@dave r said:

@unknownuser said:

Attempts to install it from WITHIN the program, itself, also proved fruitless.

What steps exactly were you using to install it?

Did you download the RBZ file from the Sketchucation Plugin Store? If so, go to window>Preferences>Extensions and click on Install Extension. Then navigate to the file and open it.

Hi again, Dave.

Yes, I did download that plugin from the Sketchucation Plugin Store.

The first time I tried to access the plugin, I had double-clicked on it. After that, I tried installing it through the Extension Manager of my SketchUP Make 2017. It, apparently, DID install, but it does not show in my 'Extensions' box (the only one residing there is CutList)).

I played around and found that the concerned extension could be seen/accessed from theEDIT menu. I'd have to, first, triple-click of my opened design; go into EDIT, and navigate to Eclate_Deplace. Upon selecting that, I get a window asking 'Do you want to see construction lines and construction points?'. Then, there is another window, with a question of whether or not I 'want the original's copy?'. The third, and last box I see has to do with Parameter settings. I change nothing, within the settings, as I don't know anything about what should be selected. But, it was my feeling that something should have been noticed, with the default settings.

I click for the action to do its thing, but nothing happens.

@pilou said:

Edit : it works perfectly in 2017!

Frenchy, you know what? I had confused the 'Unsigned' attribute of that plugin with the issue of it not being able to be activated. But I downloaded this program again, and attempted to get it going. When I double-clicked on it, SketchUP started, but rendered a boxed-window notification which stated - 'THIS DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A SKETCHUP MODEL'. Attempts to install it from WITHIN the program, itself, also proved fruitless.

I wonder what's going on, with it. Is it something that I'VE done wrong?

@baz said:

Here is a plugin for exploded views...

Exploded View | SketchUcation

3D SketchUp Community for Design and Engineering Professionals.

(sketchucation.com)

Baz, I downloaded that plugin, but could not get it to effectuate an action, at all. I saw that it was 'Unsigned', and am assuming that this was the limiting issue.

@pilou said:

If you say Boolean Difference tool, it's existing only in Pro version!

But you have now a better plugin tool : BoolTools 2 more powerful than the native one!
(for Make & Pro)

Thanks, so much, for sharing.

I wasn't able to view the video too clearly, for some reason, but that plugin does look interesting. . However, in the plugin's description, I saw that 'Subtraction' wasn't listed as one of the five, stated, actions. But one of them was 'Difference', and I wonder if that might be the same as 'Subtraction' - just renamed.

@cotty said:

Do you have a link to that video?

Yes, Cotty - here is that link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4A8XJnbQiu8

Yesterday, I happened across a YouTube video on the Subtraction Tool for Sketchup Woodworking. The presenter was performing some impressive work, utilizing that tool, and I had hoped to be able to do the same. However, my version is SketchUP Make 2017, and I couldn't find modeling tools anywhere in the program. I thought that, maybe, that guy had been using a Pro version, so I went back to the video to check that. I found that he was using SketchUP Make 2016. Had that toolset been incorporated, previously, in SketchUP Make, but dropped in version 2017?

Chuck, you have answered it quite well, with your response, and it was so thoughtfully nice, of you, to have taken the time to do what you did (with the attachment). If you don't mind, I would like to use your better-developed design for my actual build.

I didn't mean for my mirror/glass to have been so thick. My intention was to have its thickness at 1/4". I also was thinking about marrying the door parts together with biscuits, but really like your (tongue & groove?) method much better. I am also going to lose the interest in trying to locate some automated plugin for exploding the various components/groups in my designs. I really want to give as much as I can, of myself, to working with SketchUP, and am of the mind that I would much rather prefer the manual way of doing things with it (at least, as much as I can).

Again, you have clarified more than you may think, and I cannot thank you enough.

God Bless,
Nathan

Hello all.

I have just completed a 2nd design attempt at my bathroom medicine cabinet. It is almost identical to my first, but (in this 2nd one) I've tried to address some issues which had been brought out by (at least) one responder to the previous posting of mine. I am still wrestling with how to wrap my understanding around working with SketchUP, and I WILL get there.

Every element of this design was made into Components - no Groups. It's to my understanding that Components are Groups - on steroids. With that being the case, why would I ever want to 'Group' something,instead of making it a 'Component'? Also, though I had called myself making Components of everything, I found that some pieces would be terribly skewed upon an attempt from me to move it. I need to know why that happens.

I didn't cut the dadoes into the cabinet side pieces, for the shelving and ledges to be let in, but I will work on getting that done.

The little open-ended boxed part, on the top of the cabinet, is there to hide the wiring from the light fixture.

I have tried 'Exploding' my project, thinking that it would automatically move the project's elements just a short distance from each other, but that didn't happen (maybe I just don't understand what that 'Explode' button is for).

I had also downloaded/installed the 'Bomb All' plugin, being of the mind that this might serve to function as I had expected. But, again, nothing seemed to happen.

Thanks for looking, and advanced thanks for any CC imparted to me.

