Google SketchUp Overview

Google SketchUp is a 3D sketching, modeling, design and photorealistic rendering tool. For an overview of its capabilities see my American Woodworker post SketchUp Comes To American Woodworker. If you are interested in learning how to use SketchUp I have provided a Beginner's SketchUp Webinar in eight parts, which can be accessed below. That webinar can be followed up with my Intermediate SketchUp Webinar, also below.

Beginner's SketchUp Webinar

This eight part Beginner's SketchUp Webinar uses a Bedside Table I designed and crafted as a vehicle for learning SketchUp. A photograph of the completed table is shown at left. I supply all the dimensions and walk the novice through the entire modeling, dimensioning, texturing and rendering of a computer generated image shown right (click on image to enlarge). At the end of the webinar you have a complete set of shop drawings which can be used to craft the table. No prior knowledge of Google SketchUp is required. The webinar can be found on the AmericanWoodworer.TV website.

Intermediate SketchUp Webinar

As follow-on to my eight part Beginner's SketchUp Webinar, I have created an intermediate level webinar which will focus on methods for drawing furniture pieces that contain curves. This webinar begins with simple circular curves and builds in each installment to complex Bezier spline curved pieces. Each installment uses an actual furniture piece I’ve designed and built or designed with intention to build. I provide the SketchUp model for the entire piece on my Free Plans page so that anyone who wishes, can download the entire design. The webinar can be found on the AmericanWoodworer.TV website.

IDX Renditioner for Google SketchUp

IDX Renditioner is a plug-in offered by IMSI/Design for SketchUp. IDX Renditioner provides photorealistic renderings of SketchUp models. Here are two example renderings of my Cherry Chest Of Drawers model created by IMSI/Design Senior Director William Manning.

Cherry Chests - Notice grain & nails on back.
Cherry Chests - Notice top grain and dovetail end grain.

Printing To Scale In SketchUp

I am often asked how you print shop drawings to scale in SketchUp. I have usually answered this question with an email. However, to save work I recently posted a blog detailing how this is done. Click on the title above to access that blog.