Has anyone here downloaded Google Sketch-up and or used it?  I have tried several free CAD programs w/o much luck.  I am not a computer whiz by any stretch of the imagination.  So I'm curious as to how easy it is to learn.  Did it slow down your PC in any noticable way?  Is it so easy a caveman can do it?  LOL! 

I watched several youtube vids on it but they move a little faster than I can keep up with.  Is there a tutorial for CAD dummies you are aware of?

Would love to hear your take on it, any tips you can give a beginner, etc.

Dewey,

I downloaded and installed Google Sketchup and love it.  I too watched several of the youtube video tutorials and found them very usefull.  i seemed to catch on pretty quick - although I did have my son assist me at time - he is an engineer and used CAD daily.

Here are a couple of the things I designed thus far.  The first is an outfeed table for my table saw.  This is still a work in progress and is not exactly what I am going to build - but you can see what I did.

The second thing is a gun cleaning box.  I am going to make 2 of these - one for me and one for my son.  They have them on Cabelas web site (and others), buit I did not like the way the gun support is over the box.  I am incorporating the gun holder in a drawer that can be removed.

As far as slowing computer down - well it did not for me.  Depending on the configuration of your pc it should'nt - but it could.  It uses alot of memory when in use - that is probably when you would see some slowing - but when not in use should have no affect on your pc - UNLESS by installing it you use up alot of your disk space - leaving little for windows swap files - then you may see some slowing.  Really hard to tell!

As far as a caveman using it - LOL!  I am sure you can learn it with time and assistance.  The hardest thing I find is the orientation of the piece you are working on,.  There are several different planes and when I try to draw a box - it many times ends up on a different plane so it is not orientated the way I want.  Kinda hard to explain in words! Sorry!  But I would recommend it - great little tool for a freebee.  Plus there are many models on the internet you can download and incorporate into your drawing.

Hope this helps!

Thanks everyone.  Sixty, I saw your sketch-ups in the OPs but couldn't remember if you mentioned which program you used.  I do understand after watching the videeos what you mean by not having them in the right plane.  Are you using SU-7?  I understand there have been some important improvements since SU-6 but not sure what they are.  I think I'll download it this week and give it a whirl.  

Like Mike H, I'd be full of graphite too if I drew out all my ideas.  most of my projects I just jot down a few notes and measurements and figure it out in my head as my Dad used to do.  Unfortunately, although it works for me it's hard to relay to a potential customer just exactly what you picture in your minds eye.  Most often I find a similar model and then tell them the changes and improvements I would make, and go from there. 

Dewey,

 I have sketch-up and have played with it , but for me when if i need to draw something i want to build i use Delta Cad ,it is the most user friendly program that i have used.

http://www.deltacad.com/

Yes, I am using Google 7.1.4871

Thanks Sixty.  It took me 3 tries, and 2 reboots but I finally got SU-7 downloaded and installed last night.  I have been playing around w/ it a bit, working through some of the basics.  I did have a few problems w/ it freezing and crashing, but I hope that is over with.  If I get to where I can do anything amazing, LOL!  I'll post some photos of it.  

Eric thanks for the heads up on DeltaCAD, I'll keep that in mind if things don't work out for my pee-brain w/ Sketch-Up.

Just an update on my progress w/ SketchUp, or lack there of.  LOL!  I have been toying w/ it every chance I get and so far I've managed to draw out a basic sewing table, a door w/ arched window (even added the sky scene through the glass) and lastly I designed a couple different cabriole legs complete w/ tenon on top.  Nothing spectacular yet, just getting used to where everything is and most of the basics.  I must say it can be enjoyable at times, and other times a bit frustrating.  All in all, I think I've learned a fair amount for the few hours I've spent on it, seriously trying to create something. 

WTG Dewey!  Like I said - overall - for a freebie - I really like it!  Does what I need/want.

What I would like to see added eventually - is an explosion option where after you draw what you want - it would create an exploded version with the dimensions of the pieses - that would be cool.  You can manually accomplish this - but a real PITA!

Keep up the good work - lets see a pic when you get something completed!

For Bob (Sixty Vette) check out this link re: exploding groups.  Hope this helps.  If not just go to the Sketch Up help page and type explode in the search bar, it brings up several options.

http://sketchup.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=115398

Thanks - already knew about the explosion option.  Not what I am after.  You will find as you play and learn there are different techniques to use because of how Sketchup works.  If you draw a simple square - each of the 4 lines are a seperate entity.  Then you drag the surface to make it say 1/2 thick - now you have 12 seperate lines (4 on each surface and the 4 corners attaching the surfaces)  You can select the entire object and create a group to tie the entire object together.  You can then take multiple GROUPS and create COMPONENTS.  The explosion allows you to UNGROUP these objects to get a a particular line to make whatever adjustment you want/need.  VERY VERY helpful - but not what I would like to see in sketchup.

After you complete your drawing - I would like a key where you can select the entire object created and explode it into a parts list with individual pieces and sizes - heck I would even like it to create a cut list for me - LOL.  My as well go for it all - ha ha!

Anyways thanks for thinking of it and passing along.

Oh - and you may want to look into using LAYERS too eventually - again a very helpful tool to allow you to turn on/off different pieces of the project!  I have grown very fond of the layers option!