A Welcome Message to New SketchUcation Members
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Hello everyone!
My first post. I've been looking for a forum for my new interest in SketchUp, and this place seems to be a very inviting place for someone who's just starting out. I've been into graphic design for awhile, among other PC related endeavors, mostly in music production. Lately though, I've had a growing interest in building modelling with SU.Anyways, as I feel I'm getting started very late in the game, I'm interested in finding the best tutorials available for my needs. I'm going through the basic SU tutorials ATM, as I eventually want to start modelling buildings in my home town. If anyone can suggest excellent like-minded tutorials I'd be very appreciative!
So that's my story. Thanks very much on advance for any and all feedback!
Cheers, Drey
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Hi Andre and welcome!
I guess eventually you want to model or Google Earth (from your words at least...) That won't be hard but of course, with everything else, special care and love of your own work will help most. Feel free to post modelling questions any time here or more specialized GE questions in our relevant subforum.
We do not have a specific set of SU-to-GE tutorials but you can pick these things up easily. Just start with a (relatively simple) model and if you bounce to any problem, post it.
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@gaieus said:
Hi Andre and welcome!
I guess eventually you want to model or Google Earth (from your words at least...) That won't be hard but of course, with everything else, special care and love of your own work will help most. Feel free to post modelling questions any time here or more specialized GE questions in our relevant subforum.
We do not have a specific set of SU-to-GE tutorials but you can pick these things up easily. Just start with a (relatively simple) model and if you bounce to any problem, post it.
Thanks very much for the warm welcome. It's a refreshing change from most forums I registered to, and never even gotten one reply. Forums can be a very "Clique-ish", as I'm sure you know. So it a refreshing change to get a welcoming impression right off the hop.
Anyways, yes you are right to assume that my main goal at this time is to be able to start modeling buildings for my home town, for starters, (which only has 4 buildings done for a city of 300 thousand! lol) So I'll probably be posting and reading in the GE subforum I'm guessing, but I have an idea I'll be getting into many many more aspects of SketchUp modelling. I'm very anxious and exited about it tbh!
I've seen some of the models people have uploaded to the 3D warehouse and it is unbelievable some of the things people have made in just the past few years. Some of the larger more complex models like "Saint Basil's Cathedral", "The Roman Colosseum" or the "Moscow Kremlin" just a a few examples, are just extraordinary to say the least. And I know there are many more that are way more impressive, but I just can't remember some of them ATM. And not only the larger buildings models but some of the smaller models I've seen, like sandman's guitars collections are just fantastic!!! I never realized SU was being used to such an extent these days! I've also recently seen a tutorial on using CAD plans for architectural designs that impressed me greatly! Interior design seems to be a area that people have taken advantage of SU immensely!
Needless to say, I'm impressed, and I want in! Haha. I'm very pumped up on learning as much as I can, quickly. But I don't like cheating, or taking shortcuts per say, so I'm trying to learn as many basics as possible before I try tackling any ambitious models. I'm antsy thought lol!!
I'll leave it at that for now. Sorry to ramble on buddy!Haha.
Sincerely, Drey
Cheers
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@judgedrey said:
Thanks very much for the warm welcome. It's a refreshing change from most forums I registered to, and never even gotten one reply. Forums can be a very "Clique-ish", as I'm sure you know. So it a refreshing change to get a welcoming impression right off the hop.
Well, if you look up to the "slogan" line of our logo, you will see what place we would like to create here - for professional users and newbies alike
@judgedrey said:
I don't like cheating, or taking shortcuts per say, so I'm trying to learn as many basics as possible before I try tackling any ambitious models.
You will soon discover the world of plugins. Most of them "only" automate procedures that can be done "manually" with native SketchUp tools, too. I really suggest that (while of course, experiment with them), also learn the simpler, "native" ways, too, in order to understand how SU really works.
Of course, when you are at some really boring and repetitive tasks, these plugins are a godsend. And then of course, there are some things that you cannot do without them - then there is no other choice. But you will get along quite far before you realize that you need extra tools (and for most of the GE stuff, you will not really need them anyway).
If you have specific questions,post them in the respective forums though - they can easily be buried in this giga-topic.
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@gaieus said:
You will soon discover the world of plugins. Most of them "only" automate procedures that can be done "manually" with native SketchUp tools, too. I really suggest that (while of course, experiment with them), also learn the simpler, "native" ways, too, in order to understand how SU really works.
Of course, when you are at some really boring and repetitive tasks, these plugins are a godsend. And then of course, there are some things that you cannot do without them - then there is no other choice. But you will get along quite far before you realize that you need extra tools (and for most of the GE stuff, you will not really need them anyway).
If you have specific questions,post them in the respective forums though - they can easily be buried in this giga-topic.
Thanks again!
As for these plugins, where would be a good place for a newcomer to learn about them from the ground up?
