Shopsmith Forums

I figured we needed a topic on sketchup since it woven into some many threads lately. It was hard to decide under which subtopic to put it, but I figured it was a tool so Tool Review would work.

I went to Google and found sketchup but I'm not sure what all I want to download or if I want to give them my e-mail address. Opinion???

Okay let us say I have it down loaded what should be my next move?

Is there anything I should be aware of? Like it being a storage hog or causing other problems? I usually don't download "freebies" from the internet as they usually come with a cost that I don't want to pay. Opinion??

Will the sketchup guru's please raise their hands and move to the front of the classroom. I think we have a class of rookies here than need help.
Ed

Ed, I'm like you, I hardly ever do a "standard" install, I always do a custom install and choose just what I want to put on my machine. SketchUp will (if I remember right) want to install Google Toolbar in your browser and most likely want to make Google your default search tool if you choose the standard install. If that's OK with you, that's fine. I use Google toolbar anyway, like their pop-up blocker and spell checker for web forms (like this), but at least you know what you're getting.

I don't think that SketchUp is a memory hog at all. It loads quickly and performs quickly on both my PCs.

If you're interested, after you get it loaded and get up and running, I can provide a couple links to Plug-Ins that I've found useful and some additional materials I've created for modeling.

Hi,

So far I installed V6 and just finished installing V7. At this time I have both versions... pending anything major being wrong with V7 I will at sometime remove V6.

My PC is full of free stuff. I don't have the money to keep up with things like MS Office anymore, so I still have an older PC with that on it but I now use Open Office on my current PC as an example. Being free doesn't mean it is junk or infested with spyware... If you go to cnet.com and the download section, find the software you are interested in and then read what they say about it you can make some good picks. I download sketchup V7 from there and they did not even ask for an email address.

My take on where sketchup should go on the forum depends on if you are reviewing it, or talking about how to use it, or if you are presenting a design. In case one a review, then in the Woodworking Tool Review, case two maybe Community and then for case three either Beginning Woodworking for simple designs, General Woodworking for all others.

How ever someone decides they want to post will most likely be the end result... and the truth be told I can live with it anywhere.

Ed

I would like to see more sketchup topics. I've downloaded it and have played with a little so far. Currently, I'm building one of the step stools for the garage, that Tom so kindly provided plans for.

I've been making some SketchUp re-usable components lately. As I need one for one of my drawings, if a "decent" one is not available in the online 3D Warehouse, I'll draw my own and then share it with the online 3D Warehouse when I'm done with it for others. I am amazed at how many times some of these models are being utilized by others. My most popular component that I've shared is the brass coathook with the porcelin knobs that I made for the coat rack drawing. It gets downloaded about 24 times a week. I also have a brass friction latch for the lid of a toybox or hope chest that gets downloaded often.

I just shared a new component last night, one of my more difficult to model. It's a hard-rubber tire and wheel assembly, like what would be used on a garden cart or small bicycle (I plan on using it on a range shooting cart), complete with center bushing, all the canted spokes and tensioning nuts for the spokes. Believe it or not, it's been up less than 18 hours and it's been downloaded 7 times already.

Tom,

I downloaded your step stool, I almost have it completed. I was in desparate need of one. Thanks

We have enjoyed numerous posts on SketchUp. This month we have a great tutorial available in the March 2009 Wood Magazine. I for one am intimidated by computer design programs. Okay I admit it I was intimidated by high school drafting classes back in the dark ages.

This five page tutorial finally gives me a comfort level that even I can use this neat tool. Check it out. fjimp

Hi Jim - I loved mechanical drawing and drafting in High School, but still can not relate to Google Sketchup! Yes, I have given an effort and read and watched the tutorials, even red and studied the article in Wood Mag.

I can work Design Cad and others, but not Sketchup. But have learned to live with this handicap!

Anybody know how to get a small(6"x2"x3/8") part to print out at a realistic scale on the paper?? OR how DOES one set the print scale????

I get a very small set of lines in the middle of the paper. Attempts to change size, also shifts it away from the center of the paper?????? What am I missing????

JPG40504 wrote:Anybody know how to get a small(6"x2"x3/8") part to print out at a realistic scale on the paper?? OR how DOES one set the print scale????

I get a very small set of lines in the middle of the paper. Attempts to change size, also shifts it away from the center of the paper?????? What am I missing????

I believe your problems are from some extraneous geometry in your model and a combination of print option settings. The Print Size section and the Fit To Page and Use Model Extents options are what you need to address.