SketchUp Help

[J D Thomas]

Does anyone have any advice on creating exploded parts drawings in SketchUp. FWIW, I'm on a Mac, and the program has been everything I need to accurately design my latest project, the first of 4 Arts & Crafts end tables for our family room. But I cannot figure out the best way to create exploded parts type diagrams from the components in my drawing. Or maybe I'm just going about it the wrong way. I've experimented a lot with Scenes but it feels kludgy going about it that way.

Any advice?

[Jason Whelehon]

Good question. I usually just move the parts on 1 of 3 axis for exploded views. I usually save a few different versions.

In AutoCAD you can have different views for exploded, layers, etc... sketchup is free and unless there's a secret function I'm not aware of, I think we're at the mercy of freeware.

[Jim Becker]

Jason, the free version of SketchUp! is identical to the $500 pro version outside of the ability to save files in certain cad formats, etc.

OP, I unfortunately cannot help with the question as I've done any explosions for my drawings. I don't go to that kind of detail for planning projects so have never tried it on the screen.

[Gary Ratajczak]

I have not purchased yet, but it's on the list. Thought i would pass it on.

http://www.smustard.com/script/ExplodeImplode

I have only used the move on an axes method so far on smaller projects.


( I have no affiliation with site or software - just passing on info)

Gary R.

[John Schreiber]

After I'm done with design work, I usually save a copy then do any exploding or other explanatory work in another copy. Problem is that I usually still find some changes I want to make, but have to make them to both the new copy and the old.

You are right about scenes, with a complex model, having multiple copies of each component gets messy.

I may try that ruby some time, but I haven't yet.

[J D Thomas]

That's kind of what I've been doing with Scenes. But it feels like a kludgy workaround. This particular project has a lot of mortises and my gray matter can't remember the layouts from the Mac upstairs to the shop. Ooh, laptop time…

I am using the demo version of the Pro and Jim's right in that there is no functional difference that I can see between it and the free version, so I can't see spending $500 once the demo expires. The free version does everything I need, except for explosions.

Suck it up time I guess.

[J D Thomas]

I have not purchased yet, but it's on the list. Thought i would pass it on.

http://www.smustard.com/script/ExplodeImplode

This is interesting Gary. I did some research and the scripts appear to be platform independent so they will probably work on a Mac. And $20 isn't too bad, if it works.