Swingman wrote:
On 12/7/2010 1:55 PM, blueman wrote:

As a newbie to Sketch-up, I thought it might be helpful to start a
thread where we could all collect and discuss our favorite Sketch-up
plug-ins and tutorials.

Tim Killen's pdf book is an excellent intro for woodworkers new to
Sketchup:

http://www.tauntonstore.com/sketchup...ok-077846.html


As you become more proficient and something arises that you just can't
figure out how to do, it is probably covered in "Google Sketchup
Cookbook" ... an excellent _reference_ book, although NOT a tutorial:

http://www.amazon.com/Google-Sketchu.../dp/0596155115


I read it from cover to cover (I guess I didn't know any better?). I
thought the reading was WAY BETTER than "The Missing Manual". I think it
should be one's 2nd SketchUp book, definitely not the first (and it
indicates that it's not for absolute beginners on the back cover). It
would be even better if it contained a few exercises...a big opportunity
there overlooked, IMO. However, in our domain (ww) we don't have to
think long to come up with a project. Maybe the book would seem more
like a tutorial if one started reading at the beginning instead of
consulting it as a reference? : )

Bill





As far as mindset being all important in shortening a learning curve,
the two most important concepts/keys to becoming proficient with
Sketchup as a woodworker:

1. Understanding that conceptually, just as in woodworking, Sketchup
deals with "surfaces and edges".

2. Extending that concept further by grasping the vital importance of
using Sketchup's "components" and "groups" features as the basis for
your woodworking models.

(IOW, just as legs, aprons, and top are the basic "components" of a
table, these same _individual_ "components" (or copies of same) should
also be the basis for any 3D Sketchup model of your table).

In addition, those woodworkers wishing to use SU to present their
designs and ideas to others (particularly when desiring to make a formal
set of woodworking plans) will do well to spend the time it takes to
learn to use Sketchup's "layers" and "scenes" features.

FWIW - Printout of the contents of my "plugins" directory:

2D#.rb
3DxSketchUp.rb
A4_smartpushpull.rb
applyTo.rb
arcs.rb
bezier.rb
bomb.rb
cabinet.rb
clinetool
clinetool.rb
cutlist.rb
deBabelizer.rb
dim_angle.rb
engineeringtoolbox.rb
examples.rb
ExtrudeAlongPath.rb
HouseBuilder_extension.rb
joisttool.rb
layers.rb
ldd.rbs
LibFredo6.rb
line2wall.rb
makefaces.rb
massmaterialimporter.rb
midpoint.rb
Mirror.rb
multiwalltool_2.rb
ocean_extension.rb
parametric.rb
progressbar.rb
PurgeAll.rb
setcomponents.rb
sketchup.rb
skin22.rb
smustard-app-observer.rb
stair_maker.rb
startup.rb
swivelButtonPlugin.rb
utilities.rb
weld.rb
windows.rb
woodwrk.rb
ZLoader__RoundCorner.rb