Google sketchup impressions...

[CUtiger]

Well finally got around to installing google's latest free CAD software on the machine today and spent most of the morning playing with it (not to mention the headache). Pretty cool for a free package but do believe their efforts to make it easy to use for everybody has led it to have some very frustrating quirks mostly related to panning the field of view and rotating individual objects within it.

To get a feel for it I built an exterior model of a new project I am about to begin as seen below. Hoping to get some real value by making detailed renderings of the individual pieces of the planned translamination build to assist me with cutting/assembly.

Anybody else want to post of some pics of project renderings they've made using the tool, I need some motivation!

[[email protected]]

Re: Google sketchup impressions...

i have only tried it once. really blows my mind. this is a build in early stages of thinking about it. yours looks really nice.

[fastbike1]

Re: Google sketchup impressions...

Here's a couple. Usually don't export. I use Sketchup pretty much exclusively to build cabs.

[greywarden]

Re: Google sketchup impressions...

That's pretty good for one day! I couldn't even produce a single panel without screaming obscenities haha...

Maybe I should try it again...

[Robert Dunn]

Re: Google sketchup impressions...

Here are some examples. Once you learn a few tricks (using layers to hide/expose sides and other elements, using components and groups, etc.) it's pretty easy to knock together a virtual prototype.

[cowtown]

Re: Google sketchup impressions...

Anybody else want to post of some pics of project renderings they've made using the tool, I need some motivation!

I learned SketchUp to do the cabinet design of a curved Tarkus speaker. I found it a bit hard to learn, but once I had it down it was really fun!

[CUtiger]

Re: Google sketchup impressions...

I learned SketchUp to do the cabinet design of a curved Tarkus speaker. I found it a bit hard to learn, but once I had it down it was really fun!

I can completely relate, coming from a mechanical engineering background it was frustrating that entering precise values seems secondary to googles attempts to make it work for the masses. However I've gotten a lot more comfortable with it and am having a blast using it, while not intuitive for me it really is a powerful tool for freeware. Thanks to all for posting your renderings:

[rvsixer]

Re: Google sketchup impressions...

For anybody having issues learning Sketchup (not to be confused as a CAD program), I suggest spending an hour or so watching and following along the tutorials at www.sketchupforwoodworkers.com.

I had given up in utter frustration four times before trying to learn it, and within an hour after said site drew my first speaker cabinets, entering exact measurements for every object, rounding edges, etc.

Its really a lot of fun once you get the basics. Looking forward to learning more!

[Carrick1973]

Re: Google sketchup impressions...

Sketchup really can be awesome, and if you export it into the program kerkythea, you can get final images like
this one or this one..

[bkeane1259]

Re: Google sketchup impressions...

Good stuff guys. I've been putting this off for too long. Gonna have to dig in and give it a go. I'm really good at Photoshop and I'm not computer illiterate by any means, but the whole 3D thing scares me.

[CUtiger]

Re: Google sketchup impressions...

For anybody having issues learning Sketchup (not to be confused as a CAD program), I suggest spending an hour or so watching and following along the tutorials at www.sketchupforwoodworkers.com.

I had given up in utter frustration four times before trying to learn it, and within an hour after said site drew my first speaker cabinets, entering exact measurements for every object, rounding edges, etc.

Its really a lot of fun once you get the basics. Looking forward to learning more!

It most certainly is CAD software, now don't get me wrong I have several gripes and it is definitely not of the same stock as autocad and its predecessors but this is computer assisted design software. I've been formally educated adn trained in most engineering aimed CAD packages current since 2004 and nothing about googles package disqualifies it, it is just annoying when you come from that background.

[rvsixer]

Re: Google sketchup impressions...

It most certainly is CAD software...but this is computer assisted design software.

From Sketchup concepts guide (http://support.google.com/sketchup/b...nswer=115427):
"...SketchUp is not the same as Computer Assisted Design or CAD. CAD applications are designed specifically for representing concrete information, while SketchUp is for exploration and design of concepts and ideas..."

[BeeTL]

Re: Google sketchup impressions...

Thanks for the video links...something else to explore.

[greywarden]

Re: Google sketchup impressions...

Sketchup really can be awesome, and if you export it into the program kerkythea, you can get final images like
this one or this one..

Oh god, what did you do?! Now I have to make something like that, no matter my pitiful skill level... :D

[CUtiger]

Re: Google sketchup impressions...

From Sketchup concepts guide (http://support.google.com/sketchup/b...nswer=115427):
"...SketchUp is not the same as Computer Assisted Design or CAD. CAD applications are designed specifically for representing concrete information, while SketchUp is for exploration and design of concepts and ideas..."

Well if they want to label it that way then I'll accept it, however initially CAD software was intended to do exactly that. Seems that fits the definition of assistance quite well.