Replies

1. 
   dieselpig | Jul 24, 2006 11:04pm | #1

   Gene,

   How is the learning curve with Sketchup?  I downloaded the free version a month or so ago but haven't really played around with it much.  To be honest, I find these programs to be intimidating.  Is there a tutorial you used to get started, or did you just sit down one day and start messing around?  I've seen you post some really good stuff that you've worked up using Sketchup, so I'm intrigued.  Do or did you already have some sort of a background with this sort of software?  I guess what I'm asking is... is there hope for a knucklehead like me?

   View Image
1. 
   bobl | Jul 24, 2006 11:14pm | #2

   "is there hope for a knucklehead like me?"leave chin open 

   bobl          Volo, non valeo

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1. 
   dieselpig | Jul 24, 2006 11:26pm | #4

   I don't get it... but I ain't the brightest knife in the drawer either.  ;)

   Thanks for the tutorial though.... exactly what I need.  :)View Image

1. 
   bobl | Jul 25, 2006 12:33am | #6

   I have a bunch of tutorials from 2003 on my PC, don't know how they fit with the latest tho. 

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1. 
   bobl | Jul 25, 2006 12:41am | #7

   forgot the list 

   bobl          Volo, non valeo

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2. 
   bobl | Jul 24, 2006 11:20pm | #3

   http://www.sketchup.com/?sid=56 

   bobl          Volo, non valeo

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3. 
   CAGIV | Jul 24, 2006 11:31pm | #5

   If you can do complex framing effectively, why do you think you couldn't learn a cad program?

   You seem like a smart guy, don't be stupid and question yourself ;)

    

1. 
   jrnbj | Jul 25, 2006 03:10am | #9

   "f you can do complex framing effectively, why do you think you couldn't learn a cad program?"Ah, he thinks that because computer software is written by Aliens.......

1. 
   dieselpig | Jul 25, 2006 03:27am | #11

   Aliens... that's just silly.  Everyone knows that computers are magic and only gnomes and trolls really know how they work.View Image

1. 
   jrnbj | Jul 25, 2006 05:51am | #16

   All kidding aside, anyone who can write code has my respect.....OTOH, the people who do the interface (sort of the ergonomics of how you interact with the software).....they need help, big-time
   I usually spend more tome looking for where some function is then actually using it once I find it ;-)

2. 
   dieselpig | Jul 25, 2006 03:26am | #10

   I dunno Neil.  I was never very book smart and I tend to think of computer stuff as brainiac work.  Plus... I can always booger the framing together and make it 'right'... even if it really isn't.  ;)View Image

1. 
   CAGIV | Jul 25, 2006 04:07am | #13

   ah horse ####

   you going to start doubting yourself now?

   seriously, if I can learn it you can...

   now I've never used sketch up or chief or the like, but I have used Autocad, 3-d studio, and a few others...

   It's not the easiest thing in the world, but it ain't rocket science either.

1. 
   dieselpig | Jul 25, 2006 04:41am | #15

   That's "rocket surgery" Neil.  ;)View Image

4. 
   RW | Jul 25, 2006 04:05am | #12

   I'll confess I have an awful hard time wrapping my head around most computer programs, but Sketchup was so stinkin easy I think it took me about 5 minutes to figure out the basics, and the online tutorials, within a week, I could draw a house. The rest, from there, is just how much finesse you want to add.

   Is it easy? Heck yes. Probably the easiest computer thing I've ever tried to learn. And I think personally, the versatility is the seller. I've drawn simple silly things like how I wanted a bracket welded, and remodels, and houses, and just individual things - a fridge, a water heater, whatever.

   And the more you use it, the easier. The "component" files that come give you stock, simple, doors, windows, fittings, benches, trees, and the like. But if you have the need to show something specific, like a jennair fridge, you draw it once, save it as a component, and now you have that fridge for whatever model you want down the road. And the SU forums are a stomping ground of freebies. "Sometimes when I consider what tremendous consequences come from little things, I am tempted to think -- there are no little things" - Bruce Barton

1. 
   dieselpig | Jul 25, 2006 04:40am | #14

   Sweet.  That's encouraging to hear.  Cars and computers.... I'm just awful.  Last time my computer crashed, I bought a new one.  And I come pretty close to trading in my truck every time it needs the shop.  But I'll give it a shot cuz it looks so cool.View Image

2. 
   Sphere | Jul 25, 2006 03:04am | #8

   Is that freebie still out there? I need to unclutter a drive space for it if it is large, and is it Dl able on dialup?  within reason?

   Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   " I am not an Activist, I am, a Catalyst. I lay around and do nothing, until another ingredient is added"

1. 
   zak | Jul 25, 2006 05:56am | #17

   http://sketchup.google.com/download.html

   It says it wants 80 mb of disk space for storage, but the download is 19 mb for windows.  That's a lot for dial up, I'd probably look to download it somewhere else and put it on cd.  Then again, if you don't mind starting the download before you go to bed and stopping it when you wake up.zak

   "so it goes"

1. 
   Sphere | Jul 25, 2006 05:59am | #18

   Cool, lemme direct the destiantion path and get nity nite while it decompresses...I hope.

   Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   " I am not an Activist, I am, a Catalyst. I lay around and do nothing, until another ingredient is added"

1. 
   bobl | Jul 25, 2006 04:22pm | #19

   Hope you had some luck last nite, I couldn't do it. went to the library where they have cable speed to download onto a CD. did the same for procad lt. (intellicad engine) 

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