3d cad drawing & google earth help needed
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The first challenge I'm dealing with is how to import a 3 floor Autocad model into sketchup and then manage it properly, so that I can continue to edit it and then ultimately render it. I've managed to upload the model, but I'm not sure if I should make it a component, or explode it, or what....see what watching to many tutorials does. I just want to be able to continue to edit the walls, and then build things in SU that I didn't want to build in Cad, such as stairs. It's also running very slowly, and I have a very fast pc, so I'm wondering if I allowed to much to be imported, and I shouldn't start all over with just the major walls. Any advice of videos that deal specifically with using cad models in sketchup would be helpful.
The second thing I'm having trouble finding information on is how to import this final model into google earth so it looks like it's positioned on the city block as part of the architecture.
I'm an interior design student, working on my thesis, and while our school is highly reccommending that we use SU, they are not offering the resources to help us. I think SU is an amazing program, and really would like to use it, but need to gain enough working knowledge to pull this off in the next 8 weeks.
I thank you in advance for your assistance.
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Hi Barly and welcome!
Note that the workflow you have chosen is not very efficient IMO.
A CAD file can be quite complex and "heavy" for SU (depending on its complexity of course). Still, if it is put together well, it can be worked on pretty easily.
Note however that GE supports high poly even less than SU and if you already have issues with performance, it won't be good in GE at all.
Now how to organise your model (into groups / components and layers); that's a different story. Everone has his/her own workflow (also depending on the final product) and there is no straight answer for this. You will have to work out your own sytem and it's probably going to be a trial and error way of a learning curve.
What I can already suggest now;
- Don't try to use layers to separate your geometry because unlike in CAD programs, it won't separate it at all (it only controls visibility). Use groups and omponents to separate geometry.
- Whenever there is more than one instance of the same geometry in your model, make a component of it and use further instances of that component later on.
- Whatever layer system you come up with, always draw your "primitive" or "raw" geometry (not grouped or components) on the default layer 0 and only assign groups and components onto different other layers - or further more, don't even ever change the default layer (the round radio buttons before the layer names) to be anything else than layer 0.
I could go into the details with reasoning but that would be long for now
As for placing models to GE, follow the instructions here and for optimizing your models, here. Notice what they are suggesting about high poly models (what I talked about above).
Also note that a GE model will never be an ideal tool to demonstrate an interior design (you cannot "enter" those buildings) therefore even the whole interior should be left out of the model.
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Barly,
I do not use AutoCad, but utilize dxf extensively to port 3d CADD models into Su. My models are constructed with as many polylines and 3d faces as possible. 3d faces are seen as surfaces (3 to 4 sided closed polylines) in Su, and other multi-sided ploylines are easily converted into surfaces. CADD Blocks become Su components and layers are helpful when it comes to quick rendering.
For example, by placing all the glass surfaces on a CADD layer, they can all be selected in SU (by one step), and then painted with the Su material that represents that surface. Unique glass surfaces are individually modified in Su or placed on another layer prior to being ported from CADD.
Prior to final material rendering, my models typically consist of no more then 10 layers (and materials). This facilitates quick renderings to assist with design changes.
I often use components to isolate portions of the model so that changes in the design that are initiated in CADD can be easily replaced in Su by importing the revised geomatry as a component. Once the design is set, the list of materials are expanded in Su, then lighting and other finish characteristics are added with a renderer.
Of course, this is only one way, keep your mind open to other ideas. As a student, remind yourself not to become overtly enamored with the tools, its the design that matters.
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All I can say is wow and thank you both for your detailed replies. I think I get some of it, but by no means am as advanced (I have used 3d faces before briefly, but am not proficient with that command.) I did manage to figure out GE yesterday and while I still need to figure out how to toggle it into position better than I did, I think I have an idea of what I'm doing with that, but was still having trouble aligning my model with the axis in SU to get it square and I'm not sure why the axis and rotate tools were giving me trouble. Thanks for the suggestions to remove the interior for the model in GE so it won't run slow....that did not occur to me. Since my exterior is not complete, I just used a dummy model yesterday to teach myself, and I'll probably build a exterior only model for the final.
Here is what I'm thinking of doing next....This is a 100k sq ft building that is 3 floors. There is a central atrium that dominates the center core that is also 3 stories and is enclosed with a glass surround (like a glass cube supported with metal framework on 3 sides and the ceiling.) There is a ramp that wraps from the 1st-3rd floors around inside that was made with the LOFT command in Autocad. I'm thinking of removing everything except walls, the ramp, and atrium glass walls, so I just have a structural elementa, and then importing one floor at a time into SU so I can finish the interiors in SU, and then assemle the 3 floors in SU. With the exception of doors and trees, I don't really have any elements that repeat, however, my model is symmetrical, so all rooms on the left side of the atrium are the same as the rooms on the right side of the atrium. I can post a pic if that will help determine if my plan makes any sense. Once my model is imported, I'll build simple cabinets and add plumbing fixtures, and build my stairs, landscape the atrium, and render, using sketchup. What instances would I use the group command? Is there anything in my plan above that sounds like a pc disaster waiting to happen? Does anyone know anyone in Chicago that I can pay to tutor me for a day? Thanks again for all your help....I'm going to read it over again as I continue to work, and I'm hopeful it will make more sense as I continue to work and watch more tutorials.
Thanks again,
Kim
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Barly,
I could be wrong but it sounds like the model you propose is fairly big. Think about your final presentation and limit the elements of your models to them. Again as an example, unless you plan to render your glass fully transparent, you do not have to show the interiors in the exterior model. Even if you do so, you only need the rooms adjacent to the glass. Architectural renderings of office building exteriors rarely illustrate the interior offices, perhaps with the exception of portions of the entry lobby.
The office interior can be presented from a separate model, again limited to the views that you will be presenting. 8 student weeks is not a long time to learn a new program, design, model, and present a building along with all of its interiors.
Be selective about the rooms you chose to detail because it takes time to furnish and render each one. A bathroom is not as interesting as the lobby. I have see a lot of beautiful renderings of uninteresting rooms, this should not be your emphasis.
The size of the illustration in your presentation will also determine the amount of detailing in a scene. A 8"X10" view of a room requires less details then a 24"x36" rendering.
Su is only the first step, practice using one of the renderers advocated by the experts on this forum. Because of the time required to raytrace, you may decide not to render and use the output from Su. Practice printing and annotating your models now so that you will be able to estimate the time if you to finalize your presentation.
How much of your final presentation will utilize Su illustrations? Are sample boards and assembled cutouts part of your final presentation? Plan your time appropriately.
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Hi Kim,
Listen to what Honoluludesktop (OMG - calling someone like that
) suggests; there are some good points there.Also, just start doing it; jump in (but be prepared to having to start over) and whenever you encounter some problems, come and ask. The best way of learning SU is to practice.
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