Google Sketchup - Come Along for the Ride

Betsy said:

Putting in the legs and zooming and panning

Second try on this one. Had it almost done and it went into oblivion somewhere. Oh well - here we start again.

This is where we ended the last time.



So now it's time to place the legs. This will be another exercise in redundancy. No copying and pasting - practice practice practice. :+)

We are going to work with the bottom left leg. You need to select your rectangle tool and move it to the corner of the two guide lines. When your tool hits the corner exactly a black inference dot will show up showing that you are at the intersection of the guides. Left click the mouse once and let go. push the mouse up about an inch or so and click again. Then type in 3,3 and Enter. This gives you the dimension of your leg.

Next select your push/pull tool, which is the same tool we used to give depth/thickness to the top.

One thing you have to remember about the push/pull tool is this-whatever it is hovering over will turn to a bunch of dots--that means the tool is ready to do something to that particular part of your project. Because of that you need to be sure that the tool is on top of the new rectangle/leg. Once you have it over the leg = left click and bring the leg up. Then type 29.25 in the VCB box and hit enter.

You should now have this.



Now we want to work on the top left leg. You can see that when you place your rectangle tool there that it is not as easy to get the intersection to come into view. This is like standing at your workbench and not being able to correctly see the part you are trying to work on. So you either walk around the bench or you move the project. In this case if you physically walk around the project all you'll see is the back of your computer-- that won't help-believe me. What you want to do is to pan and zoom.

I like to pan (use that ghostly hand) and move the project to the center of the screen and then I zoom in (using the scroll wheel on the mouse) until I get a good view.

This is what my screen looks like.



Now try getting your intersection inference to show up. Place your second leg just like the first. Then zoom an d pan some more until you get all four legs in place.



Now is a good time to learn the eraser function. You cannot use the Edit drop down menu for this part - you can only use the eraser. The eraser is the flat pink tool (7th from the left).

Before you go any further have you been saving your table progress? I'm assuming you are building with me and not just reading. Maybe, please.

So anyway - now is a good time to get rid of those guide lines. You do this two ways one simple one not so hard way. The simply way if you want all of your guides to go away is to go to the Edit menu on the tool bar and drop down and select delete guides and just like that they are gone.

However,what if you need to keep one or two guides and only need to erase one or two. Hummm you do that with the eraser tool and this is how that's done.

Select the eraser tool bring it to the guide you want erased and left click near the guide - it should turn blue the click again - and it's gone

So now we have an upside down table. That's not much use to us. Use your pan and orbit tools to flip this table upright.



This is what we want to end up with.



Hope you all are getting a little something out of this. I know I am. All questions and comments welcomed.

Click to expand...

Betsy said:

Putting in the legs and zooming and panning

Second try on this one. Had it almost done and it went into oblivion somewhere. Oh well - here we start again.

This is where we ended the last time.



So now it's time to place the legs. This will be another exercise in redundancy. No copying and pasting - practice practice practice. :+)

We are going to work with the bottom left leg. You need to select your rectangle tool and move it to the corner of the two guide lines. When your tool hits the corner exactly a black inference dot will show up showing that you are at the intersection of the guides. Left click the mouse once and let go. push the mouse up about an inch or so and click again. Then type in 3,3 and Enter. This gives you the dimension of your leg.

Next select your push/pull tool, which is the same tool we used to give depth/thickness to the top.

One thing you have to remember about the push/pull tool is this-whatever it is hovering over will turn to a bunch of dots--that means the tool is ready to do something to that particular part of your project. Because of that you need to be sure that the tool is on top of the new rectangle/leg. Once you have it over the leg = left click and bring the leg up. Then type 29.25 in the VCB box and hit enter.

You should now have this.



Now we want to work on the top left leg. You can see that when you place your rectangle tool there that it is not as easy to get the intersection to come into view. This is like standing at your workbench and not being able to correctly see the part you are trying to work on. So you either walk around the bench or you move the project. In this case if you physically walk around the project all you'll see is the back of your computer-- that won't help-believe me. What you want to do is to pan and zoom.

I like to pan (use that ghostly hand) and move the project to the center of the screen and then I zoom in (using the scroll wheel on the mouse) until I get a good view.

