I would like to attach SketchUp files to post.

[Brice Burrell]

  Matthew, is it possible to allow the forum software to attach SketchUp files to post. There are threads going on now with people exchanging design ideas, it would be great if we could upload SketchUp files to share designs. This would allow differant users to modify ideas and repost them. I was thinking SketchUp because it's a good program, easy to use an it is free. Your thoughts.

 

[fidelfs]

You can zip it and load it as an attachment.  Just a thought 

 

[Brice Burrell]

You can zip it and load it as an attachment.  Just a thought   

Good idea, why did't I think of that, thanks.

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Brice,
Instead of doing zip files, I'd rather let you attach the Sketchup files directly.
What is the three-letter extension of Sketchup files?
Thanks,
Matthew

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Brice,
I just did an Internet search, and found that it is an .SKP extension.
I'll add that to the permitted attachment types.
Thanks,
Matthew

 

[Dan Clark]

Matthew,

One issue is that SketchUp models can be huge.  Here's a thumbnail of a crawl space storage deck that I will be building:

[attachthumb=#1]

The JPG fits within the image size limitation.  The original SketchUp model is 1.2Mb!  (That's a smidge larger than the FOG files size limits.)  I can think if three options for this:

1) Zip the files (already mentioned)
2) Post it on a personal website and post a link.
3) Upload it to Google's 3D warehouse and post a link.

Regards,

Dan.

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Dan,
I have very little experience with Sketchup.

Of course, if it's convenient for members, then people should go ahead and attach a zip file.  Even better, of course, would be to convert it to a jpg.

Do you think it's worthwhile to leave the SKP as a valid attachment type, for those times when members do have a Skletchup file that fits within the forum limits.

Matthew

 

[Dan Clark]

Matthew,

I think it's definitely worthwhile.  Sometimes a simple model can work wonders to share information.  That said...

I may have spoken too quickly when I suggested compressing a file.  I tested zipping up the Crawl Space SKP file.  It only reduced the size by about 70Kb.  It's still far too large. 

Unless there is a better archiving tool for SKP files, it looks like the only alternatives are to post a pic or to upload to Google 3D Warehouse.

Regards,

Dan.

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Dan,
How difficult is it to export an SKP flile as a JPG?

Actually, back about two or three years ago, before it was owned by Google, I tried Sketchup foe a short time.  I even posted a bit on their forum.  But I couldn't get the software to do what I wanted.  I should probably give it another try.  People here seem to really like it.

Matthew

 

[Brice Burrell]

Dan,
How difficult is it to export an SKP flile as a JPG?

Matthew

Well, I'm Dan, but, it is very easy to export as JPG. The whole reason for this thread was the idea of everyone being able to edit a sketchUp file, as part of an on going discussions (threads). Like with  MTF 1080 Cabinet Options thread, if we could pass around a sketchUp file share ideas. Maybe we could have a place in the gallery for larger files, if we have to access this area through you, that would prevent it from getting out of hand.

So, what were you trying to do that SketchUp won't?
Brice

 

[Corwin]

Yep, some Sketch-Up files would be of benefit for those wanting to design MFT stuff!  I had made an attempt to create models for the profiles and corner pieces, but this was the first thing I tried in Sketch-Up and, well, I'll have to try again sometime.  But a small library of Festool stuff would be a great! 

Corwin

 

[Dan Clark]

Dan,
How difficult is it to export an SKP flile as a JPG?

Matthew

Well, I'm Dan, but, it is very easy to export as JPG. The whole reason for this thread was the idea of everyone being able to edit a sketchUp file, as part of an on going discussions (threads). Like with  MTF 1080 Cabinet Options thread, if we could pass around a sketchUp file share ideas. Maybe we could have a place in the gallery for larger files, if we have to access this area through you, that would prevent it from getting out of hand.

