Is anybody using Google Sketchup?

[Aaronw]

I know somebody here uses this program because that is how I found out about it. I've been playing with it and it is a neat little program for designing stuff.

However I can not figure out how to print out a useful scale drawing from it, or even a 3 view with the dimensions so I can actually go to plastic from the drawing.

I can always transfer it to graph paper by hand but that kind of makes the program redundant (although it is fun to have the 3d model to play with ).

Also I've seen people post their drawings from this program, can you do this just like a photo or do you have to save the file differently?

For anyone unfamiliar with the program, the basic program is free and if you watch the short videos very user friendly.

http://sketchup.google.com/

[Harry P.]

Judging by the lack of replies, I'd say that not a whole lot of forum members are using it. I've never even heard of it until now...

[RyanSilva]

Aaron Ive been using it on the C800 in the truck section.

Printing has been a chore! some drawings scale ok on paper without touching the measurements at the print option screen, others have been really hard to scale to the proper size on paper.

Having "use model extents" checked usually make the drawing come out ok however.

[Aaronw]

Aaron Ive been using it on the C800 in the truck section.

Printing has been a chore! some drawings scale ok on paper without touching the measurements at the print option screen, others have been really hard to scale to the proper size on paper.

Having "use model extents" checked usually make the drawing come out ok however.

Thanks, more experimentation I guess. Now that you mention it you were the one that I saw, you used it to design your sand bin. I couldn't remember where I saw it.

How did you post the drawings to the site?

[RyanSilva]

I hit the print screen key on the keyboard, opened up MSpaint andpasted it there,and cropped out the sketchup, then just saved it as a jpeg file, and uploaded it to my photo hosting.

Edited December 2, 2009 by RyanSilva

[Aaronw]

I hit the print screen key on the keyboard, opened up MSpaint andpasted it there,and cropped out the sketchup, then just saved it as a jpeg file, and uploaded it to my photo hosting.

Cool, thank you.

Here is what I've done with it so far, this is the cab for my engine at work. Very neat program.

[Eshaver]

Aaron , I looked at the program last night and now this neat drawing ! Way kool , I wish you the best , keep us posted on this project too . Ed Shaver

[RyanSilva]

There are some CAD machinists who can read the sketchup files, like any other CAD rendering, not sure on the details on which programs can do it however, should pretty cool!

I like your cab!.. I just wish for a cheap CAD machine....so many ideas for one of those machines. Though about making one with a dremel...but runout would be a problem I think for small stuff.

I have a bunch of spare computers to compute the program..just need to buy the motors, which range from 50-200 dollars for small stuff.

[OneTrickPony]

There are some CAD machinists who can read the sketchup files, like any other CAD rendering, not sure on the details on which programs can do it however, should pretty cool!

I like your cab!.. I just wish for a cheap CAD machine....so many ideas for one of those machines. Though about making one with a dremel...but runout would be a problem I think for small stuff.

I have a bunch of spare computers to compute the program..just need to buy the motors, which range from 50-200 dollars for small stuff.

Have you looked at RepRap?

RepRap 2 Mendel

[Aaronw]

Have you looked at RepRap?

RepRap 2 Mendel

Interesting, I just started looking into the possibility of a laser cutter, but that seems to be out of my price range. This actually looks like it could be within the budgets of many modelers.