I mentioned using Google SketchUp in a previous post about a wine rack design I could finally render in 3D. While using it for that project I thought of a previous client request to design a plastic chip stand that could hold five bags of chips upright on a larger shelf.  At the time of the request I had to decline helping them because I simply didn’t have the capability to work in 3D.

I went back to their design specs with Google SketchUp and I was able to fulfill their request and even include measurements, sizing, color, and some graphics in the final design for them.

I discovered Google SketchUp in an effort to do some 3D modeling for a house I am attempting to design. I was looking for a simple, free, 3D rending mechanism. Google SketchUp is that and more. It is also very intuitive to use and can be used for both simple designs and more complex designs. It works by pushing and pulling 2D objects into 3D. A square can be easily drawn using that square tool. Then with a simple click and drag that square becomes a cube or crossbeam.

There are also many more complicated features available that are best explained in the various blogs, tutorials and guides related to SketchUp.

Download Google SketchUp Here

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