The Digital Jobsite: How to Draw a 2x4 with SketchUp

[@samnguyen8426]

10 years ive played with sketchup, 5 years using solidworks professionally (albeit for metal & weldment and not wood) and here I am still schooled on making a 2 by 4 You sir are truly a master carpenter

[@NextLevelCarpentry]

That's funny, Sam... thanks! For more like this check out the 3-part series I did for modeling a simple carpenter's sawhorse. I think it does a pretty good job of covering the basics for using SketchUp for Carpentry projects... Best, Matt

[@dylanspitz827]

Matt, you are a SketchUp Wizard. My 2x4's just got a major facelift! Thanks.

[@Robert8455]

Matt is a Master Sketcher and a pretty good guy too. Thank you.

[@bergpolarbear]

Matt, Thanks for this series! Its just what I have been looking for.

[@mk1st]

I've used sketch up for several projects over the years, detailed enough for my "sketching-out" purposes, but have struggled to make my models truly accurate. This video alone has helped immensely. Who knew you could learn so much from the humble 2x4! Great techniques, especially seeing the difference between Groups and Components. Now, off to practice! One problem - and it's not with the videos themselves - is that I'm having difficulty playing these in order on You Tube. I hit "play all" and it started on number 8 but want to watch in order as I presume the tricks and techniques build with complexity.

[@mk1st]

Good deal, keep on keeping on, the work is appreciated. The order thing is a bit of an inconvenience, but won't stop me from watching through. I'm rebuilding my garage to incorporate a work shop on the back and a work out/music room upstairs so appreciate getting these tips to get the model accurate.

[@bergpolarbear]

Matt Jackson KZbin plays in the order of the play list. Part 8 is the first video in the play list.

[@djgdroid]

Are you still making Sketchup videos? I’ve watch lots of other videos from others on KZbin, but really enjoy yours

[@Numenor7]

how did you set the dimensions of the board? You just said "simple enough" and it sounded like you typed something but you didn't say what you did!

[@NextLevelCarpentry]

Adding dimensions in SketchUp is 'simple enough'. After using any of the tools just type in numbers for the dimension you want BEFORE touching anything else on your keyboard or in the model. If this doesn't help you can add a timestamp in a reply to this comment and I'll try to guide you through. It really IS easy but I too got super frustrated with this predicament early on! 😎

[@Numenor7]

@@NextLevelCarpentry awesome thanks I figured it out but I can't for the life of me figure out how to copy an object a certain distance

[@NextLevelCarpentry]

@@Numenor7 Ok; Select the object you want to copy & move. Select the move tool and then hit Ctrl (on PC) then drag it in the direction you want it to move (hint: it's best to move it along one of the 3 axis: red, green or blue). Click once then, using numbers, simply type in the desired distance and click enter. Done properly the object will jump to that dimension/location regardless if you initially moved it more or less distance than you want it to go. Hope this helps? FYI I did a 3-part series on Digital Jobsite covering an Apprentice Sawhorse Build that is my best effort for an introduction to SketchUp for carpenters. It covers this function plus a lot more that you'll encounter on your learning curve. Best, Matt

[@TheRockMoved]

Me: Creates 2x4 with accurate dimensions using the method above. Also Me: Uses the tape measure button to measure said 2x4. Sketchup: This 2x4 is 97' long. Love it.

[@shaunmcarthur3616]

Thanks for this! There must be libraries of dimensional lumber?

[@gearhead5651]

In 2020, this video is still relevant. very helpful thanks..

[@brianl8843]

Awesome video! Thanks for it, very useful to start visualizing wood with it.

[@anthonyromano8565]

Thx for clearing up that group versus component issue I had. I was thinking of them assbackwards.

[@thetimbertailor]

Thanks for commenting, Anthony... modeling will be more straightforward for you now that you've got this sorted out. This video gives more insight into how I use Groups, Components and combinations of the two to leverage SketchUp's capabilities for quicker, less frustrating modeling so you might be interested in it. Best, Matt

[@GarySmith-pg3mr]

Awesome, thank you for the help.

