2D Plan to 3D Form

ChaPter 14

Complex Canopies

The From Contour tool can be utilized to generate fluid, organic, and complex geometry. In combination with SketchUp’s drawing and modification tools, this Sandbox tool can create whatever shapes you can imagine.

The tutorials in this chapter demonstrate the steps needed to create complex geometry. By starting with a 2D plan, drafting construction geometry, and then stitching edges and faces using the From Contour tool, you will learn the best approach to modeling a canopy and tensile structure.

2D Plan to 3D Form

As with the many other tutorials found in this book, drafting a 2D silhouette of an object, building, or site plan yields a three-dimensional object model. To model complex canopies requires drafting construction geometry using a 2D surface as a reference.

As with conceptual 3D grading, the complex forms are dependent on the creation of construction geometry to define a shape and form, which is then stitched together with From Contour to provide “skin” or faces.

As you work through the tutorials in this chapter, utilize the following general guidelines to create a wireframe for a 3D object.

Make a top-down plan outline. Imagine and then draft what the object would look like 33 from plan view. Use the 2D plan as a reference to place the construction geometry.

The reference edges are used as follows:33 Vertical edges will be added to various points on the outline. They allow you to place 33 arcs and edges at specified heights.