Sketchup Help!

[enm]

I finally decided, thanks to the urging of several North Carolina Woodworker members to try to learn Sketchup (again). This time, after a few days of scratching my head and looking at every tutorial I could find, I've had some success.

I'm presently working on a new music box and I thought I would kill two birds with one stone by using Sketchup to make a model.

Here's a photo of the full sized instrument that I am copying.



Now here's the Sketchup model that I'm working on.



Notice that the model has no legs. I can't figure out how to draw these cabriole-styled legs in Sketchup. I thought I could do it by simulating a rectangular wood blank - draw the leg outline on two adjacent surfaces - and push-pull the waste areas on both surfaces - just like you would do in real life on a bandsaw. Unfortunatley, it doesn't work. Seems you can't push-pull on 2 adjacent surfaces is Sketchup.

If anyone knows a way to draw a cabriole styled leg in Sketchup I'd greatly appreciate the help.

Thanks
Ernie

[TracyP]

Ernie, have you tried looking on Sketchup's web site to see if maybe someone has uploaded a model that would get you close?

[Threejs]

Here is a good podcast for learning sketch-up. They get into alot of shortcuts, and some complicated shapes. Hope this helps.

http://www.go-2-school.com/podcasts

[PeteM]

This will help:
http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehou...8a263e43962eb7

Also check this out:
http://groups.google.com/group/SketchUp/web/tips-tricks

pete

[enm]

Thanks much for your links. The link to 3d Warehouse hit the nail on the head. Can't wait to try it out. I'll post a pix if it works ... or even if it doesn't.
Thanks again,
Ernie

[nelsone]

Dave Richards is a member over at Family Woodworking and is a Sketchup expert. He has posted several articles in FWW. Very accessible and very helpful. See about contacting him, I'm sure he'd be willing to help out!