WORKSHOP
A
B
C
D
Fig. A: Draw a rectangle.
Fig. B: Mark the side for the cutout.
Fig. C: Carve out the underside.
Fig. D: Make the leg cutouts.
Build a Workbench
in SketchUp
Phase I. Conceptual Design
1. Get SketchUp running.
1a. Download and install SketchUp from
sketchup.google.com. It’s available for OS X
and Windows XP (please join me in begging for
a Linux version).
1b. Launch SketchUp and do the introductory
tutorial listed under Help Self-Paced Tutorials
Intro to get a feel for viewport navigation and
the basic drawing tools.
is Bryce. Click Edit Hide and wave goodbye
to Bryce.
2c. I like to organize the models within each
project on their own layers to control visibility and
interaction between parts. Add a new layer for the
conceptual phase by choosing Window Layers
and then clicking the Add Layer button in the Layers
window. Name the layer Rough Layer and make it
active by clicking the Active radio button. The active
layer is where all new objects will go.
3. Rough out the form.
3a. It all begins with a rectangle. Choose Draw
Rectangle. Now, click the left mouse button on the
origin (the center of the scene where all axes cross)
2. Prepare your project. and drag toward an opposite corner, paying atten-
2a. Create a new project by clicking File New. Set tion to the measurements in the lower right corner
the units to fractional inches by going to Window of the interface. Release the mouse button to finish.
Model Info, choosing the Units category on the left, Immediately after you draw a shape, you can type
and then picking Fractional from the Format list. in dimensions to set an exact size; type 48", 28"
This means that measurements in this project will and press Enter on the keyboard. (No need to click
be listed in inches only, instead of feet and inches. anywhere, just start typing.) A shaded rectangle
Also, go to Window Styles, click the Edit tab, and appears (Figure A).
turn on Endpoints. This makes vertices easier to see. 3b. Extrude the tabletop upward to give the model
2b. Use the Select tool (found under Tools Select) height. Choose Tools Push/Pull. This tool is fun to
to click on the 2D man living in your scene. His name use; put the cursor over the tabletop face, then click
124 Make: Volume 10
