Chiefwoodworker's Blog

It’s out and it’s disappointing. If you are a free version user of SketchUp you have a new name to deal with for 2013: SketchUp Make. In addition you are more restricted in your use of SketchUp Make; you can not use it for business or profit oriented activities in any way. Other than that, you don’t have much to look forward to from a user interface point of view. It is quite possible that SketchUp Make (and SketchUp Pro) are a lot faster in some applications and hopefully more stable and less buggy. But the jury will be out on that for some time.

SketchUp Pro has some new features that are nice in the LayOut application; most notably you have cross section fill capability. But there is very little in the SketchUp application itself of import.

Higher price, uglier icons, still Ruby 1.6 internally even though Ruby is up to 2.0, no improvement in Ruby console (I thought sure Unit Test would make it in there) etc. etc. etc. Let’s hope they did something of value when they expose the under the hood changes. Right now, very disappointing.

The one thing that is obvious is the toolbar set up. You can now set up your toolbar with its own dialog box and when you collapse the window the toolbars and position is returned when the wind is expanded, Nice, but setting up the tool bar is a onetime thing and I could easily have lived with the old method. And Save Toolbar Postions worked quite nicely. What I don’t like about the new toolbar behavior is that I can’t place a vertical x 2 column on the left or right side. It forces a x 1 horizontal column when I try.
The fill capability in LayOut is nice, but it would have been better if it were integrated into the Section tool in SketchUp. I haven’t checked my list of bugs yet, but I bet when I do printing to scale and printing extents still isn’t fixed; a problem that has existed since the beginning of time. So far Trimble gets a failing grade from me for its influence on SketchUp.

I hope I have to retract or alter my First Blush opinion on SketchUp 2013. Trust me, I would happily do so it warranted. But I am not hopeful.

In CutList Bridge Tutorial – Part 1 I demonstrated how to use CutList Bridge to create a cut list for a furniture piece us a Shaker Tall Clock SketchUp model. In Part 2 I use a custom kitchen cabinet to demonstrate how to you the Cabinet Mode features of CutList Bridge. While Cabinet Mode features are particularly useful for custom cabinetmakers it is also useful for furniture designers and craftsmen. I think this video will be well worth you while whatever style of woodworking you do.

Before viewing this video be sure to download and install CutList Bridge 2.5. The previous version had a bug that could make following along with this video frustrating.

Also, you will notice that in version 2.5 you no longer have to use the Save Attributes button as was necessary in previous versions and witnessed in Part 1. All entries are now saved as you enter them.

MAC users may have had trouble using CutList Bridge because of an OS/Safari Browser bug. When you download and install CutList Bridge 2.5 you will be shown a workaround if you have this problem.

Downloading CutList Bridge

CutList Bridge can be downloaded and installed by following the highlighted link; the target post will always host the most recent version of CutList Bridge.

Overview of CutList Bridge

CutList Bridge adds two export commands to the File menu and one dialog box to the Window menu of Trimble SketchUp. The export commands are:

• Export to CutList Plus fx
• Export to Microsoft Excel or OpenOffice

The dialog box is called Extended Entity Info and as its name implies is complements and extends the Entity Info dialog box.

When CutList Bridge is installed, as indicated by the availability of these commands and dialog box, a basic cut list can be produced simply by selecting one copy of your model using the Select tool and then choosing one of the export commands from the file menu. Simple as that.

However, the Extended Entity Info dialog box can be used to assign additional attributes to your components, which will produce a richer and much more useful cut list. This first video tutorial will show you how to create a basic cut list and then embellish the cut list with material types (rough lumber, dimensioned lumber, sheet good and other items), material names (cherry, walnut etc.), sub assembly groupings and notes. Subsequent video tutorials will show you how to assign attributes helpful for cabinetry and architectural models.

