1,649
edits
Guides/SketchUp for Laser Cutting: Difference between revisions
From London Hackspace Wiki
Guides/SketchUp for Laser Cutting (view source)
Revision as of 11:36, 13 February 2011
, 13 February 2011no edit summary
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[File:Sketchup-laser.png|300px|thumb|right|A 2D design in SketchUp]] | [[File:Sketchup-laser.png|300px|thumb|right|A 2D design in SketchUp]] | ||
[[File:SketchUp-Arduino.png|300px|thumb|right|Arduino model from the 3D warehouse]] | [[File:SketchUp-Arduino.png|300px|thumb|right|Arduino model from the 3D warehouse]] | ||
Google SketchUp is a powerful, free, easy to use 3D CAD package by Google. It is normally used for producing 3D models many of which you'll find on Google Earth. It's intuitive interface had me hooked and I've created a fair few 3D models. | [http://sketchup.google.com/ Google SketchUp] is a powerful, free, easy to use 3D CAD package by Google. It is normally used for producing 3D models many of which you'll find on Google Earth. It's intuitive interface had me hooked and I've created a fair few 3D models. | ||
When I wanted to create designs for the laser I had a go with QCad but found the learning curve quite steep and was left frustrated. However, with a little research I found that it is entirely possible to use SketchUp in a 2D mode and export designs in a Laser Cutter compatible DXF format. | When I wanted to create designs for the laser I had a go with QCad but found the learning curve quite steep and was left frustrated. However, with a little research I found that it is entirely possible to use SketchUp in a 2D mode and export designs in a Laser Cutter compatible DXF format. | ||
| Line 17: | Line 17: | ||
* Some common components that you might wish to use in a laser cut enclosure are already available in the [http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/ Google 3D warehouse]. These can be useful for creating panel cut-outs and mounting holes. | * Some common components that you might wish to use in a laser cut enclosure are already available in the [http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/ Google 3D warehouse]. These can be useful for creating panel cut-outs and mounting holes. | ||
=== | ===2D mode=== | ||
* | * Watch the '[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6eME_BiRFo Using Google SketchUp in 2D mode]' video. | ||
* Select a millimeter template | |||
* | * Select: ''Camera/Parallel Projection'' | ||
* Select: ''Camera/Standard Views/Top'' | |||
* Optionally save this as a template for future laser cutter designs: ''File/Save as template'' | |||
===Exporting=== | ===Exporting=== | ||
