SketchUp: This dang thing is killin' me !

OK, I’ll admit, you had me bustin up, but I’m laughing with you not at you.
I did the same thing when I first downloaded it. Just takes a lot of time to figure out how each tool works and learning to draw your lines on the same plane.
Don’t give up, for me it has been a very useful tool. It really helps the client visualize what there getting and also saves the “I didn’t know it was going to be like that” response.

In time it will click, and you will be drawing like it’s your pad and paper only 100 times better. :)

Check out these tutorails. These will give you a good start.
http://sketchupforwoodworkers.com/tutorials

-- I don't understand everything I know about this.

Rick, I am laughing as well because I have been there and done that! I must have started and stopped Sketchup at least 3 times vowing to remove the program from my computer each time but simply never got around to doing so. I can now produce passable drawing and can make a cut list from the drawings but, as Bently said, it does take practice.

Here is a tutorial that DaveR posted on building a table that helped me get started. Dave has posted a series of blogs (titled Dave’s Sketchup Blather) that are informative and helpful.

But certainly feel free to contact Dave for help. He is extremely knowledgeable about Sketchup and is always willing to help out those of us who are still on the steep side of the Sketchup learning curve.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

I use a pen and paper….....................hasnt failed me yet

-- http://www.furnituremann.ca/

Plans? They’re overrated!————————-I thought that what scrap plywood and pencils were for.

-- Kent Shepherd * The goal is-----More Tools!

I started to tell you the other day when you asked about Sketchup that you’d be better off forgetting about it. It’s a great program for some folks (the ones who have the patience and determination to learn it), but it’s not for every woodworker. I had a hunch you were going to find it as frustrating as I do, but I figured you needed to find that out on your own. :-)

Besides, like Kent said, plans are overrated anyway.

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

Been there. Done that. Tore my hair out. Talked to DaveR. I can now do a heck of a lot better than I did, tho I have a LONG way to go. Those who say Linux has a steep learning curve never tried SketchUP!

All kidding aside, Sketchup is a great tool. As with any tool you need to practice. Was your first dovetail a thing of beauty????? I suspect NOT!

-- Fred, Springfield, Ma

It is hard to learn. Just stick with it. I still use a pencil and paper, but if i want to see a 3-d version i’ll use sketch up (as long as it’s not too complicated). The woodwhipster did a podcast on using sketch up to build a model of a craft table. I followed his instruction while watching the podcast and couldn’t believe that I actually did it!...still, nothing beats a good old #2 pencil and a sketch pad.

-- John in Arizona (but it's a dry heat!)

Well guys—I still ain’t got it!! They say “practice makes perfect?” That’s a bunch of s**t”.
I’ve practiced, and there ain’t nothin’ prefect around here. I’ve about had it with this program. I’m about to take it out of my computer, get my pad and #2 pencil, and start where I left off.
Like Kent said ” that’s what scrap plywood and pencils are for”, and I got plenty of both!!!!

-- Remember--- one good turn-- gets most of the blanket!!!!

I think it is a great tool and as a professional I understand it’s importance and potential.

None of my portfolio projects were drawn in Sketchup.

The secret to success in woodworking is more time in the shop and less on the computer.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

Todd:
I agree with you 100% on this subject. I do all my learning hands-on in the shop, and not on this contraption!
The time I’ve wasted trying to learn SketchUp could have been time well spent working on one of my projects.
Like you—everything I’ve ever built has been drawn with p&p.
These computers are only as smart as you tell them to be in my opinion.

-- Remember--- one good turn-- gets most of the blanket!!!!

the problem is probably conceptual. it would help to have someone walk you through something small 1st hand and explain the sort of “theoretical” background about why the program is so helpful. obviously you dont need it, and there’s more than one way to skin a cat, and it’s not for everyone, etc. BUT – it’s a shame to see a good tool go unused, know what i mean?

it’s sort of like scrapers – after the first difficult break in, they become second nature.

Rick

I have to agree with my friend i hate the bloody thing i try and try to understand it in the end it beats me every time and when you see guys on here that have mastered it you feel even more stupid christ how hard can it be RIGHT so i’m with you mate …..

PS: LOL…...... i still keep bloody trying though

Andy

-- cut it saw it scrap it

Rick, I use sketchup only occasionally and at a pretty low competence level. I learned about it while I was sick and sitting in my Lazyboy recliner. The going was slow and the learning curve steep.

I just wanted to say to you that the time you use learning this program is well spent because it is like an investment that will pay you dividends for a very long time, and you can continue increasing your skill as you go. Sure some people learn it quicker than others, but I would bet that most of us really struggled in the beginning like you are now. Maybe you are trying to learn too much at one time. I would do what Scott suggests. Take a simple project and learn what is required to complete it successfully. Then go on to increasingly difficult projects that have new elements to learn. After awhile you will be very glad you learned it. If I could learn it, even your dog could! Remember that DaveR is a great resource to call on. Good luck with your efforts! We are looking forward to your first project drawing.

-- Mike, American in Norway

Rick, sorry about the delay in responding to your post. I was out of town over the weekend. Aaron has a good suggestion. If you want, I’d be happy to set up a session so we can get you going on SketchUp and reduce the frustration level. I’m available today, Sunday and this evening if you are.

Dave

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

Any software has a learning curve, and if you are trying to learn this without having all sorts of cad/graphic design etc. software experiences under your belt… it’s going to be a steep learning curve.

I have been at it for a day now. I made a sketch, now I am testing my design with a pine/scrap mock-up (making a few modifications). What was great was that I could envision where I would put certain cuts and realized I would have problems – and adjusted accordingly in my plan. It’s an iterative process of course.

Wonderful software if you want to document a repeatable process. I can’t believe this is free!!!

i’ll stick with the good ol’ paper with a fine pencil…i tried this sketchup thing…its a hard little mofo to work with but after watching the video—on mute, (im visual like that) i slowly got the hang of it but it pisses me off to no end cuz non stop i keep making wrong moves or it wont let me put marks where or how i want them. its just good for seeing the 3d full in depth and detail of your project.

-- Every woodworker cuts a finger off atleast twice in their life! Mark, Windsor, Ontario

Mark, I won’t try to talk you out of your pencil and paper but, like anything, SketchUp takes a bit of learning. Once you do learn it, there’s no reason you can’t put a marks where and how you want them.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

pen and paper is to sketchup what a phillips screwdriver is to a dewalt 18volt cordless driver drill and 10 spare batteries.

-- Dan, Sterling Alaska, http://sullcon.homestead.com/ Before you criticise some one, walk a mile in their shoes...then you will be a mile away and you have their shoes!

;-)

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

I don’t remember my shoulder hurting. My wrist was sure sore and I needed new batteries( wireless mouse). I did feel the need to throw the monitor out into the yard, but it’s getting better. The guy posting above seems to have a handle on it. I read the blog on fine woodworking. Dave since you may read this, Thanks some of your advice has helped me. good luck fellas

-- Which way did they go? Tell me, tell me I must know I'm there leader!!

And!!!!!!
How’s it going ?

-- "Even small steps makes a distance." (Shawn Phillips, musician)