Downloading the Video to Your Computer

Sometimes the performance of your internet connection, the load on it at a particular time of day, and the length of these video tutorials can all conspire to provide you a frustrating and impossible viewing experience. If this happens it may be preferable to download the entire video unto your system and view it on your local video player. The video file is an mp4. It can be viewed with most video players including QuickTime and Media Player. If you have a default, or user specified, file association for .mp4 you may have to delete it or use a download manager to download this file. Otherwise the associated application may be invoked and file streaming will prevail over downloading. There are numerous free download managers on the internet. Be careful, and do some research to locate one that is not loaded with spyware or viruses.

If you are on a PC platform running Windows OS and have Internet Explorer or Firefox you don’t have to change file association or use a downloader. Simply right click on the link(s) below and choose Save Link As. When Explorer opens choose a destination folder and select Save.

To download this video click here or paste

http://blip.tv/file/get/Chiefwoodworker-CutListBridgeTutorialPart2111.mp4

into your download manager.

Viewing in Your Browser

You may find it easier to view the video in full screen mode. Start the video before selecting this mode. To enter full screen mode click the little screen icon at the bottom of the video player. When in full screen view hold your cursor near the bottom of the screen to access the video player’s controls. Exit full screen mode with the Esc key. This part is approximately 33 minutes long. Sit back, relax and enjoy the show!

CutList Bridge 2.5 is now available for download. CutList Bridge comes with a CutList Bridge User’s Guide that will explain installation procedures and all features and functionality. The User’s Guide gives three examples of types of woodworking that benefit from its features. You can download CutList Bridge 2.5 with this link. Please report all strange behavior or bugs to jpz@srww.com and don’t hesitate to write if you need help.

Changes In Version 2.5

Version 2.5 fixes a bug introduced in version 2.4 and is a must upgrade. This bug will cause the user to potentially loose work and attributes. In version 2.4 I changed and included code to make it unnecessary to use the Save Attributes key to save attributes. Each input change is saved as it is entered. If multiple components are selected and an attribute is entered or changed, only that attribute will be changed in all selected components. Blank fields, unless one or more became blank due to an intentional change, will not be written to all components. This eliminates the need for the Save Attributes button. The button remains but is harmless and it will be removed in version 3.0.

In the process of making this change to version 2.4 I introduced a bug that is fixed in version 2.5. Sorry folks.

Help With Installation

Download the CutList Bridge User’s Guide and locate the Installation section in the index. After reviewing this section also review Installing Ruby Plugins and follow the instructions under the heading “Older versions of SketchUp and .rb files”.

CutList Bridge Tutorial Series

I have begun a series of tutorial videos to help you learn the features of CutList Bridge. Part 1 of 3 was recently released and can be found at CutList Bridge Tutorial – Part 1. Part 2 was released today and can be found at CutList Bridge Tutorial – Part 2. Stay tuned for Part 3.

Attention MAC Users

Known Issue With Version 2.5

If you are a MAC user and have the latest Safari Version 6.0.2 but do not have the latest OSX Mountain Lion installed, you will not be able to use CutList Bridge to add component attributes. Safari 6.0.2 in older versions of the OSX make text input fields black instead of white masking the black characters entered by the user. This is a MAC problem and not a CutList Bridge 2.5 problem.

However, I have provided a work around. If, after you install CutList Bridge as instructed above, your input fields show up with black backgrounds, follow these instructions:

1. Download alternate_cutlist_bridge_css.zip by clicking on this hyperlink.
2. Extract the file cutlist_bridge.css from the ZIP folder and move it to the folder …. \Plugins\cutlist_bridge\cutlist_bridge (note the two levels of cutlist_bridge folder). This replaces the file of the same name that is already in your Plugins file under folder \cutlist_bridge\cutlist_bridge (note again the two levels of cutlist_bridge folder).
3. Close SketchUp and reopen it. You CutList Bridge input fields will still have a black background, but your entries will be red characters making them visible.

Models To Practice With

There are three models which you can download that already have attributes assigned. You can use these models to produce a cut list and experiment with changes to the attributes. The Shaker Tall Clock demonstrates most of the basic features of CutList Bridge. Base Cabinet, thanks to Matt Richardson and Greg Larson of NESAW, demonstrates most of the special Cabinet Mode features. SketchUp Home demonstrates a very large cut list whose Sub-Assembly names are automatically generated with the Sub-Assembly by Layer feature. Click the links below to download each model.

