How To
Powerful yet accessible 3D modeling software
SketchUp bucks the trend of expensive 3D modeling software such as 3DSMax and Cinema4D and presents a free, easy-to-use alternative with which you can even post your creations onto Google Earth for the world to see.
Refreshingly simple approach
There's a refreshing lack of technical jargon in SketchUp, and there are plenty of helpful hints and guides throughout to help you get to grips with 'snapping' when you draw rectangles, circles and other shapes. Sketchup intelligently predicts where you want endpoints to meet and snaps them shut for you, saving lots of time messing around.
SketchUp doesn't lack in functionality despite its ease of use, and includes all the usual collection of drawing and filling tools you'd expect, neatly accessible in the toolbar across the top of the screen. Instructor hints pop out on the right of the screen when it thinks you need them.
Other options can be accessed via the menu system, or you can choose to place extra palettes on the workspace to save wading through menus. Of particular note is the 'Materials' palette, which contains over 100 different preset swatches, such as vegetation, metal and glass. The Shadow Settings palette is also worth keeping to hand, as it allows you to apply realistic shadows via simple sliders.
Google Earth and Maps integration
The real fun however is when you export your SketchUp drawings into Google Earth. You can send images of your 3D designs via email or upload them for free storage at Google's 3D Web Warehouse. Alternatively, you can geo-tag them in one-step using Google Maps, as this is integrated with Sketchup. You receive a snapshot when you add a geo-location to your model which includes 3D terrain data plus color aerial imagery.
There are some problems with SketchUp however. This is most apparent when trying to create domed surfaces, as the Push/Pull tool is particularly cumbersome, although pushing and pulling straight lines is considerably easier. Being free, it also obviously lacks some of the advanced features of many of its heavyweight rivals.
3D design and modeling for the masses
SketchUp provides a refreshingly simple approach to 3D graphic design and modeling and is ideal for non experts in CAD technology.
User reviews about SketchUp Make
by Kris hanyajust
simple wooden rack , i like this minimalist designsimple wooden rack , i like this minimalist design
by Anonymous
Be prepared to waste a lot of time.
For all the hype it is buggy as heck- things that are rendered perfectly fine suddenly 'vanish' when uploaded to Shapeways- hours of tweaking is hours wasted; trying to get someone from Sketchup to help is also time consuming- and they expect me to pay for the 'pro' version with all of these errors?
Pros:
easy to use
logical
Cons:
buggy as all heck when uploaded to shapeways
awful communication from Staff More
by Anonymous
Pretty good..
Never heard about it previously, but the software seems to be pretty decent. I recommend.
Pros: Does everything what's needed
Cons:
Occasional bugs More
by Anonymous
Love it!.
Great design software. Easy to use and very helpful. It is a real benefit to be able to layout your design before cutting wood.
> Pros:
Ease of use
Cons:
More tutorials for woodworking More
by Anonymous
Its a pretty good way of designing your objects and really helpful..
Its a pretty good way of designing your objects and really helpful.
Pros: The 3d modeling you can do.
Cons:
I think it can improve on little stuff like if it were possible to make a curved circle pop out More
by Anonymous
Sketch-up is great for projects.
I use sketch-up for a lot of projects, and It's GREAT! I get As on my projects when using Sketch-up and I love it. :)
Pros:
All of the choices
Cons:
A little bit laggy
Somewhat difficut to understand More