3D Printing and CNC Fabrication with SketchUp

Lydia Sloan Cline has been using Autodesk products since AutoCAD version 1.0 was released. She went from plotting her ideas on a flatbed table with pens in robotic arms to sketching them with modeling software and 3D printers. Lydia works for architecture firms, teaches college, and judges competitive technology events. She is the author 3D Printing with Autodesk 123D, Tinkercad, and MakerBot and other books. Lydia teaches Autodesk 123D and MakerBot classes for Johnson County Community College.

1 We Creating!
What Is This Book About?
What Is a Modeling Program?
What Is SketchUp?
What Is 3D Printing?
Is 3D Printing Cheap?
What Is CNC Fabrication?
What Is a Maker Space?
What You Need, Computer-wise
Download SketchUp
Summary
Resources
2 Getting Started: The Interface
The SketchUp Interface
The Measurements Box
Run Multiple SketchUp Files at the Same Time
Save Options
Backup Files
Add the Large Tool Set
The Select Tool
Rectangle and Rotated Rectangle Tools
Faces, Edges, and Geometry
The Inference Engine
The Push/Pull Tool
Input Numbers
Changing Units
The Pan, Orbit, and Zoom Tools
Modifier Keys
The Escape Key
View the Model in Paraline Mode
View the Model Two-Dimensionally
Selection and Crossing Windows
Select with Single, Double, and Triple Clicks and with the Shift and Control Keys
The Move Tool
Copy and Paste
Stickiness
Groups
Customize the Desktop
Make a Custom Template
Manage Dialog Boxes
Finding Help
Summary
Resources
3 Projects Using SketchUp Make’s Native Tools
Icon Project
Name Stand Project
Chain-Link Bracelet Project
Pet Collar Tag Project
Coffee Mug Project
Pencil Holder Project
Travel Mug
Summary
4 Projects Using SketchUp Pro and Extensions
Components
What’s an Extension?
The Extension Warehouse
Download the Extensions
Where to Find the Extension Tools
How to Use the Bezier Curves Tool
Bench Project
Fake Fingernail Project
Thingiverse
Solid Geometry
Solid Tools
Chocolate Mold Tray Project
Architectural Terrain Model Project
Pacman Ghost Ornament Project
AutoCAD Floor Plan Project
Layers
Summary
Resources
5 Making the Model 3D-Printable
Design Considerations
Structural Considerations
Manually Inspect for Defects
Tools for Making a Model Solid
Solid Inspector2
CleanUp3
SU Solid
Manual Repair Techniques
Export the SketchUp Model as an .stl File
123D Meshmixer
Tinkercad
Fixing the Dog Tag in 123D Meshmixer
Coloring a Model
Face Orientation
Purge the Model
The 3D-Printer Facsimile Template
Export the Colored Model
Summary
Resources
6 3D-Printing the Model
Types of 3D Printing
Filament
Choosing a Home 3D Printer
Printing and Slicing Software
Firmware
Print Detail and Quality
Position on the Build Plate
Adherence to the Build Plate
Troubleshooting
Odds and Ends
Printing from an SD Card
Printing with a Service Bureau
Summary
Resources
7 CNC Fabrication with Pro, 123D Make, and Cut2D
What’s a Router?
Computer-Aided Manufacturing Software
The Process for CNCing with SketchUp
Architectural Terrain Model Project
Navigating the 123D Make Interface
Choose the Manufacturing Settings and Object Size
Construction Techniques
The 123D Make Process Using Stacked Slices
Other 123D Make Construction Techniques
Exporting a .pdf File from SketchUp
Name Plate Project
Group and Arrange the Parts
Print Preview
Print the .pdf File
Exporting a .dxf File
G-Code
Prepare the SketchUp-Exported .pdf Inside Vetric Cut2D
The Right Tool for the Right Job
SketchUp LayOut
Summary
Resources
Index