[@Chimp_No_1]

Incredibly helpful. Thank you.

[@thetimbertailor]

Bulwul, You're welcome! Sometimes the simplest things are the most helpful, right? Thanks for commenting!

[@onemattswilderness5171]

slundy I understand your frustration in trying to get the end-grain to work out using the rotate tool. all I can recommend at this point is to pay very close attention to the steps and tools shown in the video. I'm traveling just now but will try to help later with tutorials if you haven't solved the problem. thanks for watching and let me know how you make out..

[@stevehall155]

I am brand new to SketchUp. I want to design a Chicken coop and need to learn this basic skill. I can't seem to make a 2x4 when I enter the do not take. Do you need to be zoomed in to work in inches?

[@GroovyMisfit]

I appreciate the video. Very helpful. I would like to provide some constructive criticism on the background music. The background music is a little too loud (at least for me) and gets in the way of listening to the voice instructions. In future videos, could you reduce the volume more on the background video? Thank you for considering my comment. Sincerely,

[@driverjam2278]

Is is not that music is loud. He just speaking too low into the microphone.

[@kenhaley4]

I would also suggest recording the voice on both left and right channels, for those of us who like to listen with headphones, and don't hear equally well in both ears.

[@themathdude]

I agree with Troy good videos drop the music. Another sketchup channel uses background music that is way more distracting to the point where I can't really watch them. Some media production website probably suggested this would be a good production idea. Well, might be a good idea for gamer types but for bland engineers it's not really. Most won't miss it and many will appreciate the choice to drop it. I'd reconsider.

[@chriscrux4556]

How are you moving your screen around without the mouse? Seems like a great technique for workflow. Is it a touchscreen?

[@NextLevelCarpentry]

It's by using a 3D mouse from 3D Connexion Chris. Here's the one I use: www.amazon.com/dp/B006GPZ17K/?ref=idea_lv_dp_ A 'joystick mouse' like this will revolutionize the speed and efficiency of modeling because it simultaneously allows pan, zoom, rotate and orbit while controlling modeling operations like drawing lines. A little bit of the 'moving around' is from digital zoom during post production video editing too, but that's got nothing to do with workflow. Hope that helps... Best, Matt

[@slundy]

As with Mr Steve Hall, I'm very new to SU, and am having trouble with the end grain. I get a copy made of the cover material, and copy it off to the side, but can't seem to get it to rotate to save my life. I seriously need some beginner classes with the rotate too.

[@rafaelrestrepo3814]

Thanks for sharing, very helpful. Yes, the background music is a little too loud, and sometimes does not allow to listen your voice well.

[@NextLevelCarpentry]

Thanks Rafael... if I had it to do over again I'd sure edit this production differently but I'm glad you found it useful as is. Best, Matt

[@CassanDk-illustrator]

I really like your work :)

[@NextLevelCarpentry]

Thanks Cassan... I wish my video production was more refined to make viewing better for you but glad to know you like the content in spite of it. Best, Matt

[@richard21995]

HI, Where do you get the wood texture image,?

[@moninum]

Could you please show how to draw a dowel? And is there a possibility to draw glue lines or brad nails?

[@trevorj2785]

At 5:11, Any idea how he selected only the back 2x4 without selecting the ones adjacent to it in order to bring it across to complete the bottom of the frame??? Having trouble repeating this step without selecting 1) only parts of the rear "joining" 2x4 or 2) The entire structure (all three 2x4's). Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!! Thanks!

