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CAD? We don’t need no stinkin’ CAD!
http://w-ww.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10102&t=9130		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Wes McMillian [ Thu Nov 02, 2006 7:10 am ]
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OK, OK, this may not be quite in the same league, but has anybody checked out Google Sketchup? It's a free download from Google and it's pretty doggone amazing for free! I was able to draw up my shop, remodel it, lay it out, etc, fairly easily. Even drew in a radius dish on the table and three guitars in various stages of construction. Way, way better than the Grizzly planner or anything else I've ever seen. But this thing can do way more than that.

I captured some screen shots in Word, but can't seem to upload them as either documents or images. I also tried uploading the images into Photobucket, but no luck there. Anybody got some help on how I can do this?

Hey, Hesh, seems like I've seen you do it?

This may belong in OT, but thought I'd drop it here with the CAD discussions. Lance, move it if you need to.
Author:  Wes McMillian [ Thu Nov 02, 2006 9:05 am ]
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Got my model uploaded into the Google server for anybody that wants to see it. Once you get it downloaded and get logged in, just search for "luthier". As of now, mine is the only one that comes up.

You can download the free software here.

Here's finally a distant pic I pulled off of the Google search. Cool thing is, you can navigate all around this thing and even zoom in until you see the Martin script on the headstock (which I "borrowed" off of the server). You can download this whole shop, modify as your own, break it apart and use the tools where you want... Seriously, y'all owe it to yourselves to check it out.


Author:  JJ Donohue [ Thu Nov 02, 2006 9:30 am ]
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Cool Wes...thanks for posting.
Author:  nathan c [ Thu Nov 02, 2006 11:43 am ]
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Back in the day, I used to work at a machine shop. I'm used to Autocad and have yet to find an acceptable replacement. That being said, Sketchup is pretty sweet. I made a marking gauge out of bolivian rosewood and designed it in Sketchup.

Here's the sketchup


Here's a post of the completed gauge on a woodworking forum here.nathan c39024.3300578704
Author:  Jocafa [ Thu Nov 02, 2006 2:59 pm ]
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Google SketchUp is a GREAT program. I highly recommend checking out the
training videos on http://atlastsoftware.com (they're the actual makers of
SketchUp).

We should start a SketchUp Luthiers' Model Repository somewhere...
Author:  Wes McMillian [ Fri Nov 03, 2006 6:04 am ]
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I like the sound of that! We could share and copy models, cool!

Here's some updated pics:


Author:  Jocafa [ Fri Nov 03, 2006 6:35 am ]
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I suggest that if we share models through google's sketchup model
warehouse, that we should add the tag "OLF" when uploading. That would
make it super easy for any of us to find each others' models.
Author:  BOBP [ Fri Nov 03, 2006 12:10 pm ]
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how long does it take to do a drawing like the shop layout?

   Bobp
Author:  Shawn [ Fri Nov 03, 2006 12:33 pm ]
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Freeware, Public Domain or Shareware "CAD" software has been around for over 25 years...like most of Google's other acquisitions Sketchy is nice but nothing new...

If someone wants a more full-featured version of Sketchy, the pro version is $495!...so free sketchy is just like what "lite" versions of other products are...a loss leader way to create a market for their pro products...again, nothing new.

As far as libraries are concerned I have been exchanging wireframe and other types of files with people for years.
Author:  Mario [ Sat Nov 04, 2006 4:22 am ]
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Free or not, lite or heavy, it's still cool... Thanks for the head's upon it!


I've figured out how to draw the boxes to the correct sizes,and have my shop's basic layout down, but can I now add the roof on and such? I ask because I'd like to expand the garage out into the driveway(the spray booth sucked up a good portion of it), and I have some roof line ideas I'd like to try.

And how do you get the workbenches and tools in there? I keep thinking of re-arranging the larger tools, and it's much easier to push a mouse than to move a Unisaw....
Author:  Wes McMillian [ Sat Nov 04, 2006 4:11 pm ]
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The shop layout really didn't take very long. It's really just a matter of laying out the foundation "rectangle" the right size and use the "push/pull" feature to "raise the walls". If only it was that easy in real life! You can then erase or hide the roof and/or walls for better access to get around in there. The tools, workbenches, etc, I found on the Google server and just downloaded them into my model. Actually someone else had a fully outfitted shop, which I downloaded, hit "explode" and broke the tools and benches out of it to place in mine.

Mario, I was able to draw up my spring project - a full freestanding metal roof-over on my home - with great detail. I actually have an exploded view that shows the individual scissor trusses, Glu-Lam beams, etc. Really handy for visualizing how the project will go together. I especially wanted to see the finished project to make sure it wouldn't look out of place, as the new roof will sit ~18" above the old, to see how far out to take the eaves to make it blend in seamlessly, etc. I even went inside and drew in my fireplace inside and an outdoor BBQ while I was at it. Priorities, you know.... There's a little learning curve as with all programs of this type, but this one is much more powerful and much easier than the other ones I've tried - and I've got several on my computer.

Easiest way I've found to do the roof is to draw a vertical rectangle at the peak to the roof height. Then draw rectangles from that line down to the edges of the building, select materials and it is roofed with just a click. Then you can delete the extra temporary lines you don't need. I think I saw somebody already had a Unisaw built on the server. Just click the Google tab and select "Get Models" to search for it.
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