Layers!

People love choices these days!  Us kitchen designers see that all the time.  With so many choices, how do you show all the options in Sketchup without doing multiple drawings?


Its easy really, you use layers.  Layers are collections of Sketchup geometry.  The beauty of layers is that they can be hidden and shown at anytime.


Basically what this means is that you can show any number of options in a kitchen, whether that be different appliances, cabinets, colors, or walls.  All you have to do is draw each option, and put it on a layer.  To show that option, simply enable that layer, and disable the others.


If you are using groups, which you should be, you can easily put groups on layers, this creating options...  I tell you what, just watch the video!

Profile Builder

The developers of Sketchup have made much of it "open source". They allow anyone with programming skills to write their own plug ins. This has allowed a large community of Sketchup users to make plug ins for all sorts of applications. Some plug ins are made by large companies, and some are made by all night programming spree's fueled by Mountain Dew and Hot Pockets . As you might expect with this broad range of talents, there would be varying results. I am not sure if this plug in is backed by corporate investors, or skin irritating microwaved food, but I can tell you the results are genius!

The most obvious use of this plug in is for making crown moldings and trim. For years, I have been using the brilliant "Follow me " tool to make moldings. This works well, but it is a multi step process.

First, you need to draw your profile. Then you need to place it in the right spot, then you need to draw out a path for it to follow. Finally, you get to use the "Follow Me" tool and drag the profile along that line. This may sound a little "Rube Goldberg" It isn't all that hard, but it does require a bunch of clicking, and you do have to re-draw, or copy and past your molding profile each time you place a new molding. Often times when you have curved moldings, you have to "soften smooth" the edges to remove unnecessary lines. Lastly, if you need to change the path of your molding, you have to re-draw it over again.

Check out this video, made by the creator of Profile Builder to get an idea of how it works. At the end of this post, you can view my tutorial on how to use Profile Builder in kitchen design.

Don't get me wrong, the "follow me " tool is a brilliant addition to Sketchup, but this new plug in, "Profile Builder " takes the "Follow me" tool and really turns it up to eleven!

Profile builder can be used for so much more then just crown moldings. I also use it for walls, and even counter tops!

Profile Builder can also export lists of the lengths of moldings that you have used. If you want to save time, and make your Sketchup experience even easier, I highly recommend that you head over to Smustard, and purchase this plugin! You won't regret it!

Using Scenes

In this latest video we will learn how to use Scenes. Creating Scenes in Sketchup can really help you organize your presentation ahead of time. This way, when you and your clients sit down, you can easily navigate through your design. Spend more time selling and less time panning and zooming!

-Eric

Storing Models in the 3D Warehouse

This next video ties into our last video nicely. The 3D warehouse is like a huge, all you can eat buffett. Like that great meatloaf that you can't get enough of, you'll want to remember where it is the next time you go. Using your Google account for storing models online can help you save all those great models that you come accross. As a kitchen designer, and a fan of buffets, I use this technique every day to help me design faster.

Without further ado, enjoy!

-Eric

Using the 3D Warehouse

Designing kitchens and working in Sketchup isn't new to me, but making videos is. The first ones were a little rough around the edges. This latest video has come out wonderfully, and I think you will really enjoy it. Please leave comments about it, we'd love to hear your feedback. Afterall, we make these videos for you!

We will be putting out more videos shortly, and we will be updating the first ones.

This latest video shows how we kitchen designers can make use of all the great models on the 3D warehouse.