Comments on: Use SketchUp for Full Size Patterns

By: frankie Talarico Jr.

frankie Talarico Jr. — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:22:30 +0000

I am in the same boat as Bob Lang, being in the architectual millwork field we use plotters. And nothing beats it for the pros while using autocad.

But for small hobby shops, sketchup is hands down the easist and most economic. I use it for home when I’m doing inlays. I apply the pattern on the work surfacew and cut right through the paper, works very well.

I’m an artist with my hands, not with a pencil.

By: Mike Halporn

Mike Halporn — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:57:57 +0000

Thank you, thank you, Bob Lang. Today, you taught me something about about SketchUp which I’ve needed to know for a long time.

By: Steve McDaniel

Steve McDaniel — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 22:04:54 +0000

I’ve been designing my woodworking projects in the Pro/Engineer software we use at work. Full sized plots for the parts then make things go much easier in the woodshop. I’ll often use spray adhesive to attach the plots to the work pieces.

In addition, the 3D files that are created in the software end up being a virtual prototype where I can easily manipulate the dimensions to get the best function and proportion.

By: Bob Lang

Bob Lang — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 20:47:28 +0000

I first started doing full size patterns from AutoCAD when I worked in the millwork industry. With a large format plotter we used to print out full sized plans for curved reception desks and pieces with oddball corners. Saves a lot of time in layout, and gives you confidence you’re following the plan if you’re actually building on top of the plan.

Bob Lang

By: David Pruett

David Pruett — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:05:20 +0000

Bob -

Excellent idea!

It is interesting how creative ideas ebb and flow. I wrote a similar blog entry (January 30,2009) and video titled Episode #91 – Using SketchUp for Project Templates (http://foldingrule.blogspot.com/2009/01/episode-91-using-sketchup-for-project.html) on my blog The Folding Rule. It was also posted (February 15, 2009) on FWW GlueTube (http://finewoodworking.taunton.com/item/7098/using-sketchup-for-project-templates).

I find this a very helpful technique to take full-sized complicated patterns or layout markings directly from SketchUp to the project on the bench.

Looks like great minds truly think alike!

Best Regards,
David