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    What's your beginners tip?

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    • dukejazzD Offline
      dukejazz
      last edited by

      When moving objects with dimensions that are very small like <0.000001 feet, it hits a base grid of precisions. The snapping grid is usally above this precision but if you zoom into base points it will turn into a snapping grid.
      Yes this is true that it act like a snapping grid when you zoom to base precision even if you have the snap off.
      pic_0041.jpg
      Now how can you get the objects to move about smoothly in very high precision?
      1)hint By turning the units feet to in, cm, or mm will lower the base snapping grid.
      Also
      2)Trick I do is to use the scale tool by pulling one side a given scale and then pull the other far parallel side in same direction with same scale when done it shift objects to your point.

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      • P Offline
        PhilE
        last edited by

        Use the zoom tool - and use it a lot

        I had some odd problems with straight lines refusing to join up with other straight lines, faces which should have been at right angles to each other behaving as though they were seperate and what appeared to be other strange things going on with SU's inference engine.

        What I'd forgotten was that the day before I'd been playing around trying to orient my model (our house) so that I could drop it onto Google Earth. When I zoomed in real close, the cause of all my problems became clear. When I'd rotated the whole model, I'd done so by about 178 degrees. As a result it was now slightly out of alignment with the red and green axes, causing all the inference problems I'd been seeing. Putting it back in line solved all the problems.

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        • D Offline
          dmhmaestro
          last edited by

          If you're working on a model and you want to select something and make group, but when you select thing with one click and pull of a mouse you are not sure if u selected the things you wanted or something else also, so you just copy and paste it and then you will see what do you have in your selection if you put it outside of the model where you can see only pasted surfaces... that helps me, its quick so i hope it will be helpfull for someone else

          so ctrl c, ctrl v, and you see your selection outside

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          • A Offline
            AMadinger
            last edited by

            Having just started with SU a couple days ago, the most important tip I've received is how to multiply/divide a copy.

            For example, I wanted to make a brick wall. To use this feature:

            select the object to array
            select the "move" tool
            push ctrl (this shortcuts the copy feature)
            click on a part of the object as a base-point to move from

            IF you want to use the multiplication tool

            place the copy in the direction you want your array of copies
            also place the copy a distance away from the original at desired interval (all copies will have this spacing)
            after placing the copy (before leaving the move tool) type in the number of copies you want in the format "#x" for example, if I wanted 3 copies made in addition to the original, I would type "3x"
            if you need more or less, type again. you can edit the number of copies until you leave the tool

            ELSEIF you want to use the division tool

            place the copy in the direction you want your array of copies
            also place the copy at the desired position for the last piece
            after placing the copy (before leaving the move tool) type in the number of copies you want in the format "#/" for example, if I wanted 3 copies made in addition to the original, I would type "3/"
            instead of continuing outward infinitely like the multiplication tool, the division tool will space the copies out evenly in between the original and the specified end piece.
            if you need more or less, type again. you can edit the number of copies until you leave the tool

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            • sh00ksS Offline
              sh00ks
              last edited by

              • Start with copying/modeling stuuf in your direct surroundings
              • Start simpel and work your way up to the more fine and difficult stuff
              • Ctrl-S is your best friend
              • Ctrl-Z is your mistress
              • Doubting if there is no faster/easier way to do 'something'? ask here and search for plugins.
              • Press every button, use every tool, change every setting and learn as you do

              Last tip, but certainly as important: don't let your courage drop when you see all them beauties of models on the net, here of where else! One day, you will be able to do the same it just takes time and experience.

              Ooooh God, how I wish I could buy time. Any tips on that anybody? πŸ˜„

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              • E Offline
                ElliottAero
                last edited by

                My tip is use the follow me tool to make lathed edges

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                • A Offline
                  ArcTec
                  last edited by

                  Make sure all the faces on the outside of the model are white, and the one's inside are purple (or blue, i'm colour blind). This will save you a lot of trouble later on when you start exporting into other packages/games etc. To do this, simply select the purple face>right click>reverse face(s) you can select multiple faces to do this at the same time. If you have textured your object and can't tell which faces are what, then go view>face style>monochrome and this will show your object as if it was un-textured.

                  Hope this helps,

                  -Archy

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                  • B Offline
                    bistek
                    last edited by

                    practice makes perfect! there are lots of tutorials in the youtube and one of my favorite is the 60 seconds tutorial in sketchup.

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                    • KrisidiousK Offline
                      Krisidious
                      last edited by

                      Visit SketchUcation every day... That's my tip.

                      By: Kristoff Rand
                      Home DesignerUnique House Plans

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                      • unrealVizU Offline
                        unrealViz
                        last edited by

                        There are some repetitive tasks - in modelling, texturing, rendering nearly in every phase. I always try to make notes of them - they are like algorithms. They've got to main tasks - to remind you those repetitive jobs and not have to invent the wheel from scratch and to help you in improving those jobs. From one time to the next of using such an algorithm you will try to make it better, simpler, or more effective. Every time you find a good improvement idea - change the algorithm note. That'll make your progress keep a good direction. It's nice to use some notes tools for it, like evernote or springpad. Which would be my next advice πŸ˜„. To use a useful tools!

