Sketch-up for woodworking has gotten quite a bit of press lately both
here and elsewhere. However, much of this info is scattered across
multiple sources and threads.

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.

PLUG-INS:
To start off, Cutlist 4.1.1 seems like a must-have though I have yet to
play with it. It is discussed here for example:
http://lumberjocks.com/daltxguy/blog/5143

I would be interested in other useful plug-ins including ones that:
1. Introduce added functionality, tools, shortcust helpful for
woodworkers and designers
2. Provide templates for commonly uses parts and shapes

TUTORIALS:
Regarding tutorials, I found the whole series of Sketchup For
Woodworkers by Rob Cameron to be very helpful for beginners.

Fine HomeBuilding recommends intro tutorials by Adrian Chopra - and
there seems to be some free content on YouTube

I would be interested also in more advanced tutorials highlighting
different tips, techniques, and shortcuts along with more advanced usage
that might be non-obvious.

"blueman" wrote in message
...
Sketch-up for woodworking has gotten quite a bit of press lately both
here and elsewhere. However, much of this info is scattered across
multiple sources and threads.

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.

PLUG-INS:
To start off, Cutlist 4.1.1 seems like a must-have though I have yet to
play with it. It is discussed here for example:
http://lumberjocks.com/daltxguy/blog/5143

I would be interested in other useful plug-ins including ones that:
1. Introduce added functionality, tools, shortcust helpful for
woodworkers and designers
2. Provide templates for commonly uses parts and shapes

A handy plug in that works for taking irregular shapes from the drawing to
the shop is "Slicer" It will take any object and slice it ant multiple
intervals for transfering sizes to wood.

"Dimension angle" does what you would expect.
"Drop" will move an object to a desired height, helps to get every thing on
the same plane.
"Get Dimensions" is handy if you manually transfer drawing components into
Cutlist Plus. It will tell you the h/w/l of a selected object or compinent.
"Purge All" is handy to get rid of unused materials etc in a drawing so that
it file will not be so big.

Cutlist 4.1* is a great tool that will also import directly into Cutlist
Plus. You have to pay for CutList plus but is extremly versitile and after
the parts are optimized you can further move parts around your board or
sheets or to other sheets or boards.

On Dec 7, 3:32*pm, "Leon" wrote:
"blueman" wrote in message

...





Sketch-up for woodworking has gotten quite a bit of press lately both
here and elsewhere. However, much of this info is scattered across
multiple sources and threads.

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.

PLUG-INS:
To start off, Cutlist 4.1.1 seems like a must-have though I have yet to
play with it. It is discussed here for example:
http://lumberjocks.com/daltxguy/blog/5143

I would be interested in other useful plug-ins including ones that:
1. Introduce added functionality, tools, shortcust helpful for
woodworkers and designers
2. Provide templates for commonly uses parts and shapes

A handy plug in that works for taking irregular shapes from the drawing to
the shop is "Slicer" *It will take any object and slice it ant multiple
intervals for transfering sizes to wood.

"Dimension angle" does what you would expect.
*"Drop" will move an object to a desired height, helps to get every thing on
the same plane.
"Get Dimensions" is handy if you manually transfer drawing components into
Cutlist Plus. *It will tell you the h/w/l of a selected object or compinent.
"Purge All" is handy to get rid of unused materials etc in a drawing so that
it file will not be so big.

Cutlist 4.1* is a great tool that will also import directly into Cutlist
Plus. *You have to pay for CutList plus but is *extremly versitile and after
the parts are optimized you can further move parts around your board or
sheets or to other sheets or boards.

But it's not CAD!
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
g,d&r

"Robatoy" wrote in message
...
But it's not CAD!
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
g,d&r

But some of us are smart enough to use it anyway. ;~)

On Dec 7, 10:41*pm, "Leon" wrote:
"Robatoy" wrote in message

...
But it's not CAD!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
g,d&r

But some of us are smart enough to use it anyway. *;~)

HEY!!!!

blueman wrote:
Sketch-up for woodworking has gotten quite a bit of press lately both
here and elsewhere. However, much of this info is scattered across
multiple sources and threads.

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.

