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with FEATURE SEGMENTS SketchUpSketchUpDavid Heim , by Dennis Keeling, Photo: From Segmented Turning published by The Taunton Press. Used with permission. lines, the Tape Measure tool measures A segmented bowl and its SketchUp representation. 3-D modeling can help you create accurate segmentlengths patterns andand aplaces cutlist. layout lines, and- architects, product designers, and - the Protractor tool sets angles. For - others worldwide. turners, the Follow Me tool is criti lanning a segmented turn SketchUp offers three significant cal. This tool extrudes a shape along ing takes considerable preci benefits. One, it runs equally well a path, and it allows you to generate a P sion and patience. There are on Windows and Mac. Two, it’s free 3-D version of the bowl with just two a couple of computer programs (a Pro version costs $700, but most mouse clicks. designed to help you determine users don’t need it). Three, SketchUp SketchUp has color-coded on- the size and shape of the staves or allows you to create a full-color screen axis lines and numerous wedges you need, but I prefer to use 3-D model of a turning, with every prompts to keep you from getting the SketchUp 3D design program individual segment perfectly shaped lost in space. For instance, if you (sketchup.com). It is increasingly and positioned. You can also use the want to draw a line parallel to the popular with woodworkers, turners, 3-D model to generate absolutely red, or left-to-right, axis, watch accurate, full-sized patterns for for the line following the cursor the segments. to turn red. Orbit, Pan, and Zoom JOURNAL ARCHIVE or turners who have never tried tools make it easy to navigate and segmented turning or for those F who would like a refresher on Turning Your First the basic concepts, here is a simple, easy approach to turning a segmented bowl. This quick, accurate method will acquaint you with the fundamentals SEGMENTED BOWL CONNECTION of segmenting, which you can then SketchUp basics Jim Rodgers apply to more complex pieces. The view the model from any angle. bowl presented here makes use of a solid layer of wood for the foot and four progressively larger rings, each one comprising multiple segments cut For more basic information at predetermined angles. When you work in SketchUp, you Segment-cutting sled Clicking the blue question-mark As you would imagine, segmented projects require careful attention to creating a blank prior to turning. The table saw is my preferred tool on segmented turning, for cutting segments, and a sled with a fence set at the correct angle is the best way to produce identical always work in three dimensions segments. Some time invested up icon at the bottom of the SketchUp front creating a good sled will help you far into the future. I recom- mend making and using a Wedgie Selecting wood Make a drawing see “Turning Your First Sled, a simple fixture designed by You will need to determine which Make a full-sized drawing of your vol renowned segmented turner Jerry wood species to use; I had some very bowl on graph paper with your AW Bennett. Plans and instructions for dry Eucalyptus cut a few years ago desired profile. This drawing will help and always full size. building this sled, as well as helpful from a friend’s yard. Mill the wood you determine the ring diameters and screen opens a window that videos, can be found at Jerry’s to the desired thickness you want thicknesses as well as the segment website, segeasy.com. Regardless of for each level, or ring. I chose ⅝" sizes required. Allowing for extra wall the sled design you choose, the goal (16mm) thickness. It is important thickness now will help you mini- Segmented Bowl” ( is to be able to cut desired angles that you select wood that is thor- mize any problems you might have accurately and with repeatability. oughly dry, with moisture content later in aligning the rings or turning of six to twelve percent. Using the bowl. Next add horizontal lines to Most tools in SketchUp work green, or unseasoned, wood intro- indicate the foot and ring thicknesses, duces a greater likelihood of wood based on the thickness of the wood explains how to use whatever tool movement, which will cause you will be using. Add a centerline to Part 1: Cut Accurate Segments glue joints to fail. the drawing and number each level, 30, no 5, page 18), by Jim or ring, of the bowl from the base Plan your bowl upward (Figure 1). Unlike other kinds of wood Segmented - Note that drawings made with Turning turning, segmented projects sophisticated software or using School require detailed planning of trigonometry functions will render By Jim Rodgers just like their real counterparts. 