Terrible time with sketchup
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Pete's reply is pretty frank. I must agree that SU is one of the simplest 3D apps around, and one of the easiest to learn. Without seeing what you are trying to to, nobody here can help you; and asking in a pro-SU forum whether or not you should ditch the software because it's all SU's fault isn't putting you off to a good start - especially as it's your first and only post.
Either your tutorials are wrong, or you're doing something wrong; as you can see by the multitude of SU generated models here, SU works.
Try asking a logical, well thought out question; nobody here minds helping a newbie. Don't expect to be spoon fed though.
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A wood working model can be very challenging for a beginner. Your best bet is to go to YouTube, look up some Google tutorials for beginners, and start there. You got to give yourself a little time to "get it". Check out Google's Warehouse for the extent of models that you can eventually accomplish.
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Boy, that was quick.
Yes, I admit I am 3d challenged.
However, I am still trying.
The things I am having trouble with are just nit picky things.
I note that if you don't have your drawing oriented right in 3d, one cannot select a number of lines, etc, to put into a component. I am learning. Drawing the box around stuff just plain doesn't select what I expect a lot of the time. Whether left to right or right to left selection.
I see to be able to get around that by orienting the model right for the bounding box.
I hope to get over that stuff.
I have completed the 3rd video from PWW in which I draw a bookcase with all components. It did take me 3 tries.
It works now.
I am going to keep going.
Tips and tricks is what I am missing since I am new to this game.
I'll be you can't can't put together a killer sounding acoustic guitar either if you haven't done a lease several either. Altho. there are always people who always hit the mark right out of the gate.Another for instance. I use the tape measure and often it just plain doesn't create guide lines even tho. it just did and the tool is still selected.
I am a good reverse engineer and I can usually figure out why things don't work right. I just don't like doing it too much.
Thanks,
MBR
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Hi Mike, hi folks.
After you have seen the 60+ tutorial videos, try looking at a few specialised ones on Youtube.
Then, dowload the PDF User guide (close to 800 pages) and read articles on the tools that you want to use.
See other ideas below.
@gadgetmanmike said:
This is about the 4th time i have tried to learn sketchup.
There are some new popular woodworking tutorials you pay for.
Lots. of times the command especially move copy just plain don't work right.To togle Copy mode on, you press AND release the CTRL key. It is like a switch. Press and it is on. Press again and it is off.
@gadgetmanmike said:
Lot of times the type in numerical box doesn't accept input.
This box is activated automatically when it can accept input. Never click in it. When it is grey, it cannot accept input. When it is white, it can. Usually there will be a label on its left, telling you waht shall be inputted (number of sides for a polygon, lenght for a line, etc.).
@gadgetmanmike said:
I get to the end of my tutorial and I can't extrude around a path, says it is invalid.
The help will tell you that the path must touch the facet and that this facet must be perpendicular to the path. However, there are possibilities of using a path that do not touch the facet.
Another idea: each time you choose a tool or perform an action, look carefully at the status bar (definition in the help) to see what SU is expecting you to do.
Persever, you will not find a 3D drawing program as simple to use as SU, provided you invest a few hours, learning it.
Just ideas.
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Further to Jean's good advice -- just keep trying SU. It will take a few models and some trial and error, but it's orders of magnitude easier than other 3D software. It's been a long time now since I started on version 2 but it took me a couple of months to get "expert", by which time it became second nature and most of my modeling was done with keyboard shortcuts. You too will reach that point, just be a little more patient.
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Mike, as a fellow woodworker I feel your pain. For me the third time was the charm. Building an incredebly intricate period piece of furniture was a picknick compared to trying to figure it out on my own. Then I found this woodworkers site http://www.srww.com/google-sketchup.htm and I did the 8 tutorials on drawing his table. Something clicked and I started to get it. Then I found this site which is hands down the place to get answers. Also check out the woodworkers forum here, lots of stuff you'll relate to. Learn the basics and practice them. Then venture into deeper water, and holler for help when you're really stuck. Now that I'm starting to figure it out I'm beginning to see the absolute awesome potental this program offers. Which is daunting as well as really cool cause it means I'll never learn it all. How boring would that be ?
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Hey, thanks for that, Otis,
Thought I was getting the old "Oh, so you're too stupid to learn this thing"/
Well, I am in a group of musical instrument builders with a lot of talented people, one mechanical engineer autocad guy, one CNC guy. They both have a very low opinion of sketchup and they are very nice people.
I am going to learn it come hell of high water.
It's good there are lot of we resources. Sometimes, a lot of resources just makes things worse until you pick one. -
What I've found to be pretty easy is to read the tutorials, but don't take it to heart and do it word-for-word. Instead, let your imagination flow free, and just play around with the program a little bit. Don't give up just because you don't get it. Just open up SketchUp, screw around with some of its features, and when you come across something you may have read about, learn how to use it. Another good feature that helped me get started was the Google SketchUp 3D Warehouse. Just download a few things from there and study how it's been put together. By doing this, you'll pick up new techniques and skills that will help you later on.
Just play around with it a litlle bit, and you'll get it sooner or later. -
@gadgetmanmike said:
Well, I am in a group of musical instrument builders with a lot of talented people, one mechanical engineer autocad guy, one CNC guy. They both have a very low opinion of sketchup and they are very nice people.
I am going to learn it come hell of high water. It's good there are lot of we resources. Sometimes, a lot of resources just makes things worse until you pick one.What kind of musical instruments do you build? More curious than anything.
As for AutoCAD having a low opinion of SU - I am slowly turning to the reverse. I find when I'm in AutoCAD, that I want to click and push-pull items. As others have said, SU is the easiest 3D program to use, to visually see results. AutoCAD does have 3D, but in my opinion it is not as intuitive as SU.
I'm not out knock AutoCAD as it is my bread and butter. I am finding that I can sneak in renderings and wow the client (and the boss), so SU definitely has a foot in the door.
As others have also stated, do the tutorials even if you think you'll never use that function for your application - it might surprise you that you will urn to it at least once or twice.
Good luck and don't be afraid to ask pointed questions, there are lots of knowledgeable people on here that will almost go out of their way to help. Welcome to Sketchucation.
Rick
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There are two words you need to know, to learn how to use SketchUp really well and quickly too, and they are;
"Aidan" and "Chopra"
Now put these words into YouTube, sit back, with mouse, SketchUp, notepad and pencil, and enjoy!
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Here are some links for woodworking I use often http://www.finewoodworking.com/blog/design-click-build/page/4 https://sites.google.com/site/sketchupvideo/Home/google-sketchup-techniques
http://www.srww.com/ and the TUT at SCF should help you also. The chief woodworrker at srww has a very good Tut in a bed side table that you should watch -
@gadgetmanmike said:
I use the tape measure and often it just plain doesn't create guide lines even tho. it just did and the tool is still selected.
If you measure from an edge (line) out along a face you get a guide.
If you measure from a vertex (line intersection) SketchUp thinks you are measuring and reports the distance.
AutoCAD is a drafting tool. SketchUp is a designing tool. Don't get sucked into silly discussions of which is better. Both are excellent at their core purpose.
Try my tutorial. It's still free.
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