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After executing an Intersection command in SketchUp, there  are occasions when the results are not so good. You can have missing edges, holes, and lost faces. Often this is caused by SketchUp’s inability to  recognize very small facets. So it is a good practice to scale-up the geometry before executing an Intersection.In the following case, I purposely created a “mess”  after an Intersection. The example is the shaping of a handle or bail for a Shaker Chip Box as shown below.  The bail is small with tight arcs, a configuration that is sure to cause problems without a scale-up.

The shape of the Bail is quite complex and starts with two shapes that are intersected. First I created the side view and shape of the Bail. I only used one-half of the shape because of its symmetry. Her

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When it comes to building materials, stone has been admired for its longevity and beauty since the oldest dates textbook history can reach. We all know that Egyptian pyramids have been around for many, many years, and although we have come a long way since building with stone blocks weighing as much as 15 tons, the use of stone is still going strong.

Many large-scale projects such as walls or columns have been replaced by the use of stone veneer because of its ease of installation. But when it comes to landscaping, real stone still takes the lead. There are few better ways to warm a space than through the use of beautiful, rich-colored rock, and the opportunities to do so are endless.

Taming Your Pet Allergies

Studies indicate that more than 70% of U.S. households currently own one or more domestic animals, with an estimated 10 million owners who are allergic to them.  About a third of the population that is allergic to cats, live with at least one cat in their home anyways.  Whether it’s a cat, dog, hamster or other household animal, simple steps can be taken to make your pet allergies more tolerable.

Don’t Blame the Fur

Allergic reactions are caused by exposure to proteins that are normally present in secretions from the glands in the skin as well as in the animal’s saliva or urine.  Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t matter whether your pet has short or long hair – it’s the pet’s dander (skin scales) that con cause some of the worst allergic reactions.  Although a pet’s fur doesn’t in itself cause allergic reactions – a pet’s hair is a good carrier of pet dander and saliva as well as dust, mold spores and other allergens.

Prevention is the Best Treatment

Allergists agree that the best treatment for pet allergies, as for all types of allergies, is avoidance of the things that cause allergic reactions.  But avoidance doesn’t necessarily mean living without pets, especially when a family member’s allergies are moderate in nature.

Dr. Robert A. Wood, Director of th Read more…

One of my stops at the London Design Festival this week was designjunction – a great place to see cutting-edge design from small-scale companies across the globe.

As I wandered around inside the striking Victoria House in Holborn where the exhibition was held, the wealth of innovative and exciting design was abundant and it was all too apparent that celebrated British designer Michael Sodeau has waved his magic wand.

To get a feel of the exhibition we’ve collaborated with Crane.tv who have produced a video that features Sodeau, design junction’s creative director, Tokyobike’s Neil Davis and Australian design duo DANIEL EMA showcasing their fabulous anything-but-mundane desk accessories and telling us what makes designjunction so unique.

Building Doors & DrawersThe Taunton Press, 2007.$24.95; 192 pp.We have an extra copy of this book in our library and we’re giving you an opportunity to win it. Leave a comment here for your chance to win.Building Doors & Drawers by Andy Rae is divided into 2 sections: Doors & Drawers. In each section he includes chapters on Designing, Building, and Fitting and Finishing. There are also chapters on Special Drawers and Details (including, among other things, curved, tapered and hidden drawers) as well as Special Doors and Details (pocket doors, sliding doors, and more). The book is full of color photos and illustrations to show you how to design and build the perfect doors or drawers for your projects.

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