Tech Blog

[#1]

Last year we remodeled our kitchen. This year we're putting in a new sidewalk and considered replacing our existing fence. All are significantly different and complex tasks, yet can be managed easily with free application software. Let me explain.

Once we'd decided on our kitchen renovation project, we needed to try out a few different back-splash configurations, and I was itching to try Google Sketchup, so this seemed like a perfect opportunity. Rather than drawing designs freehand on a notepad (I sketch badly), Sketchup would let me work with real-world measurements and ensure that square was 'square'.

Sketchup is a free version (PC, OSX) of Google's powerful 3D modeling program Sketchup Pro. But just because it's free, don't think it's underpowered (unless you're planning on animating the next version of UP on your desktop). I was able to easily visualize design options, then decide which worked better for our needs.

Using Sketchup is pretty easy. In my case I found there was a bit of a learning curve with the controls...I played with it for about a half-day before I was comfortable. That being done, I moved on to actual project work.

One of the cool things about Sketchup is the easy way you enter real-world dimensions and have them appear on your objects. For example, simply draw a rectangle, then key in the dimensions you want, and the rectangle isautomagically sized accordingly. The whole program is intuitive this way.

So, it really only took me a couple of hours of 'fiddling' to get create a few kitchen layouts when we planned our backsplash.

Frankly, I was very happy with the results using Sketchup. Though the drawings aren't 'architectural blueprint' quality, they sure make it easy to explain things when you go into the hardware shop.

And, recently, I we planned this simple sidewalk, but wanted to explore patterns and step designs. After a few minutes work with Sketchup, this design is the result. As a side note, it impressed a couple of staff at a local stone supply company...heck, it impressed me!

This is the sidewalk I want. Now for the hard part...installing the sucker myself. Sadly, Sketchup won't do that for me

Message Edited by ElizabethS on 07-28-2009 12:15 AM

Message Edited by Laura on 08-21-2009 04:52 PM