How to Use SketchUp to Draw Furniture

For those with an interest in constructing their own furniture, Google SketchUp is a good place to start. The simple interface and basic tools allow users to test their designs and make sure their ideas work by using real world measurements and looking at the finished product before beginning any construction. Basic and complex alterations to the design can be done quickly, ensuring that hours of work are not wasted attempting to draw furniture that doesn't work out in the end.

Instructions

1. • 1
     Double-click the SketchUp icon on your computer to launch the program. Select "Product Design and Woodworking - Inches" from the template menu that appears, then press the "Start using SketchUp" button in the lower right corner.
   • 2
     Select "Rectangle" from the menu, then click and drag inside the large gray space to make a rectangle appear. The further you drag your mouse, the larger the shape will be, so get the size you would like, then release the mouse button. This will set the length and width of the shape.
   • 3
     Press the "Push/Pull" button at the top of the screen, select the rectangle you created, then look for the Length field at the bottom right of the screen. Type a number into the field and press "Enter" to change the size of the rectangle.
   • 4
     Right click the rectangle and press "Make Component." You will be given a window in which you can name the shape you created.
   • 5
     Use the "Rotate" and "Move" tools found on the menu at the top of the screen to position your rectangle where you need it for whatever piece of furniture you are building.
   • 6
     Create another shape using the buttons on the menu at the top of the screen, and repeat steps 3-5 until you have finished drawing the desired piece of furniture.