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Sketch up - great conceptual tool !


Cesar R
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I think that I am going to be buying a licence of this soft. It is so easy to use and the learning curve is very shallow - (is that the word we use?)

 

Anyway I was able to desing and project for school in less than 2 hours from scratch in SU4 (demo) and I am extremely impressed with how fast I was able to make changes to the geometry and add more and subtract some.

 

A+ application so far for conceptual modeling. I am sure this will make a killer combo with Viz2005 or Max7 and some sort of cad software.

 

In the future I would love to see some CAD tools implemented into the soft. mostly anotation tools.

 

I have attached a pic of my project.

 

 

In addition, when people presentaion boards with SK model such as he ones seen in the @last website, is it a combination of SU and PS ?

 

Cheers !

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Did you know that Sketchup has a export feature that allows you to export your models into ArchiCAD for CD production and printing as well as further tweaking. The translation interface is not perfect, which means you still would have to clean up some things once in ArchiCAD, but for the most part this is a great feature that allows one combine the conceptual/massing/modelling and study tools of Sketchup with a CAD software that can easily facilitate further drafting of Construction and design Docs, either directly or by also exporting the drawings and views as DWGs.

 

Its also painfully addictive, especially v4.0 with the new 'Follow me' tool. I love this program!!!

 

A website for sketchup users with interesting resources and info that might interest you:

 

http://www.pushpullbar.com

 

Bricklyne

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Glad you like SketchUp, Cesar. You know there are annotation tools in SketchUp. They're not as extensive as in, say, Autocad, but they are there and are usable, once you get used to them. In theory, one could output a complete project, from concept to construction documents in SketchUp, though it would be easier to use it together with a CAD program, such as Autocad, and a third party renderer, such as Viz, especially if one is coming to SketchUp from years of CAD experience.

 

Gary

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I just bought it.

 

I haven't used it for a real project yet, but from what I have seen just by playing around, it is actually worth what it costs!

 

Not only is is fairly low-cost, compared to other modeling programs, but it will save time when you work with it vs. other programs, and that is going to add up fast. I bet SketchUp will pay for itself on the FIRST project I use it for, and I do not have to pass my time savings on to a client. They will be mine to keep.

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we use sketchup in work too. i personally dont, but the architects do. basically because it's EVER SO EASY to learn and it's a great conceptual design tool. really fast to 3d draw in.

 

i personally love it's "sketchiness" quality to the lines, which you can also change the look of. i'm currently working on a method to duplicate EXACTLY a camera view in both c4d and sketchup so i can integrate the sketchup rough lines over a rendered c4d view and comp them in photoshop.

 

the sketchy feel is similar to EBIII's over line sketching method he sometimes re-creates in photoshop. how easier and effective would this be?

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i personally love it's "sketchiness" quality to the lines, which you can also change the look of. i'm currently working on a method to duplicate EXACTLY a camera view in both c4d and sketchup so i can integrate the sketchup rough lines over a rendered c4d view and comp them in photoshop.

 

the sketchy feel is similar to EBIII's over line sketching method he sometimes re-creates in photoshop. how easier and effective would this be?

 

Well, I bought it to model. I guess the lines are a bonus, but not a selling point to me.

 

I will look into the camera matching for you.

 

My lines are a process that could be repeated in Cinema-based images--that's how I did that aerial hospital view. I used to do the lines in CAD (Datacad) with a matched camera to a Lightscape rendering. It was as easy as writing down the camera/target XYZ and view angle, then manually typing them into my DCAD camera. Do a hidden-line with a 'wiggle' linetype and 'overshoot' on and you have a line layer to bring into Photoshop.

 

I use processed render output instead now, but either way it can be done.

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...... 'overshoot' on and you have a line layer to bring into Photoshop.

 

I use processed render output instead now, but either way it can be done.

how do you "overshoot" lines on the line layer in PS? i've tried using different methods of motion blurring, but this is really only effective if the lines in the image run horizontally or vertically, where you can do a vert and horz blur pass. otherwise a lot of rubbing out is requirered.

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I have been lurking over http://www.pushpullbar.com, I have seen you name there Gary. Its agreat site. bricklyne, I think I have also seen you there. I am going to subscribe soon.

 

I love SU, because in the past I have tried to make concept model in 3DMAX and I have never been as fast and precise as with SU !

 

 

Is there a difference between the full comercial lic and the student?

 

I want to make sure I have all the options opens unlike when I bought the studen version of archicad and I could not export tp DWG, (which was not good for HW regardless)

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how do you "overshoot" lines on the line layer in PS? i've tried using different methods of motion blurring, but this is really only effective if the lines in the image run horizontally or vertically, where you can do a vert and horz blur pass. otherwise a lot of rubbing out is requirered.

 

My photoshop action to overshhot lines does rely on motion blurring, so is less effective on angled lines. I still like it.

 

But I was refering to a CAD display property. You can see an example of this technique here:

http://www.acmedigital.com/tutorial/tutorialLS-WC.html

 

Datacad has a display property called 'overshoot' where it extends lines a set amount (user choice) past its end. I would color-code lines that were edges vs. those that were stuff like joints, so I could give them different overshoots.

 

It is a hastle, and that is part of why I do it in Photoshop now. Also, I like the more organic look of the PS action, because it looks a little smeared sometimes.

 

I can give you visual examples if you need to see them, if you can be specific about what you want to see.

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I will look into the camera matching for you

 

Ah, the blind in the lead, safeguarding the blind from the blind.

 

I have been experimenting with SU a bit. I found that the current camera exports via VRML. Maybe other saved cameras (how do you save other cameras?) as well. There is a checkbox in the options that says 'export cameras'. What do ya' figure THAT does?

 

I verified that the view was saved by importing into Cinema. Sure enough, the odd view I left SU in was a new camera in C.

 

So there you go.

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Well, I bought it to model. I guess the lines are a bonus, but not a selling point to me.

 

For me, that actually was a selling point. I'm sure that doing the line extentions in PS is a pretty simple matter for an NPR diva like yourself, but for a slug like me... well I just haven't been able to figure it out, at least not for quick NPR's, and for how I work, quick ones at the conceptual stage are the only ones I do.

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My chief interest in SketchUp is as a modeler, also, Ernest. The sketch aspect of it holds no attraction for me, and, in fact, I'm looking for a photorealistic renderer that I can use on a routine basis. Presenter 3D for SketchUp looks like the the right stuff. Just waiting for it to be released.

 

Gary

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speaking of line extensions, when drafting by hand... how much doe you have to extend your lines so they cross? I never knew you had to..

 

anyway, I went to my design class tonight, I didnt have much of a phycical construct, but i brough "my" laptop and the model in SU along with some plots. My professor love the thought of me using SU as a critical conceptual development tool for design. He said that he had no opposition, as a matter of fact he was lookin at SU him self.

 

So in recap. SU is a great invesment as far as tools is concerned in all areas or architectural design (school or professional).

 

most of all, I am glad I have the green light to use it for class. =)

 

Why didn't I get into it sooner !

 

 

I have a question, how does sketch up mix in the real word of architectural design and drawing development.

 

BTE - I found the annotaion tools - Thanks !

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