Invitation to the SketchUcation collection

[davidheim1]

David,
I think my approach would be to wrap a torus round a sphere, intersecting stuff as required to give me the necessary arc lengths, then to cheat a little (or a lot) and use the free training edition of this plugin ( http://www.tgi3d.com/index.php?Page=Download ) to thicken/thin the tube as required to make knuckles. I have not tried to give them any particular shape here - just illustrating the resizing possibilities of the plugin.

Knuckles.png

Other approaches might use Fredo's Tools on Surface to draw the lines for the talons directly on the ball, without cutting up a torus and then use pipe along path or tube along path to create the claws.

Again, one could employ a method like the one below where I made a radial array of circles (no need for a full circular array of course, then used the MOVE tool on the cardinal points to resize a couple of the circles then used Fredo's Curviloft to skin them.

Fredo way.png

Both are interesting approaches. I'll have to give them a try. What I found, though, is that creating the talons isn't the biggest hurdle: It's blending the talons smoothly in with the thicker part of the leg and creating a convex area, known as the web, between the talons. Quite possibly, it might be simpler to refine the shape of the profile, adding curves for the knuckles, and proceed as I have before. It all depends on how one views the end-purpose of a SketchUp rendering, I think. For me, photorealistic reality isn't the aim; rather, I want to make a drawing that's complete enough to allow someone to build the piece for real. So, the SU version of the ball and claw foot gives the overall size and shape of the element; the final execution depends entirely on the woodcarver's skill, not mine.
dh

[Dave R]

Good point David. I might add getting two of them to look close enough to the same to be included on the same piece of furniture might be the bigger challenge than carving just one. I could only use ball and claw feet on a piece that is long enough so that you can't see both feet at the same time.

Nice work on the piece, by the way.

[chrisjk]

David, I quite agree about the end purpose for such a model. I too would not wish to spend a lot of time modelling the feet for the sake of a nicer looking SU model. As I said in my first post, your model is at a stage where it could be used for building the piece.

[davidheim1]

David, I quite agree about the end purpose for such a model. I too would not wish to spend a lot of time modelling the feet for the sake of a nicer looking SU model. As I said in my first post, your model is at a stage where it could be used for building the piece.

Chris (and Dave R):
Thanks to you both for the compliments and advice. Here's another stab at the foot. Redrew the profile, adding pronounced angles for the knuckles. Then gave the profile thickness, rotated a copy, and used the Split tool in Solid Tools to remove the waste. Extruded the ball and scaled it to fit in the void between the talons. Aggressive softening of the edges at the end. It's better (Solid Tools makes fast work of it), but still not exact. I'll keep at it.
dh

[stormking]

My first complex SketchUp designed from scratch and then built...
http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/ ... 5dbe375ecf

[Dave R]

Pretty nice model, Stormking. I found a few small things that could be changed/cleaned up but overall it's pretty good. Do you have pictures of the actually unit you built? Could you share them?

[davidheim1]

A couple of additions:
An American Empire-style chair with scroll arms, from "American Furniture Treasures." And a Hepplewhite drawer pull based on a design from Whitechapel Ltd. Both models are also in the 3D warehouse.
As always, thanks to Dave Richards for casting his careful eye over the models and finding things that need to be fixed.
Also as always, I'd appreciate any kind of feedback.
Thanks,
David

[davidheim1]

Having done some chairs, it was obviously time for me to make a table. You can see it in the 3D warehouse by following this link:

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/ ... 53cf0a14c9

The file is too large (5+MB) to post here directly.
As always, I'd appreciate feedback of all types.
Best,
david

[karen05]

It is very challenging to design or sketch a chair. This will build and enhance our artistic ability. In addition with that, I am very interested to see the American empire chair. I hope you will post it here.

[davidheim1]

Dear Karen05,
The chair is here. Look up a couple of entries to my post of February 12. You can also find the chair model on the 3D Warehouse by following this link:

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=359331da71ed26eca6c03a53cf0a14c9

Let me know what you think of the piece.
Thanks,
David

[frankwil]

A gate I made originally designed by a wonderful architect in Santa Fe in the 1930's.


http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/ ... 3dc0961d1a

[Dave R]

Hi Frank,

That's a nice looking gate. Very sturdy, too. It is also an excellent illustration of how components can be used to reduce file size. I spent a few minutes fixing your model and reduced the file size by about 83%.

Thanks for posting the link to it.

[frankwil]

Thanks David. I wasn't even thinking along the size line when I submitted it. I went back and did the same thing on the model in the warehouse.

[Dave R]

The link doesn't work anymore.

[peterA]

Here is a tool cabinet that I drew up for Popular Woodworking magazine. http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/ ... revstart=0

[Dave R]

Hi Peter,

I saw that cabinet the other day. Nice work. Welcome to SCF, too.

[StilTeg]

I also have a few like this one below ...
http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=da23d0bdcd1de093de909714df3390c0
Feel free to have a look at my other models ...

[Dave R]

Very nice. It looks like it would be an interesting piece to build.

If you were interested, you could do some things to improve the efficiency and reduce the file size.

[StilTeg]

If you were interested, you could do some things to improve the efficiency and reduce the file size.

I am sure of that. This one is a real one we have in our appartment and that my girlfriend spent >1 year to have back to new. It was one of my first "accurate" models, and I have improved my skills in the meantime, but I am not sure I want to dig in it again to improve it

[Dave R]

Sometimes it is better to just move on.

[neoshed]

Here's a few models that might be of use. I haven't put them up on the warehouse yet.

http://www.neoshed.com/misc/german_toolbox.rar

http://www.neoshed.com/misc/aw_shopcab_dec_2001.rar

http://www.neoshed.com/misc/shop_notes_sled.rar

[Scott M]

Does this one make the cut? Any sugestions are welcome http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/ ... revstart=0

[Scott M]

Here is another modle I just finished this morning.I am looking forward to any feedback.http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/ ... 5f70eec8d9

[Dave R]

Hi Scott,

Your bookcase looks pretty nice. It's a pretty big file for what it is. It could use some improvements in efficiency and you could reduce the number of segments in the various curves without losing any appreciable detail. The bird feeder also looks nice but it could do with some improvements as well. Keep plugging away. It'll come.

[Scott M]

Hi Scott,

Your bookcase looks pretty nice. It's a pretty big file for what it is. It could use some improvements in efficiency and you could reduce the number of segments in the various curves without losing any appreciable detail. The bird feeder also looks nice but it could do with some improvements as well. Keep plugging away. It'll come.

What do you suggest on improving efficiency I know the curves on the arc and the moldings have a lot of segements but but that was to decrease the fasisting when machiened on the cnc. Also what are your sugestions on the feeder. It to was drawn up for cnc machining. Thanks for your imput.

[Earle]

I am trying to figure out how to change the wood grain direction in a component? Any ideas?

[Dave R]

Did you apply the material to the component or the faces in the component?

I've already done a tutorial that covers this here.

[Earle]

I applied to the component

[Earle]

Thanks Dave
I will try as to your tutorial
Earle

[Dave R]

Don't apply materials to components. Open them for editing and apply the materials to the faces.