89 – Sketchup Basics – Trunk Lid Pt. 1
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Its no secret that Google SketchUp is a very popular program amongst woodworkers. Considering what it does, its incredibly easy to use. But it can still be intimidating to someone who is using it for the first time. So with the help of my buddy Aaron Marshall, we put together a few videos showing how to construct the square lid to the Steamer Trunk. Now these videos do assume that you’ve opened the program and have a little familiarity with the tools. If this is your first experience with SketchUp, I highly recommend checking out the tutorials located at SketchUpForWoodworkers.com.
Another thing you might want to check out is an older video I did showing how I typically use SketchUp. I rarely design an entire project from start to finish. I just use SketchUp to work out proportions and measurements. And you’ll see me do that in the first episode of the Arts & Crafts Table series.
You can download SketchUp here and if you are looking for the original file used to make this Steamer Trunk tutorial, you can download that here. Also, check out the SketchUp Group on the Community Site. There is a growing list of models there available for download.
Let me know if you would like to see more videos on SketchUp.
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I think the Sketchup video was fine. However there are already number of tutorials on the net for Sketchup. Personally I would prefer to see more of your projects, techniques etc. I really enjoy your stuff. Probably the best, professional looking online free woodworking videos available.
You and Niclole keep up the good work…………..jim
Very cool. Looking forward to more of these.
Marc,
Aaron did a great job, and I look forward to the other segments of this presentation.
I would really like to see more SketchUp videos. Thanks for the opportunity to see them here!
Jay
In regards to the rotating 180 degrees, while nice there is another more exacting way by using the scale tool (s key). Pick the center face handle of the side you wish to flip and type -1 (negative) and it will flip it precisely. You can also hold down option (Mac) ctrl (PC i think) and flip via the center of it. I us this all the time when doing complex projects for clients, as it allows me to pre-visualize the project with a client to work out any kinks before I cut any wood.
This is also great for symmetrical pieces, model half of the project, group everything, copy the group via the move tool (as in the video), then flip with the scale tool and center modifier in place. You now have a perfect symmetrical piece. The bonus of this is when a change is made to one side (You did make components in that group didn’t you) it will be reflected immediately in the opposite side. Just an alternative guys but a powerful one I think.
So far so good – I think I’ll pause in the series here to go check out the sketchupfor woodworkers.com link.
Even though I have used sketchup several times in the past – it has not yet been used as a tool for making plans for my work – other than visual references. I have not learned enough about it yet to do true plan drawings with joint detail etc. Looking forward to getting to that level asap.
I’m not really at that point either Gary. I just use it for rough dimensions of parts. Fortunately, I have some good friends that know SketchUp way better than I do. For instance, in the Guild, we are building projects and using SketchUp as the only “plan”. If you really use all the features of the software, that’s all you will need for a top to bottom plan. Pretty cool stuff.