Basic Use of SketchUp

EXPORTING FROM ILLUSTRATOR TO USE IN SKETCHUP

1. Open or create an illustrator document with the design ideas want to bring into SketchUp. 

2. Add Extra Construction lines for centers of circles and making shapes in SketchUp. 

3. Trim your construction lines.

  • Make a shield shape (rectangle or squares around your ArtBoard)
  • Place the shield in the back (Object > Arrange > Send to Back)
  • Use the scissors tool to cut objects and lines that extend beyond the ArtBoard.
  • Erase the cut pieces.

4. Export your Illustrator document at a DXF file. 

 

USING SKETCHUP

Review the following videos for basics on SketchUp. These short videos are fantastic for an overview and are essential for undersign the video posted below. 

1. Basic Concepts

2. Drawing Shapes

3. Push Pull Tool

1. Set Preferences for 3D Printing template. 

2. Tool Pallets: Go to View > Tool Palettes > Large Tool Set

3. Add Measurements to your Horizontal Toolbar.

4. Open the Layers and Instructor windows. 

5. Erase the Makerbot Model

6. Make a 11X11 Square. (Use a unique "model" layer) 

7. Import the Illustrator DXF file to SketchUp

8. Consolidate the DXF information into as single group.

9. Make a "construction line" layer. 

10. Making a Basic Model