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We have a plugins forum with some sticky topics at the top (one is the plugins index itself also linked in that red menu bar above the forums)
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@gaieus said:
We have a plugins forum with some sticky topics at the top (one is the plugins index itself also linked in that red menu bar above the forums)
Thanks once again Gaieus! I checked some out briefly, and they seem pretty cool and intuitive. At this stage of my game though, it's hard for me to imagine what I'm gonna need some for, you know? SU already seem pretty complete and a little overwhelming at times for a newb. But I'm sure I'll be looking into them much more once I start developing specific needs for my projects.
Well, I'm gonna leave the comfort of this thread, finally lol, and start my adventure into the "nation". I just wanted to thank you again for the advice and warm welcome. I have 2 more newb questions though...lol.
When will I no longer need approval for my posts? And when will I be able to upload an avatar?
Thank again!
Sincerely, Drey -
@judgedrey said:
When will I no longer need approval for my posts? And when will I be able to upload an avatar?
Well, you did not need an approval for this last post already, did you?
(Also, try to upload that avatar now...) -
@gaieus said:
@judgedrey said:
When will I no longer need approval for my posts? And when will I be able to upload an avatar?
Well, you did not need an approval for this last post already, did you?
(Also, try to upload that avatar now...)
Hahaha, never mind! I should've checked first I suppose.
Thanks!
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Hello all
Been messing about with Sketchup for the last year or two for the most part making architectural models, although I am also interested in creating mechanical objects, vehicles, robots and other subject matter specifically relating to historical and science fiction gaming.
Never really checked out any tutorials, but feel that I have probably reached a plateau in my self-development, so thought it would be wise to finally seek out advice from those more experienced than I!
Gonna have a wander around this forum to see what I can find, but in the meantime if anyone has some good links for architectural model making using Sketchup, then I would be very interested to hear from you!
Cheers
Chilled Monkey Brains
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@chilledmonkeybrains said:
Hello all
Been messing about with Sketchup for the last year or two for the most part making architectural models, although I am also interested in creating mechanical objects, vehicles, robots and other subject matter specifically relating to historical and science fiction gaming.
Never really checked out any tutorials, but feel that I have probably reached a plateau in my self-development, so thought it would be wise to finally seek out advice from those more experienced than I!
Gonna have a wander around this forum to see what I can find, but in the meantime if anyone has some good links for architectural model making using Sketchup, then I would be very interested to hear from you!
Cheers
Chilled Monkey Brains
Best.Username.Ever.
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Hi. My name is Gawain Tomlinson from San Diego, California, USA. I have been using Sketchup for a long time. You can find many models that I have uploaded into the Sketchup library, especially home improvement and architectural by searching for my name.
I joined the forum because I am currently trying to get models NC machined. These models are very complex and I need to get SKP files into Parasolid X_T, Iges IGS, or Step STP format in that order of preference.
I got the model into DXF format with a Ruby script (with lots of artifacts, stray vectors). but that is not what the machine shop needs. Some simpler models that I converted came out perfectly.
Any help would be appreciated.
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COOL!!! Hello everyone... very excited to find this site!! Found you through an architecture website and decided to take a look...Will certainly be here often... Happy sketch!!
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Hi everyone, my name is Dave and I am a SU newbie. I started using it a couple of weeks ago and am still getting to grips with various points. While I like playing around with it for fun, my primary use is for modelling fibre optic chandeliers before actually manufacturing them.
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Hey all just dropped in to say hello
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Hi everyone!
Just dropping by to say hello. Newbie here
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Hello everyone,
1st of all i really love this forum and want to thanks everyone for sharing their knowledge about sketchup aswell all the great plugins developed and shared here.
I never introduced myself so i take the opportunity to do that aswell.
My name is Erwin van Strien from the Netherlands. I'm working with Sketchup on and off for the last 6 years mostly drawing architecture plans.
Also using layout, Thearender and photoshop for my projects. I consider myself still as a newby and always searching for knowledge.
I will soon post some of my work in the galery section because im looking for feedback on what kind of things i can improve myself.
But before that i wanted to introduce here.Greetings Erwin
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Welcome to you, Erwin:
Looking forward to your further posts. -
Hi all,
i'm new member. I'm learning how to create 3D model.
I've a problem when downloading the "Curviloft 1.2d - 13 Apr 12" plug in. Could you tell me why i cannot download it?
Thank you!
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@anhvu said:
Hi all,
i'm new member. I'm learning how to create 3D model.
I've a problem when downloading the "Curviloft 1.2d - 13 Apr 12" plug in. Could you tell me why i cannot download it?
Thank you!
Welcome anhvu.
What problems are you having?
Are they with the download or the installation or the activation etc ?
Did you get the supporting 'Lib' as instructed in the page's instructions?
It's probably best to post further messages about this in the tool's thread itself...
Someone - even Fredo himself - might then see you problem and help more comprehensively...
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