You can review the new features of version 8 in the website link here. Although there are a number of additions and modifications to the program, many of the changes relate to functions applicable to buildings, geo-positioning, and terrain domains, not woodworking, And others are included only in the Pro version.I imagine many of you are aware of the new SketchUp version 8, and have already downloaded the new version. I think it is a good idea to upgrade as there are always beneficial improvements and additions. Also you will be able to view new models built in version 8 only with the new version. That is, version 7 will not read models built in version 8. If you save a version 7 model while using version 8, the .skp file is changed in a way that prevents its opening in the old version.
A significant new capability has been added to the Pro version in a set of tools for additive and subtractive modeling called Solid Tools. Many of the Intersection procedures used in woodworking will be facilitated by these new tools - however, only with the Pro version. An example of using Solid Tools is shown in the next two pictures for making a cabriole leg.
Also in the Pro version, are improvements to dimensioning in Layout. Here Google has finally added an angle dimension. The angle dimension for the arm in the chair below, illustrates this new capability.
I will point out a slight adjustment to the Scenes dialog box or panel which is applicable to the free version. Thumbnail images of the scenes now appear in the Scenes dialog box. This changes the look of the Scenes dialog box, but the overall function is unchanged. The picture below shows the Overall assembly view or scene. The dialog box on the right shows the small thumbnail equivalent of the overall view.
Also applicable to woodworking and the free version, is a new Back Edges style in the Styles Toolbar. You can click on this style to see your model's obscured edges as dashed lines. This could be an alternative to the use of X-Ray mode which is often used in orthographic and template views. Below is a top view of a sawhorse with dotted lines showing the hidden edges.
I expect we will be exercising and showing more procedures and cases of the new capabilities in future blog entries.
(finewoodworking.com)
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