This is the companion page for Chapter 6 of the book Architectural Design with SketchUp.
On This Page
From the Book
In this chapter of Architectural Design with SketchUp, you will learn how you can turn your digital SketchUp models into physical objects. Making something has become such a popular application for SketchUp that Trimble has been a regular exhibitor at various Maker Faires and education-focused events. This chapter will first cover the possibilities for making with SketchUp and then lay out specific workflows for manual fabrication planning, laser cutting, CNC machining, and 3D printing.
Most of these techniques can be accomplished with the web version of SketchUp, but some require extensions and features that are just found in the desktop (Pro) version.
Chapter Sections:
- What Can You Make with SketchUp?
- Services for Makers
- Selecting the Manufacturing Technique
- Manual Fabrication Planning
- Laser Cutting (and Engraving)
- CNC Routing and Milling
- 3D Printing
- Learn More About Making
Note: This chapter was new to the second edition.
Go beyond the book
These are my most recent tutorials posted in the Making category on this site:
SketchUp Models In This Chapter
Below are two of the models that you can explore interactively in your browser (click and drag to orbit):
View and download all models from this chapter on the 3D Warehouse.
Tutorial Videos for this Chapter
Please note that the scaled printing option that is explained in the above video was only available until SU 2023.0. Newer versions assume that you use LayOut for this task.
You can access all Chapter 6 videos using the password from the book on Wiley’s companion site: www.wiley.com/go/schreyer2e
All Chapter 6 videos:
- 0601: Parallel-perspective printouts (included here)
- 0602: SketchUp to LayOut for documentation
- 0603: Creating the mobile (included here)
- 0604: Prepping for laser cutting
- 0605: CNC prep for the patterned panel
- 0606: Modeling for 3D printing
Links for this Chapter
Related links to relevant websites are listed here.
Fabrication Services:
- craftcloud3d.com – 3D printing
- hubs.com – Various techniques
- i.materialise.com – 3D printing
- makexyz.com – Various techniques
- ponoko.com – Various techniques
- protolabs.com – Various techniques
- sculpteo.com – 3D printing
- shapeways.com – 3D printing
- theupsstore.com/print/3d-printing – 3D printing
- xometry.com – Various techniques
- 100kgarages.com – CNC
Miscellaneous:
- 3D printable models can be found here:
- finewoodworking.com/blog/design-click-build – Digital furniture making blog
- sourceforge.net/projects/meshlab/ – Mesh editing tool
- reprap.org – Replicating 3D printers
- makerfaire.com/upcoming-faires – Maker Faires
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Use the discussion area below to add any comments, tips, tricks etc. for this chapter…
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Chapter 7 shows how you can script with Ruby in SketchUp.