subject: Getting Started with Woodworking - Computer Aided Design [print this page] Getting Started with Woodworking - Computer Aided Design
Overview
Wikipedia defines computer-aided design (CAD) as the use of computer technology for the design of objects, real or virtual. Using a computer to design projects is fun and easy. It allows rapid prototyping,testing and changes to designs. Viewing a design in three dimensions helps when trying to visualize the final product. No special skills are needed and free training is readily available to help build skills quickly. While you may have never considered using a computer to design your next woodworking project, read on to see why it's not only something you should consider, but where you can go to get free training and get a fully functional and free computer-aided design tool.
Sketchup
Introducing Google Sketchup. SketchUp is a 3D modeling program designed for anyone that wants to develop models quickly and easily. It is designed to be easier to use than other 3D CAD programs. Typical of other Google products, the power of Sketchup comes in it's ease of use and it's ability to get started quickly. Sketchup imports objects from Google's 3D Warehouse. The 3D Warehouse is a place where anyone can contribute their own design. There are thousands of objects available in the warehouse to choose from. Even beginning CAD users can learn Sketchup quickly and easily due to it's intuitive interface and extensive training.
Sketchup Features
As with most Google tools, Sketchup is very rich with features. The power of the program is in it's breadth of tools and ease of use in incorporating those tools. Some useful features are:
Edges and Faces - The basis for all drawings. Edges are straight lines and faces are the 2D shapes that are formed when edges connect to one another. Initially all design is done in 2D for speed and simplicity.
Push/Pull - You grab the face of your 2D object and either push it or pull it to create a 3D object. This is the true power of Sketchup, allowing you to quickly change 2D objects into 3D
Accurate Measurements - Sketchup can be as precise as you need it to be. Sketchup provides gridlines to use when creating your drawings, and commands that make creating precise measurements a snap.
Follow Me - A tool that allows you to draw part of a shape, then duplicate it around your object. Picture a decorative table leg. You can quickly create a design for your leg, then extend it around all of your legs, quickly, easily and precisely.
Paint Bucket - Like many drawing programs, the paint bucket is available to choose colors and textures for your objects.
Groups and Components - Sketchup allows the user to create groups. Once a group is identified, any changes made to one item in the group automatically applies to all items in the group. If you have a chair with many decorative spindles, you can group them, make a change to one spindle and that change will automatically be applied equally to all spindles.
Shadows - Add realistic shadows to your objects. Great when creating people or trees in a landscape and you want to add the realism of shadows.
Sections - As you create your model, you can identify sections of your model that can be moved out of the way. This allows you to peek inside your model to see what it looks like. Great for floorplans or to view details inside an object.
Scenes - Similar to versions. Create a model of your workshop with tools rolled into their storage position as one scene, then take the same model and move your tools into active use positions as another scene.
Dimensions and Labels - Allow you to further define the detail in 3D. Allows extreme levels of detail to be added.
The Instructor - Always available help tool. Whenever you get stuck, the Instructor is there to provide assistance.
Importing Plans
So now that you see the power of Google Sketchup, you may be thinking that you aren't particularly creative and could never design something from scratch. If that's you, Google has an answer... the 3D Warehouse.
The Google 3D Warehouse is a collection of 3D models of buildings, bridges, cars, spaceships, futons, dinosaurs and everything else in the universe. It's completely free for everyone to use, and it's getting bigger every day. Because the warehouse is open to everyone, you'll find objects from fellow woodworkers, from manufacturers and from experts in the design field. At the time of this writing there are over 300 workbench objects, 89 router table objects, 10,000 chair objects and 200 treehouse objects.
No matter what you are trying to build, chances are you'll find something in the warehouse to start with.
Next Steps
Hopefully you've seen how a CAD program like Sketchup can help you with your next woodworking project. The next step is for you to download Sketchup and try it out. It's completely free and runs on Windows or Macs. Just search Google for "sketchup" and you'll find it.
Once you've got it installed, check out the video training. Google offers over 65 videos to help you to get started plus there is a help forum that allows you to interact with other Sketchup users.
