[TheForge] Sketchup Help

Thu Jul 17 14:00:48 EDT 2008

Well put, Frosty!!  Paul, here are just a couple few other programs
that are WELL worth trying out, they are free and very full-featured.
They don't have quite as much pizzaz as SketchUp or AutoCAD 2009 (now
bubbly & shiny...), but are truly amazing -- and there is a wealth of
documentation, less so of the flash-video-walkthough type though.  :)
Also, SketchUp goes on sale for $400, what seems like a few times a
year, and the Pro version is also bundled in some assimilated CAD
product (sorry fergot the name).
http://www.wings3d.com/
and
http://www.blender.org/
are great packages (modelers and more), and with use of grids and
snaps and guides, much CAD-style work can be done, and
imported/exported as part of a toolchain.
I've also been using a nice simple 2D vector graphics editor
http://inkscape.org/ which has lots of nifty controls... it is fairly
common to use toolchains of various software,
creating a template of some sort.  SVG, scalable vector graphics,
contain a nice hierarchy of objects, so if you're familiar with
AutoCAD and that ilk, use it, and if not, you
won't go wrong since it is so simple and made for doodling as well as precision.
If you want to get into the mathematical construction/definition of
solids, I'd look at the software surrounding http://povray.org -- I've
found the Wings3D interface to have decent interactive CSG
(constructive solid geometry) but there are a bunch more, plus scripts
& tools to help make things like geodesics, tilings, optical lense
calculations, spirals and other ratios :)
Most programs have vast acceleration in use if you keep the shortcuts
handy... for example, in Wings3D, when you're creating an object:
= there are keys to lock it to an axis/plane
= there are keys to enable snap-to-grid
= you can jump to numerical entry as you move/scale/rotate/etc, I
think by pressing the tab key... really handy when you can get things
close visually, then put on the precision
There are essentially *two* good versions of Wings3D now, in my
opinion, as I use both 0.98.32a and 0.98.36 -- amusing, eh?

Well I'm not super-experienced with 3D modelling & drafting, but I
have a broad background which gets me far enough... I'd suggest
looking for "Quick Start" types of documentation, and if that makes
sense then jump right to the "Quick Keys" shortcuts sort of guide,
which will lead you through the most common operations (refer to full
documentation as needed).  It'd be nice if all software were just
perfect, and I don't downplay any of the commercial stuff, I just
think it is geared for business and I'll get there.  The free software
doesn't have as much direct hand-holding, but there is a TON of help
out there, just like learning blacksmithing.  If you take the time to
learn some tools, it'll be worth it.  :)  Glad to hear so many of us
are playing and working with this stuff.

