SketchUp
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| SketchUp | |
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| Developed by | Google (previously @Last Software) |
| Latest release | 6.4.112 (Windows) / 6.4.120 (Mac OS X) / December 14, 2007 |
| OS | MS Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Apple Mac OS X (10.4-10.5) (Universal Binary) |
| Genre | 3D computer graphics |
| License | Proprietary |
| Website | www.sketchup.com |
SketchUp is a 3D modeling program designed for professional architects, civil engineers, filmmakers, game developers, and related professions. Sketchup may also be used to design buildings to be displayed on Google Earth. It was designed to be more intuitive, flexible, and easier to use than other 3D modeling programs, which are often difficult to learn.[1] Several features allow designers to play with their designs, unlike what is possible in other 3D CAD programs. It is marketed as an easy-to-use conceptual tool with a simple interface. A well known feature in the SketchUp World is the 3D Warehouse. Users can use their Google Accounts to upload models, and then browse the 3D Warehouse for many components and models.
Some of its key features and uses include:
- A "smart" drawing cursor (inference) system that allows users to draw 3D objects using a 2D screen and mouse.
- Simple massing study capability via "push-pull".
- An interactive Heliodon, or sun angle simulator.
- Ability to animate camera and sun movements.
- Models can be individually colored with an assortment of solid colors, textures and materials.
- Interoperability with Google Earth.
- Simplicity of use.
Contents |
[edit] History
SketchUp was developed by startup company @Last Software, Boulder, Colorado which was formed in 1999.[2] SketchUp was first released in August 2000[3] as a general purpose 3D content creation tool. It won a Community Choice Award at its first tradeshow in 2000.(A/E/C SYSTEMS Fall 2000)[4] It quickly found a market in architecture and building design industries, however, and was revised to suit the needs of working professionals. The key to its early success was in its fast learning curve, allowing for a shorter learning period than other commercially available 3D tools.
As of SketchUp 5, features were added to allow the user to extrude and widen as well as the ability for a face to "follow" the cursor around an object.
On March 14, 2006, Google acquired @Last Software,[5] attracted by their plugin for Google Earth.
On January 9, 2007, SketchUp 6 was released, featuring a handful of new tools as well as a beta version of Google SketchUp LayOut. LayOut includes a handful of 2D vector tools, as well as page layout tools making it easier for professionals to create presentations without jumping to a third-party presentation program.
On February 9, 2007, a maintenance update was released. It corrects a number of bugs, but brings no new features.
[edit] Add-Ons
Add-ons can be downloaded from the SketchUp Web Site's Plugins page.
[edit] Google Earth
One such add-on allows the user to export the 3D model as a .kmz file which can then be opened in Google Earth. This allows accurate geo-referencing of SketchUp models and accurate placement of those models in Google Earth. It also allows SketchUp to import modeling context (photographic + terrain model) from Google Earth for modeling reference.
[edit] Other Add-ons
Other add-ons are provided for export to:
- 3D Text — for creating 3D text.
- 3ds Max
- IDX-Renditioner Photo Realistic Rendering Plugin for SketchUp PC and SketchUp Mac
- IRender — fully integrated Ray Trace Renderer for SketchUp using the AccuRender engine.
- Kerkythea
- RPS 3D PDF for interactive 3D PDF documents.
- RpReports — for assigning attributes and reporting on components.
- RpTools — for wizard based manipulation of components.
[edit] Tools
Some basic tools used in SketchUp are:
[edit] Drawing tools
- Line
This is used to draw a regular straight line.
- Arc
This tool can create an arc from two points and a drag.
- Freehand
This allows the user to scribble and create a freehand figure.
- Circle
The user can make circles by clicking a point and dragging out the radius.
- Polygon
Polygons are constructed in much the same way as circles; they are clicked and dragged.
- Rectangle
This tool is used to make rectangles, by clicking and dragging to adjust the length and width.
- Follow me
This tool makes a polygon be extruded along a set path.
- 3D Text
This tool allows the user to create 3D text, with customizable fonts, sizes, and formatting.
[edit] Editing tools
- Push/pull
The push/pull is a tool that grabs a two-dimensional surface and pushes or pulls it into three dimensions. This, Google claims in the tutorial, is the main idea of Google SketchUp. U.S. patent #6,628,279 is a patent for this technology.
- Rotate
A protractor is used to angle selected geometrical pieces.
- Move
The user's mouse can select and move pieces on the three different axes or on some combination of the three.
- Link
Other useful tools can be found at SketchUp's wiki.
[edit] Patents
SketchUp holds a Patent U.S. Patent 6,628,279 on its Push/Pull technology:
"System and method for three-dimensional modeling: A three-dimensional design and modeling environment allows users to draw the outlines, or perimeters, of objects in a two-dimensional manner, similar to pencil and paper, already familiar to them. The two-dimensional, planar faces created by a user can then be pushed and pulled by editing tools within the environment to easily and intuitively model three-dimensional volumes and geometries."
