SketchUp Guru
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This could be useful if you use SketchUp. 
Dovetails and Box Joints
- Thread starter SketchUp Guru
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SketchUp Guru
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Didn't trip anyone's trigger, eh?
wizer
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Sorry Dave, meant to reply the other day. Whilst I appreciate the process, I'm not sure if I want my sketchup drawings to be that detailed. I'm sure for the working woodworker it's good to show a piece with it's joinery. But for me I just want something to work from. One thing I did notice was that the plugin was imperial. That's like speaking French to me.
SketchUp Guru
Established Member
I understand the level of detail thing. You do what works for you. It depends upon what you need to show. It'll certainly be a time saver for me when drawing plans for others to follow.
As I posted at the end of the blog entry, there's a revision coming--probably today, according to the author--that will make the plugin use Model Units for the values. That should take care of the language issue for you.
As I posted at the end of the blog entry, there's a revision coming--probably today, according to the author--that will make the plugin use Model Units for the values. That should take care of the language issue for you.
SketchUp Guru
Established Member
Yer what hurts?
You're welcome.
You're welcome.
MikeH
Established Member
Downloaded the latest version but couldn't get it to work properly. It seemed to draw all of the tails on top of each other, not nicely spaced out. WIll have another play!
MikeH
Established Member
Ahh Haa, got it now I think, all stretched out so onto the next bit. Looks really neat so far. I have only got to grips with SU in the last 10 days so am learning fast. The basics are very easy once you start.
SketchUp Guru
Established Member
Mike, glad you got it.
There was an update in the last hour or so. Now it should work with your Model Units.
There was an update in the last hour or so. Now it should work with your Model Units.
MikeH
Established Member
Sorted it now, I like that, very easy once you get the hang of it.
Thanks for pointing it out.
Dave, have you got a stock list of decent plug ins for the free version of SU for woodworking pls along with where I can get them? Anything for an easy life.
Thanks for pointing it out.
Dave, have you got a stock list of decent plug ins for the free version of SU for woodworking pls along with where I can get them? Anything for an easy life.
Steve Maskery
Established Member
Mike
There are more decent plugins than you can shake a stick at. The problem is that every single one of them slows the loading process down a bit and, furthermore, the plugin menus can get so big you can't find what you want.
It's much better to install only those you really need.
My personal ones are:
Weld
Set Center Point (sic-very useful as an anchor)
Make faces 1.1
Mirror Selection
Dashed Lines
but it all depends on what sort of work you do. All except the Dashed Lines are free, and all, IIRC, are available from the Smustard site.
Dave, thanks for that, I'll take a look. It may well be useful for my illustration work.
Cheers
Steve
There are more decent plugins than you can shake a stick at. The problem is that every single one of them slows the loading process down a bit and, furthermore, the plugin menus can get so big you can't find what you want.
It's much better to install only those you really need.
My personal ones are:
Weld
Set Center Point (sic-very useful as an anchor)
Make faces 1.1
Mirror Selection
Dashed Lines
but it all depends on what sort of work you do. All except the Dashed Lines are free, and all, IIRC, are available from the Smustard site.
Dave, thanks for that, I'll take a look. It may well be useful for my illustration work.
Cheers
Steve
MikeH
Established Member
Thanks Steve, will check them out.
outcycling
Established Member
Slowwwly getting to grips with SU and saw this topic so given it a go but am struggling. I created some sides and a dovetail template with the pluggin and have moved the template onto the end of the draw side. Zoomed right in to make sure it is all aligned up on the side but when I go to the push/pull tool it will only select the whole side of the draw, not just the tail or pin ? No doubt am missing a stage somewhere but damned if I can see it. Any ideas what I am failing to do ?
SketchUp Guru
Established Member
outcycling,
Have you made the sides of your box components or groups? If so, the dovetail template is outside the component/group. In order for the 'template' to modify the component or group, it needs to be inside the component or group. Copy (Ctrl+C) the template then open the component for editing. Go to the Edit menu and choose Paste in Place.
If you are using V6 of SketchUp, the edges from the template won't automatically break the edges of the side so you'll need to select the template and the drawer side geometry, right click and choose Intersect>Intersect Selected. In version 7 the intersection is done automatically.
Have you made the sides of your box components or groups? If so, the dovetail template is outside the component/group. In order for the 'template' to modify the component or group, it needs to be inside the component or group. Copy (Ctrl+C) the template then open the component for editing. Go to the Edit menu and choose Paste in Place.
If you are using V6 of SketchUp, the edges from the template won't automatically break the edges of the side so you'll need to select the template and the drawer side geometry, right click and choose Intersect>Intersect Selected. In version 7 the intersection is done automatically.
outcycling
Established Member
Thanks Dave, I had made the side a component. I downloaded the latest version of SU just this week. I pasted in place and have then moved to the PP tool, but strangely when I select the pin to push it out it extends a line across the end of the rail but doesn't actually erase the tail section ? Weird.
Russ
Russ
outcycling
Established Member
Wehay. I saved it then exited and re-fired up SU. Loaded in the drawing again and the rail was still a component. So exploded it and was then able to push/pull the tails. Excellent. Thanks Dave.
Russ
Russ
SketchUp Guru
Established Member
Russ, Glad you got it to go.
Why would you explode the component? There's no need to do that. Just open it for editing.
Why would you explode the component? There's no need to do that. Just open it for editing.
outcycling
Established Member
Well tbh I don't know the difference. Just clicked on the first thing in there that looked like it'd do the job.
Haven't managed to go through all the SU tutorials yet so jumping ahead playing with the dovetail plugin but saw your post and couldn't resist, I know, I know, RTFM I hear you cry But manual is always a last resort isn't it ? :lol:
Haven't managed to go through all the SU tutorials yet so jumping ahead playing with the dovetail plugin but saw your post and couldn't resist, I know, I know, RTFM I hear you cry
But manual is always a last resort isn't it ? :lol:SketchUp Guru
Established Member
That's fine but you might find it helpful to read all that I wrote about using the dovetail plugin. I think I made it clear how to deal with getting the 'template' into the component.
outcycling
Established Member
Yes Dave, many thanks for all that. I did indeed read all your reply to me & it worked a treat. Did the intersection etc. I just for some reason used explode rather than edit component. All working fine now though thanks.
