Anyone use Sketchup from Goggle

[Lickity Split]

I would first like to say that I love this sight, you guys have inspired me to build my own log splitter.
I will post pictures when I get it done.
Now back to Sketchup, I downloaded it tonight and how do I get started, I have no cad experience and it just seams a little much, I just want something that I can draw my next projects on
(small trailer, lawn sprayer, whatever).
Any help on another download or Sketchup would be great.

Thanks Lickity Split

 

[Travelover]

I've used it a couple of times and love it. Look on Youtube, I believe there are tutorials there.

YouTube - SketchUp Basic Tutorial I

 

[simplicityguy92]

i use sketch up its real easy once u get the hang of it

 

[Scotty370]

Thank alot Lickity!!! Ya just got me to spend an hour and a half downloading and playing with it passed my bedtime last night!!!I should be more Cadd literate than I am, working in an Engineering Department! My folks use MicroStation and Autocadd, and I'm ashamed that I'm nowhere near as proficient as they! I recently hand drafted all the parts that I need for my current undertaking, (Stump-Grinder) on my dining room table. Now I'm trying to re-create them in 'G-Sketch'. Good news is, It's free! Unlike the new Harris torches that "I owe them to me", and a Lincoln 225AC/DC arc welder that I've got in my sights! (K-1297 at Home Depot $389.- by the way!) Good stuff if I can get proficient. Really, Thanks!!! Good luck on your Log Splitter. I built one years ago and it stillserves my very well. If ya need any guidance, I'm here!~Scotty

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I had a few false starts trying to teach myself CAD drawing and failed miserably until I found Sketchup. It is very easy to use and is really pretty powerfull. I love it!!

It should open up with a "learning center" window. I typically Click "Next" 3 or 4 times every time I open it up just to see what little trick it's going to teach me today. When you're in the middle of drawing to can go to the learning center fromthe "Help" menu.

Another cool thing is that there's the 3-D warehouse on the web. You can download models and borrow components from them. If you need a tree, just go get one. Don't try to build it yourself.

I posted a question to the "Related Topics" forum about Sketchup and didn't get any responses, so I figured there weren't many here that used it.

 

[Scotty370]

Ditto To "IplayFarmer"!! The more I play, the more I like it. I never would have found it myself! Thank god for TBN, and folks like Lickety for sharing. As I said, I hand drafted most of my parts, and am now re-doing them in G-Sketch. I'm having a ball! Wish I could get out-back and really start putting stuff together, but it was -4F when I left for work this AM. The tutorial videos are pretty good, though I have had time to view them all. Thanks again! ~Scotty

 

[Lickity Split]

Sorry about your missed sleep Scotty.
I have not had the time to play with it at all yet, will wait for the weekend, when I have more time.
I will post pictures of the splitter when it is done, I just need to put hydraulic lines on yet.
And I need to figure out how to post pictures.
Any pointer on G-sketch would be great.

Lickity Split

 

[Chris_in_Oz]

Thanks for posting this - I hadn't heard of it. Downloaded it, installed it and now I'm trying to kill it through over use...

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Sorry about your missed sleep Scotty.
I have not had the time to play with it at all yet, will wait for the weekend, when I have more time.
I will post pictures of the splitter when it is done, I just need to put hydraulic lines on yet.
And I need to figure out how to post pictures.
Any pointer on G-sketch would be great.

Lickity Split

There is probably a better way, but I've installed CutePDF which allows me to print from any program to a .pdf file. Like sketchup, it's free and it's easy.

I just print the image from Sketchup using Cute PDf as the printer. You can attach .pdf files to your post that we can all open with acrobat. If you want to get even more creative than that you can select the image from the open .pdf file using the "Snapshot Tool" from the "Tools" menu and then the "Select and Zoom" submenu. Then paste the image into an image editor.

Here is an example of both ways from a box I designed for work (coming to a WalMart near you)...

 

[teg]

Holy cow!!! I've been wanting to draw some plans of a cabin I had in mind (more deck then cabin but with room to sleep). Could not explain it to my friends... Within an hour with this program, I got something that is really close... then had to figure out how (also for free) to capture video from my desk top... pretty cool stuff. You can see my cabin "plans" on Youtube...

TegTube - cabin drawing rough draw

Another (longer) view:
TegTube - cabin drawing first try.

