each corresponding slot. That'd be cause for some double-takes.

Do it on one entire wall. Just the one square foot of bookcase.

P.S: I wonder if Amy has caught Greg's use of her account again yet.

-- You can ignore reality, but you cannot ignore the consequences of ignoring reality. --Ayn Rand

[Swingman]

Really has not been that much change in the actual drawing/modeling tools since before Google first bought the company that developed it.

Although the last two version upgrades have added some modeling tools to the Pro version that are not available in the free version, they are merely convenience items, like a solid modeling "trim" function, which really does not impact the modeling/drawing functionality to any extent. The basic difference in the Pro version is that it contains a standalone "presentation" module ("Layout"), that makes it much easier to draft and print construction documents, plans and presentations.

The above notwithstanding, the single most important concept/secret to getting the most benefit from Sketchup is, in a nutshell:

ALWAYS model a scaled "component" of every element of your project/design.

The above can not be reiterated enough!

By doing this you are effectively building your design before you actually go to the shop; and, by doing so, you save time, money and material by making your mistakes and perfecting your design digitally.

By practicing that one "secret" first and foremost, you become proficient with the program quicker, end up with a better design, as well as insuring a better end product.

[Puckdropper]

Swingman wrote in news:6tidnd0fGuE12X7NnZ2dnUVZ [e-mail]:

*snip*

*snip*

I agree. I've been using a 2D CAD program that doesn't support anything like components, and really miss that functionality. It's especially good when something needs to be repeated exactly, like windows and doors. Without components, you have to spend time modifying each one, or decide if it's better to delete and replace.

FWIW, the 2D CAD program is used to talk to a "craft cutter" which is basically a plotter with a knife blade. I have to export from the CAD program to the cutter software then cut.

Puckdropper

[tiredofspam]

I'm jealous. I suck at any drawing, even sketchup. I was never very good in drafting classes in school. Just passable. I could visualize it, but it never looked like what I saw in my head... always just off.

I used autocad way back when, had problems with that too. Since I could never see what I was drawing, scrolling back and forth...

I have tried sketchup a couple of times, and I just don't have that ability. I find it slow, cumbersome, and still looks like hell compared to my mental image.

I wind up drawing a rough (very rough sketch) putting notes about things that will trip me up. sometimes the order of things so that I don't jump ahead then wind up with something that can't be worked on once assembled.

I wish I could do sketchup.

[Bill]

You are more experienced than me, so please just take my words in the thoughtful spirit with which they are intended.

You don't expect perfection on your first model of an item do you? Being creative inherently involves taking a chance So design must be an iterative process. Take what can learn from history, the work of others, your previous designs, listen to what you think, and what Swingman, Leon and others say, and cheerfully go where no man has gone before! : )

SketchUp is not too slow once you get used to it, depending on what you are trying to do of course. As suggested in the previous post, I'm still trying to use it "right"-by making appropriate use of

*components*. I usually start off on the right foot and then violate the rule before I'm finished. I use the software about once a month or so. I'm am due to de-design my "entertainment center", and I think about molding whenever my mind is clear. Gosh, it wasn't so long ago that I never thought about molding! ; )

IIRC, the work "art" and "craft" were derived from the same word (implying their relation). If anything thinks I might have that wrong, I will happily look op my source ~a book on architectural wood carving currently in another room. Have fun!

Cheers, Bill