TV Stand designed with Sketchup

Great model and a great story. I have been using Sketchup for about a year. After the learning curve it has become pretty second nature. For me, it reduces the number of design decisions (read goof ups) in the shop. I think it take a little longer to design the model but the process allows me to arrive at something better in the long run.

-- Scott - Chico California http://chicowoodnut.home.comcast.net

Sketchup adds so much to the process that I can’t understand professionals not using it. I’m working on a project, $35,000,000 in improvements, to an existing water treatment plant. A significant portion of which is architectural changes to the front of the facility. Being able to involve clients in detailed design decisions before any work is done is crucial. It doesn’t matter if you are building a small piece of furniture or planning a city. Getting client involvement and buy-in always makes things go smoother in the end.

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

I with you guys,

Sketchup rocks. I love it.

-- My Fear is when i die, my wife will sell my tools for what I TOLD her they cost

I agree, that Sketchup is a great tool for the shop – just wish I could figure it out. I feel dumb as a stump when I try working with it, can’t figure out why – I’ve learned some pretty complicated software programs, including building my entire website with pure html code (self taught), but I can’t seem to get that Sketchup figured out.

-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/

I’m with you cajunpen. I have looked at that sketchup and just can’t seem to get started with it. I also feel a bit like a fish out of water when it comes to this design stuff.

-- Brian's Table Top Toys http://home.mountaincable.net/~bgraham/

Does anyone out there know where I can find the Sketchup application that can be used on a Mac (OS 10.3.9)? The only one I’ve seen for Mac requires OS 10.4.1 or 10.5 and I don’t have the $$ to upgrade my system at this time. I’ve never used Sketchup but it looks like a handy design tool.

-- Make things with wood.

As a resident Sketch a holic, I think it is an awesome tool and fills allot of shoes in the design process. It is great to rough out design ideas, to test materiel and design changes, and can also be used for working drawings, although I prefer to jump to AutoCAD for that. What it really excels at is the ability to help your clients visualize the final outcome before you even get started. I always develop a SU model as complete as I can in the beginning of a project, and send the client screenshots, or renders if I am using Podium…I prefer to do renders if I have the time…the realism factor really helps with customers and clients that don’t have great ability to visualize things in 3D.

Maybe we can get Martin to start a thread for SU questions for the people that are struggling to learn how to use it. I am no expert, but I would be willing to help answer any questions to the best of my ability! There are allot of guys on here that know the software really good so I think between all of us we could get everyone up to speed on at least the basic user commands.

-- Women love me.....trees fear me

I spent several years as a CAD Draftsman, using AutoCAD, Cabinet Vision and CabinetWare (the last two are for production shops using CNC equipment). I would like to think I could draw anything with Autocad. Standard is that it is the most complex, command embedded drafting software out there. NOW having said ALL of that I can’t seem to draw a stupid bookshelf with SketchUp. LOL I have spent hours and hours trying to learn the little quirks with it. I feel like a hot rod mechanic who can’t get his kids bike fixed!!!!!!!!!! Any way I just thought I would share….

-- "It's easier to get forgiveness than permission"

David (Brad_Nailor) : I think it’s a good idea. I know there are already some tutorial videos produced and available here but perhaps a Q&A to help answer specific questions for those who are keen to give it a go but are struggling with something in particular.

Sketchup is like any other tool. It must be used to be mastered and sometimes there are some things that people have learned to do that are just, well, you never would have thought of it yourself.

I’ve used computers all my life ( well most of it, anyway) and I have to say that the interface for Sketchup is one of the easier ones I’ve come across – but we still have a long way to go in designing software in a way which is intuitive and helpful, rather than having to adjust to fixed ideas of how they should work. Remember that computers were originally designed to solve math problems and they haven’t changed much fundamentally from those days with the blinking lights.

Nevertheless, the use of a 3d tool for prototyping is still a progression for the hobbyist in this craft and still worth considering mastering.

-- Steve, New Zealand, www.steveracz.com

I am like Bill. I am not new to computers. Sketch-up just has my number I guess…

-- Maplewood, MN

Hhmm…I’m not sure what it is but there is definitely some kind of a right brain/left brain thing that causes some folks to find Sketchup difficult. I’ve always been a creative type (or so I’ve been told) and really suck at organizational stuff. The mess of my workshop attests to that. I thought Sketchup wa so easy that it would allow anyone to just jump in. Have you guys that are having problems followed along with/watched the online tutorials on sketchup.com?

I’ve beeen drafting/designing for 30 years, 20 with Autocad and a variety of other software so I had an advantage but I really thought Sketchup leveled the playing field. My son-in-law was almost computer illiterate but grabbed onto sketchup right away. I hooked him up with all the tutorials and told him I wouldn’t answer any questions I knew were in there. He had his whole house and years of improvements designed two weeks later.

I’ll be getting back onto LJ more frequently again so feel free to ask questions. There are a number of others here now that know it as well or better than I do so you should be able to get some fairly quick responses.

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

Sketch up is impossible and I have a CAD background. Part of my problem is Tutorials go so slow I only go so far then get in trouble and have to start over. which is frustrating. Makes it hard to continue.

-- Kip Northern Illinois ( If you don't know where your goin any road will take you there) George Harrison