Jerry Osage wrote in :

I lurk here, and post now and then. I've learned a lot, but I have a
question that I haven't seen answered.

I still do my plans with a T Square and Triangles. I think I would like
to learn SketchUp. I have watched their Getting Started videos and it
seems pretty simple - at least to do simple things. Is it? What is the
learning curve like? Any thoughts or suggestions will be appreciated.

I'd suggest downloading it an playing with it. Leon explained about
components, I'll add understanding the push-pull tool. Those two
concepts will be very useful as you learn how to use it.

Try this simple thing: A hollow box with open side. Draw a square, then
draw a square inside it. Use the push pull tool to pull the outer face
to the desired height. (You can select the tool then enter the value.)
Now use the push-pull tool to pull the inner face to the desired depth.
Viola, a hollow box with open side!

Now, let's make the box useful for woodworking: Draw the top view of the
box like you would a standard drawing. As you complete each part of the
box, select it and choose "Make component." and make sure "replace
selection with component" is checked. Once done, double click the
component to edit it and use the push pull tool as above.

If you want the sides of the box to sit on the bottom face, that takes a
little more effort but I think I can leave that exercise to the reader.

Puckdropper
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