This is what my screen looks like.



Now try getting your intersection inference to show up. Place your second leg just like the first. Then zoom an d pan some more until you get all four legs in place.



Now is a good time to learn the eraser function. You cannot use the Edit drop down menu for this part - you can only use the eraser. The eraser is the flat pink tool (7th from the left).

Before you go any further have you been saving your table progress? I'm assuming you are building with me and not just reading. Maybe, please.

So anyway - now is a good time to get rid of those guide lines. You do this two ways one simple one not so hard way. The simply way if you want all of your guides to go away is to go to the Edit menu on the tool bar and drop down and select delete guides and just like that they are gone.

However,what if you need to keep one or two guides and only need to erase one or two. Hummm you do that with the eraser tool and this is how that's done.

Select the eraser tool bring it to the guide you want erased and left click near the guide - it should turn blue the click again - and it's gone

So now we have an upside down table. That's not much use to us. Use your pan and orbit tools to flip this table upright.



This is what we want to end up with.



Hope you all are getting a little something out of this. I know I am. All questions and comments welcomed.

Click to expand...

Betsy said:

The next progect

I'm nearing the end of my basic table blog and will be starting another project that will be more complex. Such things as groups, components, etc.

Since I'm not allowed in the shop right now, I'm not going to tempt myself by designing a new progect. So what I've decided to do is to use SU to make a drawing of a project I've already done. It's the hall table that I have posted. http://lumberjocks.com/projects/3507

I'll be finishing up the table tonight and moving on to the hall table. I'm sure I'll need lots of pointers and tips on this new project - so feel free to help me learn SU!

Stay tuned!

Click to expand...

Betsy said:

The next progect

I'm nearing the end of my basic table blog and will be starting another project that will be more complex. Such things as groups, components, etc.

Since I'm not allowed in the shop right now, I'm not going to tempt myself by designing a new progect. So what I've decided to do is to use SU to make a drawing of a project I've already done. It's the hall table that I have posted. http://lumberjocks.com/projects/3507

I'll be finishing up the table tonight and moving on to the hall table. I'm sure I'll need lots of pointers and tips on this new project - so feel free to help me learn SU!

Stay tuned!

Click to expand...

Betsy said:

The next progect

I'm nearing the end of my basic table blog and will be starting another project that will be more complex. Such things as groups, components, etc.

Since I'm not allowed in the shop right now, I'm not going to tempt myself by designing a new progect. So what I've decided to do is to use SU to make a drawing of a project I've already done. It's the hall table that I have posted. http://lumberjocks.com/projects/3507

I'll be finishing up the table tonight and moving on to the hall table. I'm sure I'll need lots of pointers and tips on this new project - so feel free to help me learn SU!

Stay tuned!

Click to expand...

Betsy said:

The next progect

I'm nearing the end of my basic table blog and will be starting another project that will be more complex. Such things as groups, components, etc.

Since I'm not allowed in the shop right now, I'm not going to tempt myself by designing a new progect. So what I've decided to do is to use SU to make a drawing of a project I've already done. It's the hall table that I have posted. http://lumberjocks.com/projects/3507

I'll be finishing up the table tonight and moving on to the hall table. I'm sure I'll need lots of pointers and tips on this new project - so feel free to help me learn SU!

Stay tuned!

Click to expand...

Betsy said:

The next progect

I'm nearing the end of my basic table blog and will be starting another project that will be more complex. Such things as groups, components, etc.

Since I'm not allowed in the shop right now, I'm not going to tempt myself by designing a new progect. So what I've decided to do is to use SU to make a drawing of a project I've already done. It's the hall table that I have posted. http://lumberjocks.com/projects/3507

I'll be finishing up the table tonight and moving on to the hall table. I'm sure I'll need lots of pointers and tips on this new project - so feel free to help me learn SU!

Stay tuned!

Click to expand...

Betsy said:

Rotating ---- not sure I've got this right but here goes

Well I should be able to finish up the table project tonight. Still going slow and methodically. To everyone who has commented and added tips-- THANKS. I really appreciate it and hope you continue to add to my blog. This is all about learning after all.

So we left off here.



Now we have to back up just a bit. If you remember from the last section I had used the orbit tool to turn the table upright. Well come to find out there's a better way (thanks Brad!).

