On 2/19/2010 11:55 AM, SonomaProducts.com wrote:
OK, I am long-time (very long-time) AutoCAD user. I can do 3D in Acad
but my real skill is all 2D. Anyway, using Sketchup (what a blast) to
do some 3D for assembly drawings mostly. I've done enough of the
tutorials to be pretty good but have a Q.

You need to start thinking "components".

A simple frame and panel assembly would generally consist of five
individual "components";

2 Stiles
2 Rails
1 Panel

For these 5 components you actually only need to draw 3 "components":

1 Stile(then "move/copy" & "flip" on the green or red axis for #2)
1 Rail (then "move/copy" & "flip" on the blue axis for #2)
1 Panel

Each of these three should immediately be made into "components" as they
are created, and named.

Then it becomes a simple matter of doing mortises and tenons, and
grooves for the panel, in one copy ONLY of the appropriate rail and
stile component (which changs will be reflected in second copy created
by the "move/copy" and flip operations).

Then put them together, as you would in the shop.

There is another way to do it by using the panel rectangle component as
a basis, and the tape measure for guide lines for the width of your
rails and stiles, and build each component off that ... but you have to
make sure that you immediately make a component of each step or the
surfaces will react as you mention above, and/or stick to each other.

If you want, later today I can make a video of the process and post it
on youtube for you.

Let me know if you have any questions, or if this confuses the issue.

--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 10/22/08
KarlC@ (the obvious)