What's your beginners tip?

Futurepast

Some of these are really good advices. I keep having trouble with keeping things tidy, but as it was mentioned so many times, nothing makes the work easier than well created groups.
All i can add is that practice makes perfect so keep working with sketchup on a daily basis. Since I started my regular -couple of hours a day, everyday- practice with sketchup I have learned a lot for such a short time, the progress is easily noticeable.

And it's good to "test" yourself. When I started 6 months ago I would download a random dwg file and covert it to 3d. I would spend all day trying to get it perfect. This morning I did one in less time than it took to drink my coffee, it's a boost to the ego to measure yourself.I have learned to do a full set of house plans etc. but it's still good to go back to basics once in a while and see how well you can do, as compared to a month or so before.

pilou

What is a "random dwg file" ?
A file yet existing of some houses drawing or something else like cloud points...?

mics_54

my new beginners tip....if you want to highlight a portion of your model...apply transparency to the materials of the rest of the model.

Nvr2L821dr

Begin the plunge [into Sketchup] by using a venue familiar or interesting. In my case, that was woodworking. Having a more objective sight of [clear-to me] goals, I was quicker and more determined to chew deeper into the subject matter and get results. Put a lot sharper bends into my learning curve.

sfto1

Never stop searching the forums and other such websites for tips and tricks. I have been using Sketchup for a couple of years now and just discovered some cool tips from a Basecamp tips and tricks video posted to youtube in 2008.

One from Chris Fulmer regarding the use of scenes as a tool for working with medium to large models. Great tip!

Watching Gaieus model an Ionic column was impressive. Thanks.

and Susan, thanks for pointing out that components are much more useful (to all) when constructed well.

Here is the link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9_F-bSGrKs

ariesmarz

hi im new here who can give me a tour on how to download vray for sketch up 2013 thanks and much apreciated your help

Gaieus

Here maybe? http://www.chaosgroup.com/en/2/downloads.html?s=v-ray-sketchup
(need to be registered and logged in)

ariesmarz

@gaieus said:

Here maybe? http://www.chaosgroup.com/en/2/downloads.html?s=v-ray-sketchup
(need to be registered and logged in)

Thank you sir

Blastfurnace

This may be hard to explain but a little known tip I use is what I call "move without selection" It works on cylinders to make cones...

Draw a circle.
Pull it up into a cylinder.
Rotate so you can see the top.
Now with nothing selected choose the MOVE tool

Now hover your tool around the top edge.
If the edge turns blue you are NOT on a cardinal point and if you move, the circle will move in the direction you move it.
BUT if your point is there as an endpoint and the circle is NOT blue you ARE on a cardinal point.
Moving from there causes the circle to get smaller or larger.

i use this method to make cones rapidly.

Dave R

That's scaling with Cardinal Points and it is is both handy and it seems, little known. You won't get a perfect cone but it'll be close. It works for polygons, too.

Blastfurnace

@dave r said:

That's scaling with Cardinal Points and it is is both handy and it seems, little known. You won't get a perfect cone but it'll be close. It works for polygons, too.

Scaling with cardinal points is certainly a more accurate term than mine. Wanna try something difficult? Try to find it explained without knowing what its called! Takes a bit of googling.

i didn't know about the polygon part. I'll have to play with that.

Thanks

M

dukejazz

Tip_dj no 15
Plugins - InputBox type

The opening of a ruby plug-in with a InputBox usually opens in the center of SU window.

But if you open a sub window of SU like Outliner and select the top bar.

Then running a plug-in with a InputBox again, now center on the sub window of the outliner

Why is this important to know?

Some times a plug-in cover up what you need to see especially a large InputBox

-dj

jerrymich

Best tip came from Dave R. (moderator). Change your styles to where the back face is a contrasting color, i.e. green or something similar to make it much easier to see when you have faces that are reversed. Thanks Dave.

mortenstorgaard

@chris fullmer said:

Always use a 3 button mouse with SketchUp. None of those single button Mac mice....stupidest invention ever.

And use shortcut keys.

Chris

Thanks love my mac stuff, but guess youre right

local

Hi!
How can I size an angle formed by two lines?
There is this video?

(Sorry, google translator)

Rafferty94

@local do you mean how to measure the angle between two lines?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqdtaMQrSNY

local

@rafferty94 said:

@local do you mean how to measure the angle between two lines?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqdtaMQrSNY

Can be measured by the 'Protractor' tools, but is not scaled.

Rafferty94

Measure using the protractor and then using the rotate tool, rotate the line you wish to move around to match the construction line given by the protractor tool? :-S

local

@rafferty94 said:

Measure using the protractor and then using the rotate tool, rotate the line you wish to move around to match the construction line given by the protractor tool? :-S

It's Okay.

How to scaled (Dimensions)?

local

In AutoCAD: