Video Tutorial: 3-part tutorial on creating a Stacked Wood feature ring in Woodturner

[Lloyd Johnson]

I have created a four-part video tutorial that shows how to use a 3rd party graphical editor, SketchUp, to create a 'stacked wood' design for a feature ring. Part 1 shows how to create the design in SketchUp and export it to jpg images. Part 2 shows how to make customer species in Woodturner PRO from those images. It also shows the process of designing the vessel using Multi-Select and Repeat Paint. Part 3 shows how to organize files so that all associated files can be stored in a single Woodturner PRO project file. Part 4 shows how to visualize the ring after turning.

CLICK HERE to open Part 1.
CLICK HERE to open Part 2.
CLICK HERE to open Part 3.
CLICK HERE to open Part 4.

 

[Tom Dlugosh]

The widget column on the right side of the screen blocks part of the tutorial. How can I get rid of it?

 

[Lloyd Johnson]

Once the video starts playing, if you hover over the viewing area, you'll see 'Vimeo' at the bottom right of the screen. Just to the left of Vimeo is an icon that zooms the video to full-screen and that will show you the entire screen.

If that doesn't work on your screen, click the word Vimeo and it will take you to the Vimeo site where you will have different viewing options.

Lloyd

 

[packer34]

I was following along with sketchup and I was wondering what template you are using? Cause when you get to the part where you make your square .25,.25 mine comes out so small that I can hardly see it. When I first installed sketchup it ask what template did I want to use and I jsut clickon the default. Can you please help?

thx chuck

 

[Lloyd Johnson]

My recommendation is to create your own default template which is very easy to do. Follow these steps:

1. Go File > New
2. Go Window > Preferences > Template and then select Product Design and Woodworking: Inches (your new template will be based on this template)
3. Draw a rectangle 12,12 and press Enter (this will make a 12" x 12" rectangle
4. Zoom in (or out) until your rectangle fills a good part of the screen and then use the Pan tool (looks like a hand) to center it
5. Click Ctrl-A to Select All and hit your delete key
6. Go File > Save As Template
7. Name the template 'My Template' and then hit your tab key
8. Check the box that says 'Set as Default Template' and click the Save button

You have now created your new default template and everytime you start SketchUp, it will start exactly as it was when you saved this template. If you want to make any changes to the template such as camera angle, zoom, style or pretty much anything, just go File > New, make your changes and then File > Save As Template and save it as 'My Template' again.

Make sure there is nothing on your screen when you save the template or it will be there every time you go File > New.

Let me know if any of this needs clarification.
Lloyd

 

[packer34]

Thx again Lloyd, work perfectly!

 

[Lloyd Johnson]

A question was asked to me that is a very important consideration in a feature ring like this so I thought I'd address it to the community. This question has to do with the curvature of the bowl and the amount of the pattern that will be turned away to make the bowl round. I probably should have addressed this in the tutorial, but since they were already pretty long, I didn't.

In the tutorial as presented, the entire segment edge length is made up of a pattern and so the left and right edges of that design will be turned away. To allow for this, you can add width to the left and right sides by either making the outside pieces wider or adding vertical spacers to each side of the segment. If the wood you are using is thick enough, you can also cut the 15 degree angles on the finished segment starting not at the very outside of the segment back somewhat from the front surface. This will have the effect of having a larger ring as the effective segment edge length will be wider than calculated.

Another good use of SketchUp is to use it to see exactly what a design will look like after the ring has been turned. When I get the chance to demonstrate this, I'll create this tutorial as the technique is very useful.

Lloyd

 

[Stanleys]

I have check the video you post and it is interesting because I have learned so much good information which I can apply for my self. The tutorial is clear and very precise on how to do it.

 

[Tim Boger]

A question was asked to me that is a very important consideration in a feature ring like this so I thought I'd address it to the community. This question has to do with the curvature of the bowl and the amount of the pattern that will be turned away to make the bowl round. I probably should have addressed this in the tutorial, but since they were already pretty long, I didn't.

In the tutorial as presented, the entire segment edge length is made up of a pattern and so the left and right edges of that design will be turned away. To allow for this, you can add width to the left and right sides by either making the outside pieces wider or adding vertical spacers to each side of the segment. If the wood you are using is thick enough, you can also cut the 15 degree angles on the finished segment starting not at the very outside of the segment back somewhat from the front surface. This will have the effect of having a larger ring as the effective segment edge length will be wider than calculated.

Another good use of SketchUp is to use it to see exactly what a design will look like after the ring has been turned. When I get the chance to demonstrate this, I'll create this tutorial as the technique is very useful.

Lloyd

Hi Lloyd,

I'm looking forward to the tutorial on showing a ring after it's been turned.

I've been learning a lot about expanding the applications of your programs using SketchUp, seems like the possibilities are endless.

Thanks,
Tim

 

[GrandpawB]

Lloyd: I know this is a long shot and I probably already know the answer but do you happen to have a transcription of your tutorial videos? That would be a big help when trying to follow all the steps.

 

[Lloyd Johnson]

Grandpaw,

I have not had the time to make transcriptions of the video tutorials but hopefully that will change as I create more. However, my good friend and excellent segmenter, Malcolm Farrant, made some of these and if they exist, they are on the same page as the tutorials. If you return to the tutorials page of the Stacked Ring tutorial, you'll find two pdf files after the tutorials. Take a look at those and they may answer some of your questions.

I'm getting back to teaching classes on SketchUp in my local area and am considering doing this as online classes as well. If I do, I will have both beginning, intermediate and advanced classes. The entire focus will be on SketchUp for woodworkers and woodturners. Is this something that would interest you or others?

Lloyd

 

[GrandpawB]

Yes. Absolutely. I think that would be a great help. I would be a beginner.

Grandpaw,

I have not had the time to make transcriptions of the video tutorials but hopefully that will change as I create more. However, my good friend and excellent segmenter, Malcolm Farrant, made some of these and if they exist, they are on the same page as the tutorials. If you return to the tutorials page of the Stacked Ring tutorial, you'll find two pdf files after the tutorials. Take a look at those and they may answer some of your questions.

I'm getting back to teaching classes on SketchUp in my local area and am considering doing this as online classes as well. If I do, I will have both beginning, intermediate and advanced classes. The entire focus will be on SketchUp for woodworkers and woodturners. Is this something that would interest you or others?

Lloyd

 

[GrandpawB]

Vs
Lloyd: I tried to make the spiral design in SketchUp like you did in your video. When I get to the part where I erase the small lines to make the spiral, I end up with a gray path (the same as the background) instead of a white path like yours and it can't be painted. As soon as I release the mouse button the path turns gray. Any idea what I'm doing wrong?