Sketchup to modo

gaganraj · 9 Apr 2009, 23:32

as far as i know it doesn't have the option, but i'm a modo noob, so if someone knows otherwise please chime in. sounds like a great option though!

solo, is vue only a renderer? You might be interested in Modo 401's new drag and drop texture/lighting presets - as well as its own warehouse of prebuilt items. check it out:

http://www.luxology.com/modo/401.presets.part.1/

solo · 9 Apr 2009, 23:41

Whoa!!

That's amazing!!

I'm still tryng to scrape up spare change for Vray, now I have another need/want.

gaganraj · 9 Apr 2009, 23:43

i know. the bills just pile up for all the software needs. but i'm thinking the Modo 401 might be a really tight package in terms of art needs. those material/environment/model presets are suspiciously Sketch Up like!

this video is exciting:

http://www.luxology.com/modo/401.presets.part.2/

Stinkie · 10 Apr 2009, 08:05

@solo said:

Whoa!!

That's amazing!!

I'm still tryng to scrape up spare change for Vray, now I have another need/want.

Yeah, looks good, huh? Also check out the video on the new preview renderer. Pretty impressive stuff. Judging from the last part of your comment, I'm guessing you're not gonna lend me some cash to upgrade to 401, are ya? Dang! Money's tight everywhere, it seems.

As for updating models - this is a possible m.o.:

build thingy in SU.
export as obj to "SU 2 Modo" folder in convenient location. Make sure to export stuff that isn't supposed to stick together in Modo separately. Organisation is key!
import into Modo (delete vertex maps!)

Now, say you got a door, a window, and a wall imported. And suppose you alter the door in SU. Just remove the one in Modo, re-export from SU, and re-import. It'll pop right into place.

Not a perfect method, but at least it's something.

sepo · 10 Apr 2009, 10:53

Wow this is amazing.

gaganraj · 10 Apr 2009, 15:50

really can't wait for 401. if its as good as it looks...will really make things easy. now if i was just a better designer....

Stinkie · 10 Apr 2009, 23:25

@gaganraj said:

really can't wait for 401.

I know what you mean. Lighting presets, mat presets, hdr creation, a blazing fast preview renderer - I cannot stop drooling. Looks like just the thing for me. I'm gonna try before I buy, though - best to be cautious!

That said, so far, I'm under the impression 401 will be a fantastic tool for adding detail (bevels, deformations), UV-ing, lighting, and rendering. Wee!

solo · 10 Apr 2009, 23:35

It really does look like the one app for all needs, how is the modeling side of things with Modo? easy to pick up?

I have been playing with Rhino, but just do not like the UI, I need to start transisioning away from SU soon as the world of 3D has moved on and the longer I wait the quicker I will be redundant due to SU now very obvious limitations and the fact that they are and probably will never be addressed.

gaganraj · 11 Apr 2009, 01:02

solo

I'm a pretty novice modeler so I can only speak to my limited skill set. But Modo feels like a lot like SU with all the cool add ons that we're all complaining about not having. Its taken me a while to understand how Subdivision modeling works, but now i'm starting to get the hang of it. you already seem to have lots of experience in that department, so i'm sure a few tutorials and you'll be up and running. Lots and lots of cool toys, sculpting, UVing, rendering all in one sleek application.

but again, i've never touched maya, max or alias, so take it with a grain of salt.

I agree with you about SU never becoming the application that many of us want. The plugins are amazing, but to keep up the level of digital imagery and design that is out there, I know I need an application that is more well rounded. the Modo community is really great, with lots of help available, lots of scripts etc.

my 2 cents. might be worth checking out.

Stinkie · 11 Apr 2009, 08:27

@solo said:

It really does look like the one app for all needs, how is the modeling side of things with Modo? easy to pick up?

I have been playing with Rhino, but just do not like the UI, I need to start transisioning away from SU soon as the world of 3D has moved on and the longer I wait the quicker I will be redundant due to SU now very obvious limitations and the fact that they are and probably will never be addressed.

I'm in the same boat as Gaganraj - I'm a novice at using Modo. Yet, I am really starting to like it. I feel Luxology offers real value for the money. However, I'd say Modo's not the most intuitive or fast archviz tool out there. Therefor I plan on using it alongside of SU. (The .obj import works well, and then there's this: http://www.archvisuals.co.uk/CADbuddy_3d.php ) Basic modeling in SU, mesh refinement, UV-ing etc in Modo. Best of both worlds. I suggest you do the same.

Like you, though I am not a pro, I am starting to feel I need to expand my horizon, as it doesn't look like the Googleites will be expanding theirs. SU is at a junction right now, it seems. Either it gets an overhaul, or it dies. The Pro version, that is.

EarthMover · 13 Apr 2009, 03:03

WOW!!!!! The drag and drop presets are very cool. I cannot wait for 401! I'm slowly growing my '09 software fund!

kwistenbiebel · 13 Apr 2009, 06:12

@unknownuser said:

Like you, though I am not a pro, I am starting to feel I need to expand my horizon, as it doesn't look like the Googleites will be expanding theirs. SU is at a junction right now, it seems. Either it gets an overhaul, or it dies. The Pro version, that is.

They missed quite some junctions already.
There's so much more going on besides SU now, that the old horse starts to look err... like an old horse.

Modo 401 looks top

gaganraj · 13 Apr 2009, 17:39

anyone else got any SU-modo stuff to share? stinkie?

gaganraj · 16 Apr 2009, 04:59

Loading...

(www.indigosm.com)

modo scripts

princedragoncok · 18 Apr 2009, 00:43

Wow 401 is the dog's dangly bits

andeciuala · 18 Apr 2009, 02:40

Hy guis, i'm using moto with sketchup too, i've done some reviews, and a tutorial how to import the sketchup model in modo. But it's in my native language. I don't know if it will help, i just whant to say that we in Brazil are thinking about this interaction.

this is my youtube videos.
http://www.youtube.com/user/andeciuala

gaganraj · 18 Apr 2009, 05:19

thanks!

gaganraj · 20 Apr 2009, 16:27

in the glass rendering thread there was some discussion of modo and rendering...

for anyone interested in modo, the book by dan ablan is great. its designed for a complete modo newbie and is very basic/straightforward. I've also used the watch tutorial by andy brown and some of the coursework from 3d Garage (more Dan Ablan) and have found them very good. I'd start with Dan's stuff if you're really green (like me) with more coplex 3d apps. they are friendly and clear. if you've already got a decent handle on subdivision surface modelling, start with Andy Browns stuff. He assumes you already have basic concepts established.

gaganraj · 20 Apr 2009, 16:31

andeciuala,

any chance of an english translation?! the videos look really interesting...

Stinkie · 20 Apr 2009, 19:26

Check out these too: http://vandigital.com/products

For the archviz crowd, there's these:

pay: http://www.luxology.com/store/training_series14.aspx

   [http://www.luxology.com/store/15_architectural_interiors/](http://www.luxology.com/store/15_architectural_interiors/)

free: http://homepage.mac.com/janoverust/FileSharing24.html

Digital Tutors has good modo stuff as well. Better than Ablan's, in my opinion.