Hey,
I need to make a series of different size domes and spheres.
The way I have done this in the past is... I draw a circle, move the circle tool until it turns red/green, hold shift to set inference, draw second circle, use follow me.
The first sphere works fine, however, the second time I try it, the circle tool will not turn red or green.
Suggestions?
Thx.

@msm said:

Hi everyone, I am an architecture student. I like to use Sketchup for my designs, but find the graphic quality of a rendered Sketchup model is not overly appealing. I am not interested in taking the time to learn any advanced 3D modeling software, but I wonder if there is some way to make Sketchup models look better? I am pretty good with Photoshop, so that would be an option. I basically want to take Sketchup models and make them look hand drawn....

I read through the Sketchup to Photoshop tutorial, and it was helpful, but not exactly what I'm looking for... any tips?

A quick way to do this is to take your rendered SU jpg. into Photoshop and render it using an Artistic filter.
Here's an example showing a SU+Podium render that has been taken into Photoshop and rendered using Watercolor and Film Grain filters.

[attachment=2]NewYorkstreet#1.jpg

[attachment=1]NewYorkstreetfilmgrain.jpg

[attachment=0]NewYorkstreetwc.jpg

@hazza said:

@double espresso said:

The architectural guys certainly bring a lot of practical knowledge to the table, however, what I do is quite far outside that box.

hmmmmm.... I don't think you are as far outside the box as you think..... you design a set and show it to a director, architects design a building and show it to a client.

Maybe you should not exclude advice from architects so quickly. Do you really think that don't want to show clients a 3D walkthrough?

High on my wishlist is that someone would take the open source Quake 3 engine and create a free 3D SU walkthrough exporter. It would create a single EXE that clients could walkthrough the model using the AWSD keys and look around using the mouse. The spacebar would toggle to the flying no-clip mode that allowed you to go through walls.

Hazza,
I have been doing this for more than 20 years, trust me, I know the differences between what I do and what an architect does. And please don't twist my words, I am not dismissing the invaluable input of architects. I thought I made that clear in my previous posts. Perhaps the heading threw you off... it was meant to be facetious. I like architects. I even had lunch with one last week...he stuck me with the bill.

@linea said:

@unknownuser said:

linea wrote:

I really was joking, I just meant that there are alot of architects here and designers that work in related fields. But everybody is helpful here and I think we all learn alot from each others workflow, it isn't necessary dependant on the profession.

I know what you mean though, navigating an SU model live with a client can be less than slick. Its worthwhile setting up scene tabs that you can just click on rather than navigate and orbit the model.

The architectural guys certainly bring a lot of practical knowledge to the table, however, what I do is quite far outside that box. I hope to hear from more designers who have new twists on playing this game. The comic book references were very cool, for example.

cheers,

BTW, I see you are from the UK. I'm working with one of your countrymen right now... Director Geoffrey Sax.

Here's a quick example of a New York brownstone street concept where a facade is built and New York will be added as a set extension.
I also manipulated the 3d model to work out basic camera angles with the director.
Sketchup/Podium about three hours work.

@mateo soletic said:

@unknownuser said:

I'm trying to remember the details of a really impressive post a while ago, I think it was on this forum. It was from a set designer on the tv series One Tree Hill. I've searched for it but can't find it.

Thanks Mateo, again this is what I use it for.

@alan fraser said:

I make content for production/set designers....and architects.

What do you mean by this? Are you referring to Formfonts?

It's interesting to note that many of the guys at Marvel Comics (and DC) use SU too. Hardly surprising when you think of all the extreme perspectives they need to do.
There are some good links to stuff like that on Justin's blog.
http://www.giantmonster.tv/giant/?p=222

I have done this sort of thing when working out 'flyovers and nesting' for set extension and other CGI.

@linea said:

@unknownuser said:

Architects need not reply

I suggest you read "How to win friends and influence people". Only joking.

edit: Found the One Tree Hill designers homepage:

http://homepage.mac.com/alanhook/OneTree_2.html

You guys are sure prickly...

