Sketchup workflow question - Woodworking Talk

cellophane · 10-28-2009, 06:10 PM

We use SketchUp all the time at work for building and site studies for clients but we tend to skip a lot of detailing and use materials to convey intent instead of modeling each little piece. I am toying with a design for a platform bed for my new house and as I work with the model it has occurred to me that I know nothing about using SketchUp as a drafting tool or construction aid.

Could anyone point me in the direction of good workflow practices for actual design documentation? Do you model each piece of material as you work and as it would be built or do things get boxed out and details and faces omitted to streamline the model? What about joints? Quick and painless or detailed miters and what-not? I'm sure there are a ton of things I am not asking since I don't really know what direction to head with it.

thanks!

don9of11 · 10-28-2009, 10:04 PM

I would have a look here http://www.srww.com/google-sketchup.htm this might give you some insight to some of your questions.

mics_54 · 10-28-2009, 11:03 PM

cellophane, I suppose each user finds a level with which they feel comfortable and the amount of detail they feel is necessary for their projects.

Personally I prefer to create models with as much detail as possible to convey the project to others. I don't worry alot about materials or textures unless the image is to be used to convey the look of different finishes.

I create all componants in my models, each piece being assigned names, materials and other data for enumeration in a cutlist optimization program. Componants have other advantages for work flow also. In building large quantities of cabinet parts I find the program indispensible for eliminating errors in the hundreds of parts I have to create on each job.

Detailed joinery modeling does require a bit more familiarity with the software but I can't imagine a program easier to learn and use. The pro version does allow more functionality with documentation and exporting.

There are numerous web sources for ruby scripts and tutorials to make using the program more productive specifically for woodworking. Mr. Zehs website already mentioned and http://finewoodworking.taunton.com/b...gn-click-build with Dave Richards I find particularly helpful. http://www.sketchucation.com/forums/scf/ also is very helpful in a broad spectrum of SU topics.

Willie T · 10-29-2009, 12:25 AM

54 is right. If you don't make "components", at least make a "group" of each item. It will make life a lot easier for you.

cellophane · 10-29-2009, 12:05 PM

I appreciate the links! There is some nice stuff in those. As far as the program goes - I am very comfortable with it however the way we put together our models is a lot different than how most of the ones in the link are built - which was really what I was looking for :D

don33butler · 11-01-2009, 11:36 AM

Cellophane,
By all means make each piece in the model a COMPONENT.
Why? Because when you use the same item a number of times, Ex. :legs, stretchers, decorative details, any change you apply to a component changes all the copies. That can be incredibly useful and timesaving.
Making every part a component will also help generate a materials and cutting list.
Do make your model to scale. SketchUp doesn't care if your model is an inch high or a mile high. Doing that will make it easy when you go to build the model.
Don't think of SketchUp as a drafting tool. It is a 3D modeling tool and differs enormously from 2D CAD programs. They aren't even close neighbors.

Don

mics_54 · 11-01-2009, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Don't think of SketchUp as a drafting tool. It is a 3D modeling tool and differs enormously from 2D CAD programs. They aren't even close neighbors.

Oh contrare mon frere! SU is a great cad tool and I use it as such everyday.

by the way...why are you typeing in all bold fonts?

manojglobal · 11-13-2009, 07:32 AM

When it launched in 2000, SketchUp provided new freedom for people who wanted to think imaginatively in three dimensions. Unlike the more “serious” design programs, it did not pin down the user to a degree of accuracy that was inappropriate at the birth of an idea.

More news: http://www.sketchup4architect.com/ne...made-easy.html

manojglobal · 11-13-2009, 07:34 AM

Web site owners to power its search engine past rivals, Google has reason to continue panning for gold in the river of free content that is the Internet.

More news: http://www.sketchup4architect.com/ne...our-Labor.html

manojglobal · 11-13-2009, 07:41 AM

I picked up SketchUP my first year of architecture school back in 2002 and never stopped using it since. It is as powerful as it is simple, and yet I’ve seen too many pick up bad habits who find it hard to utilize SketchUP to its full potential.

So while I work on the continuation of the Making of ‘MS House’ – Part 1, Let me elaborate further and share some more of my SketchUP work-flow. Before I get specific about a few things, I should mention that it is good practice to have the manual comfortably nearby while modeling and I also highly recommend watching the SketchUP video guides. The information I’ll elaborate here will, hopefully, help you model fast and efficient with a great amount of control over the 3d modeling process.

You can see more sketchup news:
http://www.sketchup4architect.com/news_article.htm