Sketchup. Is. Way. Cool.

[LarryG]

Our chief designer here at Arkytekchure Central started using SketchUp almost a year ago. We needed a tool to knock out some quick-and-dirty 3D models, and after getting many recommendations for SketchUp Pro we decided to purchase it. Watching over his shoulder as he was learning to use it, I thought, "Hey, that looks pretty neat, I could use something like that when working up designs for woodworking projects."

And then I got lucky: Google subsequently bought out SketchUp, and released a free version of the program. Two nights ago, I finally got around to installing this on my home box. Lack of time prevented me from spending more than about ten minutes with it right then, but last night I fired it up to see what I could make it do. I decided to use, as a learning exercise, the design for the compound miter saw bench I want to build when I move into my "new" larger shop. I've been working up the design for this using our regular CAD software, but since we use that only as a 2D production tool, I wanted to see how it would look in 3D.

Ninety minutes later, starting from scratch and knowing essentially zilch about how to run SketchUp, this is what I had:





(Actually I had a drawing a bit more complicated than these, but I've edited out a "trick" little feature that will be incorporated into this workstation ... let's call it a cat I prefer to keep in the bag, for now. )

With less than two hours of use under my belt, I'm still fumbling around with the thing, but already I can see that SketchUp is an AMAZING program. From time to time members here will ask about CAD software for woodworking project design, and I always say that most CAD software unfortunately has a pretty steep learning curve and is generally not well suited to casual use. That's not to be elitist, mind you; it's just a simple warning about the nature of the beast.

SketchUp, though, is different. If you can doodle out a design by hand, you can easily draw it up in SketchUp. I probably had a little bit of an advantage owing to my ~19 years of running CAD; then again, I also experienced quite a lot of frustration last night because I couldn't get SketchUp to obey the CAD commands that are permanently imprinted onto my fingertips as a result of those 19 years.

Anyway ... this thing is a bona fide gem, and it's absolutely free. HIGHLY recommended!

http://www.sketchup.com/

[Black wallnut]

So is it eaiser than learning CAD? I've an older version of Turbo-Cad that I would really like to learn to use but the learing curve seems way too steep and everytime I try to use it I just get frustrated! Or is it easier for you because of your basis in Cad? How long do you think it would take those of use with absolutly zero CAD exp. to be able to use it?

[ChrisD]

(Actually I had a drawing a bit more complicated than these, but I've edited out a "trick" little feature that will be incorporated into this workstation ... let's call it a cat I prefer to keep in the bag, for now. )

Could it be a monster fence for a miter saw???

Nice drawing, BTW.

[RockyJohn]

Somebody has to say it - why not me?

"I like sketchup on my fries and on meat loaf."

Thanks for posting this. I think it's just what I was looking for. Gotta love the price, too!

[siliconbauhaus]

I use it all the time as a architect, mostly though for building models for other people. It's my most used programme.

[Tom Miller]

That just might be the recommendation I need to get off my butt and give it a try. I think it might be especially important for making shop furniture for a small shop to know how a piece is going to look in 3D. In a small shop, you need to think less in terms of mere footprint, and more about the total volume.

Regards,
Tom

[RayintheUK]

How long do you think it would take those of use with absolutely zero CAD exp. to be able to use it?

In my case, just over an hour - most of which was spent watching the excellent tutorials - in my opinion this is a must, as simple-sounding actions (snapping edges together, for example) are easy only when you see how it's done.

Once you try it, you'll either get it right away and love it, or struggle UNTIL you watch the tutorials. I think it's great too.

Ray.

[os1kne]

Thanks for the recommendation. I've been thinking about trying it for a while. My brother is an engineer and he's let me try out a few expensive CAD packages over the years - I've never gotten the hang of it and ended up doing better by hand. But, I've heard a few people rave about the free version of Sketchup now, so it's time to give it another shot.

[mschrank]

It's about time! I've been singing the praises of Sketchup for some time now, and feel it often falls on deaf ears!

The only real complaint I have about it is that Google bought it and released the free version about 3 months after I paid for the pro version. I find myself using the free version more often than not. Its main limitation to it is the inability to print to scale.

I've used it for projects small and large. Most recently, I used it to design my kitchen. I did use the pro version for that, as I got my cabinet store to send me their 20/20 CAD file which I easily imported into my existing Sketchup project.

For my shop cabinets, I "built" them in Sketchup, right down to figuring out the joinery. Then I disassembled each panel and laid them out on virtual pieces of plywood to make a cutting guide and make the most of my stock.

Before using it, I had almost zero experience with CAD...other than trying to use it and being frustrated. At the time I purchased it, they gave you an 8 hour free trial. That was more than enough time to learn it and draw up my first couple of projects.

First tip: Make sure you learn to use the "push/pull" tool...it'll save lots of time while drawing.

[RayintheUK]

Another (Windows) tip: If your rotating and/or zooming goes wrong, hold down both <Ctrl> and <Shift> then hit "E" and all will be restored.

Ray.

[Crash2510]

I love sketchup. My first experience with using sketchup was at the recommendation of this forum. I used it to draw an addition to our house. The picture is kind of rough, but was a huge timesaver when it came to layout.
I referenced this picture so many times while doing this project as I did everything. If you guys would like to see pics of the finished product I could show you on another thread so you could compare to my sketchup.

[Ken Massingale]

In my case, just over an hour - most of which was spent watching the excellent tutorials - in my opinion this is a must, as simple-sounding actions (snapping edges together, for example) are easy only when you see how it's done.

Once you try it, you'll either get it right away and love it, or struggle UNTIL you watch the tutorials. I think it's great too.

Ray.

Yeah Ray, but most of us ain't like 'you'!! ;-D

[Ed62]

Thank you for posting the link for Sketchup. I've downloaded it, and maybe I'll find time tomorrow to play with it a little.

Ed

[gmack5]

Just one problem!

The only problem I have with sketchup is the fact that it only works with MS Win XP.

Right now, I'm using Win ME and it won't install sketchup! When this happened, I went to the web site and did some reading. That's when I discovered that it only works with Win XP..........BUMMER

[Crash2510]

It probably won't install on win ME because if you tried to use it on ME it would go into total system failure and your computer would explode.
just a guess