The patent was applied for in November 2000, and awarded in September 2003 (U.S. Patent 6,628,279).
[edit] Google SketchUp
On April 27, 2006, Google announced Google SketchUp, a freely-downloadable version of SketchUp.[6] The free version is not as capable as SketchUp Pro 6, but it includes integrated tools for uploading content to Google Earth and to the Google 3D Warehouse,[7] a repository of models created in SketchUp.
The free version of Google Sketchup exports to a number of 3D formats, including Google Earth .kmz files, while the Pro version extends support to include .3ds, .dwg, .dxf, .fbx, .obj, .xsi, and .wrl file formats. Google SketchUp can also save "screenshots" of the model as .bmp, .png, .jpg, .tif, with the Pro version also supporting .pdf, .eps, .epx, .dwg, and .dxf.
[edit] Ruby Application Programming Interface (API)
Ruby is a scripting language whose use in SketchUp was first introduced in SketchUp 4. Since its introduction SketchUp users have shown their creativity by creating hundreds of useful tools using SketchUp Ruby.
There is a Hello World Tutorial for Google SketchUp about creating dialog boxes.
[edit] User community
[edit] 3D Warehouse
The 3D Warehouse is a website where modelers can upload their models and have them rated and reviewed. You can also download models from there to use in projects such as taps and sinks to cars and trains. The Warehouse is used primarily for cataloging Google Earth models but in recent months, a community of modelers has developed. There are now not only models for household items and buildings, but sci-fi objects and competitions held by users.
[edit] Gallery
SketchUp users can share their work for free in the Gallery on the SketchUp official website. This gives a place where users can share their work in many fields including Architecture, Construction, Education K-12, Game Development, GIS, Graphic Art, Higher Education, Industrial Design / Furniture, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, and Mechanical Design.
[edit] SketchUcation
SketchUcation is a gateway to the SketchUp Community. Information on worldwide training locations, Training CDs & DVDs and online training. But also tutorials on the User Interface of SketchUp such as the Tools and Menus as well as a growing number of function-specific tutorial videos or how to model objects. There is also a Blog and a Forum. Coming in the Fall of 2007 is a Game Development subsite. Other sections such as SketchUp add-ons and tutorials on the Panels and VCB will be added soon.
[edit] The SketchUp Components Collection
The SketchUp Components Collection is a moderated collection of SketchUp Components, currently focused on those useful in planning PC modding projects.
[edit] SketchUpModels.com
SketchUpModels.com provides a marketplace for people from around the world to earn income from the sale of their 3D models. Every time a 3D model is sold on SketchUpModels.com 50% of the profits go to the user who built the model. 3D models are resold over and over without any additional work, giving the user who built the model an endless possibility for earnings with every model they post on the site.
[edit] SuWiki
SuWiki is a Wiki encyclopedia for SketchUp users. It provides an open environment for SketchUp users to find, and contribute to article and tutorials on the use of SketchUp.
[edit] School - SketchUp Educational Community
School is a web community for SketchUp users centered around four main offerings: 1) Live Training Classes for SketchUp and Google Earth, 2) The Sketchup Show podcast - free weekly SketchUp video tutorials, 3) School Series: SketchUp Level 1 & Level 2 Training DVDs - beginning and intermediate level training DVDs, and 4) Forums - SketchUp user discussion boards.
[edit] Sketchup In Education
Sketchup is being used in both K-12 Education programs, as well as Higher Education programs. Educators who teach Sketchup in the classroom can apply for a free Pro Educator License, as well as a discounted Network Lab License.
[edit] Forums
Many users also share their ideas and knowledge about SketchUp and other modeling programs in:
[edit] Plugins
SketchUp maintains a web site of plugins for SketchUp. Both 3rd party plugins and plugins developed by SketchUp.
[edit] SketchUp 3D Challenge
In July 2007, the SketchUp user community created a new design for the 3D Challenge, a popular modeling competition that had been held in SketchUp forums in the past. Competitions are weekly, open to anyone, and their subjects range from chess sets to space ships. The 3D Warehouse's capabilities have been tapped to create an uploading and tagging system for entries, and judging is performed using a community voting system, where anyone can vote.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- SketchUp Homepage
- Google 3D Warehouse
- SketchUp Video Tutorials
- SketchUp Google Group
- The SketchUp Components Collection
- SketchUcation
- SketchUpModels.com
- The SketchUp Wiki
- SketchUp-tr.com (Turkish)
- School - SketchUp Educational Community
- SketchUp for Garden Designers and Landscapers
- Exporter for room acoustic modeling
- SketchUp For Dummies
- SketchUp Add-on for ArchiCAD
- The Digital Nursery. Landscape Components for Sketchup
- 3D Nature. Components CD for Sketchup (trees, foliage, signs)
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