So, what were you trying to do that SketchUp won't?
Brice

Brice,

That's funny...   I thought I was Dan.   ;D

It's easy to export JPG files from Sketchup.   But flipping a model to view it from multiple sides, turning on the XRay mode to see how a model is constructed, or animating the scenes to better understand a process is massively better than a static JPG.   Sketchup is an incredible way to share information.

One thing I don't understand - what's wrong with uploading models to Google's 3D warehouse?   Here's a link to the Crawl Space deck Sketchup Model:http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=118cf34c025b385aa30a134ea9da4e9.  You can download this automatically to Sketchup by hitting the Download button.

If you don't have Sketchup, you can upload the free version for PC or Mac here:http://sketchup.google.com/intl/en/download.html.  Unlike other drawing software, the free verson is at least 90% as good as the $500 Pro version.   I use the free version and it does everything I want it to do.

If you need help with Sketchup, it's got some great tutorials built in.  Also, here's a quick reference card:http://download.sketchup.com/GSU/pdfs/QuickReferenceCard.pdf.  And Gary Katz has a great video Sketchup Tutorial: Drawing a Bookcase Using Groups & Components. 

Regards,

Dan.

 

[Matthew Schenker]

So, what were you trying to do that SketchUp won't?
Brice

I was trying to do basic designing with it.  For some reason, I found it was too cumbersome to use.  Maybe it's been improved in the last couple of years?

Matthew

 

[Brice Burrell]

Brice,

That's funny...   I thought I was Dan.   ;D

Regards,

Dan.
[/quote]
Crap, I hate when you forget one word is a sentence.

Anyway, I think you on to the best way here, I'll upload to the 3D warehouse if I want to share a SKP file.
Brice "not Dan" Burrell  

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Everyone,
How about this: I could create a "Sketchup Designs" board here on the forum.  I could put it in the "General Discussions" area.

You could use the "Sketchup Designs" board as a convenient place to discuss SKP drawings, exchange ideas, and add your own details.  It would be much easier for members to follow it that way, and the drawings could stay housed on Google's site.

You could post the JPG files here on the forum, so people who don't use Sketchup could benefit from your ideas.  Use the new "Insert Inline Image..." feature to link someone to your drawing on Google. 

This system might be better for the forum as a whole.

What do you think?

Matthew

 

[Dan Clark]

Matthew,

Hi.  I think that would be perfect.

I just created a 3D Warehouse "Collection" called "Festool Models":http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/cldetails?mid=cdf3c7d50925901e6b4c342703739c76.  A "Collection is like a folder where you group together similar models.   Once you get to the collection, you can see similar models.

To share a Sketchup model, run Sketchup and go to "File -> 3D Warehouse -> Share Model..." and fill out webpage that pops up.   

Regarding the "Festool Model" collection, I'm the current owner.  To add a model to a Festool Models collection, you first upload the model to the 3D Warehouse, navigate to the Festool Models collection, and click the "contact the owner" link.  Then the collection owner (me) would add the model to the Festool Models collection.   

So, you create a model, export the JPEG image, upload your mode to 3D warehouse, and then insert the image and link your image to the model on 3D Warehouse.  This Sketchup model is the layout for an MFT router table add-on.  (It's VERY much in the initial stages.)  Click on the image and it takes you to the 3D Warehouse page where you can download the live model. 

[attachimg=1]

Regards,

Dan.

p.s., I need to play with this, but I think you can do someting similar with images in the Gallery. 

 

[Dan Clark]

Brice,

That's funny...   I thought I was Dan.   ;D

Regards,

Dan.

Crap, I hate when you forget one word is a sentence.

Anyway, I think you on to the best way here, I'll upload to the 3D warehouse if I want to share a SKP file.
Brice "not Dan" Burrell  
[/quote]
Brice,

Whew!  I'm glad we cleared that up.  I was getting confused.

If I could use your MFT and Router model, I would much appreciate it.  I'd like to use it for designing a modification to Jerry Work's horizontal router jig that might make it easy to align to the MFT top.

Regards,

Dan.