I managed to upload a model to the 3D warehouse and then download it back to my machine. If you have sketchup on your machine you should be able to find, download and orbit/edit someone else's model.
The only thing I haven't figured out is a specific web address for the models. The model I uploaded is called "mark's cruck"

To upload a model:
save a file in sketchup.
clic the file menu
choose "3D warehouse" then choose "share model"
This will open the 3D warehouse and you will have to log in if you don't have a google I.D.
once you are logged in, just name the model, etc and upload your model.
The only problem I can see is the lack of specific web address, so if you intend on sharing the model, name it appropriately.

To download a model:
open sketchup, clic the file menu and choose "3D warehouse", then choose "get models"
This will open the 3D warehouse
If you'd like to find the cruck below type "mark's cruck" into the search box.
clic "download model"
This will download the model straight into sketchup, even if you have a drawing underway... you may want to open a new sketchup file.

Mark after you post the drawing to the warehouse and before you close it. You can copy and paste the url and send it to anyone. If I remember right theres even a place on the page to copy and paste or send and invitation or something like that.

But at a minimum, just copy and paste the url with an email or hotlink

I couldn't see an address bar when sketchup opened the 3D warehouse... I may need to mess with the program a bit.
There are a few timberframes in the warehouse to look at, search for timberframe, timber frame, post and beam.

I've figured out the address bar bit, If I go to the 3d warehouse in my browser, rather than from sketchup, I can find the adress. The adress for the cruck above is:
http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=b0c2cca632c57648a9e848e12cb2c391

Hi Mark,

Ok so your thread on Sketchup has caught my attention. I dowloaded Sketchup 6.0 (31 mb) and installed same on my pc.

I then imported an AutoCAD 3D timber frame model and was pretty impressed by the apparent error free way in which this was achieved. I obtained immediate benefits in that previously saved "Views" made inside the CAD programme were saved by Sketchup and then used to provide views between which Sketchup will then annimate the model making transitions between the views. This software must provide huge benefits for customer review of 3D model drawings when they are neither computer literate nor wish to lay out mega bucks on a full blown CAD package. The dynamic shadowing facility is impressive.

I am not sure how the models can be copyright protected or secured from intellectual property data miners. Have you figued anything out yet in this respect.

Regards

Ken Hume
http://www.kfhume.freeserve.co.uk

how do you copyright protect models when using CAD??

I don't have the any version of SU yet.
Is it possible to export a 3d dxf with the free version?

Not sure about the dxf from the free version but you can do this...

Download and install the trial Pro version. You get several hundred hours with it. You can do your work in the free version then save it. Open the trial pro version and open the free version you saved....From the trial Pro version export a .dxf or .dwg file to desktop. Then you can email it or print it or whatever you want.

This will only work so long as both of you versions are the same....If you update your free version after you have downloaded the trial pro version it won't work anymore as you can't update the trial version.

And if you don't want to do all that. ....

Just send me your .skp file and I'll send you back a .dxf

Pegs,
If you have a 3d dxf of a frame made in SU can you email that to me? I'd like to try and import it into my Dietrich's CAD program and see if it will come in....
Thanks.
Jim Rogers