Design 3D Models with Google Sketchup

Google SketchUp is a free 3D modeling software released in April 2006, designed for the hobbyist. It does not have the capabilities of SketchUp Pro, but it offers tools enabling a user to “walk”, look around, and see items from different perspectives. Users can upload content to the Google 3D Warehouse where user-created models are stored and upload and place objects in Google Earth. SketchUp can save screenshots in common formats.

SketchUp is a simpler program to use than most 3D cad programs with most users creating models in only a few minutes. To help, there are tutorials, a thorough Help Center and user community. Activating the Instructor dialog box gives the user context sensitive assistance. Users can build models from scratch or download existing models from a large, searchable repository at no cost. Google encourages users to upload their models to add to the growing database.

SketchUp is useful for home and landscape design or even for building virtual worlds in Google Earth. A Push/Pull tool makes it possible to extrude a flat surface into a 3D form. For example, an outline of a staircase can be “pulled” into a 3D model. Models created in SketchUp have precise dimensions so scaled views can be printed. Once created, the Paint Bucket tool can be used to color and texturize.

A real-time Shadow Engine allows for accurate shade display on models. With the Sections feature, it’s possible to cut away part of a design to be able to see inside. Section Planes can be rotated, moved and animated with the Scenes feature. Sub-objects can be created by sticking them together in Groups so that changes made to one are reflected in all other items in the Group. Images can be saved to use in documents or email.