SketchUP !
By Gareth Bulger
! ! Creating a new page
Clicking onto ‘New’ enables you to choose different layouts depending on what you are creating indie that model space.
Below shows how to draw a 2d shape. This example shows a simple rectangle. To create this, move your cursor towards the box icon at the top left hand corner in the tool bar and click that. Then, click a starting point and then drag the sale across the width you wish it to be.
To create a 3D object, on your keyboard press ‘P’ which activates the pull tool which lifts the object upwards, creating the final 3d form.
The pull button is here!
The Measurements toolbar and keyboard shortcuts Temporary focus is given to the Measurements toolbar when you type a number while in the drawing area. Therefore, numbers cannot be used as shortcut keys. The letters S, R, X, and the symbols / and * can be used within keyboard shortcuts and as you enter values in the Measurements toolbar. Prepend any of these letters with a number in the Measurements toolbar to ensure that a command with a corresponding keyboard shortcut letter is not invoked. For example, 7s would be the correct entry to redefine a segmentation in the Measurements toolbar. However, s7 will activate whatever command is invoked with the letter S as a keyboard shortcut.
This is the pencil or ‘line’ tool which allows you to draw straight lines freehand. An example can be seen here below on the side of the rectangular object
The ‘Offset’ tool enables you to multiply a specific side of a shape and then you can then type in a scale. I.e. this below inside the 3d object is 32 mm apart from the edges around the shape.
When creating a house plan, to create walls this is hand, you can easily click on the perimeter of the layout and then type in the wall thickness on your keyboard and after pressing enter will create an accurate scale.
When importing other peoples work, you must click onto this logo which directs you to a free and easy use application which enables you to search for any type of creation. it then has an upload button and takes a few seconds to upload the download into your model space whoever you wish.
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Below shows the small window where you can search for multiple creations.
! After exploring these basic keyboard commands and shortcuts, I then created this below with also experimenting with translucent materials which can be seen in the paint bucket icon which is located at the top right hand corner (7 across to left)
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A red or blue line means its either symmetrical/diagonal to another line or it is straight, you may see a straight line in pink before you click it down.
! ! ! ! copying an item When wanting to copy an object(s), you first select the object you wish to copy and create this as a ‘component’. Below shows how to create a component. click onto the arrow tool (top left) and click and drag over the object and then right click and open ‘create as component’. then it will create a thick blue box around the object. NOTE> you annoy edit this unless you ’explode’ the object which is underneath the fist option.
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Step 4. Above shows the settings which you can make to your component. You can also name them.
Above shows the completed component
Depending on what software you are using (windows or mac) you need to hold the CMD button for mac and for windows you need to hold down the ‘shift’ key and then grab your object and it should multiply it.
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Scaling and object If an object you have created is not the right size, the scale tool (12 along) is there to easily scale anything. you first select what thing you wish to scale and then click the scale icon. Then you can type in a scale and it will automatically transform it in a matter of seconds.
Step 1. This section above has one side which needs to be scaled.
Step 2.This area has now been scaled ager typing in a specific size scale.
Exploring the paints and textures box
You can also add your own textures. The option will be located at the bottom of selected type of material you have chosen. For example, if we went onto the Metal section, it would give you the option to ‘Create new’ and then you upload a jPEG image of your desired metal image and it would create it.
Examples of the things you can create in Google SkecthUp
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creating a flight of stairs Step 1. We first of create a 3D block, tun we draw out our stairs along one of the sides. working out the size and scaling may take time.
! ! ! ! ! ! ! Step 2. We then draw out the stairs on the right hand side, creating a 300mm x 300m box as the steps are then positioned on the top right hand corners of each other
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Step 3. We then connect all four boxes together by drawing a line underneath them all. We then delete all the unwanted lines inside the boxes and keep the remaining ones which are useful.
Step 4. Have of the cube has been deleted.
Step 4. We then pull the rest of the cube away from the stairs and as soon as it hits the end point, it will then disappear and delete the unwanted cube but will keep the stairs.
Step 5. Completed stairs
Measuring a distance Measuring a distance can only be accurate if the page layout is in the right settings, i.e, these screenshots below are based in millimetres. It also shows a reading as I have used the tape measure tool to show me how long the top of the box is in millimetres. This to add is useful when situating between architecture and product design.
! ! The compass tool effectively manipulates your piece and rotates it deepening on what angle you wish. To add, you can type in any form of angle and it will comply with your command if it is a valid number.
This tool is a great way of making arches and organic curves.
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Softening edges and creating more realistic objects This section will look towards creating your finished designs into more of a realistic approach and to visually enhance your work. This tool is good for presentational use also. Step 1. You first create you remodel and then select all of it (or the bits you wish to transform).
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Go to; Window>Soften Edges-Then you can alter the smoothness after selecting this option.
Above shows the tool bar which allows you to alter the line weights, you can also make your object to contain no lines or profile depths by going to View>Edge Style>No Edges and View>Shadows>On/Off
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Below shows a random skecthUP design which takes into the account the recent tools we have explored
Above shows an example of exploring the different patterns and colours.
Getting the best from different views and perspectives To start, we begin by going onto Camera>Standard Views>then select either the following: >Top View >Bottom View >Front view >Back view >left side view >Right side view
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To enable the parallel projection format, you go to Camera>Parallel projection
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Below is an example of what the two point perspective can do, to enable this, go to Camera>Two Point Perspective.