Thread: Using Sketchup for model plans

Hi Sanpper,
I had a look at the Peterbilt Wrecker in the 3D Warehouse and I can see no reason why you could not rescale to the model size you choose and then print out all the details of each component. The model I looked at has plenty of detail except there is no donk under the bonnet!
image.png

Originally Posted by snapper1

......
I chose to build the trailer from scratch as I think the TJ low loader is basic and lacking detail....

sorry but my lack of knowledge about sketchup prevents me posting a link or sketchup image

Has anyone here been able to build a model from the sketchup program ?

Garry

Hi Garry, you referred to T&J Low loader being too basic. Which model number is that? If you mean "Low boy trailer", oops that is one I haven't got the plans for... so no SU model.

As mentioned in the other post, I have imported heaps of T&J plans into SketchUp and the models can be viewed/downloaded from the follow plagiarised text from the other post...
The T&J SU models should be available using the following link. I have removed the plans' scans out of most models due to potential copywrite issues,
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/nntbpd1yx...TkD920Kua?dl=0
The following link should take you to the 2 Gatto plans I have imported. I have removed the scanned pages for the same reason.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/44kwn2z8p...4pjlpO3Wa?dl=0

I have removed the scanned plans out of each model in case their presence contravened any copywrites. You may be able to take parts from individual models and customise as required. That way you can see and test for fit. However for that to work you would have to have your model in SU.

You mentioned a "lack of knowledge about sketchup". To do what you want, that has to change. You need to decide whether you are prepared to put in the yards to learn the product properly. As with a car/plane, anyone can buy one (if you have the shekels), but usually one must learn to drive/fly it, it doesn't automatically happen (unless you're gifted like my wife claims to be and all the dings in the car is all my fault... I'm not game enough to look at our Jumbo).

In the past I have been accused of being a computer programmer so learning SketchUp should come easy to me. People can not be any more wrong. Writing in a computer language and designing in sketchup is as diametrically opposed as flying a Jumbo jet and riding a motor scooter, with the only common ingredient is that they both need fuel. The proverbial umbilical cord between a programming language and SketchUp design is that they both use "computers". I had to slog through the learning curve and spent countless hours watching videos and reading tutorials. Now that I may have scared the brown matter (wont let me type the more vulgar word for faeces) out of you, you'll need to decide if you want to spend the time to properly learn SketchUp.

There are many AUTOCAD packages and gurus out there, but as I don't know either, I can only assist and advise in SketchUp. I am more than happy to set up a chat session using something like TeamViewer (which is a freebie screen sharing application), however, I will not, repeat will not, attempt to educate anyone on the basic tools of SketchUp. When I provide assistance, I expect my audience to at least be familiar with the use of the basic tools and at least be comfortable with them. I crack it when I mention something like "use the push/pull tool" and get responses like "what's that, what colour does it come in, how do you use it and can you order take-away?". What I am offering is to share my experience and methods in a direct interactive environment (after all I've never read a book that immediately answered a confusing question without calling me a dick-head).

If you don't mind learning, I can always put on my school-marm glasses, floral dress and flat shoes and assist in some of the techniques I use in SketchUp, bearing in mind that I am also continually learning it on the fly. And if you are lucky I may even give you some nice homework without expecting an apple in return.

PS. The TeamViewer session is offered to anyone that has the time to spare and a fetish for SketchUp.

I also apologise in advance as I am getting old and can never remember the lies I keep telling.. so far I have about 17 different answers to the equation 2+2....

G'day It is the pattern 64 that I feel is too basic , so I am making it my way

I will try to get the hang of sketchup for a bit more before asking for help

It is just a program that I find hard to learn to use

the help function is about as useful as an ashtray on a motor bike for me

I have printed out various views of that Peterbuilt wrecker but have not found a way to include dimensions for example

Originally Posted by snapper1

G'day It is the pattern 64 that I feel is too basic , so I am making it my way

the help function is about as useful as an ashtray on a motor bike for me

I have printed out various views of that Peterbuilt wrecker but have not found a way to include dimensions for example

Bingo, no winner... #64 is one of the plans I haven't ordered.

