Newbie Question: Animation using SKP files

[akgage]

Hoping someone can help: Our company has access to very detailed Sketchup files of our building products. I'd like to use them as a resource for some possible 3D animation. Can anyone suggest a good product?

Thanks in advance,

Adam

[Ray]

3dsmax.

 

Export from sketchup, import into max, animate.

[alias_marks]

3dsmax.

 

Export from sketchup, import into max, animate.

 

I'll help elaborate a bit here. I found a pdf on another forum a while back that has a pretty good set of guidelines to follow to make the export/import process a little less painful.

[BillyElNino]

We use Maxon Cinema 4D to import SketchUp files and create animations.

 

(its considerably cheaper than Max too although I'm not starting a "what software is the best" war I promise Mr. Moderator!)

 

One other thing to consider is the Sketchup models themselves. Although 'detailed' the mesh may need some work for it to be useable in any format. If it was created purely for use in Sketchup there can be all sorts of dodgy geometry and double facing going on.

[akgage]

BillyElNino, can you give me a little more info on Cinema 4D. I downloaded a demo version but I don't see how to open a SKP file. Do you think the demo version might not have this option?

 

Thanks again for the help.

[Claudio Branch]

 

Hoping someone can help: Our company has access to very detailed Sketchup files of our building products.

 

 

You may or may not already know this, but SU is capable of doing animation. Depending on what your needs are it may be somewhat suitable.

 

It would be helpful to know what you want to communicate through the use of animation and who your audience is as well.

[akgage]

Good point Claudio.

 

I am aware of the AVI export with SU but it's not what we need. I've also exported hundreds of stills to create animated GIFs, which is getting closer.

 

Basically I need to create some fly-overs of our condo/townhome projects. I have access to some excellent SU files but that's it. I need to use these in presentations (no solid ideas here) and/or on a website, which I thought maybe Flash or something similar.

 

Thanks again for anything you folks can offer.