I wanted to learn how to use Google Sketchup to help to design and model some of my projects so I spent some time learning how to use the tool. The Fine Woodworking website has some great tutorials to get started.

Here's a couple of shots of the design in Sketchup. It needed to support the 4 foot by 20 foot heater level on a sloping grade of 1' for every foot.




By using Sketchup I was able to determine very easily the exact amount of lumber that would be required and a cutlist was easily created. By using the ruler and dimensioning tools assembly was a snap and the platform came out perfect. This is a great tool which I will be using for all my projects.

It's raining at the moment so I can't get a picture of the finished project. I'll attach one later.

Here's the finished platform ... or dock as my wife calls it.