However, a quick aside are these two great links that may assist (but don't tell them I told you so... their heads are big enough already).
Low Boy Trailer - by htl @ LumberJocks.com ~ woodworking community
Don't forget to follow his blogs relating to the same project... Goes into great detail and like you he's a non conformist and must buck the rules...
Another great build but not quite detailed in the build process,
More lowboy pictures - by GR8HUNTER @ LumberJocks.com ~ woodworking community
NO FRILLS Lowboy - by GR8HUNTER @ LumberJocks.com ~ woodworking community
Even though they're both Yanks (don't hold that against them) I'm sure they'd be more than willing to share their experiences about the Lowboy with you and willing to help in anyway they can. In fact if you ask nicely they will even offer the shirt off my back.

Ashtrays on motorbikes are not useless since I gave up smoking. I can now use it to store a fold up umbrella in case of rainy days... For a fairly good tutorial (as I remember it from a few years ago) try this link but scroll down to the bottom for his videos, just after the "load more" tab on ... for beginners parts 1 & 2... the rest are also worthy viewing... (all this takes me back to my youth... it seems that long ago... around the time Noah stepped off one of those illegal immigrant boats about 3 years ago),
https://www.youtube.com/user/MasterS...pdotcom/videos

The reason I got on my soapbox about your intention to learn SU is that if you really get serious you might consider the licensed version (I bought it as I consider my time more precious than a few shekels... though SU Pro is a few shekels x 20)... Only because printing from SU (freebie) is one of it's major weaknesses (making of a good conspiracy theory), however, there are many tutorials on workarounds and with a bit of effort you can get an acceptable print (having a licensed version I don't have to worry about that so I haven't bothered searching for it). The licensed version lets me create PDFs (using it's Layout component... but that's another story that save me time).

Even with my fangle-dangled Layout, I usually just dimension using the Dimension tool (usually a "D" shortcut) and a simple screen dump which I might crop and print.
Untitled - SketchUp Pro 2016-001302.jpg
Another handy little feature is a plug-in called "Get Dimensions" on the highlighted group/component, downloadable from the extension factory (or Sketucation)... both freebies.
SketchUp-001303.jpg

To screen dump or print (once you find out how) from a detailed drawing use a top down (or face on view eg. front, side, back) with parallel projection view and the Dimension tool,
Page 00.skp - SketchUp Pro 2016-001306.jpg

Hope this has helped a tad...

Here is a model I've done from a plan I did, but not with Sketchup.
Copie de IM003225.jpg
Here are plans I,ve made with Sketchup
EnregistrementAutoPPT11_image5.jpg
100_4631_fixed.jpg

Hope it is going to help !

Originally Posted by Studeag1

Here are plans I,ve made with Sketchup
EnregistrementAutoPPT11_image5.jpg

Hey Studeag1, That is one awesome model in SU. Any chance of sharing the SKP file? Alex.

Happy New Year.

This is a scale model i'm in the proces of designing. I make the model in SU, but I make all shopdrawings in dwg. I only have the free SU and its printing options sucks.

The model in SU:
Udklip.jpg

An examble of a shopdrawing
dwg-003.png

Ole

Here is the dropbox link

https://www.dropbox.com/s/3iyphjcvyr...PPT11.skp?dl=0

Originally Posted by Studeag1

Here is the dropbox link

https://www.dropbox.com/s/jcioaca9p0...Copie.skp?dl=0

Nice job.
You can build a great one with that info.

Originally Posted by Studeag1

Here is the dropbox link

https://www.dropbox.com/s/jcioaca9p0...Copie.skp?dl=0

Hi Studea1, Was that link subject to a time limit or did htl use the last copy?
Error - Dropbox - Internet Explorer-001608.jpg

Originally Posted by Knappen

Happy New Year.

This is a scale model i'm in the proces of designing. I make the model in SU, but I make all shopdrawings in dwg. I only have the free SU and its printing options sucks.

Ole

That is the exact reason why I parted with my shekels for the Pro version. However, I am led to believe that there are quite a few articles on the WEB providing acceptable work arounds... thought I cannot confirm as I had no need to follow up as I can print with the Pro version...

I've put a new link in the original tread and here also

https://www.dropbox.com/s/3iyphjcvyr...PPT11.skp?dl=0

I have used Sketchup to draw a pick up plan. It was the basic free one but it served the purpose I wanted.

Have a look Pick up truck.pdf

Originally Posted by Dalboy

I have used Sketchup to draw a pick up plan. It was the basic free one but it served the purpose I wanted.

Have a look Pick up truck.pdf

Dalboy, did you use Layout (as part of the 30 day trial of SketchUp Make) for the PDF...? How did you get the "dotted lines", simulating contours. or is that part of the SketchUp presentation? I've never used Layout as you have.