best regards,

Ben

On Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 10:21 AM, Jerry Frost <akfrosty at mtaonline.net> wrote:
>
> A couple things:
>
> The free download isn't a complete version, naturally, some of the most important (to me anyway) features aren't included. One of the features I use the most in cad drawing is various "copies". The free version nly has one "copy" function. No; multiple, radial, spline, etc. etc. There are other missing features as well.
>
> It draws in 3D, not 2D and add the third. Some features work this way though but in general you're drawing in 3D.
>
> Keeping orientation is always the toughest part of 3D drawing and Sketchup is WAY easier than Autocad. There are a couple tricks to snapping to a point:
>
> Learn to use layers and keep components on their own layer. The simpler the drawing the easier it is to accurately place things. One way this works is by being able to hide components so you can see what you need to. The tough thing is remembering to change layers when you want to make a mod on the fly.
>
> For instance you're drawing a cart and you're working on the fender. You discover you can't put the fender on the cart body without it hitting the tire so you move the tire out an inch. Now you have to stretch the axle so you do. Later you discover you forgot to change layers and now your brackets holding the fender are pinned to the axle and rotate when the cart moves. Don't worry though you accidently changed layers on the tires and they're pinned to the ground back in St. Louis. <grin>
>
> What I've found handy is assigning each layer a color. This also helps keep components straight in a finished drawing, say the frame from the hydraulics from the electrical, etc. It's not so good if you're drawing a house for the wife but you can change colors, textures, materials, etc. any time as well as reasign layers, lock or unlock things, etc.
>
> Ayway, layers is one of the most useful features of any cad program.
>
> If you make an object a "Component" you can lock it's orientation and plane, a menu will come up when you make a component and ask your preferences. This can be changed as necessary too. For instance you draw a bolt and want it locked to a particular plane. later you discover you need more on another plane. "Copy" a bolt, "make it unique," "edit component," reorient it, make any other changes, give it a new name and make it a component of it's own and glue to the desired plane.
>
> You can also "group" components and objects. For instance you're drawing a tire hammer. The main shaft is a component, it's pillow blocks are distinct components because you may ned to reposition them on the shaft or copy them to another place on the hammer. However you're going to want these two permanently on the main shaft somewhere so you "group" the shaft and bearings. If you made them a component it's harder to edit later, possible but harder. A group also doesn't have to be in one spot. Perhaps you're drawing a castle and "group" all the wall towers. Now a change to one tower will effect the others. This will work if the towers are copied components as well but differently. (don't ask, I haven't figured out how and why but they're a genuine "same difference.")
>
> I think snap is another feature that's incomplete in the free version though there are quite a few. If I have a persnickety placement I'll sometimes create an offset snap point. For instance I forgot a bolt in the middle of a widgit and the widgit has 39 components on top of and in between me and the bolt hole. I pick a point of reference on the bolt hole and draw a 12" vertical line. (the line can be whatever length you need to clear everything) Then I draw the same length and orientated line on the bolt. Highlight the bolt, click "Move" click the end of the reference line and move it to the end of the other reference line. The bolt will go exactly where you sent it. (Not always where I wanted it though.<grin>) Then erase the reference lines.
>
> I know there are proper ways to do offset snaps but I've never been able to figure them out.
>
> I followed the tutorials when I started using Sketchup but soon discovered they're for the Pro version and there are lots of things I can't do with the free (what I can afford right now) version. Still, they'll show you the ropes a lot faster than trying to figure it out without them, even if you've been using cad for years. Heck, the turorials are even faster if you have cad experience.
>
> My problem learning these things is trying to use the demo drawings or just play around. I learn MUCH faster if I have the incentive of a personal project on the board. That's why I drew up and built my new Variable Volume forge. I've drawn up a couple other things during and since but the forge leveled the major part of the learning curve for me.
>
> I think I've covered this group of questions as well as I can. I'm self taught and know for a fact there's lots I don't know and much I have wrong.
>
> Frosty
> -------------------------------
> If it ain't forged
> it ain't real.
> Wrought iron is.
> The FrostWorks
>
> Meadow Lakes, AK.
>
>
> From: "Paul Novorolsky" <crosspein at sbcglobal.net>
>
>
>> The Google Sketchup tool was mentioned here a while back.
>>
>> After reading some more about it in the "Hammer's Blow", I downloaded the plugins from drawmetal.com for making scrolls and tapers (very, very cool stuff) I've found myself struggling on a few concepts.
>>
>> I'm finding it cumbersome to keep objects in the same plane. While I can accomplish this by moving my view, and rotating and  moving pieces, I have this feeling that I'm "doing this the hard way".
>>
>> I'll admit that I need a lot more practice, but I'm hoping that someone here can provide some help, and save me some time as I muddle through this.
>>
>> Is there an easy way to keep things in the same plane?
>> Is there an easy way to "snap" (join) pieces together so I can easily group them?
>>
>> There's probably more, but I don't want to be greedy :-)
>>
>> I'm looking forward to using the drawmeteal plug in components to give me material lists and weight for a gate I'm designing (I consider myself an "Intermediate" level smith, and this will be the biggest project yet for me.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> **paul
>>