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SketchUp Process Question(s)
Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2011 5:10 pm
by berry
This will kind of ramble I'm afraid but...
So when you use SU do you typically dimension parts and print a sheet for each?
or do work from a computer in the shop?
I just designed a wine cabinet, I printed out a dimensioned drawing of each part. As I milled stock and laid it out I found myself making changes! The proportions seemed wrong. The stiles should be wider. The upper rail looks too heavy. And so on. When I looked at my SU drawing I was happy with it but when I saw the pieces laying on the bench I wasn't happy with the proportions. So now do I re-work the SU file or just note the changes on my print-outs or?
Maybe I'm missing something, but when I printed out the dimensioned drawings of each part there was no title or description. I have a drawing of a apron with dimensions but I don't know if it's the front apron or the side apron. Of course I labeled each drawing, after it was printed, and put them on a clip board.
And there's not cut list? I made one easily enough but it seems like SU should make that as part of the process.
Anyway those of you who have come up with a work flow for using SU I'd appreciate you comments, suggestions or referrals to other sources.
Finally, I don't know how to add SU file here for others to view. It looks like the files too large but I don't know how to re-size a SU file. Not that you need to see the file to answer my questions, but I think it's fun to share those photos and plans.
Thanks!
Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2011 7:40 pm
by dusty
To post the sketches here, you must first export them from SU as 2D Graphic. That produces a .png file that can be attached to your post just like a photo image. Maximum size 800x600.
I do complete drawings (with dimensions) for each unique part. This allows for a dry fit on paper. Full blown SU produces a cut list but I don't know about the free version. I'm not organized enough to do that anyhow. Far too much detail to keep track of. I need to touch and feel.
You can probably guess - my big projects evolve and never match the initial drawings.
Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2011 8:05 pm
by paulmcohen
berry wrote:This will kind of ramble I'm afraid but...
So when you use SU do you typically dimension parts and print a sheet for each?
or do work from a computer in the shop?
I just designed a wine cabinet, I printed out a dimensioned drawing of each part. As I milled stock and laid it out I found myself making changes! The proportions seemed wrong. The stiles should be wider. The upper rail looks too heavy. And so on. When I looked at my SU drawing I was happy with it but when I saw the pieces laying on the bench I wasn't happy with the proportions. So now do I re-work the SU file or just note the changes on my print-outs or?
Maybe I'm missing something, but when I printed out the dimensioned drawings of each part there was no title or description. I have a drawing of a apron with dimensions but I don't know if it's the front apron or the side apron. Of course I labeled each drawing, after it was printed, and put them on a clip board.
And there's not cut list? I made one easily enough but it seems like SU should make that as part of the process.
Anyway those of you who have come up with a work flow for using SU I'd appreciate you comments, suggestions or referrals to other sources.
Finally, I don't know how to add SU file here for others to view. It looks like the files too large but I don't know how to re-size a SU file. Not that you need to see the file to answer my questions, but I think it's fun to share those photos and plans.
Thanks!
Every board should be a component, if you decide to change the size you do it once and all the copies change. The components should be named according to conventions with keywords something like 1/2" Maple Front Apron. In the description you can put the full dimensions but it is not necessary.
SketchUp interfaces to "CutList" with a free add-in (Google it). The interface uses the flexible keywords to differientate between boards, plywood and hardware. Once you import the project into CutList you can sort the list and since size and material will be first you can select all of one material. Then select edit all and you can choose the correct material, it only takes a few seconds to do a whole project.
Sharing SketchUp projects is best done through the Google Warehouse with a link here. You can export an image from SketchUp and post that here.
The best book I have seen on SketchUp is "Google SketchUp the Missing Manual" plus all the free online videos. Most libraries have the book.
Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2011 12:34 am
by paulmcohen
"Cut List" has different meeting to different people. If you just want a list of parts and their sizes I think SketchUP Pro can just give that to you. With the CutList add-in, SketchUp will produce a Excel compatible CSV file that lists the parts one per line with column headings on the first line.
"CutList fx" AKA "CutList" is a commercial application the takes a list of parts manually entered or imported and produces a cutting diagram that minimizes the cost of a project while making things look nice (it understands grain) and mimimize cuts and saw setup changes. It can also calculate edge banding. It can also produce labels, a costed bill of material, manage invertory and track materal costs from multiple vendors and many other things depending on version (free to expensive). I don't do any project with using it.
Here is a source for some of the plugins and a more detailed explaination.
http://tonyswoodshop.blogspot.com/2007/10/cut-list.html
Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2011 10:33 am
by berry
dusty wrote:
I do complete drawings (with dimensions) for each unique part. This allows for a dry fit on paper.
Do you output your drawings and take them to your shop or do work from the computer?
Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2011 10:40 am
by berry
paulmcohen wrote:With the CutList add-in, SketchUp will produce a Excel compatible CSV file that lists the parts one per line with column headings on the first line.
This is what I was thinking of. No way to make a cutting diagram without having a list of what's stock available. I tend to plan the project and then start looking for wood that will fit.
Great info - thanks!
Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2011 1:55 pm
by dusty
berry wrote:Do you output your drawings and take them to your shop or do work from the computer?
I have a computer in my shop and I typically do this sort of work there. SU is also loaded here on this computer but I don't use it all that much here.
I have remote access ability also but that is via a wireless interface which does not seem to handle drawing files all that well. Maybe if I upgraded it to 2.0 or even 3.0 it would be better. No need. Setting up the remote capability was more of a personal technical challenge.
Oops, in fact I can't do that now. I have Windows 7 here and XP in the shop. The two do not communicate the same way. I'd have to put Windows 7 in the shop and that would be $60+ that I can spend better elsewhere.
Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2011 12:09 am
by paulmcohen
berry wrote:Do you output your drawings and take them to your shop or do work from the computer?
I took my laptop to my shop once and never will do it again, I take printouts.
Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2011 12:12 am
by paulmcohen
dusty wrote:I have a computer in my shop and I typically do this sort of work there. SU is also loaded here on this computer but I don't use it all that much here.
I have remote access ability also but that is via a wireless interface which does not seem to handle drawing files all that well. Maybe if I upgraded it to 2.0 or even 3.0 it would be better. No need. Setting up the remote capability was more of a personal technical challenge.
Oops, in fact I can't do that now. I have Windows 7 here and XP in the shop. The two do not communicate the same way. I'd have to put Windows 7 in the shop and that would be $60+ that I can spend better elsewhere.
Windows XP can run remote desktop with a Windows 7 client, Windows 7 Professional can run remote desktop with Windows XP as the client.
If you don't need sound, there are lots of free solutions for home use.
Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2011 7:52 am
by dusty
paulmcohen wrote:Windows XP can run remote desktop with a Windows 7 client, Windows 7 Professional can run remote desktop with Windows XP as the client.
If you don't need sound, there are lots of free solutions for home use.
If so that might be a valid reason for getting Windows 7 Professional. I have Windows 7 Home Edition.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/wind ... Connection