Sketchup Headaches

[jTr]

I've been told this works, bought the pro version upgrade of Sketchup to be able to export dxf's and spent hours trying, but not experiencing success. Partworks sees nothing but a pile of hundreds of open vectors for a few cabinet parts laid out for a single sheet of plywood. I've got errant X patterns on the components when importing the dxf - have tried deleting erroneous lines and partworks still says no go.

I'm certain I've read about the fact that you must select a specific sub-category of dxf ( "line dxf" ?) for this to work, but need assistance finding how to correct this in sketchup's output. Have found options in the saving process to select version of autocad, and attributes such as including text, edges,faces, etc.


Any other sketchup addicts that can shed some light?

Thanks!
Jeff

[sam_harbold]

Jeff, I am using the free version of Sketchup V7 with this free plugin
http://www.guitar-list.com/download-software/convert-sketchup-skp-files-dxf-or-stl then exporting to Vcarve pro and it seem to work great. Here are a couple of screen shots of a recent project. The plugin also exports stl which I have used for some 3d machining and it too works great.

[jTr]

Sam - thanks for speaking up - Now we're talkin!

I'll get that plug in.

For clarification,
You are:
1. "exploding" model into it's individual components and laying out flat. Is this done in a new drawing so you can export the dxf, or will it only include what you've selected to export? (Pro exports everything, regarless of what's selected)
2. Any special attention to generating layers, especially if needing to pocket out dado's, etc.? (I've never bothered with layers in the past.)
3. Does it work better to import into Partworks 3D if using mortises, dado's, etc?

Love that Sketchup - over the last 4 years have generated a library of furniture including tables/chairs with exacting details of mortise/tenon construction, and really need to start manipulating into shop bot parts so I can get this new machine running....

Thanks for sharing your insight!

Jeff

[CNYDWW]

I have the Pro version too but i still use the free plugin. What i normally do is choose the surfaces with a double click. This selects the surface and the lines, circles etc. etc. I rarely export the entire model unless it's to an stl. Keep in mind, even if you setup groups or components in sketchup, they will not transfer over.

Regards
Randy

[jTr]

Ok - getting there, but still have excessive duplicate vectors that are confusing tool path - dozens of "invalid" ignored vectors. After deleting extra overlapping lines, toolpathing option ignores visible lines...
Trying to understand why simple rectangles are being rendered in endless duplicate/overlapping lines.
Possibly because I've pushed / pulled rabbets/dados on faces?
Seems "polylines" option almost works, but wondering what
everyone else is using for export option for line format?

Thanks for all the help!

Jeff

[adrianm]

When you're exporting from Sketchup Pro are you using the Export 3D model or Export 2D graphic?

If you're doing flat vectors for Partworks then you need to export a DXF from the Export 2D option.

For Partworks 3D it's the Export 3D option but I find the the 3DS file type works better in that instance.

To be honest I gave up exporting Sketchup designs a long time ago (although I still use it all the time for visualisation) as how something is drawn in 3D isn't the same as it is cut in 2D.

[myxpykalix]

I haven't been paying that much attention to this thread but was searching thru some folders and found a plugin for sketchup and don't know if it is relevent to anything here but thought i would post the download location incase you wanted to check it out:
http://www.sycode.com/products/3ds_export_su/index.htm

it is a 3d exporter from sketchup:D

[sam_harbold]

Jeff

I take my model and copy it 2 times on the same drawing placing each copy on a separate layer. 1st copy on exploded layer and the second copy I place on CNC layer. I then hide the first 2 layers so that the only thing in view is the CNC layer. I then rotate the vertical parts flat to the xy plane. I then run (Flatten to 2D plugin) on all the components on the CNC layer. http://www.smustard.com/script/Flatten I then select the parts and export to dxf. Next step is to open the dxf in Vcarve pro. In Vcarve pro I copy the vectors for each operation onto a new layer then setup up my machining. Hope this helps.

[dlcw]

Sam,

Have you used this plugin? I notice it costs $10 and wonder if it's worth it? How accurate and consistent is it?

Thanks!

[jTr]

Adrian: have been exporting 3D, and wondered after my last post if that was the issue. My brain is hard wired for the 3D world, but partworks is "2.5". It is expecting simple outlines to trace pathways. I realize now the duplicate lines are from 3D components -2 lines make up a 3D edge, but simply are seen as lines laid upon lines in a the plan view format Partworks opens in. Upon importing, I noticed layers were automatically registering all the components, which clued me in on the excessive data.

Sam: will get that plug in as well - makes a lot of sense, and an automated way of doing this means much more likely I'll stick with sketchup for complex projects. I appreciate the screen shots and your willingness to spell it all out!

I need to write a thank you to Ryan @ shopbot, as his webex classes have been a tremendous help in understanding just how good the partworks program is as well.

As several of you noted, need to think more in terms of toolpath movements as I draw, and your input is making all the difference.
Thanks for helping - I'm seeing more forest than trees now!:D

Jeff

[gene]

What is your opinion on sketchup ? do you use it much ?

[jTr]

Gene,
Here is why I am a strong advocate for Sketchup:
- It is truely a blank slate, which I need for the wide variety of furniture I produce.
- It allows me to be dimensionally accurate, saving many hours of mock-up prototyping, especially with the complexities of chairmaking, and is much more intuitive than other CAD programs I've tried.
- Before I bought my Shopbot, I used a common laser printer to generate very exact templates for complex parts and joinery layouts.
- You can produce professional drawings and presentations as a sales aid, including popular appliances available online that can simply be downloaded and placed in a kitchen layout for instance. I've even used online inventory photos of specialty veneers to "paint" onto my drawings to give very accurate 3D renderings of what the completed project should look like.
- It's popularity is increasing, with plenty of educational aids, including Robert Lange's DVD series focusing on it's utilization in woodworking.

Now for flip side, see current thread: http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14956

jeff

[michael_schwartz]

Sketchup is perfect for conceptual work. I have not found anything that is easier, or faster to learn and use. When appropriate I also use sketchup to create simple measured drawings.

I prefer to do all my actual cad work for the ShopBot in Aspire.

I wish Vectric would add the ability to "dimension" the files and export drawings, but my guess is that there may be licensing issues with elements of code used in the software that prevent this? If they could do this, you wouldn't really need any other 2D cad software.

For plywood casework, and assemblies I am currently learning e-cabinets. For some work, drawing parts individually and reinventing the wheel is a a waste of time.

[gene]

Thank you both. My next question was pro worth it but you answered before i asked the question:cool: