Just learning sketchup

[DaiSan76]

Just starting to learn how to use sketchup to make kart plans when I'm stuck watching kids and can't build. Anyone else use it and have any tips/tricks?

If you haven't used Sketchup, and want a free drafting program, here is the link.
http://www.sketchup.com/intl/en/product/gsu.html

 

[DS13]

I don't have any about that program but if ya need help with AutoCAD Inventor I can help.

 

[OzFab]

I've tried it but, without much success. Either I'm not doing it right or there's not a lot of flexibility or manouverability (I can't move this piece from here & put it over there)

 

[DaiSan76]

I've tried it but, without much success. Either I'm not doing it right or there's not a lot of flexibility or manouverability (I can't move this piece from here & put it over there)

That's what I had been having trouble with, along with measuring stuff, but I finally figured it out last night. Here are a couple of links that helped me out.

http://www.minibuggy.net/forum/drawing-room/12494-google-sketchup-how-videos.html

http://www.youtube.com/user/SketchUpVideo

I still have tons to learn, but at least I finally feel like I am able to start learning.

 

[fowler]

I've tried it but, without much success. Either I'm not doing it right or there's not a lot of flexibility or manouverability (I can't move this piece from here & put it over there)

I've got similar issues

Once I've made a few shapes they are always in the wrong spot or the wrong size then it all goes pear shaped and I give up for a few months


There's nothing wrong with a piece of paper and a drawing board
It always works
It very simple to use
It never crashes or does anything unexpected

 

[B.M.800]

Ive fiddled with solidworks and sketchup... and failed miserably. The sketchup wasnt that big of a deal, but the solidworks was for school.

Some people do good with these programs, some dont lol.

 

[r97]

SketchUp simply takes practice. I was a mess when first started, but now I can make almost anything I want to. The most important thing for me was to draw everything to scale, once I did that my models were 100 times better.

Fowler, I love pencil and paper for some things, but CAD has some serious advantages. Higher accuracy, faster modeling (once you are proficient in the program), and the ability to make complex 3D shapes is a great ability to have. I can also share models, and put them on flash drives with ease.

Here is something I made about three years ago when I just started with the program.
http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=daf1862dbb5e94f7c2d0e3832d9c9821&prevstart=12

And here is something (not finished) I made a year ago.
http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=25834ca101829ee7c2d0e3832d9c9821&ct=mdsa&prevstart=0

I find that SketchUp is most useful for modeling tube chassis, once I finish my buggy frame I will put it into the "3D warehouse."

 

[redsox985]

If these programs aren't yet complicated enough, imagine trying to use a 3D mouse to manipulate SolidWorks/Inventor/SU... (http://www.3dconnexion.com/products/spacemousepro.html) I got to play with one tonight and it's quite the adventure. Apparently you catch on after an hour or so, but I couldn't figure it out too well.