This is exactly what I do and it works great for a rendered jpg. that has been enhanced in PhotoShop. However, it gets a little painful if I am touring a 3D model for a director. Alan also hands it off to a Set Designer who then works in Autocad or Vectorworks and then depending on how extravagant the requirements are may take it into 3ds Max or Maya.
My point is that there is a stage quite early in the process where Sketchup goes back in the box, not that it a poor tool. I see a lot of examples from the architectural world and am interested in how other 'designers' utilize it.

I've heard a lot from Architects but I would really like to hear from others who use Sketchup.
I'm a Production Designer in Film and Television. I've been using Sketchup since before it was Googlized, but only for what I would describe as 'noodling'. That is, roughing out set configuration, camera angles etc. Rendering is painfully slow and most Set Designers who work for me consider it to be nothing more than 3D lego. Interested in hearing opinions.
Cheers.

@pbacot said:

Sonoma has many small wineries. Cabernet Sauvignons, Chardonnays, Zinfandels, Pinot Noir. Depends what you like. I like the reds here. Random Ridge Winery has a good Cab. You can probably find a few dealers online that specialize in this area (where I live).

Thanks, I will check out Random Ridge. I drove north from San Francisco a few years ago and found some great wines in the Russian River area. Oregon is also producing some outstanding Pinot Noirs.

Cheers.

@mateo soletic said:

Some I would recomend from my region:

http://www.zlatanotok.hr/vina-ang.htm
http://www.simcic.si/eng_the_winery.htm
http://www.scurek.com/
http://www.bastijana.hr/en/index.htm

@gaieus said:

In Hungary:
http://www.archimedia.hu/content.php?param=6;set_lang=eng

This is so cool... thanks!

I'm expanding my wine cellar and want to stock it with selections from small estate wineries. Given the worldly nature of this forum's members I would love to hear suggestions?

@x3voodoo said:

Hello there. Escuse my english, but i am romanian. I have two problems. Please help me. First one: Why, when i want to make a surface doesn't work, or is working but it's making just a half of the surface, like in this picture. And the second problem, how can i zoom to be very very near of the project (house), because i cannot approach to see if there is another line(bad one). ? Thank you very much and please help me.

I think you are off square.

Toggle on/off depending on model.
I wonder what percentage of SketchUp users are bona fide architects and what the others use it for?

DE

@sorgesu said:

Flip.
right click on the object you wish to click ( assuming it is a group or component, otherwise select it all first and then right click) look for "flip along" and choose the flip axis direction from the sub menu

Right click does it 4me.

thx.

When I need to flip a model I use Scale and Drag... is there a quicker way to do this?
Thx,
DE

It's important to Remember that those brave souls who gave their lives so we can live in freedom were not just citizens of our individual countries, but were fighting shoulder to shoulder with men and women from many other countries with diverse ethnic backgrounds.

DE

@linea said:

@unknownuser said:

Patents and copyrights will be an issue...

The Creative commons license might be a way to deal with this, essentially the design is free for users to do what they want with as long as all changes are documented and the original concept is attributed back to us.

@unknownuser said:

...that can be handled with non-profit agreements etc

To deny users the right to profit might seriously limit the potential of say a modular building.

I was thinking more in terms of kicking it off with a SU challenge to submit conceptual designs for things like lowcost modular housing for victims of disasters like the sunami, the person with the selected design would have to sign off on design rights. However, it seems like Mike is thinking of a broader based venture where people pool their services.
Cheers,

How about a 'challenge' to design things like modular prefab housing that could be used to provide shelter and replacement homes for areas that are struck by disasters. This could also extend into areas like irrigation systems to direct water from rivers to villages.
Individual design concepts are chosen by open vote, or a panel, then modified and improved by member input and then taken to final engineered design.
Patents and copyrights will be an issue but that can be handled with non-profit agreements etc.

Then approach Google with a Web-Reality show concept where the Google/Sketchup Humanity Team in partnership with Corporate Sponsors works with local people and a Relief Organization to install the irrigation system or housing, or ???.

This might be of interest - http://www.unhabitat.org/categories.asp?catid=9

DE