[@thetimbertailor]

Hey Trevor, sorry that part is confusing. I re-watched the video at 5:11 and not sure how/why it's not working for you. I suspect it has something to do with how your 2x4's are 'grouped'. In the video the 2x4's are each an individual 'group' of geometry. If you go back to about 3:30 in the video you'll see the process I use to create the 2x4 and make it a group. At 5:11 the 2x4's I'm moving are still individual groups so that only the individual pieces I select move. If you click a single piece it will be outlined in blue and you'll be able to move it by itself. Note: if you click and drag a 'box' to select an individual piece but happen to 'touch' others, SketchUp will select them all. Once all 4s 2x4 'plates' are created and positioned I THEN group them (at about 5:28) so they all move together. You might have somehow got your 2x4's into a group too soon or are trying to move them one at a time but the whole 'group of groups' is moving together. Once the 4 2x4's are in a group you'll need to double click to get back 'into' that group so you can move them individually. Hope this helps... let me know if you find this helpful or re-ask your question and I'll try to work through it with you. BTW it's common to struggle with things like this when learning 3D modelling but I'm confident you'll catch on quickly and be rewarded with satisfaction for your efforts! All the best, Matt

[@jakedahl818]

Great videos. What device do you use to orbit and pan camera?

[@thetimbertailor]

Jake: glad you like the videos. The device I use for effortless and efficient obit and panning while using SketchUp is a 3D 'joystick' mouse. There's a link to the Space Mouse Pro model I use in the video description. Caution: once you use a 3D mouse you'll never go back to modeling without one :-) Should you decide to get one (it's almost Christmas, after all) if you buy it from Amazon through the link in the video description it's the same great Amazon price to you but a small advertising fee is paid to The Digital Jobsite and supports this channel and is greatly appreciated! Best, Matt

[@Dan-op8kk]

I managed to make a 2x4.lol.Cant make it rotate also.lol.Can anyone suggest some basic framing videos that are good for slow learners?.lol.What are some good extensions etc that i need.thanks for any help.Dan

[@NextLevelCarpentry]

+Dan Lindner Please don't take my reply as condescending... you sound like you have a sincere interest in learning and I want to encourage that! If you were able to make a 2x4 by watching this video all you really need to do is pay very close attention to the steps and sequences shown in the tutorial to make it rotate, etc. It's all there but it can seem obscure when you're not used to a 3D modeling paradigm. If you search for Aidan Chopra tutorials for SketchUp you'll find a great collection of introductory videos to school you in the basics. Once you start to catch on and feel more comfortable with the software come back to my KZbin channel to learn how to do 'digital carpentry'. The more you learn the more rewarding the experience. BTW I wouldn't recommend any 'extensions' at this time: master the basics and then you'll know which, if any, extensions you'll need. The ONLY extension I use on a regular basis is one for finding the center point of a circle or arc which, oddly, is something SkecthUp doesn't have in its native program.

[@ForvoQuizlet]

How do you type in the dimensions? I click on the measurement numbers but it won't let me edit.

[@yalamsito]

when making the rectangle, make sure to click and not hold to drag. then you can go ahead and type the dimesions ( no need to click on the measurment numbers) make sure to type it properly. for example 4 1/2", 7 1/4"

[@tallswede80]

how did you rotate it? It's just distorting the board on mine

[@brianl8843]

You gottta select the whole component first, not just a face.

[@romaineathey2690]

I made it by myself. I used woodprix scripts for that.

[@gearhead5651]

ah old woodprix, the scam site that sells other peoples plans, and spams the hell out of websites, unreal..

[@starkaran8390]

@@gearhead5651 Well, you have been beautifully misled by theegeekpub. I think xD Unfortunately, thegeekpub are scary scammers and are still cutting competition ...

[@williammartinez9906]

OMG Thank you

[@moreorlesslikeso]

Really love the relaxed tone of voice here, though just a bit more information here and there wouldn't have hurt. If you're relatively new to sketchup some things go by quite fast. E.g.: what the hell means "exploding" that thing?

