We may receive a commission when you use our affiliate links. However, this does not impact our recommendations.
SketchUp Quick Links
| SketchUp Tutorials and Articles | What is Google SketchUp? | Resources for Learning SketchUp | SketchUp Models |
This post is where you can ask questions about using Google SketchUp, or about one of our products for learning SketchUp.
Ask your question by leaving a comment below. You can also comment and add your method or insight to any questions. You will need to register before you can comment, and we reserve the right to edit or remove comments. Questions and Answers that become lengthy will move to their own posts and this post will serve as a directory.
Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work around the shop. We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we have carefully selected these products for their usefulness and quality.
SketchUp vs SketchUp Pro?
This question must have come up before, but as I was unable to find it, here goes;
I am an intermediate level woodworker, looking to design some custom furniture projects. I have very little experience with SketchUp or other CAD software. My desire is to be able to model a project that will give me accurate dimensions. Being able to print cut-lists with dimensions would be an added bonus. Will the free version of SketchUp meet my needs or do I need to invest in SketchUp Pro?
Thanks,
Pat
I really liked your description on how to make ogee feet. The long explanation covered the process for making them in nice detail.
My question is how to save this detail (component) for use in other projects. I have made several components over and over and would like to be able to easily insert these type of components into various projects. How do I add them to the components menu?
Hello Mr. Lang,
I purchased Sketchup from PW a couple of years ago and have now switched computers. The Sketchup did not transfer over. Is there a way for me to re-load what I purchased from PW? Thanks.
Scott
When I download a Sketchup Warehouse model, such as a carriage bolt & nut or flat head wood screw, and import it I have a heck of a time orienting it properly to the model. Any advice on how to place something like this so I’m not ranging far away from where I want to place the imported feature?
Dale D
Bob,
I’ve started into the Part 2 CD of SU for Woodworkers.
Do you have a model of the “cab assy” component that you use to get started with the drawer instructions. Doesn’t seem too critical for that particular lesson, but I jumped ahead and it does appear that you continue to use the cabinet assembly in other lessons.
Thank you,
Delain
Robert,
First, thanks for all the effort and special attention you gave in putting together the SketchUp Shop Class CD’s. I’m not quite done with Pt.1, but this is definitely going to move me forward much faster with putting SU to use for woodworking projects.
Question:
In Section 5 (Modeling Table) you start to lay down guidelines with Tape. You drag two ‘starter’ guides, then click on one and keyin 1.5″ for the offset of the table legs. You state that SU ‘remembers’ your last key-in and offers to snap to that dimension when laying down subsequent guides. I can tell in the video that SU is wanting to soft-snap to that dimension, so I can see it working for you.
However, it’s not working that way for me. I’m using version 8. I key-in the 1.5″ to lay down a guide off of the first reference guide. Then when trying to lay down the next guide(s), SU does not remember the 1.5″ with a snap position.
After much time surfing around, I’ve only found a partial solution. The only way I can get Tape to behave the same is to click in ‘mid-air’ (not on an object or axes) then, type in 1.5″ for Tape to find that point. Then when I click on an axes or another existing guide, Tape will recall the 1.5″ with a snap. It’s as if I’m having to pre-load the 1.5″ in memory for Tape to be able to use it.
Other commands like Move, and PushPull will remember previous precision inputs, as expected. But Tape is not working as in your video. I’m wondering if there is something you did ahead of that segment and just forgot or this is a feature in your version of SU that may’ve inadvertently been left out.
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Delain
Sorry for the length, but this was very frustrating when trying to follow all your moves.
Love the blog, have been using sketchup for a long time, but not nearly as well as you do. I have a drawing that I’d like to “paint” with a wood texture that I have in a .jpeg file. Two short interrelated questions – How do I get the texture the right scale to look realistic, and how do I align the grain on each component in the direction that I want it?
Robert, first of all I would like to express How much I enjoy all that you do for users of SketchUp. I started out with SketchUp 7 and now have the newer version and have tried to work the Cutlist into my program and have had no luck. Even bought an external drive for the memory, (wish I could get one for my memory, getting so forgetful)thinking I needed it since my pc is over 5 years old. I am only computer literate not an engineer. Some of the talk goes way over my capabilities. I was wondering which of the tutorials or videos would be most helpful for troubleshooting what I am doing wrong. Have already sent for the for dummies book recommended but in the reviews has nothing on the CutList. Please recommend something. Oh I am getting a new pc this september. so the quest to change my programs over to the new pc will hang in the sidelines. That will be another question session.
Thanks again Robert, you have a tremendous gift.
I downloaded the free version of sketch-up. It is my understanding there is an advance version for which you need to purchase a license.I have purchased the sketchup for woodworkers CD’S. Am I limited to what I can do with the free version
I see all your sketch-up projects are downloaded to sketch-up 7. I have sketch-up 8, and cannot get the projects from sk-up 7 to download to my computer. Does anyone know why???
Any advice on drawing stopped chamfers, lamb’s feet chamfers, or other decorative stopped grooves? I have tried drawing a simple table leg, then drawing two arcs at each end of the chamfer, connected by lines between the endpoints of the arcs. But when I erase the outer edge of the table leg, the chamfer itself is treated as a hole in the leg and I can see through to the other faces as if the leg is hollow! I’ve been trying to think of a way to use Push/Pull but the shape of the stopped chamfer is too much for my feeble brain…
Thanks for the help!
Hi Bob,
Thank you very much for being the Dear Abby of SketchUp!
One thing I have never figured out is how to select a pre existing object and then change its size. Preferably I would do this by entering numbers rather than streching it with the mouse.
This feature is in my 2D drawing program and I use it all the time when DESIGNING a project.
Thank You!
Joe
I started in on a drawing to rough out how I want to build my potting shed, and extruded a bunch of 2x4s; they aren’t components. After adding in headers and cripple studs and the like, some of my studs are no longer the default blue, but are white.
What does this mean (do I have something impinging on the stud that needs fixing)?
In the Poplar Woodworking Google 3Dwarehouse there is a project called American cabinet (http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=9944d068ec8b2498738e43095496b061)
This was modeled by a reader who did a wonderful job on the ogee bracket feet.
My question is how would one achieve similar results with curves on 2 planes? (My attempts thus far are not up to par.)
Maybe a better question is; Is intersecting curves on 2 different planes covered in one of the “Shop Class:Sketchup for Woodworkers” CD’s?
Thanks,
Doug Smith
I have enjoyed the series that you have put together in the shop series, it has helped me get a lot further in Sketchup than I would have before. I am working on a design for a china hutch in much the same shape of an amish furniture 89″ canted hutch. The problem I am running into is the angled wings on both sides off the center peice. How is it possible to get the program to build the face frame and push pull the side cabinets without moving straight with that angle and into the center portion. It seems to want to follow the angled portion at 90 degrees. Thanks for the help
Dave
I’m having a hard time getting started with SketchUp simply because I am not used to drawing in 3-D. Is it possible to use, for instance, Adobe Illustrator, create each plane with precise measurements and then bring them into SketchUp and “stitch” them together? Grooves, Dados, etc. need only have their lines drawn and then use the push/pull tool.
Jackew
What are the correct steps to make multiple copies of an object? I’ve tried to select the object, then copy, then type “x” then the number of copies then enter. Whenever I click “X” I just get the x-ray view of the object instead of multiples.
Thanks, Dave