Shaker Tall Clock
Base Cabinet
SketchUp Home

Below is an image of a SketchUp cut list exported to OpenOffice. Not all lines are shown.

In addition to posting here on my own blog, I am now posting on American Woodworker (AW). My AW posts will focus on SketchUp and related issues. I will be posting approximately four times a month. In addition to the link above you can access my AW posts from the AW home page under the heading Contributor’s Blogs. And don’t forget, my Beginner’s and Intermediate SketchUp videos can be accessed on AmericanWoodworker.TV. Check it out and visit me at both sites!

In my 10-6-2012 issue of Chiefwoodworker’ Newsletter on page 15, I wrote at length about my Trimble SketchUp Ruby Script plugin called CutList Bridge (Version 2.2). As its name implies CutList Bridge permits quick and efficient cut list creation by exporting SketchUp dimensions and other key component attributes to a .csv file. This .csv file can then be imported into CutList Plus fx or any application supporting the comma-separated-value format, such as Microsoft Excel and Open/Office.

In the case of exporting to the latter two applications decimal equivalents of thickness, width and length can be exported. This permits the user to add equations in the spreadsheet to calculate board feet, area, total sheets, linear feet or weight. CutList Plus fx will do all but calculate weight on its own. The Base Cabinet shown above left produces the following cut list when exported to OpenOffice. Note the organization by material type (Rough Lumber, Dimensioned Lumber etc.), Sub-Assembly and Description (component). Click on the images to see larger formats.

Downloading CutList Bridge

CutList Bridge can be downloaded and installed by following the highlighted link; the target post will always host the most recent version of CutList Bridge.

Overview of CutList Bridge

CutList Bridge adds two export commands to the File menu and one dialog box to the Window menu of Trimble SketchUp. The export commands are:

• Export to CutList Plus fx
• Export to Microsoft Excel or OpenOffice

The dialog box is called Extended Entity Info and as its name implies is complements and extends the Entity Info dialog box.

When CutList Bridge is installed, as indicated by the availability of these commands and dialog box, a basic cut list can be produced simply by selecting one copy of your model using the Select tool and then choosing one of the export commands from the file menu. Simple as that.

However, the Extended Entity Info dialog box can be used to assign additional attributes to your components, which will produce a richer and much more useful cut list. This first video tutorial will show you how to create a basic cut list and then embellish the cut list with material types (rough lumber, dimensioned lumber, sheet good and other items), material names (cherry, walnut etc.), sub assembly groupings and notes. Subsequent video tutorials will show you how to assign attributes helpful for cabinetry and architectural models.

Downloading the Video to Your Computer

Sometimes the performance of your internet connection, the load on it at a particular time of day, and the length of these video tutorials can all conspire to provide you a frustrating and impossible viewing experience. If this happens it may be preferable to download the entire video unto your system and view it on your local video player. The video file is an mp4. It can be viewed with most video players including QuickTime and Media Player. If you have a default, or user specified, file association for .mp4 you may have to delete it or use a download manager to download this file. Otherwise the associated application may be invoked and file streaming will prevail over downloading. There are numerous free download managers on the internet. Be careful, and do some research to locate one that is not loaded with spyware or viruses.

If you are on a PC platform running Windows OS and have Internet Explorer or Firefox you don’t have to change file association or use a downloader. Simply right click on the link(s) below and choose Save Link As. When Explorer opens choose a destination folder and select Save.

To download this video click here or paste

http://blip.tv/file/get/Chiefwoodworker-CutListBridgeTutorialPart1342.mp4

into your download manager.

Viewing in Your Browser

You may find it easier to view the video in full screen mode. Start the video before selecting this mode. To enter full screen mode click the little screen icon at the bottom of the video player. When in full screen view hold your cursor near the bottom of the screen to access the video player’s controls. Exit full screen mode with the Esc key. This part is approximately 33 minutes long. Sit back, relax and enjoy the show!

