Community
Fri, May 18 2007

How do you make an Exploded View

Steve, a reader, has the following questions:

  1. How do you produce exploded drawings in SketchUp?
  2. How do you get the proper connecting points so that things like a real rail and stile door connect up properly?

Answers:

  1. One of the important features in SU is the "component" (also see previous entries on components). I make each piece of a furniture assembly a unique component. I do this early in my design of a piece - that is make it a component (e.g., a leg, stretcher, cornice, top, side, apron, etc. Whatever you will make in your shop as a separate piece, should be a component in SU.

    After having done this, you can copy components all over the SU file and any time you change one of these components, all copies will also be updated with the change.

    So to create the exploded view, I simply copy all the pieces of the furniture and place in a separate page of the SU file. That is, the copy is moved down the Red Axis, for example, say 20 feet or so. Now in this copied collection of pieces, I use the Move Tool to separate out all the components in an exploded view.
  2. When you connect these components, you place the Move Tool onto a corner of a component that you know should match up with a corner of another component. As soon as these corners get close to one another, SU inferencing engine takes over and snaps the two components precisely at their connection points.

    Many times I turn on x-ray to check that the pieces are fitting exactly the way I want.

Tim

 
Add a comment | ​Link To This Post | ​Print | ​Email

Comments (6)

  • 5/27/07 - Killenwood — I've just posted a short explanation of my process in using the Follow Me Tool. I've added a...  Show Full Comment
  • 5/27/07 - Ximro_ne — Tim, I too ran into a problem with the FollowMe tool on that panel edge you assisted me with. It...  Show Full Comment
  • 5/26/07 - Killenwood — Curt, regarding your question 1..... Click on "Window" Select "Model Info" Select "Dimensions"...  Show Full Comment
  • 5/26/07 - Killenwood — Curt, you can send your model to tkillen@killenwood.com Tim
  • 5/25/07 - Vevang — So of course my next question is how do I send you a sketchup drawing to better explain my...  Show Full Comment
View all Comments

Learn the art and science of designing furniture in SketchUp with Fine Woodworking's design blog. Moderated by a devoted community of designer/woodworkers, we'll feature step-by-step tutorials for designing components, downloads of pre-built 3D models of furniture parts, and news and information about the evolving world of digital furniture design.

MEET THE
CONTRIBUTORS:
Dave Richards
Tim Killen


Blog Entries
Archive>

FROM THE
FINE WOODWORKING STORE


BUY NOW!
The H.O. Studley Tool Chest Poster
Admire the most elaborate tool chest known to woodworkers with this glossy, 18-in. by 26-in. poster.

Downloadthe wallpaper to your desktop

Visit the Fine Woodworking Store

Quick Links on FineWoodworking.com

Woodworker Profiles
Meet woodworkers around the world
Knots
Woodworking forum (free registration required)
Fine Woodworking magazine
A trusted resource for more than 30 years
Fine Woodworking eLetter
Woodworking information delivered to your inbox

Fine Woodworking Blogs

The Editor's Mailbox
Overheard and on the record
Design. Click. Build.
Expert tutorials for computer-aided furniture design
GlueTube
Woodworking videos by the people for the people
Inside Andy's Shop
Woodworker Andy Rae chats about doings in and around Asheville

Archived Blogs

The Smart Shop
Matthew Teague chronicles his shop in progress
Build a Tall Clock
Five students tackle this masterpiece
Built-In Media Cabinet
Furniture for your television
Book Notes
Book Notes is now a weekly feature in The Editor's Mailbox.

More Woodworking Blogs

The Wood Whisperer
A video podcast
Philsville
Commentary from a UK woodworker
Masashi's Woodworking Diary
Woodworking in Japan
Matt's Basement Workshop
An audio podcast
LumberJocks
A community of woodworkers
Kala Fine Furniture
Woodworking in Australia
Furnitology
A video podcast
David Charlesworth
Notes from the celebrated British craftsman
Cornish Workshop
Musings From The Workbench
Chair Notes
A resource for windsor chair makers and woodworkers
Refined Edge
The writings of a Canadian furniture designer who works mainly with hand tools.
Sandal Woods
An extensive site, featuring photos and video, from a woodworker in St. Joseph, Mo.
Woodworkers Resource
Website featuring experiences of woodworker, Craig Stevens, with video podcast.
Furnitude
Blog about design and handmade furniture
Working Wood
Boatbuilder Tom Fidgen blogs about woodworking tools, techniques, design, etc.
Dorset Custom Furniture
A look at works in progress from a customer furniture maker
Northwest Woodworking Studio
School founder and FWW contributing editor Gary Rogowski brings his unique sense of humor to woodworking. And life.
Northwest Woodworking Studio
A blog from a young Texas furniture maker.
The Wood Mechanic
From a professional cabinetmaker in Richmond, Va.

All Material Copyright The Taunton Press Inc.