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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Canberra
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    171

    Default steep learning curve!

    I downloaded Sketchup a few nights back and had a very frustrating time - all I managed to draw was a rectangle in two dimensions!

    Last nite I caved and watched half of the intro tutorial until I figured out how it would let me draw in three dimensions. So then I mocked up the TV stand I want to build this term (and possibly next too ) at evening class.

    The first go was pretty bodgy but then I took the time to put depth on all my timbers and it came up much better .

    Steph

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    May 2005
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    Eden Hills, South Australia
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    63
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    Default

    Neato, Steph! I recommend making extensive use of the component features in Sketchup. Select the item, go right-click>make component. Components can be nested inside other components too, so, for example, your drawer sides, front, back and bottom can be made as individual components. These can then be assembled into a 'drawer' component, then the drawers can simply be duplicated as many times as you want. You can then drill down and edit, say, the drawer front component, and all the drawers will magically follow suit. The stored files will also take up less memory if you use multiple components.

    Nice work on the wood texturing too.
    Those are my principles, and if you don't like them . . . well, I have others.

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Canberra
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    171

    Default

    The wood texturing is from a pic of our Chiswell buffet. Once I have done a finished sample of the blackbutt I'm currently leaning towards then I cam demo that too!

    I have a small confession tho - there is nothing behind the drawer fronts in my model ...

    I have just drawn up the design for my daughter's "big bed" based on the one on the cover of the Taunton bed book. I have moved the rails up 5cm as it will be mattress on slats only and omitted the slatted high foot. Still not sure about the foot design but it's much easier to visualise like this!

    I drew in all the slats on the bed head manually which was very silly since I guess the component function would make this so much quicker and easier!

    Steph

  5. #4
    Join Date
    May 2005
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    Eden Hills, South Australia
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    Default

    The slats would be ideal component-fodder. Make one, do a ctrl-move copy, type 20x, and bingo! you have 20 slats evenly spaced along your bed-head (e.g. the 10-men-in-a-bed version attached).

    On that bed, I'd be very wary of the bits sticking out either side at the foot. They are just the right height to bash your leg on each time you walk round the corner of the bed (DAMHIKT)
    Those are my principles, and if you don't like them . . . well, I have others.

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    171

    Default

    So do I make the cap for the foot of the bed higher eg top of mattress level? Or narrower eg 5mm beyond side of posts the same hangover as front/back? Or both?

    I am not sure I like the look of the foot. Wondering about making the foot legs another 15cm or so higher with a 5cm rail beneath the cap and 10cm gap above the foot rail but no slats?

    Steph

  7. #6
    Join Date
    May 2005
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    Eden Hills, South Australia
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by s_m View Post
    So do I make the cap for the foot of the bed higher eg top of mattress level? Or narrower eg 5mm beyond side of posts the same hangover as front/back? Or both?

    I am not sure I like the look of the foot. Wondering about making the foot legs another 15cm or so higher with a 5cm rail beneath the cap and 10cm gap above the foot rail but no slats?

    Steph
    Here's a few options. (1) Duplicate the head at the foot but make it about half the height of the head. (2) Similar to (1) but without the slats, lightening the look while achieving balance. (3) A four-poster version for that wow! effect, and also capable of holding mosquito (or more romantic) netting.
    Those are my principles, and if you don't like them . . . well, I have others.

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Melbourne, Australia
    Age
    46
    Posts
    2,346

    Default

    +1 for option #1.
    I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.
    Albert Einstein

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    171

    Default

    Thanks for the feedback and input!

    Here is the design from the original plan (below) so you can see that it's pretty much Zenwood's #1.

    I have omitted the head and foot leg wings (which cover bed bolt ends at rail level) since I will be using brackets and made the cap narrower.

    I have lowered the foot because I don't want it to sit higher than the mattress. Other Half suggests omitting the cap from the foot altogether but then I'll end up with 50x50 end grain on the legs so I'm trying to find a way to tidy it up a bit.

    It will be built of reclaimed Ash.

    If I'm going to put a minimalist foot on it then should I drop the head height? The plan is this high because it's designed for an ensemble to sit 175mm off the floor.

    The height I have the mattress will allow me (5ft6 tall) to sit on the bed with my feet flat on the floor. I will initially put the cleats and rails at the very bottom of the rails so the mattress will sit 5-8cm lower (about 45cm) so that a heavy 3yo can climb on and off by herself.

    Steph

  10. #9
    Join Date
    May 2005
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    Quote Originally Posted by s_m View Post
    Other Half suggests omitting the cap from the foot altogether ... so that a heavy 3yo can climb on and off by herself.
    I know exactly where you and the other half are coming from, regarding the low foot, ability for 3yo to climb aboard etc. because we did exactly the same thing. I would heartily recommend NOT going down that route. The matress and covers will be much more stable with a proper foot, and you won't be dinging your legs on the corners. The bed will last 100 years, and your 3yo will have passed it on to her grandchildren by then.
    Those are my principles, and if you don't like them . . . well, I have others.

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Canberra
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    Default

    Ok I can see your point and will have a think and chat to HWMBO - tho I can't believe I'm now considering milling 42 slats ...

    Steph

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Durong Qld
    Age
    63
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    849

    Default

    Just think how good you will be at doing it by the end of it.
    Donna

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Bradenton, FL US
    Age
    63
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    323

    Default

    OK.....OK....all of you have me drooling over Sketch Up which has been on my PC sitting idle for far too long.

    Steph and Zen.........please tell me how to go about starting to learn this. I want to do it right, so be gentle....

    Bill

  14. #13
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
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    Default

    Have a look here, there are lots of links to tutorials.

    Al

  15. #14
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Canberra
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    Default

    Zen would be the one to give higher level advice but as my original post mentions I struggled to make more than a 2D rectangle until I watched about 2/3 of the Intro tutorial online.

    Warning - it's addictive!!

    Steph

  16. #15
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    34

    Default

    Warning - it's addictive!!

    Steph[/quote]

    Yes I agree very addictive. You do get fustrated if you go through a tutorial and get stuck with no alternatives.

    Thats why we have this forum i surpose..
    It all comes down to smoke and mirrors......

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