Sketchup

[beeg]

Anybody else having a problem trying to learn how to use sketchup? Right now I'm trying to do something "simple", draw 4 posts, then attach crossbars to them.. I want them to be 5ft tall and 2 inches in diameter, but it won't let me use those dimensions. To add, I've never used a program like this before.

[tom_k/mo]

beeg,
If you go into the model Info window and select Units, you can make it snap to certain dimensions and can set the distance it will snap to, 1/2" or 1/4" or 1/8" etc... That helps when trying to draw to dimensions. Another thing you can do is type the dimension you want. Draw a circle and just click. Then, before you do anything else, type 1, and press ENTER. It will change the radius of the circle you just drew to 1". Take the 2" circle and start to extrude. Just move in the right direction and click. Then before doing anything else, type in the dimension you want the post extruded to and press ENTER and it will change to that length.

Also learn to use guide lines and constrain key for drawing on specific surfaces. The left, right and Up arrows constrain movement/measurement to the green/red/blue axes respectively. Using the tape measure to measure distances and generating guide lines at those distances allows you to draw snapping to those dimension lines. There's a menu option (under edit I think) that will delete all guide lines you've created, so use them liberally to define where you want to draw to or move to. They're your friend. I also generate a quick cube somewhere off to the side when I'm first starting a model. That way I can move my cursor to a surface, and hold down the Shift key to constrain drawing/movement to that plane. In other words, if you have something laying flat on the "ground" and you want to rotate it to a vertical position, you need to have the protractor perpendicular to the green or red axes. By default it will display perpendicular to the blue axes. If you change to the rotation tool, move the protractor to one of the vertical sufaces on the scrap cube you've drawn, and hold the shift key down, you can then move the protractor to the point on the model you want to rotate the part from, and it will stay oriented on that surface.

Hope this all makes sense to you. If you have any other questions, I'd be glad to help.

[john]

Bob:

I have to admit I was unable to master the simplist 3d box when I tried to design a CD cabinet last year. I decided the learning curve for this "old man" (Chuck would call me young), was too long so I have not gone back to trying.:(

Good luck with your efforts.

John

[shydragon]

I am just starting to learn sketchup. There is a learning curve, the tutorials help.

When creating a circle, just get one made then type in 1", then enter (1" being the radius of 2"). What beeg referred to as extrude, is really push/pull in sketchup.

The best thing is to go through the tutorials, then practise them to become familiar with the different features. Also, using the tape measure and the quides are very helpful

[joedw00]

I just started using Sketchup. I am sure it is like everything else, it will just take time, so just keep playing with it until you get it figured out.

[charlese]

Bob:

I have to admit I was unable to master the simplest 3d box when I tried to design a CD cabinet last year. I decided the learning curve for this "old man" (Chuck would call me young), was too long so I have not gone back to trying.:(

Good luck with your efforts.

John

Hi John! I also had similar difficulties with Sketchup. Hope it has nothing to do with my age. :p My problem is the learning curve is longer than I can stand. All I want to do is design a piece and get the plans. So I opted for a couple of 2D programs. These make drawings just like we used to do in mechanical drawing class in High School.

Actually I only need one program. The easiest one I found is named Delta Cad. You can download a free trial period from these folks, then see if you want to buy it. I think that trial is a 2 month period. This program has a wonderful tutorial in the help section. You really can't go wrong with a free trial. I had actually downloaded the program - let it expire then got it again later and bought it. Now I'm in the process of getting it back as it left with my old hard drive. As I remember the cost of the program is around $40 U.S.

[efmaron]

I agree with Chuck, Delta Cad is easiest system to use. I have used it for for some time now for simple drawings and cabinet assembly drawings. When you download the trial program you get a tutorial to draw a calculator,follow the step by step instructions, when you get finished with that you can draw anything.

[ryanbp01]

I'm still messing around with it. The problem I have is that drawing with a mouse feels like drawing with a bar of soap!

BPR