Mike Williams
06-04-2006, 10:39 AM
Like many others, I downloaded the free Google Sketch-Up and have been having fun (and some frustrations) learning the program. We just bought our retirement home back in the US (Fenton, MI area) and there is room for a new 30 x 40 hobby building. Now it's time to start designing it in earnest. We won't be moving back for about 10 months, so there is time to get it designed on paper before starting the real thing.
I have a floor plan layout I did originally on TurboCad, but decided to start over with SU. I've been learning from all the other posts about being disciplined in creating components, and that has really helped with my drawings.
I thought I would post my first three models. The overall dimensions are accurate, although there's a lot of guess work in between. My tools are back in the US, so I've been working from manufacturer's dimensional info and pictures. It's easy to go overboard with the detail, and I have to remind myself that the tool detail isn't going to make a better shop layout. I do plan on showing the dust collection ports, so I can then do a design for the DC system later on.
I ran into two issues:
Remembering to draw extra detail on a component in the 'edit component' mode. I had to back track a couple of times because I had something extra drawn, and then realized I wasn't working on the right component e.g. 'cutting' bench dog holes in the workbench top).
Re-setting a component glueing point after the component had already been saved. My jointer ended up wanting to glue itself to the floor about 8" below the jointer table bed surface. I finally got it fixed, but it was a lot more trial and error than is probably required.Any thoughts or suggestions before I draw some more of these? Thanks!
I have a floor plan layout I did originally on TurboCad, but decided to start over with SU. I've been learning from all the other posts about being disciplined in creating components, and that has really helped with my drawings.
I thought I would post my first three models. The overall dimensions are accurate, although there's a lot of guess work in between. My tools are back in the US, so I've been working from manufacturer's dimensional info and pictures. It's easy to go overboard with the detail, and I have to remind myself that the tool detail isn't going to make a better shop layout. I do plan on showing the dust collection ports, so I can then do a design for the DC system later on.
I ran into two issues:
Remembering to draw extra detail on a component in the 'edit component' mode. I had to back track a couple of times because I had something extra drawn, and then realized I wasn't working on the right component e.g. 'cutting' bench dog holes in the workbench top).
Re-setting a component glueing point after the component had already been saved. My jointer ended up wanting to glue itself to the floor about 8" below the jointer table bed surface. I finally got it fixed, but it was a lot more trial and error than is probably required.Any thoughts or suggestions before I draw some more of these? Thanks!