Sketchup Mod For HL2

[VolcolUK]

Just came across these forums, and , I will admit, I didn't reallise Sketchup had such a large user rate. Well as the title might suggest myself and a friend are under going the long and gruelling process of creating a games mod. I understand Sketchup have been used in games before, but as yet, I do not know of a game which uses Sketchup for a high percentage of modelling.

I have been using sketchup for near enough a year now, and I am spending arround 4 hours a day using it. However, I do not create your average building or terrain. I am creating highly detailed, highly accurate models of weapons (mostly WW2). Poly count can range from 5000 - 150,000, I hope you can appriacite how diffcult a 150k model of a Sten gun is to make .

Sketchup is usefull for creating landscapes and buildings with in a game engine... So thats why we're going to use it. However, what I think makes us different is, we are not sticking to buildings and terrain, we are creating the whole mod (with exception of hand and character models) in sketchup.

This will include a large range of first person weaponry, that I shall be modelling my self to a 5-7k poly count limit. Ruined buildings, limited to arround 15k poly, vehicles and props. It will be a lengthy process, one that will have many ups and downs I am sure. As a Sketchup enthusiast, I hope that it will shed new lights on google Sketchups capability.

Below are some screenshots of the few models I have produced so far. Also linked is an image, of what I believe to be, the first successful Google Sketchup model to be used in a first person shooter.

I shall keep you all posted on the progress of the mod, and if you have any light to shed on the use of Sketchup models in game please share. I would like to find another game using very detailed models such as ours, however, we may be the first ones.

Here is the link to the L1A1 in game (please ingore the texturing, we have yet to UV map it)
http://volcol.deviantart.com/art/L1A1-Sketchup-in-game-126811494

Here is my Google Sketchup 3D Warehouse page
http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/search?uq=01911706565375751953

Here is my Deviantart, where I have 85+ Screen shot of 75 Google Sketchup models.
http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/search?uq=01911706565375751953

Here is my first Sketchup 3D animation (using iClone)
Youtube Video

Thank you for your time

James Chilton ( 3D modeller/sketchup enthusiast)
John Stuart ( Programmer and Texturer)

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[artysmedia]

Hello! I think i have seen you somewhere...

Good weaponry!

[Crazy Eyes]

Very very nice models. I hope all goes well with your mod. Though I cant imagine and engine that could handle such a huge poly rate.

[VolcolUK]

Source is really quite powerful. the Max for the source engine ( to ensure speed and quality) is arround 8k max. Producing the mod with sketchup can show off sketchup more than a render - from who I talk to, its regarded as a piece of junk. i hope to proove thats not the case!

[solo]

@unknownuser said:

cos from who I talk to - its a piece of junk. i hope to proove thats not the case!

James, I'll tell you what, to all those that say Sketchup is a piece of junk, let them know that I'd be willing to challenge them to any model they feel they can model better using any software they want, and I will only use crap 'ol SU.

[VolcolUK]

Here Here solo, they still dont believe I am self taught, and that theyre sketchup models - a testiment to the software

[VolcolUK]

Ok, the Lee Enfield rifle is complete (cheers!) 5 and a half gruelling hours.

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