Google SketchUp - Anybody here use it?

[malik641]

Hey guys,

I know it's been around for a while, but does anybody here use Google SketchUp? I just started playing with it over the weekend and I've fallen in love with this free program found here (http://sketchup.google.com/#utm_campaign=en&utm_source=en-ha-ww-google&utm_medium=ha&utm_term=sketchup). :cloud9:

I can't believe how easy it is to use! Well, it takes a little bit to get accostomed to, especially if you've never used a CAD program before. Regardless, once you get the hang of it it's very fun to use. And Google has an area call Google 3D Warehouse (http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/) which users can post their models online for everybody to share. The company Whirlpool actually posted a lot of their home appliances (found here (http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/search?uq=17842448752613184771)) which I thought was very cool. I've only put up 2 models so far (non-moderated, I actually created it from scratch) placed here (http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/search?uq=03601102813691560019). I'm working on drawing my house (I started on Saturday night) and I was going to just wing it and just put the dimensions I thought it was....and then I went overboard and actually measured every single wall and doorway thickness and counter heights etc etc the other night (this program may do this to you too lol). I just finished the dining room table and chairs (image below) which I found online and modified them.

This is just too cool and I thought I would bring it up. I searched the forums and noticed this hasn't been mentioned before so I thought I'd give out an FYI for everyone who doesn't know.

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/7494/diningroomtableset1uu3.jpg

[mdmackillop]

Hi Joseph,
I played with it a while ago. Both simple and frustratiing at the same time. I tried modelling a fairly simple building with internal partitions, different floor levels etc. Great fun, but not always as easy as it looks.

[malik641]

Hey Malcolm,

It can get frustrating. I've been searching through the Google SketchUp forums for questions I have that are already answered and it's going by pretty well so far. The hardest tool to understand for me was the Follow Me tool...but after reading some posts I'm finding it easier and more fun to use since I understand how it works now :)

[geekgirlau]

Haven't tried this one, but it might be worth exploring further ...

I'm in the process of trying to work out a potential layout for extending our house. Currently I'm using some VERY expensive software (okay, the CD was glued to the front of a Better Homes and Gardens magazine) which works pretty well, but there is no option to print a floorplan, which drives me crazy.

I'm also short on creative ideas for how to make my awkward block of land fit to what I'm aiming for, not to mention how to pay for all of this, but that's a WHOLE other story :think:

[malik641]

Haven't tried this one, but it might be worth exploring further ... It so is :yes


...Currently I'm using some VERY expensive software (okay, the CD was glued to the front of a Better Homes and Gardens magazine) which works pretty well, but there is no option to print a floorplan, which drives me crazy. Take the extra glue off the CD and double-check :rofl: j/k!!!



I'm also short on creative ideas for how to make my awkward block of land fit to what I'm aiming for, not to mention how to pay for all of this, but that's a WHOLE other story :think: Well, at least the software was free :) And so is Google SketchUp!