Virtual Dining Table Challenge #1: Announcement

I hope the tutorial doesn’t disqualify me….:)

As I mentioned in my PM to you Martin I think the focus of this challenge should be as a design study and not the production of a final design with all joinery, dimensions etc.. It will allow more members to participate and fits well with the idea of using a place or thing as inpiration.

One of the very valuable benefits to Sketchup is that it allows for easy design study. They can be done relatively quickly even with a minimum of Sketchup knowledge. If we focus on the design side of things it levels the playing field somewhat for all entrants.

-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org

One question that I have is do we have to use sketchup for this contest? Or can we produce this table in another 3D modeling program?

Thanks Martin

-- Kaleo , http://www.kaleosworkshop.com

Think we need to stick with sketch-up.
My reasoning:

Unigraphics : I have over 5000 hrs of tube time
3d Studio : I have over 7000 hrs of tube time

Sketch-up = downloaded the software today and just walked thru the first 4 tutorials. Sort of levels the playing field, ....

-- Hey ! I was born in IOWA .... don't blame me

i just played with it bit…did not try the tutorials…was fun…my question—-why limit to tables? could it be opened to “furniture”? either way it will be great——as long as the deadline includes a WEST COAST TIME after 5pm….lol….

-- Matt, Napa, CA: Lj's...I love logging on--I feel so young after being around teenagers all day!

That’s why I asked the question about sketchup. I use Cinema 4D for computer renderings and Vectorworks CAD for designing. I would like to use those instead of Skecthup. I just don’t think you can get photo realistic renders of your designs from Sketchup. But if it has to be Sketchup I will use it for the competition. Thanks

-- Kaleo , http://www.kaleosworkshop.com

Bob, tutorial doesn’t disqualify you ;)

Kaleo, only SketchUp should be used for this challenge.

Matt, this challenge is limited only to dining tables.

The reasons of having Dining table and SketchUp restrictions are:

1. to level the playing field
2. to make judging by PW editors possible

It’s impossible to judge objectively when you can use any 3D tool or design any kind of furniture. However together with these two restrictions/rules we’re saying that you’re allowed to base your dining table on anything you want. And this opens the doors for creativity.

Plus we want to have lots of other interesting challenges in the future and this approach will allow us to be as unique as possible each time ;)

-- Martin, http://lumberjocks.com

my two cents—these challenges are about “challenging oneself” ... so if you are a whiz at Sketchup then we should be seeing some very creative designs or something that takes your woodworking skills to a new level… something.

the fun part will be the inclusion of a design element (or whatever) taken from the inspiration.

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Another thing is that Sketchup is free! I am one of thoses woodworks who recycle cans and bottles so I can afford better wood and hardware. I can draw, but I can design a 3D project in Sketchup less than half the time it take it take me on paper, and I have only used Sketchup for about 3 months. Plus, I still have to buy pencils and paper. Sketchup up is a great tool for a woodwork who is just starting out, so count me in.

-- A man who moves mountains starts one stone at a time.

Martin-

Thanks for clearing that all up. It’s going to be interesting seeing what people come up with.

-- Kaleo , http://www.kaleosworkshop.com

This will definitely be some challenge. Now we have to look for inspiration.

-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com

and all in less than a month !!!

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Some additional official Sketchup tutorials from previous versions that deal with more of the basics (mostly still applicable).
http://sketchup.google.com/vtutorials.html

-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org

Here is a Sketchup video tutorial I have been using to learn sketchup. It is all video and very good.

-- A man who moves mountains starts one stone at a time.

I can’t wait to sink my teeth into this challenge. I am a Sketchup addict! ......Hi, my name is Brad Nailer, and I’m addicted to Sketchup..

-- Brad Nailor is just my handle..my Name is David, feel free to use it!

Got me cad 3d table going and bridge photo, having a riot !!

-- Hey ! I was born in IOWA .... don't blame me

I’ve updated the announcement with the link to great Bob’s tutorial – dining table inspired by the Washington Monument.

-- Martin, http://lumberjocks.com

LOL…I’ll assume the great Bob is a grammatical error Martin…..:)

-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org

haha.. anyways I like it this way – you’re great ;)

-- Martin, http://lumberjocks.com

I’ve just updated the prize list with more details provided by Popular Woodworking.

-- Martin, http://lumberjocks.com

Can you enter more than one design?

-- I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso

Damian,

there is no reason you could not post in a couple entries. They should be very different designs though.

-- Martin, http://lumberjocks.com

Great Scott! a Great Bob too?!

This should be a fun one… the greener woodworkers can tackle more complex designs than we’d normally attempt, or might not seem feasible with our current shop tools available.

Looking forward to the inspirations and interpretations they inspire.

-- The opposite of war isn't peace. It's creation. -- Wood T's: http://www.printfection.com/snbcreative

Would I be allowed to use a third party render application that lives inside Scetchup? I wanted to render a few of my images and use “Podium” to do it? Just wondering…

-- Brad Nailor is just my handle..my Name is David, feel free to use it!

Brad, it’s fine to use Podium for rendering. And consider mentioning it in your entry plus posting some tips about it in separate blog entry – to share your experience with others ;)

-- Martin, http://lumberjocks.com

What are the judging critera? What things are the judges going to be looking for in?

-- David, www.briskibusiness.com

Cool web site and cool challenge, this should be fun

-- Freedom of speech means having to hear things that you don't agree with.

Hello all.

is judging based purely on artistic merit? Will engineering be considered? Would the table have to stand in the real world?

-Thatto

although I don’t have official answers, my guess is that the Magazine would want it to be build-able – so they can show their subscribers.

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Here is the answer from Glen: “[the entry] needs to be able to be built ... To me the idea behind SketchUp is that it’s being used to not only design, but help to work out possible flaws that would normally appear during the first build out.”

I’m adding to the rules.

-- Martin, http://lumberjocks.com

3 days left (4 if you include today!)

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

I guess this is the place to post this….....

I just went through all the drawering and am quite impressed. You all dug pretty deep and that’s pretty COOL!!!! I really enjoyed observing the thoughts.

I wonder if Giz’s table will attack the Sketcher in chapter3???

Neil

FYI Check the new issue (#197 Nov/Dec) of Fine Woodworking Magazine for article one sketchup. Also a blog on Fine WW website.

-- DocK, WV