24 the piece you wish to create. For American Woodturner Winter 2005 more accurate results, as a simple you have selected. this project, I decided on a small two-dimensional drawing cannot Rodgers. AAW members popcorn bowl that would fit in account for the three-dimensional your lap—about 3" (8cm) tall by 7" aspect of the bowl’s curvature. This is (18cm) diameter. why allowing for extra wall thickness JOURNAL ARCHIVE CONNECTION 18 American Woodturner October 2015 For example, the Line tool (with a Jim Rodgers has written 29 previously in American Woodturner can access all past on segmenting. 18_SegmentedBowl.indd 18 His 2005 article on cutting 9/9/15 2:04 PM accurate segments (vol 20, no 4, page 24) offers helpful information, including an alternate sled design and tips on gluing segments into pencil for a cursor) draws straight rings. AAW members can access all past journal articles online journal articles online at woodturner.org. at woodturner.org. 7/6/16 9:21 AM woodturner.org Copyright 2016, American Association of Woodturners. All rights reserved. 29_SketchUp.indd 29 Create a profile and segments Merge profile and wedges Figure 1. Begin the model of the turning Figure 2. Use the profile as a reference to Figure 3. Make the bowl profile into a with a profile of the bowl. Anchor it where size and position one wedge for each ring 3-D shape and merge, or intersect, it the colored axis lines meet. in the turning. with the stack of wedges. Building, not drawing beginning with SketchUp’s own user Use SketchUp’s Line and Arc tools to With SketchUp, you don’t simply guide. Go to sketchup.com/learn. draw the profile of the bowl or vessel make a perspective drawing of an you want to make. Once you are satis- object. Rather, you construct it piece Plan a segmented turning fied with the shape, make the profile a by piece, much the way you would The video accompanying this component. It’s a good idea to anchor in real life. Each time you add a article shows all the steps involved the edge of the profile at the origin, new piece, you need to make it what in using SketchUp to create a model where the three axis lines meet. The SketchUp terms a component—for of a segmented turning. Here are blue, or vertical, axis line makes an ideal woodworkers, a component is basi- the basics. centerline for the turning (Figure 1). cally a virtual piece of wood that’s separate from anything else in the model. This is the most impor- tant thing to understand about Erase and copy SketchUp. If you don’t create com- ponents, all you make is a series of random lines that won’t add up to anything. There are two other key concepts to master. One, draw components in place whenever possible to help ensure accuracy and save time. Two, rely on SketchUp’s ability to deliver the precise lengths, radiuses, and distances you need. If you want a line exactly 125⁄16" (31cm) long, for instance, begin drawing the line, type that length (without the inch Figure 4. After running the intersection Figure 5. Copy the shaped wedges around routine, erase most of the drawing so you a circle to finish the bowl shape. Paint the sign), and press Enter. are left with wedges that are now shaped segments with color to match the woods You can find plenty of online tuto- to match the bowl profile. you will use. rials to learn more about the program, 30 American Woodturner August 2016 Copyright 2016, American Association of Woodturners. All rights reserved. 29_SketchUp.indd 30 7/6/16 9:21 AM FEATURE Work in SketchUp much as you it a component, then move on to the made. Click on one and drag it to would in the shop to create com- next layer (Figure 2). the main SketchUp screen. Now ponents for the base of the turning To finish the model, use the Follow you can add dimensions with the and one wedge for each ring you Me tool to make the bowl profile a Dimension tool or orient the com- will need. Use the profile as a ref- 3-D shape. Execute a series of com- ponent to print a full-sized pattern erence to size and position these mands to intersect the bowl shape (Figure 6). components. with the wedges (Figure 3). After It’s easy to draw the wedges with much erasing to get rid of waste, Easy and versatile SketchUp’s Polygon tool. You can you’ll have a set of shaped segments SketchUp isn’t a one-trick pony. set the tool to match the number of (Figure 4). Copy and rotate those seg- You can use it to design just wedges you need in each ring (type ments around a circle to complete about anything—the table your the number you want and press the bowl.