I typically do Sketchup for design drawings because it's easier for clients to see things in 3D. Do I love it? No, but I'm reasonably quick using it, so I do. It's also a hell of a lot easier to make big changes than working on paper.
Shop drawings I do by hand. How much measuring I do depends greatly on how what I'm trying to achieve:
If the piece is based heavily on proportions and symmetry[0], I'll use dividers a lot more than a ruler.
If I need to hit certain measurements for practical reasons, it's a bit of both.
If I'm strictly reproducing a design model, I'll have the ruler out pretty exclusively. Sketchup does do division/even spacing with array copy, so I can usually work out what I want pretty closely.
If I'm reproducing a piece from a photo[1], it's a lot of both, some educated rounding to a reasonable fraction, and I've gone entirely crosseyed by the end of the day.
Occasionally, I'll do something almost entirely without firm measurements. My tool tote is based on my hand span (because that's about the width you can comfortably carry along your side), and there were no drawings to speak of. Everything was dimensioned at the bench. Stick chairs and stools tend to be pretty similar; if I'm building them out of scrap, I design around the available wood. I'm not sure I'd build any for money yet though. I have a few more learning experiences in me before I do that.
I typically do Sketchup for design drawings because it's easier for clients to see things in 3D. Do I love it? No, but I'm reasonably quick using it, so I do. It's also a hell of a lot easier to make big changes than working on paper.
Shop drawings I do by hand. How much measuring I do depends greatly on how what I'm trying to achieve:
If the piece is based heavily on proportions and symmetry[0], I'll use dividers a lot more than a ruler.
If I need to hit certain measurements for practical reasons, it's a bit of both.
If I'm strictly reproducing a design model, I'll have the ruler out pretty exclusively. Sketchup does do division/even spacing with array copy, so I can usually work out what I want pretty closely.
If I'm reproducing a piece from a photo[1], it's a lot of both, some educated rounding to a reasonable fraction, and I've gone entirely crosseyed by the end of the day.
Occasionally, I'll do something almost entirely without firm measurements. My tool tote is based on my hand span (because that's about the width you can comfortably carry along your side), and there were no drawings to speak of. Everything was dimensioned at the bench. Stick chairs and stools tend to be pretty similar; if I'm building them out of scrap, I design around the available wood. I'm not sure I'd build any for money yet though. I have a few more learning experiences in me before I do that.
[0] https://www.longwalkwoodworking.com/cabinet-on-stand
[1] https://www.longwalkwoodworking.com/federalclock