[@thetimbertailor]

Sorry Moreorelesslikeso, it's tough to choose how much of the real basics to include in each video without making them considerably longer than they already are. Believe me, I understand your frustration when the simplest bit of info isn't obvious! To edit any geometry that's part of a Group or Component you double click to 'enter' it so you can make changes. This is a temporary action which needs to be repeated anytime you want to edit it. That's a good thing but, to remove the 'cage' that encapsulates a Group or Component you right click on it and, from the popup menu, select 'Explode'. This 'frees up' the geometry from the cage. You'll learn there's all sorts of reasons to do this but for now you at least know what the h*** it means :-) I can't always answer questions but feel free to ask anytime and I'll try to help out because SketchUp is definitely worth the effort to overcome frustrations on the learning curve. Best, Matt

[@moreorlesslikeso]

Wow, I'm deeply impressed, that you're taking the time to actually answer my rather thrown in question! Thanks a lot - I do appreciate that and wouldn't have expected it! If I understand correctly, by "exploding" a component (the copies of which seem to be just "linked instances" of the original or - in a way - of each other) I in this case get to the group inside (the single 2x4) and can shorten its length as needed. And as this group is the "building block" of that component all of this component's instances are affected accordingly, right? Then if I "explode" a group - like those basic 2x4s - instead of a component I should be able to get at its individual faces, OK?

[@thetimbertailor]

moreorlesslikeso: You're definitely getting the concept here, indicating your determination, which I admire. By getting your head around Component/Group 'nesting' you'll take a quantum leap in modeling efficiency and effectiveness. Many just get frustrated with this and end up quitting but a willingness to press through is worth it! Not to pump my own videos but if you get a chance to watch this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYjOh4FrqKh7hJI you'll get a glimpse into how I manage the attributes of 'packaging' geometry into Groups and Components in various nested geometry. Every modeler will end up with their own workflow depending on their experience so there's really no 'right and wrong' way, just the way that works best for you IMHO. These days I'm spending more time developing Next Level Carpentry, my other KZbin Channel: kzbin.info/door/XRNHTVpEdhz9BIvomETGiQ , so I can't always be as attentive with comments here but like to help viewers if I can. Best, Matt

[@DaveBowman345]

Matt, is this SketchUp-Pro that you use? Could I duplicate this using the free version of SketchUp? Thanks for the tutorial!

[@radesigns001]

+Chill Out ...Yes you can

[@GabrielMillerd]

Thanks a lot

[@thetimbertailor]

You are welcome a lot :-)

[@jmkeuning]

I can't get past the 42nd second because you say to draw this rectangle exactly 1.5x3.5 but you do not tell us how to do it.

[@thetimbertailor]

That must be frustrating... please accept my apologies? Using the Rectangle tool click and drag a rectangle of any size. Without touching anything other than number keys type: 1.5,3.5 and then hit enter. This will create a rectangle of 1 1/2" x 3 1/2" (assuming your 'Model Info' is set to inches and not metric). As an option you can type in 1 spacebar 1/2", 3 spacebar 1/2" and then hit enter for the same result. I use decimal inches just because it's faster to key them in. Advanced Note: Depending on how you start dragging the rectangle and some other details there are times when you might want to type 3.5,1.5 Enter instead since it will orient the long axis of the rectangle rotated 90 degrees. Otherwise you can select the rectangle you've created and rotate IT 90 degrees for the orientation you're after. Make sense? Post again if this has only left you more confused? Best regards, Matt

[@richardross4747]

Really great.. I'd skip the music next time. I'd rather hear your thoughts better.

[@slundy]

These tutorials need to me marked with 1: Must be proficient with the rotation tool. 2. must be proficient with the move tool and all its vaiours 'hidden' options. IT seems like a great tutorial but i'm having a devil of a time just getting it to stand up right and straight according the default guides. I in no way fault you for this at all, it's my own shortcomings.

[@slundy]

I was! I kept watching over and over and finally got it. Thank you!