As most of you already know, Trimble acquired the SketchUp division from Google. Fortunately, Trimble SketchUp 8 is still free and a powerful tool that is being used by woodworkers everywhere. The Pro version is used by professional to model and design everything from bottles to skyscrapers.

Yours truly will be giving two fall courses in Beginner’s SketchUp. In these courses we will use the free version to model a Bedside Table complete with tapered legs, mortise and tenon joinery, beveled top, dovetailed drawer trimmed with bull nose cock beading and a Shaker style drawer pull. We will begin by learning how to install SketchUp, setup application preferences, choose model defaults and customize a template. Next we will tour the work area and become familiar with its tools. The heart of this course is modeling the Bedside Table and producing dimensioned shop drawings and photorealistic textured images. At the course end each student will have completed a textured model and shop drawings; the textured model is shown above. Finally, we will learn how to extend the functionality of SketchUp through the use and customization of Ruby scripts. A notebook computer with SketchUp 8 installed is required for this course.

Sign up and join me for a fun filled learning experience. One that will pay dividends for many years and woodworking projects to come.

New England School of Architectural Woodworking (NESAW)

The NESAW Introduction to Google SketchUp course is a series of five Thursday evening meetings at NESAW in Easthampton, MA. Classes run from 6:30 – 9:30 pm October 11th through November 8th. No materials are needed beyond a notebook with SketchUp 8 installed. Go to either of the following links to register or seek further information.

http://www.nesaw.com/

http://www.workbenchschool.com/

Connecticut Valley School of Woodworking (CVSW)

The CVSW A Beginners Guide to Using SketchUp in Woodworking is a two day course given Manchester, CT. Classes run from 9:30 – 5:00 pm on Saturday & Sunday, December 8th & 9th. No materials are needed beyond a notebook with SketchUp 8 installed. Go to the following link to register or seek further information.

http://www.schoolofwoodworking.com/

You may not be aware, but there is a free application called OpenOffice that is largely equivalent to Microsoft Office. It can be downloaded at http://download.openoffice.fm/free/ . One note of caution; there are a few extra applications that get installed with OpenOffice that are marketing data gathering software. You are supposed to be able to opt-in at install time, but the opt-in process is so obscure that most people will miss it. However, you can remove these application after installation if you miss the opt-in process.

I have downloaded Open Office and gave it a test drive with CutList Bridge 2.0. It works with one very minor problem. First, when exporting from SketchUp use the File/Export to Microsoft Excel command. Next, when importing to OpenOffice Spreadsheet use the File/Open command with All files (*.*) selected for Files of type:, and then a dialog box will appear. See the image on the left (click to enlarge). Clear any single quote or double quote (‘ or "") in the Text delimiter drop down box. You don’t have a choice of blank in the drop down, but just select any character(s) in that box and delete them. Make sure you have the Comma check box selected and none other. Hit OK and you will get a cut list similar to that shown in the image at right.

The double quotes in the left hand column should not be there. They are a result of a bug I have in my script which Excel overlooks, hence I have never seen it. I will fix it in the next bug fix release. This bug does not affect either CutList Plus or Excel. Simply select these cells and delete their content.

So far I am quite impressed with Open Office. I don’t know why I haven’t tried it before today. If you are looking for a complete free solution from 3D modeling of woodworking projects to shop cut lists then the combination of SketchUp, CutList Bridge 2.0 and OpenOffice is your answer.

At the suggestion of Greg Larson, owner and operator of the New England School of Architectural Woodworking, and with his help, I have developed a cut list export tool for SketchUp. Why another cut list tool? Don’t we have enough already? Well, this has some unique features that are tailored to architectural cabinetmaking design and build, though these features can be used for all types of woodworking models.

This release is Revision 1.0. It comes with a CutList Bridge User’s Guide that will explain all features and functionality. The User’s Guide gives three examples of types of woodworking that benefit from its features. You can download CutList Bridge with this link. Please report all strange behavior or bugs to jpz@srww.com and don’t hesitate to write if you need help.

