Google Sketchup - Modle somthing before you build it!

I guess this is a good place for this.. Google has a free program called sketchup
once you learn how to use the interface its a free way to design stuff and see how it looks before you build it!
http://sketchup.google.com/

They also have importable Graphics, some cruisers!

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/search?q=land+cruiser&btnG=Search

Just messing around with it, and i created a mock up of a roll Cage for my 40..


Im am now going to try creating a FJ40 Body.. Its going to take forever but here is a quick preview!

Once it's sketched, will it produce 2d fab drawings? you guessed it, i'm too lazy to go to the site and experiment!

I bet you could convert it into that sort of thing, But no, the Free Version is pretty basic.. Hence the free part.. i like it just because you can see what somthing is going to look like before you do it!

Since in my world, time is more precious than $, why not invest in an inexpensive CAD program with photorealistic rendering. You then get the fab drawings so the thing can be sourced and made. I think I've seen these programs for as little as $100 or so (don't quote me on that, I'll wait until I receive the next issue of Design Engineering").