Photo: Ono Kosuki

How much is SketchUp for woodworking?

SketchUp Free is freely available, whereas SketchUp Pro ($299/year) and SketchUp Go ($119/yr) are a yearly subscription.

sketchupforwoodworkers.com - Which Version of SketchUp Should Woodworkers Use

Should you treat a new shed?

Most sheds come with a base coat of wood preservative already added. But you should always treat your new shed straight away, once it's installed,...

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Where do snakes go in the winter?

Snakes may seek out cold weather shelters in caves or holes, under rocks or logs, in tree stumps or underground. They may also shelter in a...

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June 28, 2022 Note: Up until recently, SketchUp offered an older full-featured desktop application SketchUp Make 2017. But it has been discontinued. Our recommendation has been updated to reflect that. In the last couple years, the entry point for learning SketchUp has gotten more confusing because there’s been several new versions of SketchUp to come out. Before you can start learning the basics of the software, you first need to choose a version.

Quick Summary

Our recommendation for woodworkers is that you use the SketchUp Pro version, even if you start with the free trial. Let’s start with the biggest differences between the available versions: SketchUp Pro is a full-featured desktop applications that you install on your computer. SketchUp Free and SketchUp Go are both web-bound tools that you run in the cloud. The second important note is cost. SketchUp Free is freely available, whereas SketchUp Pro ($299/year) and SketchUp Go ($119/yr) are a yearly subscription.

Web shortcomings

I find that the web-based versions (both Free and Shop) have some shortcomings that woodworkers are likely to bump up against when designing their woodworking projects. Navigating is more cumbersome in SketchUp for web. The online version contains all the essential tools, but their grouping hides many of them and makes it more diffucult to find and slower to select. SketchUp Free also hides the outliner, a tool which I find essential to navigating, identifying, and selecting components. An omission which is more painful as the complexity of your models grow. Web-based versions also lack the benefit of plugins. We teach you to install and use the Cutlist plugin in our SketchUp For Woodworkers Intro course. But there are many other great plugins that are commonly used by woodworkers to add additional functionality like drawing compound curves and rounding corners in your pieces. Custom textures and materials aren’t allowed in web-based versions. You’re very limited to the materials that SketchUp offers.

Recommended SketchUp version for woodworkers

Our Recommendation: SketchUp Pro Free Trial

The limitations on the web-based versions are likely to catch up to any woodworker that uses SketchUp frequently to design their projects. SketchUp Pro will give you access to regular updates and support, access to features like plugins and materials, as well as additional programs like LayOut for professional plan drawings. SketchUp Pro also gives you access to the in-browser tool (equivalent to SketchUp Shop) in addition to the desktop application, which can be convenient for making small edits to your design if you’re away from your primary computer or on the run. If you haven’t yet invested in SketchUp Pro, they offer a 30-day free trial which you can take advantage of.

A Note for Course Takers

We use the paid version SketchUp Pro for the recordings in this course. For that reason, it will be easiest to follow if you’re also using Pro (even if it's the free trial).

Can 12 gauge handle 30 amps?

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What keeps squirrels out of sheds?

Close off any holes that are found around and in the shed. Select a commercial squirrel repellent to use, such as fox urine, Shake Away, Critter Ridder, Ro-pel, Squirrel Away or Whole Control. Fox urine will keep the squirrels away because foxes are a natural predator of squirrels.

gardenguides.com - How to Keep Squirrels out of a Shed - Garden Guides

Check the exterior of the shed for holes that a squirrel could fit through. Close off any holes that are found around and in the shed. Select a commercial squirrel repellent to use, such as fox urine, Shake Away, Critter Ridder, Ro-pel, Squirrel Away or Whole Control. Fox urine will keep the squirrels away because foxes are a natural predator of squirrels. Shake Away is granulated urine from foxes, bobcats and elk. Shake Away will last four to six weeks, if you don’t live in a wet climate. Critter Ridder is organic and will keep the squirrels away for 30 days. Ro-pel and Squirrel Away will give the squirrels a bitter taste, so it is used on things they will chew. Dr. T’s Whole Control is a spray repellent used in large areas. It is non-toxic and biodegradable. Apply a squirrel repellent around the exterior of the shed, creating a 3-foot barrier. Reapply the repellent at regular intervals, based on manufacturer's directions. Trim all trees around that shed that would give the squirrel a launching source. Squirrels can jump about ten feet from a tree on to the roof of the shed.

Can I put a shed on pavers?

Pavers fit together tightly, allowing you to create a sturdy base for your shed. Plus, they are durable and relatively inexpensive letting you get...

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Can a 2x12 span 16 feet?

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Do I need to put anything under gravel?

A good landscape fabric beneath a layer of pebbles or gravel goes a long way in preventing weed seed germination. Even the best landscape fabric...

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Is it cheaper to build a shed or buy a prefab?

If you've been wondering is it cheaper to build your own shed, you'll discover that yes, it is less expensive to build your own shed than to...

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