I have used many different programs but not a Cad... did not have much trouble with this one... I did watch the tutorials, thanks for posting them Travelover. The windows will be different (smaller). They are so you can see inside, especially the round one.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Another option for posting models would be to put them in a ZIP file. Then anyone open the actual model and see it in 3D. It would sure make it easier to pirate each other's ideas.

 

[George2615]

I downloaded SketchUp and spent about 3 hours trying to draw a floor plan for a pole barn I'm planning to build. I had a tough time with it. Guess I'm not used to a 3D program. I'll try again when I have more time.

For those interested in drawing a floor plan I found a simple program called Easy Blue Print. The program is used to create floor plans for home, office, garages etc. I knocked out a simple plan showing post layout, door and window locations, and sizes in about an hour. You can find it here:


Easy To Use Blueprint Drawing Software

 

[F.L. Jennings]

There are a lot of good cad programs out there, including Google SU. As a 40+ year engineering graphics veteran I use Autocad and others. Several good paint programs (freeware too) Hand sketching is still my favorite. This was done using Hand sketching/AutoCad/CorelDraw and a conversion to pdf.

Lots of freebies. For you 3D fans blender is a good, though very time consuming to learn, freebie. Design workshop lite is a very very good free architectural type program and simple to learn and use

Lots here;

Freebyte's Guide to...Free Graphics Software, Images, Clipart, etc.

Freeware Home - Free Software Downloads

also caddepot.com

Free = good!

 

[alltoys]

There is probably a better way, but I've installed CutePDF which allows me to print from any program to a .pdf file. Like sketchup, it's free and it's easy.

I just print the image from Sketchup using Cute PDf as the printer. You can attach .pdf files to your post that we can all open with acrobat. If you want to get even more creative than that you can select the image from the open .pdf file using the "Snapshot Tool" from the "Tools" menu and then the "Select and Zoom" submenu. Then paste the image into an image editor.

Here is an example of both ways from a box I designed for work (coming to a WalMart near you)...

You have me right up to image editor what is that??

I am doing a multipurose building for myself and would like to find out a way to copy my drawing to send it to an engineer for actual prints.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

You have me right up to image editor what is that??

I am doing a multipurose building for myself and would like to find out a way to copy my drawing to send it to an engineer for actual prints.

Sending it as a .pdf file would probably be best for that application.

An example of an image editor is Microsoft Paint. If you copy the image out of acrobat and paste it into a new paint file you can save it as a jpeg or a bitmap. The resolution isn't very high in paint, but the basic image looks the same.

Photoshop is another image editor. There are a bunch of image programs out there, but I'm not too well versed in them.

The reason for jpeg or bitmap is so you can post it here for all to see.

 

[POC]

I wonder how long that will take to download at 21.6K?

 

[Flatheadyoungin]

I have some basic AutoCAD experience. When I first tried SU I had a tough time. I spent several hours just last week watching videos and trying to learn it. Youtube is great for finding SU tutorials. I'm coming along, slowly. I drew my garage.......and ran out of time when trying to put in the rafters, trusses, etc..

What I've noticed when I try to do something that a tutorial has shown me, is that they have the $500 version instead of the free version. Maybe we could share ideas, etc. on here. I'm wanting to take a floor plan and draw it up myself; add carpet, fireplace, windows, kitchen, etc and then be able to walk through it.

Speaking of floorplans, you can take a .jpg or .dwg (CAD file), import it to SU, then trace all the lines on the floor plan, then extrude your wallls, etc......then erase the original imported image.....REALLY cool stuff.......there's a tutorial on youtube.......

If this thread keeps going, I'll try to post the links tomorrow. They are on my work computer. I think I'll do some 3D modeling in SU with my Intro. to CAD class next year. Kids really seem to enjoy the modeling. I wonder if they have the $500 version for education?

 

[Iplayfarmer]

... Maybe we could share ideas, etc. on here.

I'm all for that idea. It seems like a good fit for many of the guys on here.

 

[alltoys]

This is a first attempt for me with SU. I am designing a home, Paintball store, shop, and Dog Kennel all in one building 50 x 150 feet.

 

[Flatheadyoungin]

This is the 2nd thing I've drawn with SU. This is a shaker night stand that we build in my Woods 2 class.....


i can't get photobucket to work right now...