. . . okay, I did a super-quick video tutorial but I can't upload it from work . . . I'll post it tonight.

Happy Sketching,

Brad

@unknownuser said:

geting closer...well done!!

Thank you.

Here's an image showing a technique I finally figured out which has helped me define shapes rather quickly and with lots of control. The red stripe coming around the "corner" of the front end of the car was created using two planes to define a 3D path, then I used a 3 sided section (5 actually with 2 later removed) with the Follow Me tool. The stripe down the center of the car has nothing to do with this technique but I thought it might look good (ha). As always, the car is symmetrical left to right, so only half is actually shaped.

It's a nice technique to have available when you need it - as long as it's not "overdone." I'll post a tutorial if anyone's interested in seeing how I do this but I'm sure it can be done better, quicker, more artistic by others.

Happy Sketching,

Brad

. . . I need to redo the fender well areas because I don't like the way these turned out . . . this won't be too difficult to change . . . it's always easy to fix something when you're using SketchUp . . . . . .

@unknownuser said:

really good racing car right ther. i would finish and render that one if i was you

Thank you! I might finish this one and render it but I doubt it because that would take time away from the other (important) parts of my life.

I was doing very good to have barely enough time to squeeze this one in - it was a very busy weekend and this upcoming week doesn't look any better - no more time for fun . . . er, I mean no time for developing my SketchUp skills.

Happy Sketching,

Brad

. . . another quicky . . . yes, I was indeed watching the races this weekend in Utah . . . needs a lot of work with all the sloppy details . . . on to the next one . . .

Happy Sketching,

Brad

@unknownuser said:

What is that front of car or something on the WIP?
Yes - I made an edge that flowed from the middle front then traveled to the side behind the wheel, then I created a corner profile, then used "Follow Me" tool - something different from what I usually do. I'm always trying to do stuff a new way, a different way, in hopes it will help - sometimes I learn something useful, sometimes I don't - I always enjoy trying new ways of creating and editing geometry.

@unknownuser said:

check out ma latest design tell me what you tink
Very nice - as usual. You may want to shorten the size of the door - is it too long in the front part of the door? Looks great - keep going.

This image below is another example where I was just trying something different - just for fun. It's really obvious when I create an especially hideous design because no matter what angle you're looking at the model, it still looks really awful.

So, no big deal, failure is certainly part of the process, eh? Toss it, do another one.

Happy Sketching,

Brad

. . . another generic, aero-car . . . :zzzzzzz: . . .

. . . WIP . . .

I came to SketchUp from the opposite perspective. I used to teach advanced Pro/E classes and clung to the idea that parametric solid modeling was "the ultimate" when designing and using CAD for mechanical-engineering production models.

I believe if you really become proficient with SketchUp, you'll be able to do 90% or more what most people do with "full featured, parametrically controlled solid CAD modeling software" and you'll be able to get your job done much quicker - perhaps even with greater accuracy as well.

Certainly, when solid geometry is required for mass properties calculations, FEA, & so forth, you'll need to convert your SU model to a solid, but there are many avenues available to take you in that direction, if necessary. The more I learn about SketchUp, the more I appreciate what it does rather than what it doesn't.

YES! We received our Pro license so everything is working out really great.

Thanks,

Brad

. . . boring but very fast model . . .

. . . a few minor adjustments . . . maybe I could be a plastic surgeon someday . . . . . .

Whoa!

That's all I can say about this one . . . got a little carried away with the nose, I guess.

Thanks Craig. I enjoy using SketchUp much more when I'm not pressed for time - like, when I actually set aside a large segment of time like maybe an hour or so. It's amazing what a difference can occur when you have a bit more time to devote to something. My dream would be to do this for 8 or 10 hours a day . . . okay, maybe 10 or 12 hours a day . . .

. . . blah, blah, blah . . .

. . . a wee bit of tweaking . . . next week, I'd like to do a better one based on the same theme . . .

. . . last car for the week - lots of projects due (work) . . . . . .

. . . a few more details . . . I almost like this one . . .

. . . this one is really something . . . something what?

. . . not even sure why I post things like this . . . perhaps another example of what not to do? The proportions are bad, the overall design is bad . . . on to the next one . . .