SketchUp Help

[kwc]

Calling all SketchUp users---

I'm trying to use SketchUp to design a hallway sitting bench. As a beginning user of SketchUp, I'm unable to figure out how to precisely align two components. Specifically, I have a horizontal panel (the bench top) and two vertical pieces (the sides) that will be mounted flush with the outside edges of the top--typical carcase construction.

How can I get the sides to "snap" to the outside edge of the top? It's frustrating dragging these pieces in 3D, rotating, etc. and always having a 1/16" gap or so (or infinitely smaller)!

Thanks!

kwc

[LarryG]

How can I get the sides to "snap" to the outside edge of the top? It's frustrating dragging these pieces in 3D, rotating, etc. and always having a 1/16" gap or so (or infinitely smaller)!

Odd that you're having trouble; coming from a 20+ year background with CAD, I've found this one of the easier edits in SketchUp.

First, use the Orbit tool to rotate your model so that you can "see" the two points you want to deal with ... i.e., Point A that you want to snap to Point B.

Next, use the Select tool (black arrow) to pull a rubber band box around the component you want to move.

Then position the Select tool pointer at your snapping control point ... a corner, the midpoint of a line, whatever. When you're "on it," you'll see a pop-up message box on screen.

Hold down the left mouse button and drag the component to wherever you want to snap it to. Again, when you're exactly on the point, you'll see the pop-up message box. When you're there, release the mouse button.

Sometimes it helps to zoom in really close after doing a preliminary positioning to verify that you've got it right. Also, watch for the on-screen message boxes that say "On Blue Axis" ... "On Red Axis" ... etc, as these can help confirm your alignment.

[kwc]

Thanks, Larry... but that doesn't seem to work for me!

I'm obviously missing something. I selected the entire side panel with the "select" tool. But when I move the select arrow anywhere else, including the corner to which I want to move the component, I don't get a pop-up.

And I can't find any documentation to explain this procedure (which I consider to be fundamental). My background is in Photoshop, which I use a lot for photography; this is considerably different...

Thank you,
kwc

[JR]

I'm having trouble with Sketchup, too. I intend to follow Ray's advice to do all the tutorials. He says they'll get you going quicker than anything else.

JR

[kwc]

I got it! After selecting the component to move, I needed to choose the "move" tool, then click first on the corner to move, then click on the target location. Works like a charm.

I've gone through the basic tutorials but it appears I need to go through all the (older, version 5) videos as well. :-)

Thank you,
kwc

[ejs1097]

Glad you got it working. I'm with JR. I downloaded after the last thread but unlike Larry, I have 0 experience with software like this and after the tutorials, I still couldn't draw up a simple bookcase. I gave up. Seems like it's one of those things that you'll have trouble with trying by yourself.

[RodKirby]

After 2 days (and the tutorials!), I'm still trying to work out how to draw a simple 2D plan

[Russianwolf]

come on guys. I just did a rough sketch of my entire house and yard (complete with tree locations). It's not that hard.

[RodKirby]

Sorry - I'm just a little fat Aussie that's obviously slowing down

[TheRic]

Sorry - I'm just a little fat Aussie that's obviously slowing down

Rod, I'm sure you could run circles around Russianwolf in several categories!!!

I would be happy to help you, but I have not looked at Sketch up YET. It's on my list near the top, but not at THE top at the moment. I'm sure an "expert" will be by shortly to help you out.

We all have things that seem simple to us, and others have major problems. On the other side there are things that we have problems with that others think are simple.

[kwc]

It's coming together okay now... just takes time to ferret out all of the nuances that enable precise measurements and alignment. The tutorials do help, but at some point the light bulb just clicks on.

My progress so far is attached.

Thanks again,
kwc

P.S. I'll try to summarize my "discoveries" at some point for other newbies that could benefit from them.

[atgcpaul]

It's coming together okay now... just takes time to ferret out all of the nuances that enable precise measurements and alignment. The tutorials do help, but at some point the light bulb just clicks on.

My progress so far is attached.

Thanks again,
kwc

P.S. I'll try to summarize my "discoveries" at some point for other newbies that could benefit from them.

Well, you're definitely ahead of the curve on this one. I've tried to work with
Sketchup for the past few months and I still can't draw the panels in the
vertical plane. I need to do those stinkin' tutorials.

Great work so far.

Paul

[LarryG]

I got it! After selecting the component to move, I needed to choose the "move" tool

Oh crap, you're right, my bad, I completely forgot the critical step of selecting the Move tool. Sorry 'bout that ... but glad you got it working.

Everyone else: keep after it, follow the tutorials, learn the basics and build on that. This is really a pretty simple piece of software if you are able to visualize things in 3D, which I think most woodworkers are. If anything, I found my CAD experience a hindrance in that I find myself continually trying to feed SketchUp commands that only DataCAD understands.

[bradley_osu]

The tutorials really are great. Don't just use the one that comes with it, download as many as you can off of the sketchup website (http://sketchup.google.com/tutorials.html) and more advanced tutorials if you feel you need it (http://www.caddtutorialsonline.com/s...tutorials.html) and there's also a forum for it (http://forum.sketchup.com/). I'm sure that between just those three resources you can find the answer to anything.

I love the program, very intuitive. I've used some graphics software before but never 3d modelling and was able to pick it up very quickly. 3-4 hours after downloading (most of which was spent running back and forth to my basement getting various measurements):



This is my basement plan, the black blob to the the left is my electric drumset that I didn't feel like modelling out in detail. So keep with it because making accurate models lets you get a real feel for how everything works and fits. After making the empty basement I was able to make the other components and fit them in the best possible way, then you can actually tour it as if you were walking through the room. Adjustments can be made and you end up with a satisfying job in the end. BTW this basement makeover is still in progress, pics will be posted upon its completion.

Keep at it! SketchUp is sweet!

Nick