Some Incredible Sketchup Models

Iplayfarmer · Mar 12, 2011

As I've mentioned a few times before, I really like Google Sketchup when I'm designing new projects or re-designing old projects. I'm a very visual person, and being able to look at a 3D model of a project has helped me avoid design issues before I start cutting and welding.

I was looking through The Google 3D warehouse this morning and I was so impressed by some of the models, I thought I'd post them here.

Here is a tractor and backhoe. I've been designing a backhoe for years. I may take some of the design elements from this one. Here is the backhoe alone.

Here is a SCUT Kubota with a loader. Might come in handy for those of you planning to build something in the future.

I'm sure there are a ton of others out there. I looked a little for good, detailed barn plans, but I didn't find any. There were a few shells, but nothing with good detail of everything from the framing out to the shell.

Rustyiron · Mar 12, 2011

Hey I play,
I wanna play too! Is this Google 3d sketch thing anybody can use? How much computer skills do you need? Keep in mind that I was very proud of myself when I figured out how to put pictures on TBN! It would be very helpful to look at my goofy ideas in 3d, as I to am very "visual".

DavidVT · Mar 12, 2011

Google Sketch is indeed free! Sure there is a pro version but the regular one is great.
I have spent the last few weeks learning to use it somewhat. While I am pretty good with the computer stuff, I have zero experience with any form of CAD.

Jump and and try it. There are tons of Utube videos to help get you started.

I use it to visualize projects that exist in 2D but do not yet have the justification for hard core 3D modeling. I have learned to pull in a picture or even a 2D cad file (DWG) and then extrude the project from those drawings. (DWG import was in older versions but seems to have moved to the paid version now)

Enjoy

magicheater · Mar 12, 2011

Just get it and play. Great free way to learn some cad similar basics. :thumbsup:

Iplayfarmer · Mar 14, 2011

I tried to learn a few CAD type programs before I tried Sketchup. For me sketchup was much more intuitive, and the help available online is amazing.

Here's another one for you Sketchup enthusiasts to look into. I just found it Saturday night... SketchyPhysics

It's a plugin for sketchup that lets you model 3D in motion. I played with it for about an hour yesterday, and I am amazed at the possibilities this now opens up.

lostcause · Mar 14, 2011

someone told me about sketchup a few years back, and i messed around with it some. i must be the odd person out, because i didn't have the best luck with it. i do like the concept, but i sometimes had trouble with it extruding and shrinking things more than i wanted, plus, sometimes the polygons would disappear when doing certain edits. i also often end up with multiple line segments stacked on top of one another. i also had trouble navigating when my project got too complex. i'm sure that it's all just me, because i see a lot of other people making impressive stuff with it.

maybe i'll sit down and mess with it again sometime, but for now i will probably stick with what i know. i use a 2d cad program called autosketch, from autodesk. it was originally marketed as drafix, but at some point in the past, autodesk bought it and took it over. i bought a one version out of date copy off ebay a couple years ago for about $30 and i've had good luck with it. granted, it is not a 3d modeling package, so if you make a change, you have to follow the change through completely, but that's not a problem for me. that's what i did for a living for the previous 20 years. probably also why i find certain packages more suited for me.

eazyduzzit · Mar 14, 2011

I love Sketchup too!
I tried several CAD products and couldn't draw anything, but with Sketchup I've designed and built many woodworking projects and a barn.
It made cutting the angles for the barn rafters easy, because I already knew what angles and lengths I needed.

Aussiebushman · Mar 15, 2011

magicheater said:
Just get it and play. Great free way to learn some cad similar basics. :thumbsup:

Tried that! I'm not being lazy and have been through the tutorials, so it would be appreciated if someone could advise where to look.

I prefer to draw each object to a specific dimension - say a line 3200 mm long. So far, it seems possible only to draw the line, dimension it, then adjust it to the desired length. There must be a better way.

Alan

Iplayfarmer · Mar 15, 2011

Aussiebushman said:
Tried that! I'm not being lazy and have been through the tutorials, so it would be appreciated if someone could advise where to look.

I prefer to draw each object to a specific dimension - say a line 3200 mm long. So far, it seems possible only to draw the line, dimension it, then adjust it to the desired length. There must be a better way.

Alan

To draw your line after selecting the line tool, click once to start the line (without moving the mouse). Drag your mouse (without clicking) to start the line in the direction you want it and type in the length of the line. Press enter, and you should have a line that is exactly the dimension you typed in. When you start using sketchup it will ask you what dimensions you want to use... i.e. inches or millimeters. You can do the same thing for boxes, circles, and all the other shapes. The other helpful hint is that you can use the arrow keys to lock in the orientation to the three axes.

There's definately a knack to sketchup. It takes some time to figure out all the details, but to me it was easy to pick up vs. requiring classes and books to figure out most CAD programs.