There are three models which you can download that already have attributes assigned. You can use these models to produce a cut list and experiment with changes to the attributes. The Shaker Tall Clock demonstrates most of the basic features of CutList Bridge. Base Cabinet, thanks to Matt Richardson and Greg Larson of NESAW, demonstrates most of the special Cabinet Mode features. SketchUp Home demonstrates a very large cut list whose Sub-Assembly names are automatically generated with the Sub-Assembly by Layer feature. Click the links below to download each model.

Shaker Tall Clock
Base Cabinet
SketchUp Home

Happy Bridging!

Major Features of CutList Bridge

1. Seamlessly bridges SketchUp and CutList Plus fx or Microsoft Excel
CutList Plus fx is a highly functional cut list creator, costing tool, proposal generator and inventory manager for woodworking shops. Google SketchUp is a powerful 3D drawing tool ideally suited for furniture and architectural cabinet design and photorealistic rendering. These two tools do not naturally work together. CutList Bridge solves that problem by seamlessly bridging these two applications. If you do not use CutList Plus fx, no problem. You can export your cut list to Microsoft Excel.

2. All cut list attributes are entered in SketchUp and remain with the model file
CutList Plus fx requires the user to manually re-enter dimensions and other component attributes such as material type, material name, notes and banding. Attributes that can be generated automatically from the design’s 3D model and which ideally belong with the design file. CutList Bridge allows the user to enter and store all attributes with the model file and provides features for editing and exporting. Attributes which can be automatically generated from the 3D model, such as component dimensions and grain direction corrections are also handled in CutList Bridge.

3. Sub-Assembly names can be assigned in SketchUp explicitly or automatically by Layer name
In CutList Plus fx a Sub-Assembly name is typically used to group a collection of components. For example: in a model of a chest-of-drawers you may want two Sub-Assembly names; one called Carcass for all the components that make up the basic support structure, and one called Drawers for all components that make up the drawers. A grandfather clock may have Sub-Assembly names of Hood, Waist and Base. A trundle bed might be divided into Headboard, Footboard, Sides and Trundle. A kitchen cabinet may have sub-assemblies of Cabinet, Face Frame, Drawers and Doors. CutList Bridge allows the user to assign Sub-Assembly names in SketchUp prior to exporting to CutList Plus fx.

Sub-Assembly names can also be assigned by layer using the layer’s name. For example, as stick frame house designed in SketchUp may be organized with layer names such as Footing, Foundation, 1^st Floor Joists, 1^st Floor Framing, 2^nd Floor Framing etc. These layer names can automatically be used as the Sub-Assembly names in CutList Bridge fx.

4. Assign oversize/undersize dimensions in SketchUp via the Cabinet Mode Resize feature
<Info> is a CutList Plus fx field that is intended as a short note. However, it has two significant differences from the Notes field provided by CutList Plus fx. First, <Info> shows up in the CutList Plus fx spreadsheet whereas Notes only appear on the Parts printout. Second, if a CutList Plus fx spreadsheet is locked to prevent accidental change, <Info> can still be changed allowing for cutting status to be input. See the CutList Plus fx User’s Guide for more information.

CutList Bridge extends the use of <Info> when used in a special mode called Cabinet Mode. In Cabinet Mode parts can be oversized or undersized in length and width using the Resize feature, and these dimensions will appear in the CutList Plus fx <Info Field>. The user has the choice of displaying the increment of over/under size or the over/under sized finished dimension for each of width or length.

5. Assign Notes in SketchUp while designing the model
Notes can be assigned in SketchUp for each component. These will be exported to the Notes field in CutList Plus fx.

6. Both Milled Parts and Other Items are supported
CutList Plus fx supports two classes of components: Milled Parts, which are typically Rough Lumber, Dimensioned Lumber or Sheet Goods that are milled into a component in the shop. CutList Bridge also supports Other Items such as drawer pulls, consumables such as screws, biscuits, dominos or any other non-milled components which are typically purchased.

