Who's good with Google Sketchup?

Hey Jon - I used Sketchup to design my take on Ana's take on the Logan Entertainment Center (seen here - http://ana-white.com/community.....ent-center ).
 
I also used it to plan out a cut list for what I would be needing, from a plywood perspective.  So I created a second file that just had a sheet of 3/4" plywood modeled, and just cut it with the line or rectangle tool to get a visual idea of what I would have left over.  I printed each sheet out (used two sheets of plywood on the entertainment center) and brought them with me to ORANGE to get the cuts done - they were invaluable!
 
Regarding a part of your question - where is the disconnect between the design and the materials list?  When I am designing I basically think of lumber sizes as I go (1x3s on the bottom of my entertainment center, for instance).  Are you utilizing a different method to do your designs that makes the lumber list harder to come up with?  I'd like to help, so any information you can provide would be great.
Thanks!  I've loved your projects that you've shared with us.  Hope I can help!

I am using standard dimensional lumber sizes in general, some piece that have to come from sheet materials obviously are different. Those probably aren't the ones getting to me. I found a plugin called Cut list 4 for Sketchup that is free and does the job to some degree, probably have to get a deeper understanding of how that plugin works before I fully trust it. I don't know if it considers saw kerf for example…
 
Like right now I'm drawing up a built in for my office that has a ton of materials, esp. 1x lumber. I would love to press a button, and get a list of raw materials to buy, then a list of cuts to make. It's all mathematical so I have to believe it could be built. Think if you could enter your region's prices on different wood types, price per board foot of each dimension and then get a report from your drawing that tells you how much it would cost for any type of wood you want and it pick the most cost / cut efficient sizes and dimensions to buy. 
 
For now, the more manual method is going to be the fastest way to get to a cut list. Like you said, a second file with standard pieces and the cutout method I think is probably going to be the best way to go for now :)
 
Here's what my office builtin looks like thus far on paper (er' sketchup). As you can see, there's alot of cuts to figure out and count.
I also am having issues getting a picture to show up… strange…
wow... wordpress is really having an all out war with me right now to embed a picture... what gives!?
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh.....directlink

Ahh, I see what you mean then, Jon.  Thanks for the clarification.  Yeah, something like that would be phenominal!  I'm just getting started using Sketchup so as I figure out any best practices I'll be sure to update you - and if you could do the same for me that'd be great!
 
Yeah, I wasn't able to imbed pictures either - lots of screwiness when I posted my first three projects...

Jon- Your sketch is amazing!  I really need to sit down and try working this out.  Won't be building for 6-8 weeks after Oct 6 when I have shoulder surgery.  I guess it'll be my time to practice Sketch-Up.