Using Sketchup to design scroll saw projects - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

woodgeek · 05-09-2009, 06:45 AM

While Google Sketchup is a 3D modeling program it does have a lot of features handy for wood working design and I was curious if anybody else was using it? It has great video tutorials and the the price is right...Free!

southpaw · 05-11-2009, 01:34 PM

I downloaded the program and when I tried to open it, a message popped up saying it cannot open it because it doesn't know what program created it, (something like that) and to either find the program on your pc or go online

Fremmed · 05-11-2009, 06:42 PM

Tried using it once, didn't have any success at all.

woodgeek · 05-12-2009, 02:05 AM

When I first tried to download sketchup on a previous laptop I was not able to get it run at all despite numerous attempts. A couple of months ago I bought a new laptop and it downloaded and installed just fine.
My experience with sketchup (and practically every other graphics program I have tried is that they are poor candidates for the just poke around until you figure out how to do something method. In my case I did not make headway until I actually started watching the video tutorials and systematically learning the tools. So far I have watched 15 tutorials (they are short) and I am making some real progress although I have yet to actually create a working pattern (other than the examples) but yes I think I can now.
What I was hoping to read here I guess was a dozen people saying oh yeah I use sketchup all the time to make patterns but at least so far nobody has said you are barking up the wrong tree so that is something LOL.

zrick · 07-25-2009, 03:08 AM

Hi everybody. I highly recommend Google Sketchup. The free version is only restricted in certain printing and exporting functions. I have used it to draw many woodworking projects. It might take a newbie a few hours to get used to it but it is well worth the time. One great feature is that you can re-size an entire drawing in seconds. Also, it has very powerful (but easy to use) tools that make drawing repeated areas very fast. It is an Architects or Engineers dream! I have been working with graphics tools for decades and this software is great. Plus the price is right.... Have fun and give it a serious try.

bluelucky · 07-25-2009, 03:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodgeek

While Google Sketchup is a 3D modeling program it does have a lot of features handy for wood working design and I was curious if anybody else was using it? It has great video tutorials and the the price is right...Free!

I use G.I.M.P. and it's free too and has tutorals also. And is easy to learn.
Michael....Indy........

Jediscroller · 07-25-2009, 11:53 AM

I really like sketchup as well though I have a lot to learn on it. As far as using it for scrollsaw patterns specifically I don't think that's what it's best suited for. For furniture and such I think it's outstanding though.

m_r_dxn · 07-27-2009, 07:28 AM

I tried it once. I designed a coffee table on there, though it didn't really help me to make the actual "plan" (deminsions, ect...). All I was able to do was make a 3D model of the table that I could actually see and print, and even was able to put it in a little fake 3D living room that I put together.

It was neat, but kinda useless for me since I could already see what I wanted the table to look like in my head. As far as an actual printed out cutting plan that showed dimensions and all that, I wasn't able to get that. BUT, I didn't watch no tutorials and I didn't go any farther with it after that, so maybe with some practice it could be useful....

BobD · 07-27-2009, 01:39 PM

Our designer, Jon, is learning his way around Sketchup in order to do the 3D and exploded drawings in the magazine. I downloaded it, but haven't spent any time with it.

Bob

Wood Dog · 07-27-2009, 02:45 PM

Eeeee gads Bob, "explode drawings in the magazine" Some of those patterns are way too big now (in my opinion) I have a heck of a time folding the patterns page this and that way just to print the pattern I want, then have to reduce it. My wish (not that anyone asked) is to have the patterns print out in full on a regular sheet of paper, then if someone wanted it larger they could just do it by the printer. No folding of the mag pattern involved. Would be nice!
Ok, only 1/2 way through my morning coffee, so take that into consideration.
Sorry for the hijack Woodgeek.

05-09-2009, 06:45 AM	#1
woodgeek Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 123	Using Sketchup to design scroll saw projects While Google Sketchup is a 3D modeling program it does have a lot of features handy for wood working design and I was curious if anybody else was using it? It has great video tutorials and the the price is right...Free!