7. All Milled Part attributes can be assigned in SketchUp
Milled Parts, as mentioned, are components milled from Rough Lumber, Dimensioned Lumber or Sheet Goods. Each Milled Part component can be assigned the following:

a. Material Type – Rough Lumber, Dimensioned Lumber or Sheet Goods

b. Material Name – e.g. Tiger Maple

c. Banding – A code to indicate which sides are banded and which banding material to use.

d. Swap L/W – The user can specify in SketchUp any component whose length and width should be swapped. CutList Plus fx assumes the length field specifies the grain direction. However, there are times when the short dimension of a board should be the grain direction. Check Swap L/W to accomplish this.

e. Can Rotate? – Many material types have no grain. To assist CutList Plus fx in optimizing material use you can specify in SketchUp which Components can be rotated by CutList Plus fx.

8. Cabinet Mode provides Auto-Swap of L & W and Over/Under sizing of cut list parts
Cabinet Mode is a sub-mode of Milled Parts. It is selected in CutList Bridge by checking its checkbox. When selected <Info> is no longer available in the usual way. However, when selected another very useful and key option becomes available in addition to three more fields.

a. Enable Auto-Swap – This is a feature that automatically determines which components should have their lengths and widths swapped, independent of dimensions, based on a Component’s Type. In cabinet design there is a basic box with components that can be labeled Back, Bottom, Shelf, Side or Top. Based on these attributes L & W will be automatically swapped when needed such that grain runs up a side, across a top, down a side and across the bottom to the starting point. Back grain will always be in the vertical direction. Shelves will have a grain direction that is horizontal (side to side) while its cross grain direction is perpendicular to the Back’s plane.

b. Component Type – As mentioned is assigned with a drop down list and can be either Back, Bottom, Shelf, Side or Top.

c. Resize Width By – The user can specify a dimension to resize the width by (the increment, or decrement when preceded with a minus sign). The Width column in CutList Plus will contain this resized dimension.

d. Resize Length By – The user can specify a dimension to resize the length by (the increment, or decrement when preceded with a minus sign). The Length column in CutList Plus will contain this resized dimension.

The user is able to choose display options for the <Info> and Description fields that will modify what information appear in these fields in CutList Plus fx. More on this later.

9. Other Items can be specified while modeling in SketchUp
Components that are not milled in the shop, but are purchased, may be specified in the Other Items’ Item field. If the name specified in the Other Items’ Item field exists in the Raw Materials library of CutList Plus fx this component and its quantity will be appropriately categorized and added to the BOM in CutList Plus fx. If the name specified does not exist in CutList Plus fx it will still be imported but added to the [Not Categorized] Other Items category.

10. Exporting is a Selection and One Menu Command
Exporting a .csv file from SketchUp is as simple as selecting a complete model and choosing menu command File/Export to CutList Plus fx. That’s it. A .csv file is generated with the same name as your .skp model file name and placed in the same folder.

OK, a little dramatic, but I had to get your attention. We all know how difficult it is to manage SketchUp layers; specifically which layers primitives reside on. The biggest problem newbie SketchUp users have, bay far, is spreading primitives over layers, often multiple layers, other than Layer0. I wrote a script called layers.rb or Layers Manager. That tool does several things, but most importantly it warns you if you try to make a layer other than Layer0 active. Making a layer other than zero is a major cause of modeling problems.

However, there are numerous ways to get into trouble besides changing the active layer. In fact SketchUp seems to want to help you get into trouble. If you have a group or component instance which resides on a layer other than zero, but whose primitives are correctly residing on Layer0, and then use context tool Explode, SketchUp will move the primitives to the layer the group or component instance was on. Let’s say I have a component called Cube, and I place it on Layer Cube after first drawing it and making it a component on Layer0. Cube will be a correctly formed component; its primitive will be on Layer0 and Cube will reside on Layer Cube. As I make Layer Cube visible or invisible my Cube component will be displayed or hidden.

Now suppose I decide to explode Cube using the context menu Explode tool. I select Cube and Explode it. Cube (that instance of it, not the library component) will be deleted, but in its place, on Layer Cube will be all the primitives that belonged to Cube and was originally on Layer0. Why is SketchUp so helpful? I don’t know.

