Sketchup

[Greg Guarino]

I have progressed to where I can draw out an idea in Sketchup and still have most of my hair at the end, but there are a few puzzlements that perhaps someone here can help me with.

1. When I "pull" a surface into a "solid" (yes, I am aware that they are "hollow" inside), sometimes I turn it around and find that there is no "back". In other words, the program has pulled the surface forward and added sides, but has not left the original shape in place. Other times, it does what I expect, which is to produce a pseudo-solid.

1. When I make a component, sometimes the program "decides" to check the "replace component in drawing" box, sometimes not. I would always prefer to have it checked. I have not been able to divine what the basis is for the "choice", but it sure is a pain when I think something is a nice stable component and it turns out to be Plastic Man instead.

2. Is it not possible to "pull" several surfaces (that are all in the same plane) at once? For instance, for making many dadoes all at once without having to enter the depth each time?

[Leon]

It will to this if you pull the surface from another surface. For example you draw a desk top and draw a rectangle on top of the desk top and pule the rectangle up and away from the desk top. If standing alone and not attached to another surface it should result in a closed shape. Be sure to make your separate objects into components so that other parts/objects will not affect the results.

You are not selecting everything that is not a component. Draw a box. Select only one side of the box, you will get the unchecked box. For the box to be checked, select the whole object. Use select and drab a selection box around everything OR "TRIPLE CLICK" the object and it everything will be selected.

NO, not that I know of HOWEVER.

The push pull command will remember the last distance entered. Simply double click the next item to be push pulled and the result will be the same.

Be careful however, some times the surface you are pushing or pulling will react in the opposite direction. This happens if the surfaces are not the same. One surface might be the top the other might be the bottom.

[Leon]

One more thing on this, sometimes an edge gets deleted or removed or it was not actually there to begin with.

If you redraw a single edge to the surface that is missing the surface will reappear. If that does not fix i, chances are that you did not actually have that surface to begin with.

This can be confusing but once you get the hang of it you will rarely have any of these issues.

[Bill]

Of course, "rarely" is a bit of an exaggeration... : ) But you will learn to deal with the issues faster.

[Bill]

Maybe it would be fun if some of us had a contest to try to draw something that would "get us out of our comfort zones". We could share via a.b.p.w. I suggested it once before but there was little interest. I think we already know who the "champs" are (S&L), but almost everyone except them would probably learn from the extra practice and seeing the work of others.

[Leon]

Not an exaggeration after 6~7 years. LOL

[Leon]

Take a look at my latest drawing and project,

Titled, Actual Woodworking.

[Bill]

Yes. The walnut rail, stiles, and panel photo practically left a tear in my eye. Beautiful.

[Leon]

Draw one of my curio cabinets. It is hard to see but there are double half round moldings on all of he doors and they are mitered in the corners.

[Leon]

thank you, i think

[Bill]

Yes, you were right the first time. Geeze! I thought the panel was framed like a beautiful painting, frame and all. I am referring to the one your labeled, "raised panel door dry fit". Like you said: Actual Woodworking. I will look forward to seeing the completed work when you're finished.

Bill

[dadiOH]

Push/pull = do it to selected face

Push/pull + control = do it to a DUPLICATE of selected face

Keep an eye on the info bar at the bottom when you selety a tool as it will yell you what modifiers do what. _________________

As long as you haven't deselected the push/pull tool you can repeat the last depth by double clicking a different surface.

[dadiOH]

An easier way to do what you describe is via linear arrays...

1. Make a drawing of a board with a rabbet at one end. The board should be the length between dados; ie, it will be too short; the rabbet should be the size you want for dadoes.

1. Select the entire board

2. Activate the "move" tool and press control. Control tells the tool to move a copy.

1. Click at the corner of the board

2. Click where you want that corner to go

1. You now have a board that is twice the length; it has a rabbet at one end, a dado in the middle. Repeat as desired and then remove the extraneous rabbet.

To avoid repetitive moving, type in nX after the first move where "n" is the number of copies you need placed. More at...