I never noticed this before...

Tekkybot · 6 Mar 2009, 04:36

hi i was using sketchup last night when i noticed something that i never noticed before... i was drawing a building, and was trying to draw detailed windows when, i noticed that as i zoomed in and out the more i zoomed in and out, the more details were added or removed, (as if you were seeing an image up close and far away and how it distorts to the naked eye. i noticed, that because of this, (unless im missing something) this makes it very difficult to create finely detailed drawings. because, sketchup draw such think line widths. unlike a pencil that draws very very thin light lines and that you can get very detailed with. is sketchup not designed to get up close and personal? does sketchup work best in a less detailed environment? also see here

301 Moved Permanently

(www.sketchucation.com)

what is sketchup really designed to do draw/create? it doesn't create people and organic forms well. and if it can create realistic vehicles without any advanced external plugins, (or advanced knowledge on how to use such plugins) that's news to me. what kind of things could i draw in sketchup that as a new artist with no experience would give me the highest success rate?

Ecuadorian · 6 Mar 2009, 04:48

Sounds like the effect of a "style".

Go to Window > Styles and pick the "Engineering style".

xrok1 · 6 Mar 2009, 04:55

i don't see what your point is. its like real life, if you see a plane fly by you can't see as much as if where standing next to it. same as photograph...

if you painted a picture the mountain in the back would have less detail than the cabin in the forground...

SO, if your going to get close to something in your final output finely detail it, if it will be in the background add only the detail you would if you where painting it??????

linea · 6 Mar 2009, 06:15

Hi Tekkybot

Go View on the menu bar > line styles - untick profiles. Now you have thin lines.

Select zoom, hold down shift, move your mouse backwards and forwards, you'll see the field of view changing. This allows you to work on small detailed components.

@unknownuser said:

what is sketchup really designed to do draw/create? it doesn't create people and organic forms well. and if it can create realistic vehicles without any advanced external plugins, (or advanced knowledge on how to use such plugins) that's news to me.

Look in the gallery and you will see what can be achieved with Sketchup. Sketchup isn't specifically designed for organic modelling, the majority of sketchup users here work in architecture or related design fields so use sketchup predominantly for modelling buildings, interiors, furniture etc. But you can model organic shapes such as cars in Sketchup by using plug-ins. If you need plug ins, most of them are free and easy to learn how to use.

@unknownuser said:

what kind of things could i draw in sketchup that as a new artist with no experience would give me the highest success rate?

What do you want to draw?

Tekkybot · 6 Mar 2009, 17:56

well i want to draw stuff like sci-fi vehicles, alien ships. flying saucers, military vehicles from earth, tanks and stuff. but im having alot of trouble. using sketchup to do such drawings. it makes me think its not possible. or not possible unless your a very talented artist.

see, im a electronic musician by trade, and im very good at what i do, but in my spare time i like to listen to music, and its soo boring just sitting at a desk staring at a screen while listening... so i like i like to use sketchup while i listen. cant say i do anything great with sketchup but maybe im not using it right or maybe i need to use some plugins. there are alot of plugins for sure but i was purposely trying to avoid using them and learn the ins and outs of sketchup before i added any. ill try the things you guys suggested.

linea · 8 Mar 2009, 07:42

I think you have answered your own question really, you need to walk before you can run.

Gaieus · 8 Mar 2009, 07:50

@tekkybot said:

there are alot of plugins for sure but i was purposely trying to avoid using them and learn the ins and outs of sketchup before i added any.

Agree. That's the way it should be.

xrok1 · 8 Mar 2009, 17:19

do a search for sketchup on youtube, there are some amazing instructional video's. you really can create anything, its all in knowing the different techniques.