I'm someone who's mostly learned what SketchUp is about, starting with
the video tutorials, and then moving on to books. Leon and Swingman
helped me get up and running here. IMO, the sooner you get to the books
the better. There are some rules which I think are too subtle to pick
up from the video tutorials, but which make a big difference. The videos
go by so fast, I think I could watch them over and over and miss the
little tidbits I'm talking about. YMMV.

Bill


PLUG-INS:
To start off, Cutlist 4.1.1 seems like a must-have though I have yet to
play with it. It is discussed here for example:
http://lumberjocks.com/daltxguy/blog/5143

I would be interested in other useful plug-ins including ones that:
1. Introduce added functionality, tools, shortcust helpful for
woodworkers and designers
2. Provide templates for commonly uses parts and shapes

TUTORIALS:
Regarding tutorials, I found the whole series of Sketchup For
Woodworkers by Rob Cameron to be very helpful for beginners.

Fine HomeBuilding recommends intro tutorials by Adrian Chopra - and
there seems to be some free content on YouTube

I would be interested also in more advanced tutorials highlighting
different tips, techniques, and shortcuts along with more advanced usage
that might be non-obvious.

I would be interested also in more advanced tutorials highlighting
different tips, techniques, and shortcuts along with more advanced usage
that might be non-obvious.

How about in learning to program in Ruby and in using Google's SketchUp
API? It's accessible if you are familiar with object-oriented
programming. How's that for "advanced usage that may be non-obvious?"
You might see the book, "Automatic SketchUp", by Scarpino for a
glimpse into this perspective. The first 3 or 4 Chapters are available
online at no cost.

Bill

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

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

--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 4/15/2010
KarlC@ (the obvious)

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

"Swingman" wrote in message
...
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

You and I have been using Sketchup for a while now but reading this book I
finally learned how to lock a line direction with the arrow keys. Stupid
simple but I couldn't figger it out. ;~)

Leon wrote:
wrote in message
...
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

You and I have been using Sketchup for a while now but reading this book I
finally learned how to lock a line direction with the arrow keys. Stupid
simple but I couldn't figger it out. ;~)


That's exactly the kind of "tidbit" I was referring to in my previous
post. You could watch a video 5x and not get it.

Bill

On 12/7/2010 9:51 PM, Bill wrote:
Leon wrote:
wrote in message
...
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


You and I have been using Sketchup for a while now but reading this
book I
finally learned how to lock a line direction with the arrow keys. Stupid
simple but I couldn't figger it out. ;~)


That's exactly the kind of "tidbit" I was referring to in my previous
post. You could watch a video 5x and not get it.

Actually, I learned that one, and many others, a few years back from:

http://www.go-2-school.com/media/browse/sketchup_show

They have the best tutorial videos of all and their free series on
iTunes is where I picked most of what I learned early on about using
Sketchup in residential construction projects, and for presentation and
construction documents/drawings ... out of dire necessity.

I've never bought their videos but I imagine that someone who wanted to
quickly become proficient would find them hard to beat.

--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 4/15/2010
KarlC@ (the obvious)

Swingman wrote:
On 12/7/2010 9:51 PM, Bill wrote:
Leon wrote:
wrote in message
...
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



You and I have been using Sketchup for a while now but reading this
book I
finally learned how to lock a line direction with the arrow keys. Stupid
simple but I couldn't figger it out. ;~)


That's exactly the kind of "tidbit" I was referring to in my previous
post. You could watch a video 5x and not get it.

Actually, I learned that one, and many others, a few years back from:

http://www.go-2-school.com/media/browse/sketchup_show

They have the best tutorial videos of all and their free series on
iTunes is where I picked most of what I learned early on about using
Sketchup in residential construction projects, and for presentation and
construction documents/drawings ... out of dire necessity.

I've never bought their videos but I imagine that someone who wanted to
quickly become proficient would find them hard to beat.


Wow, Looks like a nice collection. I'm saving the link. Thanks! -Bill

"Leon" writes:

"Swingman" wrote in message
...
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

You and I have been using Sketchup for a while now but reading this book I
finally learned how to lock a line direction with the arrow keys. Stupid
simple but I couldn't figger it out. ;~)

Cool trick!
Now it would be even more helpful if that trick also worked for setting
the plane in the rectangle tool -- it is a PITA sometimes to have rotate
the canvas to get an orientation that favors your intended direction...

