For 5+ years my beginner’s and intermediate tutorials were free; approximately six hours of instructional video each tutorial. During that period two things happened: First the cost of producing and maintaining those videos grew to the point where my fixed income could no longer support it. Second, it became clear that I could not reach as many potential SketchUp users as an organization like American Woodworker could, and my goal has always been to help woodworkers learn this powerful and useful too.

It costs me just shy of $100 a month to host and maintain my blog and that does not include the expensive software I need to purchase and maintain to produce videos, blog posts, graphics etc. And of course none of that includes my time, which I gladly donate to producing my videos and blog material. Since my videos have been on American Woodworker the number of people viewing them has increased about 12 times, which means I can help 12 time as many woodworkers learn SketchUp.

My website and blog are still a source of free videos and SketchUp plugins and will always be. Of the $20 a viewer pays for my videos I receive a small fraction. So I don’t think it is sad that these videos are available for the small fee of $20 for six hours of instructional video. Not at all. I am quite pleased with the opportunity to work with American Woodworker to bring woodworkers these videos.

Joe….

Spent an enjoyable 30 minutes or so browsing the site, also well executed.

Recently retired, I built a 30 x 40 workshop on my property in Southern Illinois, and started equipping it 3 years prior to retirement. Much the same equipment as I see here, except most of my stationary machinery is Grizzly, with the exception of a new Unisaw. I then lucked into nearly 5,000 feet of clear, old growth local lumber, which I helped a local sawyer quarter saw (all of it!)

I stuffed so much equipment and supplies into my shop before actually planning the layout, that I can barely move around, especially after adding the lumber and a large rack of sheet goods. I’m ashamed to admit I have a few pieces that have never been turned on, except to see what they sounded like.

Because of unforeseen medical issues, I’m now limited to small projects, that I can safely handle safely using a cane and limited available standing time.

My White Oak is destined for flooring (I’m keeping a few hundred feet of it), for either a new home or a major remodel, depending on my wife’s wishes (and my skill with SketchUp).

I enjoy a limited amount of time in my shop, and spend the rest of it reading about the craft, and vicariously enjoying it though magazines, books, and on the web.

Your site has been a treat!

Thanks again for the tour.

John

The Add Invisible Layer tool only adds a layer who’s Visibility box is unchecked in current and future scenes (until changed). You still need to put each dimension on that layer. I usually do this at the end when I have created all the dimensions I want. Then I use the Select tool with the Ctrl key held down and select all the dimensions. Using the Layer drop down box I place the dimensions on the layer I added for them.

Also you need to check the Visibility box for the layer you added and the Scene you are trying to create and then Update the Scene.

If this doesn’t solve your problem send me your .skp fie to jpz@srww.com and I will tell you what the problem is.

Joe….

Ron

And welcome to SketchUp. I think you will like it. A lot of cabinetmakers use it professionally. If I can help in any way with SketchUp please let me know.

Joe…

Thanks for the heads up on the bad hyperlink. If it is not too much trouble can you email me the link that is old? My email is jpz@srww.com.

Now that SketchUp is part of Trimble I expect a lot of improvements coming (bigger budget for the team). SO you can’t coax me back to TurboCAD; no way! ;<)

Joe….