We started with the table upside down to add the legs. Like this-



Instead of using the orbit tool to upright the table-use the "rotate" tool. This is the 12th tool from the left and looks like two arrows chasing each other. When you click/select this tool when you move your cursor back over the work space - it should turn into a circular protractor. Pretty slick stuff!

The Rotate tool is just too much fun to be allowed actually. First the academics-- to flip the whole table you have to "select" the whole table. I'm pretty certain I'm missing something here. But let's just use the select tool to select the entire table - move the select tool over the table and left click three times, this should turn the entire table blue outlined.

Next just for giggles move your cursor around the table-notice how it changes color? What ever color the tool is means that your actions will take place in that axis.

Yet for more giggles try this little exercise. Move the cursor over the lower right corner until you see the green end point inference dot and the protractor turns blue. Left click and release-- then move your mouse around-- and watch the table swing around and around--- I know it does not take a lot to entertain me.

OK - back to the serious stuff-- hit the escape button to release the protractor (and for good measure go to edit and undo any rotating you might have done).

This is how I used the rotate tool - but I'm not sure I'm doing it correctly - but it seemed to work. I moved the tool to the left side of my table and let it turn to red - for the red axis then moved it so that the red/edge inference dot showed up and then double clicked. Then in the VCB I typed 180 degrees and hit enter. This flipped the table to its upright position.

So I think that's a way to rotate. But I really think I'm not grasping the rotate tool just yet. I'm going to have to work on that a bit more - OK a lot more.

Any help would be appreciated.

With all that said-- to do the rails on the table as I did them originally-in slow baby steps without anything fancy-- you need to flip the table back onto it's top. So you can practice with the rotate tool or can go to edit - undo rotate.

I'll do another section on this later tonight-maybe tomorrow - my neck is really bothering me so I need to take a break.

if someone can shed some more light on the rotate tool and how to use it correctly - I'd (and I'm sure someone besides me) would appreciate it. Jump on in!

Click to expand...

Betsy said:

Last of the simple table blog - then onto bigger and better projects!

So now we are going to finish up the table. Since I started this little project I have learned a ton of stuff. All that will be explored on my next project - the hall table, however, I really feel like I need to finish this blog project the way I started, with baby steps - and not necessarily the very best way to get things done.

(one caveat-my pictures are screwed up and I'm not exactly sure why. So there are not many pictures tonight. Will start fresh for the next project.)

The last blog we flipped the table over onto its feet. Now we need to undo that and set it back on it's top.

Use the "select" tool and triple click the table so that it turns completely blue. Select the rotate tool and click the edge of the table so that the red inference dot is showing. Left click again and type in 180 in the VCB box-- then hit enter. This should flip the table back onto its top.

We are going to put in the aprons, end rails and stiles. I'll do several ways. Mostly I'll do this to show you really why you do want to do things differently, by using components, groups and layers. So this exercise really will be helpful in the end.

Use your zoom tool and pan tool to move the table around so that the legs are filling up much of your screen.

So now use your guide placing talents to place a guide 3/8" from the outside edge of the leg. Then place guides 3" from the top and 3" and 6" from either end of the leg. It should now look like this.



Select your rectangle tool and move it so that you get the black intersection inference dot to show (in the lower left corner at the "top" of the leg). Move the cursor up to the guide mark and over to the right slightly. Type in 3, .75 in the VCB box. This should give you a tall rectangle - not one on it's side.

Now do the same for the other end of the leg. You now have your short apron rail.

I've pictured here what will happen if you do not put the rectangle squarely on the axis.



Now you need to redo that rectangle to make sure it is square on the face of the leg. Now pan around so that the table's end is facing you and use the push pull tool to pull it out the two rectangles to meet the other leg.

This is what you should now have.



Now onto the stiles. Use your new found zoom and pan skills to zoom around and get a good look at the bottom rail and draw guide lines to place three stiles evenly across the width. (3, 6 and 12.5 from each end).

Then zoom and pan around to place a guide 1/8 in from the outside of the rail.

Place your first rectangle and push/pull and this is what you should have.

Repeat two more times on one end and duplicate the actions on the other. Very, very repetitive, and not necessary.

