A Welcome Message to New SketchUcation Members

trumpetcase

Hi!
I'm a CAD user and recently discovered Sketchup, it's great. I've signed up here mainly to find the answer to one question:
I am putting together a web page and I wondered if it would be possible to embed a sketchup file in a similar way to how google maps can be embedded on a page.

What I'm picturing here is, a building or something I've drawn, in a box on my webpage, with controls whereby visitors can rotate it and look at it in 3D right there on the webpage.

I guess this might mean importing it into another program? I could always make a video of it rotating or something, but what I really want is for it to be interactive, so the user can turn it around.

Any insights would be appreciated.

remus

Hi trumpetcase, as far as i know there are 2 ways to embed an SU model into a webpage. Theres a program called hypercosm which, after installing a plugin, lets you view the model in full 3D.

Theres also a little thing from google (i cant rmeember what its called, sorry.) that lets you export a series of images from your model. This can then be placed in your website and viewed in a series, giving the impression of rotating the model in 3D.

trumpetcase

Hi Remus thanks for the reply. Hypercosm seems to be roughly what I was looking for except as far as I can see it requires the user to download their player so is not hugely accessible. Also it is only for windows and I am a mac user. They say on their website to tell them if you want it for mac and if there's enough demand they might release a version - so I did.

As it happens I'd had a similar idea to the other alternative you suggest and I gave it a quick go using apples' iweb. I simply rotated the model incrementally and exported screen shots as png files using sketchup's own export facility, then put them in a folder numbered in order. I then imported this as an album into iweb. iweb creates an album preview image that, as you move your mouse across it, flicks through the images in that album, so immediately you get the effect of rotating the model, faster or slower depending how fast you move the mouse. So this is a pretty good option, except that it is possibly a bit clunky and high on memory, as web sites go, like most of iweb's end results.

trumpetcase

It's me again. Tell me if I should be starting a new thread or something with this...! I thought I'd share with you all the email exchange I just had with a guy from hyercosm (you can find his email on their website) because it contains some interesting links

I said to him '...Am I right in understanding the user has to download your viewer in order to view the models on a webpage? Is it possible to have a simple interactive 3D model which can be viewed via flash? Simply to give the impression of rotating the model. I'm just thinking of maximum accessibility, not requiring the user to install something new.'
and he replied:

It would be great if you didn't have to install a viewer of any kind,
but unfortunately, without a player the only things that you have
available to work with are: (1) Flash, (2) Java, and (3) Javascript.

People have tried for years to create 3D viewers using all three of
these technologies, but they are all much too slow. You can create toy
demos with them, but you can't view the types of 3D models that are
useful. For that, you need access to your machine's video card, which
requires a player.

Here are some examples that you can try out to see what I mean:

Flash
http://www.flashsandy.org/demos
http://www.cleoag.ru/labs/flex/parkseasons/
Java
http://www.frontiernet.net/~imaging/java3dviewer.html
Javascript (the slowest of them all)
http://www.uselesspickles.com/triangles/demo.html

-abe

ROQ

Hello,
I'm new, live in Hollywood CA; have been using Sketchup since mid 2007 ('bout a year) for Design Review Board presentations with Southern California municipalities... as well as simply for illustration of work for clients.

Recently started doing long-distance design with online discussion and transfer of documents, text-messaging with tradesmen in the field, mobile calls with customers and contractors. Requires patience, but I see a huge future for this kind of work... contractors respond enthusiastically to the tools it provides for their client communications and their ability to see the effect of various ideas without the cost of trial and error, great flexibility.

I'm interested in learning how to add and make styles and tasteful backgrounds for renderings; am enjoying seeing the work of some very talented people on this forum.

Rafael O. Quezada

Gaieus

Hi Rafael - and welcome to the forums here!

I'm sure you will have a great chance to apply some of the great styles (and much more) our most valued contributors share here as well as get some inspiration in trhe Gallery of the board!

