Sketchup Maker?

PNW_Steve · 01-09-2019, 02:55 PM

Hello Everyone,

I am afraid that I am losing my mind......

After 35+ years of supporting technology I have had my cranial butt kicked by Sketchup.

I have tried repeatedly to find the "free" version and I keep winding up with 30 day trials.

When I try to perform basic tasks I find it counterintuitive and confusing. I have tried a number of Youtube how-to's and find that the menu options in the videos don't match the app I have installed and I get lost.

Anyone have a line on tutorials that actually match the current version?

somewhereinusa · 01-09-2019, 05:04 PM

Steve,
From what I can tell Sketchup Make 2017 is the last free version. I think this should get it for you.
https://www.sketchup.com/download/make

I can't point to any specific tutorials, I did get fairly proficient at making things look like I want but, it did take a while.

I usually just do a search for the specific thing I want to accomplish. I have found the plugin fredoscale to be quite useful.

If you have a specific question maybe I can help.

PNW_Steve · 01-09-2019, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by somewhereinusa

Steve,
From what I can tell Sketchup Make 2017 is the last free version. I think this should get it for you.
https://www.sketchup.com/download/make

I can't point to any specific tutorials, I did get fairly proficient at making things look like I want but, it did take a while.

I usually just do a search for the specific thing I want to accomplish. I have found the plugin fredoscale to be quite useful.

If you have a specific question maybe I can help.

Thanks for the reply.

That is what I downloaded and installed and it is giving me a 30 day trial nag.

I searched for tutorials and found several on Youtube but they were for different versions and the menus/icons/options are enough different on the version that I got frustrated and had to step away.

It is frustrating for me as I have been picking up new applications and supporting them for 35 years and today I feel completely stupid.....

geminusprime · 01-09-2019, 05:54 PM

IIRC there are no real function differences that will be disabled after 30 days, only certain export options. Unless you're using it to export for 3d printing or the other pro version file types, you'll be fine.

The interface for designing doesn't change, just getting that design to another program/machine/website.

PNW_Steve · 01-09-2019, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geminusprime

IIRC there are no real function differences that will be disabled after 30 days, only certain export options. Unless you're using it to export for 3d printing or the other pro version file types, you'll be fine.

The interface for designing doesn't change, just getting that design to another program/machine/website.

Thank you.

If I understand correctly, the app will continue to function after 30 days but with the loss of a few functions....

That works for me if I can figure out how to make it play..... I need to create a layout, modify it and print it. Nothing more.

Thanks for the info.

geminusprime · 01-09-2019, 06:36 PM

Worst case scenario - uninstall and reinstall.

I've uninstalled sketchup 2017 a few times for various reasons only to install it later, always reset to the 30 day mark.

PNW_Steve · 01-14-2019, 03:17 PM

Ok...

Here I go again....

30 seconds into this tutorial: https://www.sketchup.com/learn/videos/826

It tells me to click on on items in a toolbar that runs down the left hand side of the screen. I have been running in circles through the drop down menus trying to find where to enable that toolbar.

No luck.

Anyone know how to enable that?

PNW_Steve · 01-14-2019, 03:22 PM

Here is a screenshot:

PNW_Steve · 01-14-2019, 03:23 PM

It is the toolbar down the left edge of the screen that I am missing.

PNW_Steve · 01-14-2019, 03:24 PM

The toolbar down the left is what I am missing........................................... ..............

geminusprime · 01-14-2019, 04:01 PM

I've only had experience with the Windows version, but it looks like that toolbar on the left is just an expanded version of the toolbar at the top.

Many of the left toolbar items are contained within a single top toolbar dropdown, so you should be able to match what it's telling you to do with the icon from one of the dropdowns.

somewhereinusa · 01-14-2019, 04:50 PM

Steve

Click on View---Toolbars--check the box that says "Large Tool Set"

PNW_Steve · 01-14-2019, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by somewhereinusa

Steve

Click on View---Toolbars--check the box that says "Large Tool Set"

Thank you!!

I had tried the Toolbars menu but did not recognize the terminology "Large tool set" .

Got it now

BurlKing · 01-14-2019, 05:22 PM

hey steve! ive pretty much mastered google sketch up and have been using the free version for the past 10 years. the paid version is around $700 and not worth it for the average joe, you can take jpegs of your model by click export ---> 2D graphic and if you want measurements in the photo lay out the tape measure from end to end of stuff and then export the photo and you'll get good blueprints and stuff that way!

here's a very rough version of my bus in the beginning stages, before roof raise and yes i changed my model to a roof raise just not in this pic. everything is 100% to scale too. You can see the measurement tool there, just add it to wherever you want, you can put as many as you like too.

Click image for larger version

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BurlKing · 01-14-2019, 05:24 PM

Also before you go any further into your model, get the hang of using layers! it works like it does in photoshop. you can hide and show which ones you want. I build my models from the ground up including studs and plywood, etc... so say you want to see the framing, you hide everything else and see that, but if framing and other things get in the way of your interior, then hide the framing and such.

without doing that, in-depth models can get hard to maneuver around in.

PNW_Steve · 01-14-2019, 06:01 PM

My word.... I feel STUPID!

I have made my living for 35+ years supporting technology and suddenly I am a newbie again...

I just need 2D with dimensioning......

I am a 2D guy stranded in a 3D world......

Sharee100 · 01-24-2019, 06:38 AM

Don't feel bad. I worked for 15 years as a drafting technician. I went to college to learn Autocad and Microstation for that job. And Sketchup has kicked my butt, too.

somewhereinusa · 01-24-2019, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

I just need 2D with dimensioning......

I am a 2D guy stranded in a 3D world......

It occurred to me that really 2D is all that is needed so, I tried one of my drawing programs. This took about half an hour but, much was figuring out how to do the dimensions. The actual drawing itself took about 5 minutes.

This isn't to scale but it can be I just didn't use my actual measurments. Copy/paste worked for each room then change color. You can actually draw full size and rescale, If you draw full size and use inches no complicated math is involved.
The program I use is Affinity Designer, it costs $50 but I think well worth it. Inkscape is free but, I have never been able to figure out how to get it to do what I want quickly. There are other much more costly programs.
Affinity is the program I used to design the big speaker grill I put in the bus.

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