[@NextLevelCarpentry]

+slundy Glad to hear it! There's a few other SketchUp things, like the Move +Ctrl and Rotate+Ctrl to manipulate copies of things that took me a while to master. Once they become automatic you'll start to breeze through them without thinking but they can sure be frustrating in the meantime.

[@slundy]

First I want to apologize for the tone of my first comment, I, unfortunately, suffer insomnia and from time to time take an Advil PM and I would swear on a stack of bibles that I don't recall ever posting the original comment. It doesn't sound like me, and I hate when people post stuff like that. Secondly, your tutorials are great. They have pushed me to stick with it and continue learning SU and the various ways to manipulate the various items. I'm starting to build my kitchen, well re-build it in SU and it's going ok. The issue I'm having now is that I can't get the cabinets to meet the walls without jumping through them. I can get them aligned to the blue axis with the arrow key, but going against a back wall it's been hard. But I'll keep at it and will get it eventually. Thanks again for not tearing me a new one with the comments I made. They were out of line, and I do sincerely apologize.

[@NextLevelCarpentry]

+slundy It's all good... I appreciate your comments and even the first one you're apologizing for ended with " I in no way fault you for this " which is plenty of contrition from my point of view. I experience similar frustration working with other software and understand the frame of mind it can put me in... I too often 'don't sound like me' in that state of mind either! For your cabinets I'll suggest that you be very precise and deliberate when moving them around, trying to get them to 'meet the walls'. By this I mean make sure you're selecting a specific point that is on the back of the cabinet making sure not to just hover over a cabinet Group or Component and move it towards the wall. I assume that your cabinets are Grouped or are Components and that your wall surfaces are Grouped too? Making sure they are makes the geometry behave when moving it around. Steps I would use to accomplish what you're trying to do are: Select a cabinet group Select the move tool Grab a back corner of a cabinet Move the cabinet in the direction of the wall you want it on Once it gets going in the correct direction (probably red or green) hold down the Shift key Then "index" to the face of the wall by hovering the cursor on an edge or corner of the wall (the wall face works too but might be a little harder to index to) This should make the cabinet 'snap' to the face of the wall Once it's on the face of the wall continue to use this method to then shift the cabinet along the wall face right/left and up/down until it's in position. I hope this makes sense... it will be a similar learning experience to what you learned for getting the 2x4 to stand up so once you get the sequence figured out it becomes second nature. Regards, Matt

[@slundy]

Thanks for understanding Matt. I do appreciate it. I beat myself up a lot after reading that post again and not even remembering sending it...ugh. The "Shift" tip is amazing. I haven't tried it yet, but I will definitely try it. I got frustrated because I was just grabbing my cabinet (it is a component from the warehouse) randomly and then would hit move and then drag it over to the wall, not paying any attention to the points or surfaces, and it would stop about a couple inches short of the wall, then if I barely moved my mouse it would go through the wall. The point reference, and selecting the correct spot on the grouped wall, priceless advice my friend. I got so frustrated with it that I just set it aside like a week ago, and now with this new information I'm going to go back to it tonight or tomorrow. The end result is to 're-design' my kitchen, and then use that to decide where to mount some LED lighting. And just to be able to learn the tools and gain the confidence to keep moving forward. I'll be going back over your tutorials and soaking them up, thanks again for making them. No one paid you to do them, and that's what I love about channels like yours where you do it for the love of helping others. And if you did get paid, or do get paid from folks watching your vids, more power to you. I'll be sharing it with my friends that are also interested in SU and 3D design. Thanks again, Steve

[@vetenskapsman]

Constructive criticism ... you are describing *what* is happening on the screen not what you need to be *doing* to make that happen. First time users are not going to understand how to achieve all the steps you are describing.

[@kennethschroeder2789]

Just eliminate all the background music completely to approach perfection.

[@thetimbertailor]

Oh, if it were only that easy :-( I nixed the music track on more recent videos but 'just eliminating' the background music is essentially starting over. Sorry, Kenneth, for the distraction! Best, Matt

[@clidelivingston]

please say everything you are doing, it seems you leave out some things you are doing.