Fortunately Steve gave us two context tools. One called Explode to Layer 0, which works the way Explode should work; it deletes the group or component instance while leaving its primitive on Layer0.

The second tool is even more helpful. If you get well into a model before you discover you have major spreading of primitives, don’t panic. The solution is only one two clicks away. First use the select tool to select all groups and components in your model. Next context click and choose Primitives to Layer 0. This tool will examine each group and component in the selection, recursively drill down if any are hierarchical, and place all primitives on Layer0. It will leave all groups and component instances correctly formed independent of the layer they are on. I highly recommend making this tool a part of your Ruby script plugins.

Download the To Zero Tool

You can download the To Zero ruby script by clicking here. This is a compressed file and needs to be unzipped or decompressed. Simply extract it to your Plugins folder.

If you find this tool as useful as I do please drop Steve a line and let him know. You can get contact information by visiting his website, http://www.slbaumgartner.com/, and while you are there browse his gallery of fine furniture.

Viewing The To Zero Video

You can view the To Zero video by pressing the play icon below or by downloading it to your system.

The video file is mp4. It can be viewed with most video players including QuickTime and Media Player. If you have a default, or user specified, file association for .mp4 you may have to delete it or use a download manager to download this file. Otherwise the associated application may be invoked and file streaming will prevail over downloading. There are numerous free download managers on the internet. Be careful, and do some research to locate one that is not loaded with spyware or viruses.

If you are on a PC platform running Windows OS and have Internet Explorer or Firefox you don’t have to change file association or use a downloader. Simply right click on the link(s) below and choose Save Link As. When Explorer opens choose a destination folder and select Save.

To download Introducing SketchUp Tool Face To Face click on or paste

http://blip.tv/file/get/Chiefwoodworker-SteveBaumgartnersToZeroSketchUpTool108.mp4

into your browser or download manager.

Full Screen Viewing

You may find it easier to view the video in full screen mode. Start the video before selecting this mode. To enter full screen mode click the little screen icon at the bottom of the video player. When in full screen view hold your cursor near the bottom of the screen to access the video

With a lot of help from Steve Baumgartner I added a Face To Face tool to the Construction Plus Toolbar. Face To Face tool’s icon is shown at left. Excuse my artistry; the tool’s icon is supposed to be two faces looking at each other representing the Face To Face tool. If there is a real artist out there who wishes to donate a better icon please feel free to do so.

So what does Face To Face do?

Have you ever wanted to make the face of one object align with the face of another object, on the same or parallel plane, facing each other? Well now it takes just two clicks. Better yet, neither face has to align with a major plane (red/green, red/blue or blue/green). Both faces can be at any angle to any of the major planes.

In addition to aligning the faces on the same or parallel planes and facing each other, you can select a point on an edge of one object and move it to a point on the edge of a second object, just like the Move tool. You will see in the included video that Face To Face is often a better move tool that Move tool itself.

Lastly, if the points chosen in the previous paragraph are each end points of an edge that are brought together, then the edges themselves can be made collinear (brought together).

This may all seem complex, but it isn’t. I will demonstrate the tool completely in the accompanying video. But first I need to explain a few things. The tool asks for Reference and Subject Faces, Reference and Subject Points and Reference and Subject Edges. Reference simply means the object that will not move, but serves as the face, point or edge that the Subject object will align to. To complicate things a little bit more, but in the name of flexibility, the Reference and Subject objects do not have to be the same objects for Face, Point and Edge alignment. The only restriction is that a Subject object must be a non-nested Group or Component Instance. The Reference object can be a primitive (Face or Edge), Group or Component Instance.

Lastly, there are six modes of operation: Face To Face; Point To Point; Edge To Edge; Face & Point To Face & Point; Point & Edge To Point & Edge; and Face, Point & Edge To Face, Point & Edge.

