Replies

1. 
   roy.unit8c | Apr 07, 2022 11:08am | #1

   I'm trying the SketchUp cd first to see if I can follow along. It's hard to follow along with the videos in the cd, but you can replay until you start to understand it. If the course is taped and you can replay parts, I might be able to keep up. Another problem is stamina at the computer. I start to get blurry eyed after a while. I don't know how much I can retain until I reach overload.

2. 
   alwayscherry | Apr 26, 2022 07:51am | #2

   I too am wondering about that. I’m also concerned that the software version being taught is, I believe, the “pro“ version on windows when I just want to use the free version on my MacBook and there could be some differences.

3. 
   roy.unit8c | Apr 26, 2022 08:04am | #3

   Dave Richards was super helpful on the SketchUp Community Forum helping me get through the cd. If I were younger and not so slow learning how to navigate with the mouse, I would take the course and cough up the $200. I think it would help to have as big a computer screen as you can. I am using the 30-day trial version of SketchUp Pro now. When the time is up, I am probably going to subscribe to the Job/Shop version.

4. 
   _mj_ | Apr 26, 2022 08:25am | #4

   I've tried the free version and it is a powerful tool. I don't see use it often enough or consistantly enough to retain the brain-muscle-memory, so I wind up having to re-learn it when I want to use it again. I think even after taking the class I'd be in the same boat. If you plan on making it part of your every-project process I think there's huge value in the class.

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   roy.unit8c | Apr 26, 2022 09:29am | #5

   I agree with _MJ_. I plan on working on SketchUp a little every day to retain what I have learned but no more all-day marathons like I have been doing during the 30-day free trial. At the end of a day you feel like you have been beaten with a big stick.

5. 
   JEarch | Apr 26, 2022 09:28pm | #6

   I find SketchUp an invaluable tool for woodworking (and other design stuff as well). I run the free SketchUp Make version on a Mac. While it has fewer bells and whistles than the Pro version, it is still plenty powerful for woodworking purposes, especially with some of the woodworking add-ons that are available through their Extension Warehouse. Make can be a bit difficult to find on their website, so here is the link for "older" versions - note that 2017 is the latest/only version of Make that is available.

   https://help.sketchup.com/en/downloading-older-versions

   I am largely self-taught on SketchUp, but that has been helped considerably by Dave Richards many posts on the FWW website. He is an excellent teacher.

   It is important to gain an understanding of some of the fundamental principles of SketchUp. These are generally similar to those behind many forms of cad software, although some of the terminology can be different. Understanding how to make use of layers, components, and groups will make a huge difference in productivity with the software. Not to mention transitioning from frustration to enjoyment in realizing your designs.

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   roy.unit8c | Apr 29, 2022 05:27pm | #7

   I agree with JEarch. I worked on the cabinet in the SketchUp Guide for Woodworkers, The Basics with help from Dave Richards on the SketchUp Community Forum all the way through making an Outlook presentation with the scenes and dimensions for using at the bench. I downloaded free software from the extension warehouse and also have a cut list. I am working on a model of a desktop organizer now (modified and based on Michael Pekovich's). It's fun to work a couple of hours a day now. Another thing that helps is the Square One video series from SketchUp.