[@NextLevelCarpentry]

Sorry Clyde, the reality is that I can't say EVERYTHING in EVERY video so the gaps you see are the result of an assumption of a certain level of experience with SketchUp... part of the learning curve, I guess. There's a 3-part series here called 'A Carpenter's Introduction to 3D Modelling" kzbin.info/www/bejne/bofJkJqOfMqonLc that may help you fill in those annoying blanks in this video. Best, Matt

[@clidelivingston]

@@NextLevelCarpentry thank you, your video did help me out a lot.

[@NextLevelCarpentry]

@@clidelivingston You bet... let me know how it goes for you? Best, Matt PS you probably figured out I've somewhat neglected my The Digital Jobsite channel in favor of Next Level Carpentry where you'll see I put SketchUp to use on occasion...

[@bobnob3496]

"Let me talk really quietly, and for good measure I'll add a useless and loud background track to drown out what I am saying". - The Digital Jobsite

[@deweywsu]

Sounds like the Swedish chef.

[@gearhead5651]

i didnt have any problem hearing and following along. Worked for me.

[@thomaspanning9613]

Cut the music

[@brentduncan8596]

The Bob ross of sketchup

[@thetimbertailor]

Thanks Brent... at least I THINK that was a compliment? Always remember when you're using SketchUp, even though I do it one way, it's YOUR model... you should draw it just the way YOU like! (channeling Dear Mr Ross :-)

[@KarlBunker]

When this video is listened to with certain monaural audio setups, there is no narration; just background music. I was about to leave a thumbs-down and leave until I noticed someone mentioning the narration in the comments. I switched my audio output, and viola -- narration.

[@NextLevelCarpentry]

Karl, Thanks for clearing the video/sound production hurdles with this tutorial... I hope you were able to learn enough from it to make it worth your while. I hope you'll look for my newer videos, where I've tried earnestly to address the music/sound concerns, and continue to watch/learn (?) and comment. Regards, Matt

[@moreorlesslikeso]

viola?

[@citroenhy7949]

Love your videos. Just one thing. pls loose the music. thanks or atleast find something less annoing =) other then that. Thanks that you want to share you knowlege!

[@thetimbertailor]

Citroen, Sorry, you're kind of stuck with the music on some of these videos... I think other viewers find relief by turning their speaker balance away from the music channel and all the way to the voice channel. Due to similar overwhelming reaction I've quit adding the music track on newer videos. Sadly, I was trying to be fancy by adding it but clearly got it wrong. Hope you're able to turn it down and ignore it for now :-(

[@JohnColgan.]

Citroen : If you want to be really critical, you could always try to lose the bad spelling "loose" & "annoing", it is very annoying and shows lack of your knowledge, instead of "you knowlege". Then maybe, compliment the guy for the effort he put in to describing a better way of drawing a mundane 2x4 more realistically and how to apply it in the real world. But some dumb schmucks just like to complain

[@citroenhy7949]

@@JohnColgan. Thanks maybe go outside run maybe, find some friends. Loose =) you attitude

[@jpdominator]

10 minutes to draw a single board. Classic. Stop milking the algorithm. 1 minutes would have been appropriate.

[@NextLevelCarpentry]

Why does it take you 10 minutes to draw a single board?! How 'bout you stop trying to blame your inadequacies on others...

[@ZupE891]

this program is absolutely not user friendly. So difficult just to move things around and rotate them, wasted an hour trying to figure out how to manipulate a single 2x4 and I still cannot get it right 90% of the time... waste of time.

[@karyldebolouw74]

woodprix has very useful instructions with all details I need

[@lindamorgey6736]

I've heard good feedback about the Woodglut plans.

[@romaineathey2690]

I am sure that you will find good way to make it on woodprix Webpage.