05-11-2009, 06:42 PM	#3
Fremmed Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA Posts: 840	Tried using it once, didn't have any success at all. __________________ The Journey is the Reward Kevin

07-25-2009, 03:08 AM	#5
zrick Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1	Sketchup is Very Powerful Hi everybody. I highly recommend Google Sketchup. The free version is only restricted in certain printing and exporting functions. I have used it to draw many woodworking projects. It might take a newbie a few hours to get used to it but it is well worth the time. One great feature is that you can re-size an entire drawing in seconds. Also, it has very powerful (but easy to use) tools that make drawing repeated areas very fast. It is an Architects or Engineers dream! I have been working with graphics tools for decades and this software is great. Plus the price is right.... Have fun and give it a serious try.

07-25-2009, 11:53 AM	#7
Jediscroller American Crafstman Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Galaxy far, far away Posts: 3,174 Blog Entries: 5	I really like sketchup as well though I have a lot to learn on it. As far as using it for scrollsaw patterns specifically I don't think that's what it's best suited for. For furniture and such I think it's outstanding though. __________________ Kevin Scrollsaw Patterns Online Making holes in wood with an EX-30, Craftsman 16" VS, Dremel 1680 and 1671

07-27-2009, 07:28 AM	#8
m_r_dxn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Jackson, TN Posts: 226	I tried it once. I designed a coffee table on there, though it didn't really help me to make the actual "plan" (deminsions, ect...). All I was able to do was make a 3D model of the table that I could actually see and print, and even was able to put it in a little fake 3D living room that I put together. It was neat, but kinda useless for me since I could already see what I wanted the table to look like in my head. As far as an actual printed out cutting plan that showed dimensions and all that, I wasn't able to get that. BUT, I didn't watch no tutorials and I didn't go any farther with it after that, so maybe with some practice it could be useful.... __________________ Friends call me Matt

05-11-2009, 01:34 PM	#2
southpaw Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: wedgeport, ns, can. Posts: 45	I downloaded the program and when I tried to open it, a message popped up saying it cannot open it because it doesn't know what program created it, (something like that) and to either find the program on your pc or go online

05-12-2009, 02:05 AM	#4
woodgeek Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 123	When I first tried to download sketchup on a previous laptop I was not able to get it run at all despite numerous attempts. A couple of months ago I bought a new laptop and it downloaded and installed just fine. My experience with sketchup (and practically every other graphics program I have tried is that they are poor candidates for the just poke around until you figure out how to do something method. In my case I did not make headway until I actually started watching the video tutorials and systematically learning the tools. So far I have watched 15 tutorials (they are short) and I am making some real progress although I have yet to actually create a working pattern (other than the examples) but yes I think I can now. What I was hoping to read here I guess was a dozen people saying oh yeah I use sketchup all the time to make patterns but at least so far nobody has said you are barking up the wrong tree so that is something LOL.

07-27-2009, 01:39 PM	#9
BobD Technical Editor Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Lebanon, Pa Posts: 3,051 Blog Entries: 2	Our designer, Jon, is learning his way around Sketchup in order to do the 3D and exploded drawings in the magazine. I downloaded it, but haven't spent any time with it. Bob __________________ www.WoodCarvingIllustrated.com www.FoxChapelPublishing.com www.ScrollSawer.com Shopsmith, Hawk G4

07-27-2009, 02:45 PM	#10
Wood Dog Senior member--Absolutely Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: MA USA Posts: 3,451	Eeeee gads Bob, "explode drawings in the magazine" Some of those patterns are way too big now (in my opinion) I have a heck of a time folding the patterns page this and that way just to print the pattern I want, then have to reduce it. My wish (not that anyone asked) is to have the patterns print out in full on a regular sheet of paper, then if someone wanted it larger they could just do it by the printer. No folding of the mag pattern involved. Would be nice! Ok, only 1/2 way through my morning coffee, so take that into consideration. Sorry for the hijack Woodgeek. __________________ WD Last edited by Wood Dog; 07-27-2009 at 02:47 PM.

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