One evening last week I spent close to 2 hours talking to Dave Richards on how to set up and use Sketchup. He ran me through setting up a template, settings, etc. As someone who has a fair amount of AutoCad experience, I can readilly see the advantages of using Sketchup for designing furniture.
Advantages such as making a presentation to a prospective customer, getting a better idea of proportions, looking inside a joint (x-ray function), etc.
There is a pretty steep learning curve- I may be hindered by trying to “unlearn” ACAD- but there are tutorials, and the bloggers at Knots.
If you have downloaded the program from Google and given up, contact Knots bloggers and I am sure they will help you.
Thanks again, Dave, and Knots for posting their blogs!
Pete
Replies
Pete
I use DataCAD, a clone of AutoCAD. I find it difficult to 'really design' in 3D but use it regularly for 2D proportions, measuring angles for the saw, measuring Arc lengths, etc.
Do you really think the pain of a steep learning curve is worth adding Sketchup to my skill-set? I can, and do, make 1/4 scale models, followed by full sized mockups in Styrofoam.
Frosty
"I sometimes think we consider the good fortune of the early bird and overlook the bad fortune of the early worm." FDR - 1922
Hello Frosty,
I used to use 2D CAD tools to design EVERY piece I made and 4 months ago discovered SketchUp. I am never going back to other CADs. I found Sketchup required a shallower than expected learning curve AFTER I got my mind wrapped around the fact you draw differently with SketchUp than you do with other CAD tools. It was like an awakening for me. If you do the first few tutorials you will get the hang of it quickly...as long as you go in with an open mind ;-). I find drawing with SketchUp is faster than with other CAD tools.
Regarding your concern about designing in 3-D, you will see that SketchUp makes that really easy. It has an excellent inference engine that allows you to draw entities parallel to, perpendicular to, to the same height, to the same thickness, etc, as other entities.
Regards,
Senomozi
"an open mind"I have a lot os space up there. I'll give it a try. Thanks for your comments.Frosty"I sometimes think we consider the good fortune of the early bird and overlook the bad fortune of the early worm." FDR - 1922
If you are already familiar with the CAD concept, then switching to sketchup will come much easier for you. I used AutoCAD for years and now I use sketchup for the 3D. I love it, worth the effort to learn. (everyonce in a while, I try to do an old shortcut from AutoCAD. Bugs the heck out of me)
I know there are many faster ways to complete the type of drawings I do (as with any CAD program) but even if you know the basics, you can make a great looking drawing in sketchup. It just might take you a little longer than you like at first.
Thank you all for your responses, might should have titled it "Sketchup Thank You".
I am only just learning Sketchup, but do believe it is the way to go in furniture design, landscape design, etc.
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