The tool set was different from other applications that I have used, and working in a 3D space using a 2D mouse proved challenging without some guidance. SketchUp was a natural choice for me because A) there is a robust version available for free, B) I have seen many example drawings that represented exactly the type of projects that I wanted to design with the tool so I knew that it was capable of performing my intended tasks, and C) because it is so widely adopted, there is an abundance of free and inexpensive self-guided training materials available.Ī few years back I had made a couple previous attempts to just “dive in” to the application but I found it difficult to master that way. I wanted to gain the efficiency of a “real design tool” that would allow me to work in three dimensions with a tool set that was purpose-built for detailed illustrations, so I finally made a commitment to learn SketchUp. All of these approaches left me feeling constrained, and I felt that the limitations of the tools were negatively affecting my designs. Prior to learning SketchUp, I had developed my designs over the years using pencil and paper, as well as a couple of general purpose computer applications that were not specifically intended for furniture design. Most of the woodworking that I do is custom, requiring original design, or at minimum a bit of modification of an existing concept.

Sketchup woodworking