Shopsmith Forums

I started playing with SketchUp years back, using the trial and error method and a "Dummies" shortcut sheet. Then, a couple years ago, I went the YouTube route.

It wasn't the best way, but it got me to the point where I could make things accurately (though not efficiently)

In January, I read a quick review of this book. The author, Joe Zeh, created a program which takes parts from a SketchUp project for export to a cut list program. Even if you do not plan to export design to a cut list, the book is a good tool for learning SketchUp, or at least I think it is, IF you can be tolerant of a domineering teaching style.

http://www.amazon.com/SketchUp-Woodwork ... 06PQSC8T00

It references the 2014 version so it is mostly up to date. The author can be very frustrating because his style of teaching is "My way or the highway", but that is only in the beginning. After learning his methodology, the reader is free to explore. His first "requirement" is to read through the first few chapters WITHOUT using or looking at the software, then to go back and follow along. I did it his way and found it VERY frustrating, however, by using his way, some of my bad habits were revealed.

He has a method to his madness which frankly makes design significantly easier. There were short cuts I had not known plus by using his style, I found it MUCH easier to correct or change dimensions after the fact.

He makes every first designed piece a component, which at first made NO sense to me. Now I understand the "why". Then he explains a wise use of groups. I am not certain I have a need for his style of layers, but again he has a specific reason. I think his rationale and explanation behind "a reason for the steps" is why I liked this book.

I've changed "significantly" how I make my projects. Recently I had one project which was some garage/shop shelves of differing widths and shelf heights. After making the drawings I decided to change the thickness of the sheet stock. Using my old self taught methods, I would have just started over, since revision versus new would still have been a couple hours. By using the component and group method, I made ALL the changes in about 5 minutes!!

At $22. it is not cheap, so checking your local library first for a quick read might be a first step, but if you plan to use SketchUp for designing projects, I think you will find it a decent investment.

Be well,
Ben

Great review Ben, thank you. You make a compelling case for the author's style. I think I'll give it a shot. I usually thrash about on my own until something happens to work. This may get me off to a proper start.

Me too. I checked it out on Amazon, and the reviews are excellent. The Sketchup tutorials I've dabbled with are all bottom-up, and I get frustrated trying to discern the big picture. I'm hoping the book takes a top-down approach.

There are tons of Sketchup tutorial videos on You Tube, from Joe Zeh and others. Joes are long, but he covers things thoroughly. I have run into problems and emailed Joe about them. He has always contacted me back and walked me through them.

I don't use Sketchup enough to be really good at it. I'm old and tend to forget things so everytime I use it, it's a relearning experience for me.

It's a great program tho, you can make really professional plans and cutlists. Since you make the model first, all the mistakes are found and corrected before you even touch wood.

Brent

I really like the New Woodworkers Guide to Sketchup by Bob Lang.

Things I like the most:

• His explanations are generally clear and includes videos that reinforce what has just been explained while showing you how to do the specific task.
  
  He encourages you to have Sketchup up and running in a separate window so you can practice what you are learning. You draw a table, with a drawer, as well as an entertainment cabinet with shelves and doors while learning the basics.
  
  Down to earth instruction that focuses on woodworking rather than the mechanics of Skethup. But he does not skimp on how to efficiently use Sketchup.
  
  Makes each new item into a component so they can manipulated later into tenons and other joinery styles. Later in the book he spends nearly a whole chapter encouraging you to be creative and adapt basic models into expanded, complex designs.
  
  Shows you how to take a photo and turn it into a model in Sketchup.
  
  I have minor trouble processing written material so the ability to use the text-to-voice function in Adobe Reader allows me to hear what I am reading. This greatly speeds up the learning process for me.

You can buy a DVD version from Amazon for $39.95:

http://www.amazon.com/Woodworkers-Guide ... 0692451528

or you can download a PDF version directly from the site for $5.00 less ($35.95):

http://readwatchdo.com/2015/05/new-wood ... d-updated/

Larry