sketcchup 2018

[Jim Barstow]

I got a prompt to upgrade my free sketchup make and when I went to the site it said that sketchup make was discontinued. There is something new called sketchup free that runs in a browser. My experience with browser based apps is that they are usually a poor substitute for a real app. Anyone have any experience with the 2018 version?

[Dave Richards]

Jim,

I've been using SketchUp 2018 Pro (the only version of SketchUp 2018 available) since its release. There are a number of useful improvements over SU2017. At the time of the release of SketchUp 2018 Pro, they also announced that going forward, SketchUp Free, which is browser based and versionless, will be what they continue to develop as a no-cost, hobbyist version. SketchUp 2017 Make is still available for hobby use if you prefer a desktop client version and they've said it won't be going away any time soon.

Currently SketchUp Free is not quite as full-featured as SketchUp 2017 Make but they are making updates to it on a regular basis. Sometimes there are three or four updates in a single week. It is very usable as it is and will work for most users. The cool thing is that you can access it and your models from anywhere that has an internet connection. Once the app loads into your browser it uses very little bandwidth so it doesn't require an especially fast connection. Even if you are using Make 2017, it's worth giving Sketchup Free a try.

FWIW, here are some images (https://flic.kr/s/aHsma6toog) of a model I did entirely in SketchUp Free. No problems at all.

[Ted Derryberry]

I think I'm still using SketchUp 2008. One of these days I'll get around to upgrading.

Here's an image of a simple model. http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/D0001.jpg

[Dave Richards]

Ted, that looks good. The majority of Sketchup non-pro users in the world are using older versions.

[Jim Becker]

Thanks, Dave. I'll have to check it out. I have SketchUp Make 2017 on my Macs and am starting to use the application again now that I have more or less full time time available for the shop.

[Dave Richards]

Jim, one thing you might find useful is to keep your Macs in the house and upload your models to the Warehouse or to Trimble Connect. Then access them through your internet browser on another computer in the shop through SketchUp Free.

[Ted Derryberry]

Thanks Dave. Here's http://7.62x54r.net/LUrackInstructions.pdf some assembly instructions for a gun rack I sell that I used SketchUp for the drawings. I didn't bother to model the threads on the hardware, but I could have. :)

[Jim Barstow]

Sketchup pro is $700! Is it really worth that much more than the free version for woodworkers? (Someone replied to the thread that they use pro...)

[lowell holmes]

Price AutoCad.

I have both Sketchup and Autocad. I used AutoCad for years.

Sketchup is friendlier for woodworkers.

[Dave Richards]

Sketchup pro is $700! Is it really worth that much more than the free version for woodworkers? (Someone replied to the thread that they use pro...)

Jim,

I use Pro. I started using it long before a free version was first offered by Google. At the time I bought it, I was using it for my personal woodworking projects. I realized it was like a power tool for my shop. For me that use has grown considerably and now I use SketchUp for work I do for other people. The combination of SketchUp and LayOut result in a very nice suite for creating presentations, proposal, and plans.

Those who are using SketchUp for woodworking and are selling their woodworking need to be using SketchUp Pro. The EULAs for SketchUp Make and SketchUp Free expressly state they are for non-commercial use.

[Bob Lang]

For most amateur woodworkers, SketchUp Make or the new SketchUp Free do everything you need to do. SketchUp Pro has solid tools which let you use one part (like a tenon) to cut a mating part (like a mortise) with a couple of mouse clicks. This can still be accomplished in the free versions, but it takes a bit more effort. The big reason to go Pro is if you need to import/export vector files to other programs, like AutoCAD or CNC uses. SketchUp Pro also comes with a page layout program called LayOut that makes it possible to create printed documents with multiple views. The initial license is about $700, but from there on yearly updates are about $120/year. In my mind this is a bargain compared to other software.

-- Bob Lang

[Jim Becker]

Sketchup pro is $700! Is it really worth that much more than the free version for woodworkers? (Someone replied to the thread that they use pro...)
The features that get turned on in the pro version very much are useful to many folks. I actually had a paid "pro" version many years ago and moved to "free' when I wasn't using it enough to pay the upgrade costs. In hindsight, that wasn't a good thing now that I'm moving toward more paid work.

[Erik Christensen]

if you still want to run a local app instead of a net connected browser - https://www.sketchup.com/download/all

[Dan Schocke]

Price AutoCad.

I have both Sketchup and Autocad. I used AutoCad for years.

Sketchup is friendlier for woodworkers.