The next blog will explore a better way but doing a hall table.

Hope you have enjoyed this ride. I know I've learned a lot. Mostly that I've got a lot more to learn!

Click to expand...

Betsy said:

Last of the simple table blog - then onto bigger and better projects!

So now we are going to finish up the table. Since I started this little project I have learned a ton of stuff. All that will be explored on my next project - the hall table, however, I really feel like I need to finish this blog project the way I started, with baby steps - and not necessarily the very best way to get things done.

(one caveat-my pictures are screwed up and I'm not exactly sure why. So there are not many pictures tonight. Will start fresh for the next project.)

The last blog we flipped the table over onto its feet. Now we need to undo that and set it back on it's top.

Use the "select" tool and triple click the table so that it turns completely blue. Select the rotate tool and click the edge of the table so that the red inference dot is showing. Left click again and type in 180 in the VCB box-- then hit enter. This should flip the table back onto its top.

We are going to put in the aprons, end rails and stiles. I'll do several ways. Mostly I'll do this to show you really why you do want to do things differently, by using components, groups and layers. So this exercise really will be helpful in the end.

Use your zoom tool and pan tool to move the table around so that the legs are filling up much of your screen.

So now use your guide placing talents to place a guide 3/8" from the outside edge of the leg. Then place guides 3" from the top and 3" and 6" from either end of the leg. It should now look like this.



Select your rectangle tool and move it so that you get the black intersection inference dot to show (in the lower left corner at the "top" of the leg). Move the cursor up to the guide mark and over to the right slightly. Type in 3, .75 in the VCB box. This should give you a tall rectangle - not one on it's side.

Now do the same for the other end of the leg. You now have your short apron rail.

I've pictured here what will happen if you do not put the rectangle squarely on the axis.



Now you need to redo that rectangle to make sure it is square on the face of the leg. Now pan around so that the table's end is facing you and use the push pull tool to pull it out the two rectangles to meet the other leg.

This is what you should now have.



Now onto the stiles. Use your new found zoom and pan skills to zoom around and get a good look at the bottom rail and draw guide lines to place three stiles evenly across the width. (3, 6 and 12.5 from each end).

Then zoom and pan around to place a guide 1/8 in from the outside of the rail.

Place your first rectangle and push/pull and this is what you should have.

Repeat two more times on one end and duplicate the actions on the other. Very, very repetitive, and not necessary.

The next blog will explore a better way but doing a hall table.

Hope you have enjoyed this ride. I know I've learned a lot. Mostly that I've got a lot more to learn!

Click to expand...

Betsy said:

Last of the simple table blog - then onto bigger and better projects!

So now we are going to finish up the table. Since I started this little project I have learned a ton of stuff. All that will be explored on my next project - the hall table, however, I really feel like I need to finish this blog project the way I started, with baby steps - and not necessarily the very best way to get things done.

(one caveat-my pictures are screwed up and I'm not exactly sure why. So there are not many pictures tonight. Will start fresh for the next project.)

The last blog we flipped the table over onto its feet. Now we need to undo that and set it back on it's top.

Use the "select" tool and triple click the table so that it turns completely blue. Select the rotate tool and click the edge of the table so that the red inference dot is showing. Left click again and type in 180 in the VCB box-- then hit enter. This should flip the table back onto its top.

We are going to put in the aprons, end rails and stiles. I'll do several ways. Mostly I'll do this to show you really why you do want to do things differently, by using components, groups and layers. So this exercise really will be helpful in the end.

Use your zoom tool and pan tool to move the table around so that the legs are filling up much of your screen.

So now use your guide placing talents to place a guide 3/8" from the outside edge of the leg. Then place guides 3" from the top and 3" and 6" from either end of the leg. It should now look like this.



Select your rectangle tool and move it so that you get the black intersection inference dot to show (in the lower left corner at the "top" of the leg). Move the cursor up to the guide mark and over to the right slightly. Type in 3, .75 in the VCB box. This should give you a tall rectangle - not one on it's side.

Now do the same for the other end of the leg. You now have your short apron rail.

I've pictured here what will happen if you do not put the rectangle squarely on the axis.