                        http://www.unrealviz.blogspot.com

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                        • S Offline
                          sitbaknchill
                          last edited by

                          yes I need a follow me short cut thanks. My tip from beginner (me) to beginner:
                          Learn the art of mirroring, (using groups and components for such) and intersect with model. Two good videos for these are the speeded up tractor (you tube) and the sketch up help videos 'intersect with model).

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                          • R Offline
                            rodman100
                            last edited by

                            If you are more used to AutoCAd than SU, don't assume that layers are the same in both apps. They behave very diffrenetly in SU. In SU use 'Scenes' and 'Outliner' (under Window-Outliner)to control visibility. Consider putting all CAD info onto one layer (after cleaning up the CAD drawing first) before importing into SU. Try keep SU layers to a minimum at first.

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                            • porch_unpluggedP Offline
                              porch_unplugged
                              last edited by

                              @unknownuser said:

                              If you are more used to AutoCAd than SU, don't assume that layers are the same in both apps. They behave very diffrenetly in SU. In SU use 'Scenes' and 'Outliner' (under Window-Outliner)to control visibility. Consider putting all CAD info onto one layer (after cleaning up the CAD drawing first) before importing into SU. Try keep SU layers to a minimum at first.

                              if I'm importing a cad file into sketchup, I normally import it into a 'new' file (if I've been working on a model), delete all the layers and make a new one such as 'cad plan' or 'cad elevations' or whatever. then copy and paste into the main model file. no messing about with cad layers then.

                              I also use prefixes for my sketchup layers, e.g. s-furniture, or s-cars. this is helpful if I import something from the 3D warehouse that has some layers in it. I can then quickly identify which layers are not my own, delete and assign the imported model to the appropriate layer.

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                              • S Offline
                                sitbaknchill
                                last edited by

                                not sure if already mentioned, but grouping objects with same texture/colour helps when you add said textures/colours. and check plugins for ease of use tools (ie workplane tools).

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                                • ivanI Offline
                                  ivan
                                  last edited by

                                  Go to Window>Preferences>Shortcuts and assign:

                                  Ctrl+G to Edit/Make Group
                                  Ctrl+Shift+G to Edit/Item/Explode

                                  This way you can group and ungroup fast, change component to group...

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                                  • B Offline
                                    bakanne
                                    last edited by

                                    Know how to turn them on and off. A straight line can accidentally end up being several end-to-end segments which "endpoints" will show you. Endpoints will show intersections of very slight angles that you wouldn't otherwise notice and help you see polygons that you didn't know where there. It will help you see why some surface shapes defy closing as you draw line after line.

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                                    • X Offline
                                      x2nie
                                      last edited by

                                      Yeah, use google (or ur favorite search-engine) when you tired to repeat your activity with SU!

                                      For example, as beginner I dont know how to make a model with paper.
                                      I rotate and rotate again each side of my model...
                                      Luckily, there are some plugin (fold) that makes my life easier,
                                      Even, I feel blessed since there are free-plugin (no cost), as I were a beginner and has no profit from my current work.

                                      So? even often a stupid word (such "Sketchup print model to printer") will make us happier

                                      πŸ˜„
                                      Best regards,
                                      ==x2nie

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                                      • A Offline
                                        Aarhus8000
                                        last edited by

                                        In woodworking/construction: Model as you are going to build. Learn the dimensions of the materials you are going to use during the build and adhere strictly to these in your model. And draw the hidden parts as well: if you for example will be using mortise and tenon in a joint then draw these too. While you draw your model as you're going to build it you will go through all kinds of considerations and you will find the best solutions for them.

                                        And it's so much easier to press 'Undo' than trying to glue sawdust back together. πŸ˜‰

                                        • Kristian
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                                        • dukejazzD Offline
                                          dukejazz
                                          last edited by

                                          Tip_dj no 14
                                          Alternet way to restore toolbars prosition
                                          without using veiw-Toolbar - save toolbars prosition (reg ToolbarsUserCustom-Bar)

                                          Ok you know that everytime you boot sketchup the tool bars are set the same as you left
                                          right

                                          now if you move thing around and if your tool bar get mix up by resizing sketchup bordders and you want to restore toolbars prosition to a standard view (veiw-Toolbar -restore toolbars prosition is ok to use)

                                          but

                                          To return to how it was when you started, just start a new sketchup instance then exit out the old then exit the new.

                                          when you come back toolbar are fix to how they were πŸ˜„

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                                          • dukejazzD Offline
                                            dukejazz
                                            last edited by

                                            Tip_dj no 1
                                            This is my best tip all year of 2011
                                            by dukejazz on Mon Dec 19, 2011 7:52 am

                                            When sketchup starts up it doesn't see any hidden ruby files

                                            (note: With windows explorer toolbar, Tools-folder options-view-show the hidden files = on)

                                            You can hide what you don't need to load, and unhide the require ones that you do.

                                            Later with Jim ruby toolbar you can load the hidden ones.
                                            That's because your telling the script loader about the name, type and location of ea. plug-ins to load...

                                            thus no need to double buffering of plug-ins in folders by loaders.

                                            Also the plug-ins are in the folder that are meant to be in.
                                            😍 win win!

                                            Jim
                                            http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?t=1542
                                            Ruby Toolbar
                                            pic_0051.jpg
                                            Download here
                                            http://sketchuptips.blogspot.com/2007/08/plugin-ruby-toolbar.html

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