User guide

This page demonstrates general use of SketchStruct. Screenshots and stuff are based on version 1.01, however If the usage of the program changes a lot, then I will modify this page.

Setting up the view

The first thing to do is to set up the view in Sketchup. SketchStruct works with geometry in the red-blue plane. To quickly set up the view, click on 'Camera -> Standard Views -> Front'. Also it may help to turn on parallel projection. This is done by clicking on 'Camera -> Parallel Projection'

This should give you a 2D area to work from. Be careful not to use the orbit tool or use the middle mouse button as the view will change.

Setting up a frame

Frames are made using standard Sketchup lines (edges) drawn with the pencil tool.

Almost any static structure can be analysed, Some understanding of structural behaviour is required and it should be remembered that for a pin jointed truss, only triangular sections give a stable structure. Square frams tend to sway and form a mechanism; this will cause the program to give errors.

Assigning supports

Drawing of supports is done by using the custom tool in SketchStruct. A small selection of support types are available and again, some understanding of structral behaviour is recommended before using Sketchstruct.

To place supports, simply click on the support button on the toolbar and place the support.

If the toolbar shown above is not visible, it can be found under 'View -> Toolbars -> SketchStruct'. This is explained in more detail in the installation guide.

Point load placement

Placing of point loads is done with a similar method. To draw a point load, first click on one of the point load buttons and enter the size / magnitude of the load in kN.

Click 'Ok' and begin placing the point loads by clicking on joints.

Point loads have been added to the top of the truss, and can be added anywhere that is not suppressed by a support. For example, you cannot add a vertical or a horizontal load at the left support and you cannot add a vertical load to the right support.

The structure is now complete and ready to analyse.

Analysis and review

To perform the structural analysis, click on the green tick. If the analysis is successful then you should receive a popup message confirming success.

Clicking 'Ok' should redirect you to the 'Structure info' tool where you can double click on each member to find the axial force.

It is important to note that positive values indicate compression, and negative values for force indicate tension.

This concludes the demonstration of general use of the program.

Enjoy.