[thelittlechef]

Has anyone here used sketchup (or other cad package) for planning their own builds? I'm trying (not achieving much so far) to map out a plan for my cargo area at the moment.

Any tips on planning a project? Anyone got any scale models of a gq patrol? Or do people tend to start with a rough idea and then just tinker during a build to get things right?

[choochie]

i was bored one night and sketched up a camper trailer....

[NIS55Y]

i hate you people that can just draw up something like that in a matter of minutes, takes me hours with a pencil to draw something up be farked if i can even make a sphere with a cad program

[heyhey]

Originally Posted by thelittlechef

Any tips on planning a project? Anyone got any scale models of a gq patrol? Or do people tend to start with a rough idea and then just tinker during a build to get things right?

First thing to do, is extensivly measure the area. You should be able to replacate that in a layer (if sketchup has layers or just use the drawing space). If your designing drawers, i would start with designing the mounting system then build the rest around that. From designing the mounting system you can work out how much room you have to play with. No matter what you build you will need to mount it somehow.
I have never used sketchup but have used AutoCad quite a bit, I don't know if sketchup does layers but I find them very useful as I layer design and construction guides on them.

[Toyeatre]

Sketchup is a nice little program... Gets quite complicated.. Does things I havent worked out yet.. lol.. Not that it is hard to confuse me... This is one of the fantastic!! projects I dreamt up at one stage...

[Lost Down Under]

Most of these things start as an idea in your head.
Map out the base and build from there.

[choochie]

Sketchup is very simple to use. Takes a bit of getting used to though. Lots of keyboard shortcuts too!
As mentioned, everything starts as a basic idea in your head. Once you're halfway through designing it, the design changes. You add bits, move bits, and get it to how you want it. So much easier when you can point and click, rather than grinding or welding that bit out

Oh and yes Sketchup does have layers

[choochie]

Originally Posted by NIS55Y

i hate you people that can just draw up something like that in a matter of minutes, takes me hours with a pencil to draw something up be farked if i can even make a sphere with a cad program

also sketched up a SWB fourby, boat trailer, and a truck. its actually fun. I enjoy doing it with the telly on in the background after wifey and daughter have gone to sleep ... kind of 'alone chill-out time' if you will.

when you learn sketchup, you'll learn cool tricks. one that i loved was bent piping! that took a while to figure out!

[hoeders]

Here is something i did up over a lunch break.

its a concept for my ute tray when i get around to building a new one



This was done in AutoCAD 2010

[davidk]

sample of my creation i had fabicated

[Lost Down Under]

All it's missing is a rooftop tent.
Looks great.

[thelittlechef]

Yes - that trailer is what inspired this thread!

Beautiful work - is the real thing built yet?

[Graham99]

Hi there

I have used google sketchup to design a rear storage area for the Jackaroo when we had it. This is a good thread, I reckon people who create stuff in sketchup should upload it here, then others can download, modify, and use the models to do stuff.

[thelittlechef]

Originally Posted by Graham99

Hi there

I have used google sketchup to design a rear storage area for the Jackaroo when we had it. This is a good thread, I reckon people who create stuff in sketchup should upload it here, then others can download, modify, and use the models to do stuff.

Damn - you spotted the real reason for the thread - I'm crap at sketchup and need other people to do it for me!

[davidk]

more photos of finished product

lost a wheel bearing outside alice and did some serious damage to the left hand side so it has been rebuilt and with better functionality and layout since these photo were taken

[Richo-101]

lol thats impressive guys...really like that trailer.....
my opinion.....use a pencil its simple

[Lost Down Under]

That's brillaint.
I was wondering on the drawing if a full size quad would fit in the front!

[BenDPatrol]

This is the a thread of my trailer buildup. Still a work in progress. The trailer itself is complete but you will see several designs for a bolt on tear drop camper to go on it. That will be built next year.

Offroad Motorbike Trailer build...

[Graham99]

Hi there

I reckon that we should have a sticky for 3d models. I am not too bad with Google sketchup, to the point where the guy who works with us who is a guru on solidworks has admired what I have created on Google Sketchup.

Did the whole clamp end of a tiebarless Engel injection moulding machine just to illustrate the water battery circuit I want to fit into the machine. I've taken the next step, and now I have access to solidworks. This is the ducks guts, and can be exported to CNC manufacturing systems.

[truckster]

Originally Posted by davidk

more photos of finished product

lost a wheel bearing outside alice and did some serious damage to the left hand side so it has been rebuilt and with better functionality and layout since these photo were taken

Wow that looks heavy