• Face To Face aligns the selected Subject face to the selected Reference face such that they are on the same or parallel planes with the two faces facing each other. The exception is when one of the faces are reversed and the other is not i.e. facing inward to the object. In that case the two faces will be facing in the same direction.
• Point To Point moves the Subject object to the Reference object, joining them at the selected points.
• Edge To Edge aligns the selected Subject edge such that it is collinear with the selected Reference edge.
• Face & Point To Face & Point performs the Face To Face operation first and then the Point To Point operation.
• Point & Edge To Point & Edge performs the Point To Point operation first followed by the Edge To Edge operation.
• Face, Point & Edge To Face, Point & Edge performs Face To Face operation first, Point To Point second and Edge To Edge third.

The cursor provides guidance by telling the user what the tool is looking for as explained below:

The cursor will have an arrow pointing to the object you wish to select. The letter R or S will be prominent; R for Reference and S for Subject. There will be a face, line or point to indicate what the user should choose. The icon at left asks the user to choose a Reference Face. The icon at right asks the user to choose a Subject Face.

Similarly, the cursor at left asks the user to choose a Reference Point, while the one at right asks the user to choose a Subject Point.

As you probably guessed, the cursor at left asks the user to choose a Reference Edge while the one at right asks the user to choose a Subject Edge.

Modes can be changed with the Tab key. The last mode selected becomes the default. When you reopen SketchUp the default mode will be the active mode it opens to.

The Esc key has two functions: first, if you need to use a camera tools such as Orbit, Pan or Zoom, you can return to the Face To Face tool where you left off by pressing the Esc key; second, if you wish to abort an operation and reset the tool simply press the Esc key.

The Undo/Redo tools can be used to Undo/Redo each step of the operation.

When might you use the Face To Face tool?

Often, especially when you are working with furniture or home design where faces are at angles to major planes, you find it easier to draw a component in place. Shortly thereafter you discover that the bounding box is misaligned to the part. This causes real problems for tools such as Cut List and Get Dimensions. With Face To Face you can easily align the component instance to a major plane and axis, explode it and remake the component. Now the bounding box will supply the correct dimensions to Cut List or Get Dimensions.

Imagine the problem in reverse. You draw the component aligned with a major plane and axis resulting in a bounding box that is correct, but now you need to move the component instance into place. You realize that the face of the component instance is not aligned to a major plane or axis. An example is moving a roof rafter into place. The end of the rafter must align with the surface of a ridge board; a perfect application for the Face To Face tool.

Does this occur in the design of furniture? Yes, a lot if your furniture has trim or sides not aligned to a major plane and axis. This is especially true with complex miter joints. Face To Face is not a tool you will use all the time, but when you need to align irregular faces, it is the perfect tool.

The video below will give you a complete demonstration of Face To Face tool. The Construction Plus toolbar and its tools can be obtained by downloading the zip file here and extracting it to your plugins folder. A SketchUp Face To Face Practice File can be downloaded here to help you follow along and practice using Face To Face.

Viewing The Face To Face Tutorial

You can view Introducing SketchUp Tool Face To Face by pressing the play icon below or by downloading it to your system.

The video file is mp4. It can be viewed with most video players including QuickTime and Media Player. If you have a default, or user specified, file association for .mp4 you may have to delete it or use a download manager to download this file. Otherwise the associated application may be invoked and file streaming will prevail over downloading. There are numerous free download managers on the internet. Be careful, and do some research to locate one that is not loaded with spyware or viruses.

If you are on a PC platform running Windows OS and have Internet Explorer or Firefox you don’t have to change file association or use a downloader. Simply right click on the link(s) below and choose Save Link As. When Explorer opens choose a destination folder and select Save.

To download Introducing SketchUp Tool Face To Face click on or paste

http://blip.tv/file/get/Chiefwoodworker-IntroducingSketchUpToolFaceToFace803.mp4

into your browser or download manager.

Full Screen Viewing

You may find it easier to view the video in full screen mode. Start the video before selecting this mode. To enter full screen mode click the little screen icon at the bottom of the video player. When in full screen view hold your cursor near the bottom of the screen to access the video