"blueman" wrote in message
...
"Leon" writes:

"Swingman" wrote in message
...
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

You and I have been using Sketchup for a while now but reading this book
I
finally learned how to lock a line direction with the arrow keys. Stupid
simple but I couldn't figger it out. ;~)

Cool trick!
Now it would be even more helpful if that trick also worked for setting
the plane in the rectangle tool -- it is a PITA sometimes to have rotate
the canvas to get an orientation that favors your intended direction...

If you figure that one out let me know LOL..

I always draw the lines to form a rectangle and push/pull to form a 3D
object. I do use the rectangle tool when I am able to snap to given points,
say to close the top of a box for instance.

On 12/15/2010 9:12 AM, Leon wrote:
wrote in message

Cool trick!
Now it would be even more helpful if that trick also worked for setting
the plane in the rectangle tool -- it is a PITA sometimes to have rotate
the canvas to get an orientation that favors your intended direction...

If you figure that one out let me know LOL..

As I said in a previous message if you set the view to front, back, top
or side it is simple to draw a rectangle to the correct orientation.
Thats why the first thing beginners should do is set up the tool bar
with the Views on it as I described.

I always draw the lines to form a rectangle and push/pull to form a 3D
object. I do use the rectangle tool when I am able to snap to given points,
say to close the top of a box for instance.

I never draw lines to draw a rectangle, that's what the rectangle tool
is for. You can quickly type in the size of the rectangle to perfection
so the line tool is just the wrong tool to draw rectangles, even if it
seems to work, it is inefficient.

Still, the orientation is plain simple if you start out in the correct
view, regardless if using the Line or Rectangle tool.

If you are drawing a cabinet, and starting with a side, use side view,
if starting with the base or top, use top view, face frame, use front
view. The plane of the rectangle tool will be set, no problem.

--
Jack
You Can't Fix Stupid, but You Can Vote it Out!
http://jbstein.com

On 12/7/2010 2:55 PM, blueman wrote:

I would be interested also in more advanced tutorials highlighting
different tips, techniques, and shortcuts along with more advanced
usage that might be non-obvious.

I recall going through lots of tutorials before I figured out the most
basic of stuff, like how to set up the program for a wood worker. I
found this stuff not particularly intuitive and have no clue what
tutorials taught me this, some I figured out on my own, some I found in
tutorials, and most likely in my haste to learn, I may have skipped some
of this in the tutorials.

For beginners, I'll give some tips that help before going to a tutorial
that I learned over time:

First, you need a decent screen layout. Click on VIEWS, TOOLBARS and

Deselect:
Getting Started, its cluttered and redundant.
Select
Large Tool Set
Layers
Standard
Views

The last one, "Views" is important. It puts all the basic views, ISO,
front, back, top, sides on the tool bar. I found it really helpful
drawing stuff from a flat on view rather than an iso view when first
starting out, but even now, rather than fool with drawing to axes, a
flat front, top or side view is simple. Along with the View Extents on
the Large Tool set, you can always quickly get things back into
perspective when things get out of hand.

Next, go to Window, and select Model Info. Select Units and pick
fractional and something less precise. I use 1/16th, but probably
should use 1/8th.

This makes it easier to use the mouse to size things. I spend a lot of
time trying to get lengths to a half inch or 1/4" before giving up and
typing the numbers in. I still do, but this helps.

My next tip is hot keys. You must learn some always used hot keys for
woodworkers. These are imperative:

Spacebar: Select
R: Rectangle
M: Move
P: Push

R is how most all woodworking projects get started, because most wood is
a rectangle. I was using Line a lot at first... nope, wrong way to draw
a 2x6.

Pick a view, like front, and r and draw any size rectangle reasonably
close to size, enter it then type in the actual size, say 30,5.5 and you
will get a perfect 30" x 6" board. Next, hit P and make the thickness
to anything, then type in the real thickness, .75 or 1 1/2 or whatever.
Actually, I changed the P for push to V and made P paint. You do this in
Window, preferences, shortcuts. I use V a lot and I find P less
convenient, so I changed that shortcut.

Now, for my suggestion for a tutorial, I like this one by Gary Katz:

http://garykatz.blip.tv/file/2375765/

If you look at his desktop, you should see pretty much what I described
above.

