Sketchup, arrrgggg

Thanks, been watching some.

Reply to
dadiOH
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On 4/22/2013 11:36 PM, Leon wrote: ...

I've actually played w/ Sketchup very little owing to the one time I tried it was so frustrating I just gave it up...

I've since seen this in several earlier threads and have realized that was at least part of the problem...so, w/ that background as utter novice I'll ask...

So one should then just make either a generic rectangle (or one also w/ thickness for 3D) and call it a "board" and then just take instances of it and assign a length/width/thickness then join these together to build something? Does that work?

Or, slightly more complex, say it's a cabinet door...you have a rail and a style general object that you just set length/width on as well as adjust the tenon size/thickness (say) and then they can fit together just as if had one of each in hand?

If that (or a reasonable facsimile thereof) works, then maybe I try again sometime...meanwhile I just layout dimensions on a cutlist and go to the shop (_much_ faster :) ).

Reply to
dpb

You can do that however a generic rectangle/3D board is much easier to draw than to hunt up and import from your group of saved components. Add to that it would be easier to draw than to import and edit.

That said if your component is complex it would make a lot of sense to save the component and import to use and or to edit.

Yes, if you are describing what I mentioned above. If you do not have to redraw a complex object that saves time and effort. Importing and editing a saved complex component is much faster that redrawing.

The beauty to Sketchup is that you can install a plugin, CutList 4.X, and simply high lite all of your components run the plug in and it will enter all of that data fore you. This is a common practice for me however I take the data that CutList 4.x creates and import again directly in to "CutList Plus" for a more adjustable result.

Reply to
Leon

Oh you need to jump all over that. LOL Simply right click a component and choose flip along. Then choose Red, Green, or Blue axis and you will get a mirror image based on the axis you choose. Choosing the correct axis takes a little getting used to but once you get it, it is like riding a bike. Just remember if you choose the wrong one and don't get the result you wanted type Ctrl Z to undo and try another.

80 WOW! You are TOUGH! It was easy being young. ;~)
Reply to
Leon

Hmmm....seems that if it were as handy as could be it wouldn't be such effort to just reset dimensions on a given piece....if it's as simple as _just_ a board I can see roughly the same as it is same dimensions but wouldn't seem should be harder.

If were doing a lot of work any more could/would agree--for just a small amount of stuff do any more it just isn't worth the hassle to learn a software package--or at least hasn't been so far. If were to do something really complex, that would be different. Or, of course, if the profit motive returns, that's again a whole different driver. :) But, I've been there, and that's not going to be why I'm doing wwork at the moment nor foresee ever doing so again at this point. (I think I've mentioned before that if were in some area that could support it w/ the population and income/disposable income base, my ideal retirement hobby would be an architectural moulding custom shop. There's a family-owned shop in Wichita that's really kewl type of operation that would be a lot of fun but out here there's just not enough folks/money to get anything off the ground.)

Reply to
dpb

Well, on just a board you can do it which ever way you preferrrrrrr..... But unless you are dealing with the pro versions where you have dynamic components, changing dimensions involves pushing and or pulling 3 sides after calling up the saved component and getting it into editing stage.

Sounds like you have not tried both methods, give both ways a try to see which you prefer.

Reply to
Leon

Here are a couple of links to the FineWoodworking Sketchup blogs on this topic:

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The blogs have quite a few useful tips. The blogs are arranged from the most recent to older. It is probably best to start with the oldest and work forward.

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Dan

Reply to
Dan Coby

On 4/23/2013 6:59 PM, Leon wrote: ...

I strongly suspect I most probably will get around to neither... :)

Reply to
dpb

You need to double or tripple click on the component to open the compenent up for editing faces in the component.

Reply to
woodchucker

It gets better, the more you use it the easier it is to remember.

Reply to
Leon

On Tue, 23 Apr 2013 09:21:34 -0500, Leon

Does that mean, build something in an exploded view and then assemble it to have a finished project on paper?

I have to admit, I haven't started using Sketchup yet. Not because I'm afraid of it, (maybe a litte) just that I'm comfortable with the program I currently use.