I keep being amazed what people can come up with there all the time!

deathcloud

@gaieus said:

Welcome JC and I'm looking forward to seeing your posts in the gallery!

thanks mr. admin wow this forum was awsome i hope there is also a forum like this for filipinos.. theres few of my countrymen who uses sketchup for modelling they havnt seen the advantage of sketchup.. geezz.. i m also hosting a forum but for filipino architects.. but i spend more time reading here than maintaining my forum.. thanks for the warm welcome

Gaieus

Well,

There are not too many professional architects (though in growing numbers) who use SU here in Hungary either. But things might change with time.

And yes, I saw your renders in the Gallery - really nice (just I'm so inferior at rendering that I didn't feel proper to comment and advise)

BTW - did you know that you can make your forum link in your signature clickable? just type in the proper (full) URL http://www.arkinoy.tk

deathcloud

so do i sir i do not have an eye for comments ..since i was in college i am using sketchup till now im 2 years working its my weapon and at our office they respect what sketchup is capable with for i prove them they were wrong that sketchup was just a sketchy modeller.. see you around sir and il keep on posting and exploring renderings.. good day and thanks for the help sir.. il do it later im stil working with a banner that is a directing link

deathcloud

sir gaeius can i link this forum to our forum permission from you sir

Gaieus

Hi JC,

Sorry for not answering so long but I was away for a week.

Sure you can link this forum to anywhere - links are "free" on the internet!

ArchieB

Hello
i am a student who loves to build and design any thing. As a kid i played with Knex and still do. Soon i'll be off to university and can't wait. I came across the sketchup software on a free ware site and after downloading it i was instantly drawn to it's realistic graphics,the tools and plugins designed for the software oh and the fact that it was free!

Bahkieh

Hi!
I recently discovered SketchUp while doing work for a drafting company.
I love the program and love being able to do things, even without AutoCAD knowledge.
Hopefully I browse and learn tons more from this forum!

Thanks!
Bahkieh

Gaieus

Hello Both and welcome to the forums. I'm sure you'll have lots of fun using SU and also hope you'll have lots of fun getting to know the members here.

j_a_g.2012

hey all!

i'm jim from the uk and i'm new here and to SU - downloaded it last friday, after struggling with some naff 3D animation progs over the years. I learnt 2D drafting and wireframes (A-CAD) in my 20's for hobbyist purposes, went on to 3dS and then got diverted in life (marriage, kids etc). Now i've found SU, played a little, to help shake off the rust and ended up by replicating a little "Wall-E" character/model for my 6 yr old son!! now looking to get into making buildings and very intrigued by the sketchyphysics plug in which i just installed.

looks like the learning curve is there, but thanks to the expertise here, possibly not as steep.

and i may not even get to use my favourite 3d modelling term of the early 90's : Non Uniform Rational B-Splines (ok, so that time doesn't count, does it?).

i might not be able to offer much in the way of advice, but i am keen to learn

cheers to all
jim / jAg

solo

Welcome to SCF Jim.

I am sure you will enjoy your stay and learn much from many seasoned users and before you know it you too will be offering advice.

j_a_g.2012

@solo said:

Welcome to SCF Jim.

I am sure you will enjoy your stay and learn much from many seasoned users and before you know it you too will be offering advice.

thnx. i'm just awed at the skills present here and the excellent tutorials.
i'm just going to take things slow & easy and re-learn that which i'd forgotten.

glad to be aboard

jim

Ross Macintosh

@j_a_g.2012 said:

I'm just going to take things slow...

Slow & steady is good, but the best advice is to keep having fun! The Wall-E model is a great idea for a fun learning project. (Now that you have him done you could turn him into a component and create a Wall-E assembly line -- or a Wall-E army -- or a... ). Jim I also hope you'll consider giving your clever son the opportunity to learn SketchUp. Kids can definitely learn SketchUp too + it can keep him off the street!

Jim - please post your Wall-E in the Gallery Forum.

To all the new users: Keep having fun! Push-pulling is fun! Just wait 'till you try 'Smooving' in the sandbox. (For adults only).

Regards, Ross

xiaochouya

我来自中国，谢谢

Gaieus

在这里欢迎