God Bless,
Nathan

Bathroom medicine cabinet.skp

@mwm5053 said:

Well it's a good beginning, but a few CC I noticed off the bat and it will directly affect Cutlist, You need to understand what cutlist is looking for in the model. It works well for those who understand and spend time learning how the plugin works.

1. You should have each piece you are going to cut in the shop as a separate component. The top looks to be 2 pieces and unless you intend to use a French cleat the back of the top shouldn't be beveled.
2. IMO you have used a large group for the entire piece you don't need to do that unless you plan to combine it with other vanities in a model to keep them separate. 3. You should watch or read about components and their axes. You can change them. and when you copied the front doors you should have flipped them along the red axes so they where opposites or mirrored so if you make changes they appear correct.
   It's a good start and only speak from lots of frustration in the beginning of learning SU A fellow here name Dave R has a blog on Fine Woodworking website you should check out, and SU has some very simple videos that will teach you the basics if you want this to work for you especially if you plan to build your own projects.
   One more thing when you learn enough to start using Layers ( very advantageous thing to learn) ALWAYS draw on Layer0 never on a Layer of it's own once you have the "entities edges and faces combined to make a component then and only then you can put it on a separate Layer that will save you a lot of headaches later.

Good luck

Many, many thanks.

I knew that I had done some things wrong, but didn't know exactly what. I appreciate your clarifying the errors.

Regarding that beveled piece, on the back of the case, I didn't know (until you had offered the term) that it was called. French Cleat. But that piece will be married to another beveled mating piece, which will be secured to the wall. This project should be a fair bit heavier than the cheap, somewhat smaller one which had been purchased a few years back, from a local home center.

Currently, I am in the process of studying up on not only Components, Groups and Layers, but on everything - on SketchUp - that I can get my hands on. My 1st generation IPad has become my near-constant study partner, and on it I have recently imported a good number of YouTube videos, on SketchUp. I'm also beginning to immerse myself into Timothy S. Killen's 'SketchUp Guide For Woodworkers'.

What I MAY do is to move away from my present design effort, and work on another design of the same project - this time, however, being mindful of staying with a proper focus on components. This project is a very simplistic one, which wouldn't necessarily warrant a sheet goods cutlist. But I just want to gain a confident, working relationship with that plugin, for larger, future projects which would really benefit the builder, from having such a layout.

I had uploaded a version of my first SketchUp project design, a short while back, but some couldn't open it because of the fact of it being saved in the 2017v format. This time, I saved it in the SKU 8 format which, hopefully, will work for others.

As had been mentioned, in my previous post, I know there are mistakes with this design, but hope that it will be enough to gain some insight on what I may have done wrong, with it.

For one thing, I have downloaded the CutList plugin, and had hoped to be able to generate a sheet goods layout of my plywood pieces. I understand that some users do not care for that plugin (one Youtube video presenter referred to it as being flawed), but I also have read where others really liked it. I would love to be able to gain a handle on how to have plywood pieces automatically laid out on the sheets. I don't know if the difficulty I am having, with that, is due to a problem with my design, or what.

Input would be greatly appreciated.

Here, is the attachment: Vanity.skp

@dave r said:

The Extension Warehouse is not the only resource for extensions for SketchUp. In addition to getting Round Corner from the Extension Store here on Sketchucation, you should have a browse and see what else there is you might be needing.

Dave, I will certainly be browsing around for something else that may catch my interest. Thanks.

@pixero said:

Here you have all info you need:
http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=323%26amp;t=20485%26amp;hilit=round+corners

Thank you for your input. I just revisited, there, and tried again. For some reason, the site hadn't been accepting my login information, before. But it went in without a hitch, this time, and I WAS able to grab that plugin. Again - many thanks.

I recently viewed a video tut which featured the 'Round Corner' Sketchup plugin. It was stated to be a free one, and I have been unsuccessfully trying to get it. Via the Extension Warehouse, I did find that LFredo6 (probably misspelled the name) had a write-up on it. But there was no download button for it. I am working with SketchUp Make 2017, and wonder if, maybe, there isn't a version of that plugin for my SketchUp program. If there IS, is it indeed free?

@dave r said:

Overall your model is pretty good especially for one just starting out.

I see the pegs are loose geometry. It would be wise to make a single peg as a component before copying it along the shelf edge.

I'm happy to see you are using components however you are creating unneeded nesting levels. Your model will be much easier to work with if you don't get so crazy with the nesting. You also have some issues with loose geometry and components wrapped up together in a parent component. Your shelves with the posts is an example as is the door pull on the door. A few reversed faces inside, too.
I also see some missing faces inside the case.

Will you be making a slab door or will it be a frame and panel affair? How will you be building this piece? Will you be using solid wood or plywood or something else?

Hi Dave,

Firstly, one facet of your reply has revealed, to me, where I went wrong with the pegs. Yes, I had drawn them in singularly, and that is why I couldn't work with them as if they had been components.

You mentioned something about 'Nesting', and I had heard that term being associated with SketchUp, before. I am certainly going to look into exactly what it is. Apparently, I am doing it (nesting) without realizing that I am . You also spoke of my having some components wrapped up in a parent component, and I will have to check into that. In fact, you've brought up a number of issues that I am going to have to look into. First, is reaching a place of understanding into just WHAT those areas are, and then delving into remedial elements.

