Testing the printed model
The following screenshot shows the printed cradle in use:
After printing the model and testing how it works in practice, I noted the following changes that would improve the design:
Increasing the height and width of the tabs on the jet's tail fins to keep the phone more stable while in the landscape mode
Increasing the height of the base so that the charger cord doesn't bend sharply on the table
Making the jet exhaust clouds more realistic
Making the plane wings bigger so it's easier to tell what it is
Developing an improved design
Back to SketchUp we go! We'll make the changes and print an improved model. This process of refining the design through a series of iterations is discussed in Chapter 3, From 2D Drawing to 3D Model.
Going back in the historical timeline, copy one of the mirrored half groups to rework into the improved design. Use the Push/Pull tool and the Line tool to make the tabs that hold the phone in place taller and wider. Use the Push/Pull tool to pull...