This tutorial is for a simple book case but it is a great tutorial for
woodworkers and should be done following along step by step with SU.
Once you can do everything he does w/o the tutorial, you are well on
your way and can develop your own style to do the same things your way,
as there are many.

Two more tutorial pages I have bookmarked:

http://sketchup.google.com/training/videos.html
http://www.aidanchopra.com/tableofcontents


--
Jack
I cut it twice and it's still too short...
http://jbstein.com

"Jack Stein" wrote in message
...
On 12/7/2010 2:55 PM, blueman wrote:
Snip



Next, go to Window, and select Model Info. Select Units and pick
fractional and something less precise. I use 1/16th, but probably should
use 1/8th.

Actually I would not suggest as coarse an 1/8" as you often have to split
that distance




This makes it easier to use the mouse to size things. I spend a lot of
time trying to get lengths to a half inch or 1/4" before giving up and
typing the numbers in. I still do, but this helps.

For years I waited for AutoCAD LT and Auto Sketch to add Dirrect Distance
Entry, DDS. Much much faster if you simply click to start a line and drag
the mouse in the dirrection you want to go. Type in the distance you want
and enter, done deal. Watching for a snap distance can be tedious.



My next tip is hot keys. You must learn some always used hot keys for
woodworkers. These are imperative:

Spacebar: Select
R: Rectangle
M: Move
P: Push

I also suggest adding L to start a line. G to form a component. D for
dimension, Alt D to dimension an angle. T for Tape measure. Some of these
are "MY" shortcuts. Any time I can type in a letter instead of going to an
icon for a command I save time. These short cuts can be changed and or
added very easily.

AND I set my center scroll wheel click to invoke the Orbit command.

"Leon" wrote in message
...

"Jack Stein" wrote in message
...
On 12/7/2010 2:55 PM, blueman wrote:
Snip



Next, go to Window, and select Model Info. Select Units and pick
fractional and something less precise. I use 1/16th, but probably should
use 1/8th.

Actually I would not suggest as coarse an 1/8" as you often have to split
that distance



A little further on that comment,, when zoomed in and trying to snap to a
point to start or end a line, a coarse snap setting can make it difficult to
get the line to actually snap/attach to another point to begin or end a
line. I don't like having to deal with a jumpy cursor when zoomed in on a
detail especially when trying to attach to a buried line only visible in
X-Ray mode.

On 12/11/2010 6:56 PM, Leon wrote:
"Jack wrote in message

This makes it easier to use the mouse to size things. I spend a lot of
time trying to get lengths to a half inch or 1/4" before giving up and
typing the numbers in. I still do, but this helps.

For years I waited for AutoCAD LT and Auto Sketch to add Dirrect Distance
Entry, DDS. Much much faster if you simply click to start a line and drag
the mouse in the dirrection you want to go. Type in the distance you want
and enter, done deal. Watching for a snap distance can be tedious.

I agree, but my mind somehow looks at it as a challenge when I try to do
the snap distance thing. I use the mouse, and overshoot by 1/64, under
shoot by 1/4, over shoot by 1/8th and have to force my self to type in
the number, as my brain wants to beat the snapper into submission. I
always start out using rectangles and and typing in the distances but
sooner or later along the way, when I'm not paying attention my mind
slips into the game mode...

My next tip is hot keys. You must learn some always used hot keys for
woodworkers. These are imperative:

Spacebar: Select
R: Rectangle
M: Move
P: Push

I also suggest adding L to start a line. G to form a component. D for
dimension, Alt D to dimension an angle. T for Tape measure. Some of these
are "MY" shortcuts. Any time I can type in a letter instead of going to an
icon for a command I save time. These short cuts can be changed and or
added very easily.

For sure. I left out the L line thing because when I first was learning
I used the line tool to start everything. That was a waste of time and
now I use it infrequently compared to the 3 I listed. I should have
added G for for component. Others I use a lot is Alt and double click
the scroll wheel which centers the drawing wherever your cursor is and
shift and hold down the scroll wheel to get the pan tool.

Anyway, once you start using the shortcuts, you quickly learn all the
most used, and edit some to suit your personal Preferences.

AND I set my center scroll wheel click to invoke the Orbit command.

I think the default if you hold it down, is the orbit tool, and with
shift is the pan tool.

--
Jack
To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many is
research.
http://jbstein.com