Now you need to redo that rectangle to make sure it is square on the face of the leg. Now pan around so that the table's end is facing you and use the push pull tool to pull it out the two rectangles to meet the other leg.

This is what you should now have.



Now onto the stiles. Use your new found zoom and pan skills to zoom around and get a good look at the bottom rail and draw guide lines to place three stiles evenly across the width. (3, 6 and 12.5 from each end).

Then zoom and pan around to place a guide 1/8 in from the outside of the rail.

Place your first rectangle and push/pull and this is what you should have.

Repeat two more times on one end and duplicate the actions on the other. Very, very repetitive, and not necessary.

The next blog will explore a better way but doing a hall table.

Hope you have enjoyed this ride. I know I've learned a lot. Mostly that I've got a lot more to learn!

Click to expand...

Betsy said:

Last of the simple table blog - then onto bigger and better projects!

So now we are going to finish up the table. Since I started this little project I have learned a ton of stuff. All that will be explored on my next project - the hall table, however, I really feel like I need to finish this blog project the way I started, with baby steps - and not necessarily the very best way to get things done.

(one caveat-my pictures are screwed up and I'm not exactly sure why. So there are not many pictures tonight. Will start fresh for the next project.)

The last blog we flipped the table over onto its feet. Now we need to undo that and set it back on it's top.

Use the "select" tool and triple click the table so that it turns completely blue. Select the rotate tool and click the edge of the table so that the red inference dot is showing. Left click again and type in 180 in the VCB box-- then hit enter. This should flip the table back onto its top.

We are going to put in the aprons, end rails and stiles. I'll do several ways. Mostly I'll do this to show you really why you do want to do things differently, by using components, groups and layers. So this exercise really will be helpful in the end.

Use your zoom tool and pan tool to move the table around so that the legs are filling up much of your screen.

So now use your guide placing talents to place a guide 3/8" from the outside edge of the leg. Then place guides 3" from the top and 3" and 6" from either end of the leg. It should now look like this.



Select your rectangle tool and move it so that you get the black intersection inference dot to show (in the lower left corner at the "top" of the leg). Move the cursor up to the guide mark and over to the right slightly. Type in 3, .75 in the VCB box. This should give you a tall rectangle - not one on it's side.

Now do the same for the other end of the leg. You now have your short apron rail.

I've pictured here what will happen if you do not put the rectangle squarely on the axis.



Now you need to redo that rectangle to make sure it is square on the face of the leg. Now pan around so that the table's end is facing you and use the push pull tool to pull it out the two rectangles to meet the other leg.

This is what you should now have.



Now onto the stiles. Use your new found zoom and pan skills to zoom around and get a good look at the bottom rail and draw guide lines to place three stiles evenly across the width. (3, 6 and 12.5 from each end).

Then zoom and pan around to place a guide 1/8 in from the outside of the rail.

Place your first rectangle and push/pull and this is what you should have.

Repeat two more times on one end and duplicate the actions on the other. Very, very repetitive, and not necessary.

The next blog will explore a better way but doing a hall table.

Hope you have enjoyed this ride. I know I've learned a lot. Mostly that I've got a lot more to learn!

Click to expand...

Betsy said:

Simple Sketchup bookcase

Here I am going to try a little bit more of this Sketchup program. I'm having a bit of trouble getting the hang of things - but I'm determined to whip this program into submission! I was going to work on a hall table - but decided that's still out of my SU talent range so I've decided to do a simple bookcase. I've picked up few tricks. Nothing to fancy - but more than the baby steps I took with the table blog.

Between the medication for my neck and the cat sitting on my keyboard - I might get this accomplished.

First start with a rectangle the outside diameter of the bookcase. I'm shooting for 14" deep and 32 wide.

Use the push/pull tool to pull the rectangle up to 5'.



Now we'll use the "offset tool." This is the tool that looks like a half circle with an arrow coming through the top (13th tool from the left of the small tool bar).

Position the offset tool on the top edge of the rectangle so that the red inference dot shows up. Then slowly move the tool inward - you should see a second rectangle being created - left click and type in ¾" in your VCB box. This will give you ¾" sides.