I know I could learn Sketchup, just that I realize it would take some time and I'm not yet willing to allocated the time I fear it would take.

Unfortunately, I'm big on procrastination. Same story as everything else in my life. :)

Reply to
none

As I undertand it, if you use components to draw something that something can then be exploded.

It's not *that* much of a learning curve. If you watch the first four introductory videos - less than an hour total IIRC - I'd think you'd be pretty much good to go since you are already familiar with CAD.

Reply to
dadiOH

You can do that however you need to really be good at visualizing what the end product is going to be. The method I and probably most people use is to start drawing a piece/component and when it is basically the correct size convert it into a component "before" starting your next part. Draw the next part in the location that it will fit. If you do not make the first part into a component the parts for the next part will "stick to it" This becomes a problem should you decide to move a group of lines.

Valid point! I have been using CAD programs since 1986. I had ultimately started using AutoCAD LT about 15 years ago and could not imagine using anything less. Then I tried Sketchup about 8 years ago, hated it and removed it from my computer. Tried again about a year later with the same results. Tried it again about 4~5 years ago and have been using it ever since. I cant tell you the last time I have opened AutoCAD.

Understood but I believe that the program is a real time saver when it comes to designing and drawing compared to what I had been using. I did keep AutoCAD available while learning Sketchup but the basics were so simple compared to AutoCAD that I was drawn more towards Sketchup.

It is FREE, Just do it! ;~)

Reply to
Leon

Yes, but in Sketchup speak exploded means to make a component or group into many more desperate pieces. You can move components with out changing other components in the drawing.

Exactly, watch the many tutorials available but the first basic ones will get you hooked. ;~)

Reply to
Leon

I'm hooked. And I'm thinking there should be a usenet Sketchup group (there does not appear to be one).

I know there are many sites and videos devoted to specific and general "how do I..." but they lack the give and take of a usenet group; additionally, they are spread all over everywhere. So why don't you start one?

Reply to
dadiOH

SU being so "visual", what you suggest is almost a contradiction. See sketchucation.com (Community tab, then select forums). Their goals appear of a grander scale than ours--but that IS the forum which you suggest should exist.

Bill

Reply to
Bill

"dadiOH" wrote

Cuz the powers that be make it almost impossible to create one. It is a long, arduous, very political process. I went through it a few years back. Never again. And nobody showed up when it finally got approved.

Reply to
Lee Michaels

I know nothing of other CAD programs but IMO anyone in the construction/design/remodeling field is losing money if they don't use it. I'm not involved in those occupations but the ability to have sets of models that can be easily modified to fit specific circumstances seems invaluable.

For example, a cabinet maker could have assorted parts which can be duplicated and/or sized as needed ...

  1. a basic box
  2. various interior parts - shelves, drawers, pullouts, whatever
  3. frame and panel doors with various edge treatments

And with a few clicks any could have any type of surface/texture. Want to see what the doors would look like with walnut frames and cherry panels? Easy. Switch the counter tops to granite? Here's what it looks like. Insert a wood chopping block? OK. (materials/textures are downloadable from the net...a nice one of woods is at

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It's a moneymaker.

It is an amazing program "as is". Run through rendering software it is nothing short of incredible! Go to Google, type in "sketchup renderings", click images and be astounded.

Reply to
dadiOH

On Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:25:37 +0000 (UTC), snipped-for-privacy@rahul.net (Edward A.

I'm not using cad software. I've been using Flash for a number of years. I suppose that many consider Flash only a step up from a simple paint program, but it's been fine for me. Doesn't come close to any cad software, but it has done what I needed it to do.

Reply to
none

It has been such a contender in the design market that even AutoDesk is playing the "me too" catch up game with a similar product.

Swingman has the pro version and IIRC you can take a "dynamic" component, say a kitchen cabinet with a drawer, copy it and make it wider and only the elements that need to be wider will widen.

Yes it is. I probably don't spend a quarter of the time designing to to the point of presentation to a customer. Add to that all of the details are there too so I do not have to think about that in the shop. Components do not have to be dimensioned to import them into an optimization program for cutting. The program knows the size of the components whether you do or not. I dimension very little and most often only for reference.

Reply to
Leon

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