Sketchup

[grbmds]

The campaign was published to the Skechucation newsletter readers - it's not on the website. Just go to www.3dconnexion.com and their shop -> type the code in to your basket at checkout and press update button.

Thanks. I guess I wasn't that interested and didn't read the newsletter closely. I didn't see it but still have the newsletter.

 

[jimmylittle]

Try a trial membership to Lynda.com.  Tons of instructional videos way better than most of what you'll find on YouTube.  I have the membership (kinda pricey at $25/month, but it's a "business" expense) because I use it regularly for SketchUp, FinalCut, and eve Excel, small business tax software, and a ton of other stuff.

There are always offer/coupon codes for extended free trials, also.  Just google for "Lynda.com coupon code"

 

[MElliott]

The best Sketchup instruction I've ever seen was from Jay Bates.  He does an awesome job at explaining why and how he does something, and it just makes better sense. http://jayscustomcreations.com/sketchup/
He has a bunch of videos and makes it better to understand from a woodworker's point of view.

 

[CarolinaNomad]

Plus 1 for jay bates videos

 

[BarrySumpter]

I know this thread is old.
This post is for those just learning to use the computer for making projects.
I wish I had this heads up info when I started.

Sketchup Make Free/8/2017 ???

I keep mentioning sketchup make is free.  And to watch Jay Bates videos to learn and start producing quicker.  Here are my links:
https://help.sketchup.com/en/downloading-older-versions

SketchUp Make 2017
* (64-bit) Windows 10, 8, 7
* Mac OS 10.13, 10.12, 10.11, 10.10
https://jayscustomcreations.com/sketchup/
https://jayscustomcreations.com/category/sketchup/sketchup-instruction/

If I could be so bold as to remind us about learning.
Learning takes time and repetition.
This is NOT a cram session the night before a college exam covering things you will never use again.
So DON'T get in a hurry.
Forget your project while studying.  Work thru their project with them as they teach.
Listen to what they are saying first.
Stop the video and actually do what they say.
Don't hesitate to watch those few steps again and have another go.
Study a single tool and walk away.
Come back the next day for another tool.
Give your mind time to absorb the info.
Breaks between sessions are the most important.
Your brain can absorb only so much at a time.
An advanced learning book strongly suggested the most efficient way of retaining information is 20 mins studying and 10 mins off.
With a maximum of 2 hours a day an a single subject once you get used to studying properly again.

Review all videos once a month.
Then once every 6 months.
Then whenever you want a reminder.
You'll be shocked with how much you forgot.

hope this helps

 

[grbmds]

I'm sure, given this thread's age, none of this may be relevant anymore but . . . I gave up on Sketchup about 2 years ago when I found another 3D program called Sketchlist. It also has a learning curve, like any program would, of course. However, the newest version out, Version 5, has a very short learning curve and, I believe, is especially easy to learn for basic cabinet and furniture construction; in fact, for any project you might be doing. It, unlike the older version of Sketchup, isn't free, but I think it is worth every penny. For basic board by board design nothing is faster. It's possible to do the other, more complicated design tasks, like shaping edges, holes, curves, dadoes, mortise and tenons (not complex to do but sometimes more so to design in a drawing). It gives great cutlists, both with and without needed length for tenons (and other joints). For me, most times I don't really create a drawing the incorporates all the actual joints (partly because I use a Festool Domino for most) and my drawings tend to be simple, maybe with a second drawing to detail a particular joint. For this, Sketchlist is fast, easy and does most, if not all, the tasks necessary. Plus, it's my understanding that Sketchup won't maintain Make 2017 forever so, sooner or later, you'll end up buying something anyway.

 

[madjalapeno]

I was using Sketchup, but have switched to Onshape now.

It's free, it's cloud based, works well on an iPad or a computer, and is completely parametric so if you need to change a cabinet size you can go back and change an initial sketch and everything will rebuild.
https://cad.onshape.com/documents/c...9c3b4e3140289ac86f/e/eb88a90a761c4009302f0f06

It's very powerful.