Finding the right tools for a job is always important. Having a detailed plan of attack is key too speed, accuracy, and customer satisfaction. This also translates to less errors and questionable mistakes.
The introduction of Google Sketchup into the woodworking environment provides us with the proper tools to accomplish this. Once the drawing is completed you are left with a detailed diagram, and even patterns for radii. Each individual part can be virtually fabricated and fitted to the other parts in 3D before a single cut is made. Although it did take some time to learn the basics of the software, the possibilities are endless!
The amount of virtual fabrication that people are doing with this software is mind blowing. To name a few… car body styles, complete commercial building projects in stages, animated break-away diagrams of walls showing layers, residential diagrams of waterways, electrical & amp; mechanical diagrams, traffic pattern management, high rise buildings, historic landmarks, interior decoration floor plans, plants, bugs, robots…. and the list doesn’t stop. Google Sketchup 3D is highly versatile and adaptable to many mediums. For our application in furniture I have only scratched the surface of the design aspect of what can be done. Its an exciting and fun tool to use. This is my first stop in design now.
In the photos here I was able to fabricate and 2′ tall x 1′ wide and 1′ deep mini case with glass doors. Its has dadoes holding the shelves into the case. The face frame is glued and bisqited to the case. The legs have mortise and tenons holding them together. The doors are through mortise and tenons. The coloring is cherry.
Hopefully this software can provide an easy solution in the future for future customers to visualize a piece of custom furniture before its made and for us to provide plans for people that are interested in building projects we have made. I use this on a regular basis here at Wall Woodworks on a variety of projects.