As far as the materials for my actual vanity is concerned, I am thinking of building it out of 3/4" furniture grade plywood. Its shelves will likely be 1/2" thick plywood, and the door will be a frame & panel door, with mirror glass insert. Really undecided, right now, as to whether I want a full, hinged one side door, or two doors, each hinged on opposite sides of the cabinet. Slightly leaning toward the former, as it would afford an uninterrupted visual return of the mirrored content.

Thanks for looking, and for your very helpful responses.

Nathan

@hornoxx said:

Hi Nathan
could you please save "down" your model to SU8 for example - not everyone here is using SU2017.

Don't know what you mean by that, exactly, but will look into it. As I've said, I am a fledgling with this program.

Attached, is my very first project started in Sketchup. Our bathroom vanity is no longer in good form, and I wished to make another, instead of buying a replacement in particle board materials. My design reflects a somewhat larger one, and isn't complete as of yet. But I wanted to get some opinions on my efforts, thus far.

The six, side shelving pieces show spaced dowels, on the upper right one. Those dowels are to help prevent items to be placed on those small ends, with the prevention of them sliding off. I couldn't see how to make that one set into a component, so as to be able to copy and place them on the other five pieces. also, I had difficulty in making the door (with glass insert) and placing said door properly on the body of the cabinet.

This program is such a wonderful one, and I still can't believe that it is FREE. I'd always wanted something like this, to work out my woodworking projects and be able to see them in 3D. I have a whole lot to learn, within getting to grips with it, but an enjoying that all the while.

Any, and all input on my attachment would be greatly appreciated.

Advanced thanks,
Nathan

Vanity.skp

I am working with Sketchup Make, but had the opportunity to fool around with Layout, for a bit. Didn't think that I would need to get the full blown version, which would afford layout, but it seems like I may have to.

I had drawn up pieces of a woodworking project, and went about creating a set of plans. The Dimensioning tool worked very well for me, except for the fact that it always defaulted to millimeters. Is there a way by which a user could change the default to fractions?

@dave r said:

Nathan, you might experiment with the OpenGL settings under Preferences. It might be that you'll find ticking or unticking the boxes another combination will give you better performance. Start by turning off Use Hardware Acceleration.

Dave, I just finished trying what you had suggested, yet nothing has served to alter the condition. I tried everything - within that 'OpenGL' settings area - but no change. Being that the program HAD run as smooth as it possibly could, and is problematic in that area now - especially after my not having changed any settings by which to cause it - I am left with the assumption that the causative factor has to lie within my computer, itself.

But I thank you, as always, for your input.

Nathan

Hi again, everyone.

Allow me to, first, make it known that I am not going to bombard this forum with a whole lot of questions, in my journey to learn this software, but I do have a present issue that I am trying to surmount.

Until now, I had been experiencing very fluid movements with the tool sets. Let me try to clarify just what I am talking about. Say, for instance, that the use the rectangular tool to draw out a rectangle. I then take the 'Push/Pull' tool to extrude that rectangular base into a 3D box. Well, before, that extrusion was as smooth as could be. Now, however, in taking the pointer to its desired height, I have to wait a bit for the extrusion to meet my pointer's position - as the extrusion process makes a stop & start travel to that point.

I have done nothing different between the time that things were smooth, and the stop/start fashion of how the movement presently responds. Has anyone else experienced anything of the like? If so, how did you overcome it (providing that you DID overcome it).

Nathan

@dave r said:

Nathan, I'm glad you got the installation worked out.

As to whether or not you need the pro version, my opinion is that you should at least get proficient with the free version before you make the jump to pro. Going to pro will give you more import and export options which may or may not be useful for you and you'll get the Solid Tools. On the surface the Solid Tools look like a real boon for woodworkers. They are certainly nice tools however they have a big impact on my workflow which usually causes me more work than they save. For that reason I don't use them very often. A third thing you'll get by going to pro is LayOut. This is sort of the presentation half of SketchUp. If you need to do things like proposals for clients or create project plans, LayOut will be a big benefit. With the free version you can export images and put them together in another program such as Word but with LayOut there's a dynamic link between the SketchUp model and the document. I use LayOut all the time but then I'm creating plans for projects as well as proposals that get sent to clients. If you're drawing mainly for your own use, you will probably find the free version will do what you need.

Dave, I would first like to apologize for the near-similar postings, that I previously authored. I saw no indication that the first one had gone through, which is why I wrote the second one. Unlike other forums that I belong to, post submissions here - must undergo a process before finding a place on the message board. I have no problem with this. I just have to remember that, when I submit future posts.

Thanks for the info regarding my query on which version of Sketchup you might think would be best for me. No, I am not into creating plans, of any kind, for anyone else. And I don't know if the Pro version's 'Solid Tools' would be all that necessary for me, either. However, I will know more, when I learn more about the program.

Thanks again,
Nathan

PS: By the way, I love that quote you have in your signature area.