Next select the face of the rectangle and use the push/pull tool to push the face back 13.75"



As it appears this is just a simple box that will have shelves added. Nothing fancy. I've not figured out how to show the rabbet on the back or the dados for the shelves. But I'll get there!

Next so that nothing happens to my shell - I'll make this into a "group."

Select the box by triple clicking so that all the edges are blue.

The right click and select "make group"

Now onto making a few shelves.

Select the rectangle tool and draw a rectangle on the bottom of the case. I choose to make mine 12" deep (by 31" long).

Then select the rectangle and right click and select "make component."

Now select the rectangle/component by using the select tool and double clicking,

Bring the move/copy tool onto the shelf component you should see four red crosses (x's) and it should say on "on face on group"

Left click and hold the control key down-and move your copy up to the top of the case. Type in /4 then hit Enter. You should get four additional shelves evenly spaced.

Click on the bottom shelf (the original rectangle) and delete.

Now select one of the shelves by double clicking and use the push/pull tool to expand the shelf - ¾". Because you made the shelf a component - what ever you do to one shelf will happen to the others.



Certainly nothing fancy here. I want to work on figuring out how to put the rabbet on the back and the dado's for the shelves. I still need to figure out how to show the screen I'm looking at into the blog. That would probably help a lot. But I'm missing something in my fellow LJ's explaination of how to do that. But will keep trying.

Hope this makes sense!

Click to expand...

Betsy said:

Simple Sketchup bookcase

Here I am going to try a little bit more of this Sketchup program. I'm having a bit of trouble getting the hang of things - but I'm determined to whip this program into submission! I was going to work on a hall table - but decided that's still out of my SU talent range so I've decided to do a simple bookcase. I've picked up few tricks. Nothing to fancy - but more than the baby steps I took with the table blog.

Between the medication for my neck and the cat sitting on my keyboard - I might get this accomplished.

First start with a rectangle the outside diameter of the bookcase. I'm shooting for 14" deep and 32 wide.

Use the push/pull tool to pull the rectangle up to 5'.



Now we'll use the "offset tool." This is the tool that looks like a half circle with an arrow coming through the top (13th tool from the left of the small tool bar).

Position the offset tool on the top edge of the rectangle so that the red inference dot shows up. Then slowly move the tool inward - you should see a second rectangle being created - left click and type in ¾" in your VCB box. This will give you ¾" sides.


Next select the face of the rectangle and use the push/pull tool to push the face back 13.75"



As it appears this is just a simple box that will have shelves added. Nothing fancy. I've not figured out how to show the rabbet on the back or the dados for the shelves. But I'll get there!

Next so that nothing happens to my shell - I'll make this into a "group."

Select the box by triple clicking so that all the edges are blue.

The right click and select "make group"

Now onto making a few shelves.

Select the rectangle tool and draw a rectangle on the bottom of the case. I choose to make mine 12" deep (by 31" long).

Then select the rectangle and right click and select "make component."

Now select the rectangle/component by using the select tool and double clicking,

Bring the move/copy tool onto the shelf component you should see four red crosses (x's) and it should say on "on face on group"

Left click and hold the control key down-and move your copy up to the top of the case. Type in /4 then hit Enter. You should get four additional shelves evenly spaced.

Click on the bottom shelf (the original rectangle) and delete.

Now select one of the shelves by double clicking and use the push/pull tool to expand the shelf - ¾". Because you made the shelf a component - what ever you do to one shelf will happen to the others.



Certainly nothing fancy here. I want to work on figuring out how to put the rabbet on the back and the dado's for the shelves. I still need to figure out how to show the screen I'm looking at into the blog. That would probably help a lot. But I'm missing something in my fellow LJ's explaination of how to do that. But will keep trying.

Hope this makes sense!

Click to expand...

Betsy said:

Simple Sketchup bookcase

Here I am going to try a little bit more of this Sketchup program. I'm having a bit of trouble getting the hang of things - but I'm determined to whip this program into submission! I was going to work on a hall table - but decided that's still out of my SU talent range so I've decided to do a simple bookcase. I've picked up few tricks. Nothing to fancy - but more than the baby steps I took with the table blog.

Between the medication for my neck and the cat sitting on my keyboard - I might get this accomplished.

First start with a rectangle the outside diameter of the bookcase. I'm shooting for 14" deep and 32 wide.

