Free SketchUp software

Few · 30th April 2006, 06:06 PM

If you're looking for some great software to help you visualize the design of your next project--in three dimensions--you might be interested to learn that a very slightly streamlined version of SketchUp has just become available FREE of charge. You can download it at:

Sketchup download

I've been using the full blown version of this software for about nine months and have found it to be fantastic for designing anything in three dimensions. It's not CAD software; it's really optimized for visualizing ideas. Nonetheless, you can specify dimensions quite precisely when necessary. The best part is that you're always working directly in three dimensions and the tools are very intuitive--okay, it takes a little bit of effort to get used to them at first, but there are very helpful video tutorials available. I find I now often reach for SketchUp instead of for a pen and piece of paper when trying to brainstorm. Highly recommended, and the price is now very right.

Few

bigwill · 30th April 2006, 08:10 PM

This software seems pretty cool indeed, after reading the tutorials I was able to create this after about 30 minutes total in the program, a mock up of a back loaded horn for a fullrange driver (bodged together pretty horribly

)

jamikl · 1st May 2006, 02:03 AM

Thanks for this Few. Its great. I,m sure everybody in the house will have use for this programme.

Geek · 1st May 2006, 02:10 AM

We need IE browser for this program, why?

jamikl · 1st May 2006, 04:04 AM

I got it on Firefox Geek.
jamikl

Geek · 1st May 2006, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jamikl
I got it on Firefox Geek.
jamikl

Cheers!

Few · 1st May 2006, 01:56 PM

Glad you're finding SketchUp useful. I invested a chunk of change in a book that really helps make use of some of the hidden power of SketchUp. I don't have the title with me at the moment but can post it if there's interest. The downside is that it was pretty expensive (something like $90, if I recall). Nonetheless, I've come to rely on SketchUp so much that I've found the book to be a good investment. There are an amazing number of little tidbits that make the software easier to use; it's more powerful than it might seem upon first exposure. The more I learn about it, the more impressed I am.

Few

qi · 1st May 2006, 04:27 PM

Cool!

Thanks...

ruerose · 2nd May 2006, 10:39 PM

thanks for the link, sure is helping me visualize my next project.

(A variation cosmetically on the floorstanding version of Zaph's XG18/27TDFC MTM.
http://www.zaphaudio.com/audio-speaker16.html)

(L to R: Beta 1~Alpha~Original Design)

roger_lew · 4th May 2006, 12:59 AM

Does anyone know if you can export/convert the sketchup files to 3dsmax (.max or .3ds preferably) with the free version or with a 3rd party utility? Don't need texture info just the mesh is fine.

Thanks in advance, Roger

30th April 2006, 06:06 PM	#1
Few diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Maine, USA	Free SketchUp software If you're looking for some great software to help you visualize the design of your next project--in three dimensions--you might be interested to learn that a very slightly streamlined version of SketchUp has just become available FREE of charge. You can download it at: Sketchup download I've been using the full blown version of this software for about nine months and have found it to be fantastic for designing anything in three dimensions. It's not CAD software; it's really optimized for visualizing ideas. Nonetheless, you can specify dimensions quite precisely when necessary. The best part is that you're always working directly in three dimensions and the tools are very intuitive--okay, it takes a little bit of effort to get used to them at first, but there are very helpful video tutorials available. I find I now often reach for SketchUp instead of for a pen and piece of paper when trying to brainstorm. Highly recommended, and the price is now very right. Few

1st May 2006, 02:03 AM	#3
jamikl diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Melbourne	free Sketchup Thanks for this Few. Its great. I,m sure everybody in the house will have use for this programme.

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1st May 2006, 02:10 AM	#4
Geek diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004	We need IE browser for this program, why?

1st May 2006, 04:04 AM	#5
jamikl diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Melbourne	I got it on Firefox Geek. jamikl

1st May 2006, 01:56 PM	#7
Few diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Maine, USA	Glad you're finding SketchUp useful. I invested a chunk of change in a book that really helps make use of some of the hidden power of SketchUp. I don't have the title with me at the moment but can post it if there's interest. The downside is that it was pretty expensive (something like $90, if I recall). Nonetheless, I've come to rely on SketchUp so much that I've found the book to be a good investment. There are an amazing number of little tidbits that make the software easier to use; it's more powerful than it might seem upon first exposure. The more I learn about it, the more impressed I am. Few

1st May 2006, 04:27 PM	#8
qi diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: .	Cool! Thanks...

2nd May 2006, 10:39 PM	#9
ruerose diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2005	thanks for the link, sure is helping me visualize my next project. (A variation cosmetically on the floorstanding version of Zaph's XG18/27TDFC MTM. http://www.zaphaudio.com/audio-speaker16.html) (L to R: Beta 1~Alpha~Original Design)

4th May 2006, 12:59 AM	#10
roger_lew diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Moscow, ID	Does anyone know if you can export/convert the sketchup files to 3dsmax (.max or .3ds preferably) with the free version or with a 3rd party utility? Don't need texture info just the mesh is fine. Thanks in advance, Roger

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