SketchUp

LOL. But in fairness to you there is the Make version, totally free and the Pro version, absolutely not free. The pro version has some extras if you are an architect, landscaper, etc. that would be useful if you need to pass out larger drawing to contractors.

LOL, believe it or not you are learning a valuable lesson ins doing that. You are now realizing exactly why to make parts into components.

Good idea but if you make a mistake just a few to several steps back you can use the UNDU command, Short Cut- CRTL Z. This will let you back up numerous steps with out perhaps going too far back with a restore. The UNDO command is a valuable tool. There is also REDO.

You will get there, I love designing on this program.

I hear what you are saying Jack. BUT good news. You can upgrade with out fear of loosing the precious version. I have multiple versions of Sketch up on my computer. I have Sketchup 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and

The only thing, since these are clean installs, is setting up your icons and shortcuts, if you customize Sketchup to your preferences, for the new version, that takes me an hour or two.

Let me add to that, older versions cannot read newer version data files. So rename and or save older drawings in a different location if you open them in newer versions of Sketchup and want to save.

Sketchup also makes checkpoint saves so it's not really necessary to make frequent saves, unless you're doing some sort of versioning (so you can go back many cycles).

It's a great program. Perfect for woodworking.

I managed to gimp my left leg Wednesday afternoon and all I can do is hobble around with a walker for a few days. It's hell to get old, but I keep telling myself it beats the alternative.

I figured this was a good time to learn SketchUp since I have had a copy on my PC for a couple of years.

I spent several hours with it yesterday and it is about all I've done today. It is getting easier - and making more sense. And, I think that once one is proficient it will be amazingly quick compared to a drafting board.

I have a question - for some stupid reason I decide to make several components into a group - it made sense at the time... Then, many actions later, I discover that it was a mistake - can I un group them back into individual components?

Thanks for the shortcut key tips. When I post this I'm going to do a search - there must be lists online.

Thanks again,

Thanks, I'll check them out.

Absolutely! No more using the electric eraser and eraser shield. ;~) Yes I have one of those machines.

Yes, Select the group and right click and choose "explode". Do that "one" time. More than once and all of the components will be exploded, as they are still selected. Click some where else and then again on what was the group and you should only one component selected.

Short cut lists? there are, I see if I can find that link, it might be in the program.

But, But But If you click on Window in the menu bar and select preferences and then go down to short cut in the right column you can make custom short cuts to any command. I have numerous short cuts in addition to the ones in the program.

Additionally if you clock on and of the items in the menu bar the drop down list will show you commands and if they have a short cut that too will be displayed.

When you get comfortable with making short cuts I'll let you know about findings ones that do not seem to exist unless you have selected something in the drawing.

Got that right. A friend tells me that getting old isn't for sissies. I've been in and out of the hospital a couple times over the last month and had a couple of cardioversions (one which they forgot to check to see if I was conscious - I had been for a couple of hours).

Yes, just "explode" the group.

I see Leon explained how to do it, just wanted to mention "layers". You can put items/components/groups on layers which can be turned on ot off. They provide another way to group things, one that I find handy. For example, suppose simple panel doors: rails, stiles and panels could each be assigned to a different layer allowing any or all of the three ro be visible or hidden. That ability can be very handy when working on a complex structure. I often put dimensions and notes on separate layers.

When creating layers, I name them with leading numbers so as to arrange them in a logical manner, eg...

The issue with that is don't open an old .SKP file in a newer version, or it will convert it to the new version and the old version will no longer open it, so you are stuck using the new version even on old files. I'm running version 8 something which seems to work exactly the same as version 7. Could be new stuff I'm not aware of, but for my money, 7 does everything I need and then some. The nag screen is absolutely NOT worth the upgrade, as that seems to be all the upgrade did for me. I could go back I guess, but too lazy to fool around with mixed files/versions and all that rot.

That's another issue.

One thing for certain, Sketchup is a great tool for the woodworker. I enjoy it almost as much as actually making stuff, and have designed lots of stuff I never actually made. I do recall (faintly) in BC (Before Computers) and I was really really into making stuff, I could draw a few lines on a of scrap paper in a few minutes and build most anything. Today, I can spend lots of time drawing up stuff for no really good reason actually, but I seem to need it now... It's most useful purpose is letting you see what a one off design will actually look like. As far as the joinery, really, no need to draw up something you've done a few 1000 times, or a few 100, or even just a few...

I have no issues with new versions of Sketchup opening old versions data files at all. You will get a warning when you open the older file that if you save it with the new version that you will not be able to open it in an older version.

Newer versions of Sketchup DO NOT convert older files unless you save them. Save them with a different name and your old files will be safe and intact.

BUT as a precaution my Sketchup 2012 drawings are saved in a root directory that includes 2012. For each year that I upgrade I create a new data directory which includes the version year in its name, like

Having used most every version since 5 or 6 I have not skipped a year of upgrades yet and have had no issues other than reorganizing the icons on the program screen.

Thinking back, I may remember the nag screen to upgrade on the old versions. but since Sketchup came out with the MAKE, free version, there are no nag screens that I recall.

I'm running version 8 something which seems to work exactly the

At least in the last 4~5 years of upgrades, there are no nag screens. So far nothing you are worried about are real situations.

I still draw the joints but I build most every thing I draw. It is important to show the tenons that are normally hidden because my optimization plug in and program takes into account the actual length of the pieces including the hidden tenons that stick out on the ends. I get a cut out list of how long the boards need to be before cutting away to reveal tenons. Also when drawing the details of the joints I have a reference should I need to double check in the shop. After drawing the details of the dado, groves, and joints I am pretty intimate with the details of the project and work more quickly in the shop.

Leon wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@giganews.com:

That'll be nice. I stopped upgrading past Sketchup 8 because of it.

I'd give those guys money if they actually gave me a more "average joe" oriented price. Giving the CadStd guy $35 (it's gone up) was money well-- and happily invested! FWIW, if you've got a background in mechanical drafting and want to work in 2D, CadStd is a good program. Its right click behavior toggles a tool on and off, which is unusual but works well.

Puckdropper

Question. I draw a sheet of plywood 3/4" thick and make it a component. I want to cut a hole in it. I draw a rectangle on the face of it. then I push it back 3/4". That doesn't seem to work....

Jerry Osage wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com:

Are you editing the component? Double click on it to edit the component.

Puckdropper

Once you make a component out of the sheet of plywood, you can't add a hole to it without opening that component. You're just putting another rectangle on top of your component. Try opening the component and do the same thing.

Well to say it a third time, the reason to make a group of lines into a component is to protected it, so to speak. You need to go into edit mode to make changes. And those changes will be reflected in copies of that component.

Right click and choose edit. Or triple click the component to get into edit mode.

Thanks guys, now that I know - it works and is simple. I now understand a new tool. I'm now getting to the point where I can actually make something. I'm making a simple shed and I just cut window/door holes in the siding. Tomorrow I plan to tackle the roof.

I want to get to the point where I can do simple things like that without getting lost. I'll spend time tomorrow, then my leg is getting better and I'll have to get back to a couple of unfinished projects outside. However, I plan on spending a couple of hours with SketchUp every night.

I want to get to the point it is my "go to" tool for designing/drawing any woodworking project. I'm beginning to think that I will get there.

Thanks, again.

Your last statement, about 3D modeling, is what makes Sketchup so much better than 2D software. You get to inspect and see if the components fit together correctly. You literally can show some one your drawing and they will understand what the project will look like.

FWIW I have been accused of drawing/designing a "stick" to prop up our under mount kitchen sink when the adhesive failed. ;~)