Isn't Sketchup more similar to the Fusion 360 product from Autodesk? It's been a while since I've used AutoCad, but I use both Sketchup and Fusion 360 quite a bit and they are very similar products. The commercial licenses use different models, but are generally the same order of magnitude.

Fusion 360 is free for non-commercial use or for startups that have less than a certain amount of revenue. I use it mainly for CNC CAD/CAM, but it seems capable for woodworking design tasks.

--Dan

[Keith Hankins]

if you have a spouse in education or a student with an education email, it's about 60$ a year for the pro. You have to apply and provide proof, i.e. student/teacher id. My son had a copy he used all through high school.

[lowell holmes]

I used Auto Cad professionally for a lot of years. I was a piping designer working in the Gulf Coast plants.
I have a legal copy of both softwares. For woodworking I'm happy with Sketchup.

[andrew whicker]

The annoying thing with the free software is that you almost need the computer next to you when building. "How long do I make side of this drawer? I forget" Then you go in and use the measurement tool to measure. You can't (that I know of) annotate in the free versions. That is, your ruler will measure something, but you can't keep that measurement on the dwg in text, if that makes sense.

I'm going to have to budget in new software on my next project because I'm tired of doing this. I want something to print out with measurements on the drawing. I also want to be able to go to vendors with a professional title block, specs and drawings. I'd like to document what I have done so that if I build it twice, the second time is 5 times faster.

[Jon Nuckles]

The annoying thing with the free software is that you almost need the computer next to you when building. "How long do I make side of this drawer? I forget" Then you go in and use the measurement tool to measure. You can't (that I know of) annotate in the free versions. That is, your ruler will measure something, but you can't keep that measurement on the dwg in text, if that makes sense.

I'm going to have to budget in new software on my next project because I'm tired of doing this. I want something to print out with measurements on the drawing. I also want to be able to go to vendors with a professional title block, specs and drawings. I'd like to document what I have done so that if I build it twice, the second time is 5 times faster.

Andrew, The "dimension" tool in Sketchup Make is what you are looking for (at least in my 2017 version). Of course, if you are using the software in your business you are required to pay for the Professional version anyway.

[Dave Richards]

The annoying thing with the free software is that you almost need the computer next to you when building. "How long do I make side of this drawer? I forget" Then you go in and use the measurement tool to measure. You can't (that I know of) annotate in the free versions. That is, your ruler will measure something, but you can't keep that measurement on the dwg in text, if that makes sense.

As Jon says, the Dimension tool (which is available in all versions of SketchUp is designed to place dimensions so you don't need SketchUp next to you.


I'm going to have to budget in new software on my next project because I'm tired of doing this. I want something to print out with measurements on the drawing. I also want to be able to go to vendors with a professional title block, specs and drawings. I'd like to document what I have done so that if I build it twice, the second time is 5 times faster.

From this description of your desired usage, Sketchup Pro and LayOut are what you need. SketchUp for the 3D Model and the views of the various parts you need to make, LayOut for the documentation including a professional title block and specs.

[John K Jordan]

...I want something to print out with measurements on the drawing....

Andrew, it's usually pretty easy to annotate drawings with dimensions. They are interactive too. I did a quick set of drawings for a friend who designed a cheap lathe tool sharpening system - I used the free Sketchup - here are two of set with dimensions.

376650 376651

You can also make notes and do other annotations. Some things may be quicker to do in post, in a general graphics program.

JKJ

[andrew whicker]

Hmm... Maybe it's because I have to use an older edition? (windows issue)

I'll look into.

And, yes, I need to upgrade anyway.

[Dave Richards]

Hmm... Maybe it's because I have to use an older edition? (windows issue)

I'll look into.

And, yes, I need to upgrade anyway.

How old? SketchUp has had a Dimension tool since at least Version 3. Probably before that. That's at least fifteen years ago.

[John K Jordan]

Hmm... Maybe it's because I have to use an older edition? (windows issue)


I did dimensioning in versions I used long ago, including Sketchup 5 and earlier I think. (before google bought it, before the current owners bought it) The sad thing is there are very few improvements in the updates released year after year compared to the earliest versions. When I came back to Sketchup after well over a decade my old 3rd party Sketchup book was still quite useful for learning/review - almost nothing in the core features had changed. It was a little depressing.

When I installed Sketchup 2017 on Win10 I did have to go through virtual hoops to get it to play well with a couple of laptops. It's picky about the video chips and about how they are configured.

JKJ

[andrew whicker]

Haha, I don't know how I missed this!

Thanks a lot everyone!