Use the push/pull tool to pull the rectangle up to 5'.



Now we'll use the "offset tool." This is the tool that looks like a half circle with an arrow coming through the top (13th tool from the left of the small tool bar).

Position the offset tool on the top edge of the rectangle so that the red inference dot shows up. Then slowly move the tool inward - you should see a second rectangle being created - left click and type in ¾" in your VCB box. This will give you ¾" sides.


Next select the face of the rectangle and use the push/pull tool to push the face back 13.75"



As it appears this is just a simple box that will have shelves added. Nothing fancy. I've not figured out how to show the rabbet on the back or the dados for the shelves. But I'll get there!

Next so that nothing happens to my shell - I'll make this into a "group."

Select the box by triple clicking so that all the edges are blue.

The right click and select "make group"

Now onto making a few shelves.

Select the rectangle tool and draw a rectangle on the bottom of the case. I choose to make mine 12" deep (by 31" long).

Then select the rectangle and right click and select "make component."

Now select the rectangle/component by using the select tool and double clicking,

Bring the move/copy tool onto the shelf component you should see four red crosses (x's) and it should say on "on face on group"

Left click and hold the control key down-and move your copy up to the top of the case. Type in /4 then hit Enter. You should get four additional shelves evenly spaced.

Click on the bottom shelf (the original rectangle) and delete.

Now select one of the shelves by double clicking and use the push/pull tool to expand the shelf - ¾". Because you made the shelf a component - what ever you do to one shelf will happen to the others.



Certainly nothing fancy here. I want to work on figuring out how to put the rabbet on the back and the dado's for the shelves. I still need to figure out how to show the screen I'm looking at into the blog. That would probably help a lot. But I'm missing something in my fellow LJ's explaination of how to do that. But will keep trying.

Hope this makes sense!

Click to expand...

Betsy said:

Simple Sketchup bookcase

Here I am going to try a little bit more of this Sketchup program. I'm having a bit of trouble getting the hang of things - but I'm determined to whip this program into submission! I was going to work on a hall table - but decided that's still out of my SU talent range so I've decided to do a simple bookcase. I've picked up few tricks. Nothing to fancy - but more than the baby steps I took with the table blog.

Between the medication for my neck and the cat sitting on my keyboard - I might get this accomplished.

First start with a rectangle the outside diameter of the bookcase. I'm shooting for 14" deep and 32 wide.

Use the push/pull tool to pull the rectangle up to 5'.



Now we'll use the "offset tool." This is the tool that looks like a half circle with an arrow coming through the top (13th tool from the left of the small tool bar).

Position the offset tool on the top edge of the rectangle so that the red inference dot shows up. Then slowly move the tool inward - you should see a second rectangle being created - left click and type in ¾" in your VCB box. This will give you ¾" sides.


Next select the face of the rectangle and use the push/pull tool to push the face back 13.75"



As it appears this is just a simple box that will have shelves added. Nothing fancy. I've not figured out how to show the rabbet on the back or the dados for the shelves. But I'll get there!

Next so that nothing happens to my shell - I'll make this into a "group."

Select the box by triple clicking so that all the edges are blue.

The right click and select "make group"

Now onto making a few shelves.

Select the rectangle tool and draw a rectangle on the bottom of the case. I choose to make mine 12" deep (by 31" long).

Then select the rectangle and right click and select "make component."

Now select the rectangle/component by using the select tool and double clicking,

Bring the move/copy tool onto the shelf component you should see four red crosses (x's) and it should say on "on face on group"

Left click and hold the control key down-and move your copy up to the top of the case. Type in /4 then hit Enter. You should get four additional shelves evenly spaced.

Click on the bottom shelf (the original rectangle) and delete.

Now select one of the shelves by double clicking and use the push/pull tool to expand the shelf - ¾". Because you made the shelf a component - what ever you do to one shelf will happen to the others.



Certainly nothing fancy here. I want to work on figuring out how to put the rabbet on the back and the dado's for the shelves. I still need to figure out how to show the screen I'm looking at into the blog. That would probably help a lot. But I'm missing something in my fellow LJ's explaination of how to do that. But will keep trying.

Hope this makes sense!

Click to expand...