OT: Product review - Google SketchUp

 This free program is worth every penny.

http://sketchup.google.com/

It seems to be working for me in my efforts to design a major remodel
project. It is taking me considerable time to unlock the power and
streamline my work. But it's pretty satisfying as work progresses. It makes
it very easy to try different ideas. Save your work often though, or you'll
find yourself wishing you could go back to some mid-point between two saved
versions of your work. File management strategy might be handy, I'm
beginning to think. The available tutorials are fairly helpful in the quest
to learn to think as the program does.

Sharing files with other programs  requires the pay version (Pro 6) for
$495, though you can easily share with somebody who also has SketchUp.
Whether I end up needing Pro6 remains to be seen. Printed output is easy and
should fill my permitting needs. Right now, this tool is helping me get it
done.

It's fun just for doodling too. Another cool tool. If you don't have CAD
software, this is much better than what you have. If you do have CAD
software, I'd be interested in comparisons.

-Dean
squirming in my chair when it doesn't do what I expect. I can see how this
work all day every day would wear on the synapses.

 Dean H. tired it:


My buddy the architect has his new house he's going to build
done - in the free version.  I'm seeing him tomorrow to review
with him, just for kicks as I've no house building experience.
But the 250 then MotoGP races are on the tube so beer,
print review, and races are on the agenda.


Go fast. Take chances.
Mike S.

 
"sturd"  wrote ...

Actually, the program didn't even break a sweat.

 ---- Original Message -----
From: "Dean H."


You might also try SweetHome 3D - it's free, but a rather large download.
Everything is done and saved directly to your computer - can export .pdf
files also.

http://sweethome3d.sourceforge.net/