Replies

1. 
   daverichards | Nov 17, 2007 08:18pm | #1

   Hi there.

   The books I've seen work pretty well as reference materials but don't really work well as a do-this-and-then-do-that sort of instruction manual. The SketchUp for dummies book is a pretty good basic reference but as with most reference books, you kind of need to know what it is you're looking for before you go looking.

   You might find it useful to look through the Design. Click. Build. blog. One of my earliest posts there discusses some basic set up-related stuff which I would highly recommend that you work through. Tim Killen and I ahve covered quite a few basic as well as more advanced techniques. I have done a number of demo videos which you might find helpful to watch.

   If you have specific questions feel free to ask me via an e-mail. I'd be pleased to help.

   Dave Richards

2. 
   DonaldCBrown | Nov 17, 2007 09:13pm | #2

   level-

   The instruction books by Bonnie Roskes are excellent.

   http://www.f1help.biz/ccp51/cgi-bin/cp-app.cgi

   They're expensive, but considering that the program itself is free, the average cost is reasonable. Each of the many exercises is thoroughly illustrated and is usually related to actual modeling problems.

   I'm sure you've seen the on-line tutorials for Sketchup, which are also excellent, and there are several for-profit sources of video tutorials. I find video good for learning what can be accomplished and which tools are involved, but I learn best from printed instructions because I can proceed at my own pace.

3. 
   dherzig | Nov 17, 2007 11:50pm | #3

   I have had no experience with CAD programs before and was overwhelmed with the provided instructions. Then I found SketchUp for Dummies was extremely helpful and gently led me into the program.

4. 
   PCM | Nov 18, 2007 05:19pm | #4

   I can testify about Dave Richards willingness to help! He spent well over an hour on the phone talking to me about getting started in Sketchup.

   I have AutoCad experience, which is actually a hindrance. A lot of his time was spent trying to get me to relearn concepts (3D vs. 2D) and set up templates.

   If I was starting out, I would buy the Dummies book, having used them in other start-up endeavors with pretty good success.

    Dave, or anyone, can I build "custom" toolbars?

   Pete 

1. 
   daverichards | Nov 18, 2007 05:47pm | #5

   Thank you. I'm certainly happy that I was able to help you out. So how's it going now?

   Regarding the making of toolbars, yes, you can make them through the Ruby API. You can also make dialog boxes for information input. There. I've told you absolutely everything I know on that topic. ;) I would go to The Sketchucation Forum to get more info. the new one is here. they are in the process of moving to that site but there's still some info here as well.

    

   Dave

2. 
   bones | Nov 18, 2007 11:40pm | #6

   I'll second that! He helped me get started and now what seemed totally confusing, is now simple!  Thanks again Dave your videos are awsome. Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.

1. 
   JamesS | Dec 29, 2007 05:39am | #7

   If anybody is thinking of buying SU for dummies, try half.com . I just paid $14.00 for a copy that lists at $24.99. The $3 mediamail charge is offset by not paying sales tax (7%)

   James