Making 3D models of objects for use in other software...
for the moment.
The closest I found.

@Rick

I know, where can we find all these tips? An endless search my friends. And lot of questions on http://blenderartists.org/forum/index.php
Seriously, under preferences panel, you'll find a lot of interesting parameters that will make blender a lot more friendly and familiar to SU users.
I'll say it again, it's a powerful application. I just found an interesting post and I like to share it with you. On this topic, because beside my love to SU, I can't stay and read all these against blender. Probably, I'm not serious now, I know

A blender modeling, octane renderer.
http://blenderartists.org/forum/showthread.php?255681-Urban-appartment

@unknownuser said:

Just a short note about blender. To learn blender, one must be able to SEE the interface.. it's just too small for those of us that are visually challenged which is why sketchup is the program of choice for me.. a UI that is both user friendly and visible with crappy eyesight.
I gave blender a shot about 3 years ago.. failed and someone told me that a lot had changed/updated since then so a couple months ago, I tried again and could not find any way to make text and buttons large enough to make the program user friendly for me.
I hope the new owners choose to leave the interface alone.

Well, the first I check on a new app is the preferences panel
Please, try DPI=100 for instance.
Don't forget to click "save as default" if you're happy.

@unknownuser said:

Yes, I can use Blender, but Sketchup is much more user friendly.

From the point of a blender user, blender is the friendlier.
For instance, SU isn't that friendly to me, especially when having to deal with snapping options.
How can anyone compares these two apps? Blender is a huge application, containing almost any function you may like. Not just a modeler.
SU lacks of very important tools, like a decent UV editor. Neither some addons in SU are comparable with blender (artisan, UV editing etc)
On the other hand, blender does huge steps on the SU direction these days. It's the bmesh new builds. Learn about them.
To my good friends that develop these SU excellent addons: Learn python scripting.

And... we can still use SU and export to blender via TIG's excellent obj exporter. I'll keep saying it because it was a great help to me.

@unknownuser said:

I think we are seeing this in Greece at the moment! Greece was the home of democracy and maybe it will be again!

Trying to find the right smilie
Is this one?
Or this?
Or...

Thanks for the kind words Mike.

I hope this WWIII won't start in greece.
Er...

@michaliszissiou said:

@Rick
I strongly recommend you to register to blenderartists.org if not done already.
with some similar name, I guess, so to find you as a friend there.
I also recommend you to learn the nodes set up system of cycles. An excellent UI with almost endless possible solutions. Very easy to handle it, after watching some basic setups.
Blender isn't sketchUp. But, it does huge steps to this direction, day by day. On the other hand it's much more powerful on organic modeling.
Blender isn't just another modeler, either. It's much more. A powerful app that is developing rapidly.
And still, we can use SU for archi-modeling and export excellent obj files to blender. Textures and UVs included. Thanks to TIG
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=323&t=33448
You may need some other tools, we had a discussion here:
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=179&t=44345

I enjoyed the making of a snow scene. Though not for cycles*, still very enlightening on how to use weight painting.
*can be done in cycles, masks (stencils) have to be handled as 'factors'. lol, learn cycles nodes!

About shortcuts and inputs:
Under user preferences, find them there, it's easier.
Have a look how my setup looks.

@Rick
I strongly recommend you to register to blenderartists.org if not done already.
with some similar name, I guess, so to find you as a friend there.
I also recommend you to learn the nodes set up system of cycles. An excellent UI with almost endless possible solutions. Very easy to handle it, after watching some basic setups.
Blender isn't sketchUp. But, it does huge steps to this direction, day by day. On the other hand it's much more powerful on organic modeling.
Blender isn't just another modeler, either. It's much more. A powerful app that is developing rapidly.
And still, we can use SU for archi-modeling and export excellent obj files to blender. Textures and UVs included. Thanks to TIG
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=323&t=33448
You may need some other tools, we had a discussion here:
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=179&t=44345

@ Roger, @Hieru

I feel your pain,
http://gryllus.net/Blender/3D.html (for newbies)
http://www.blenderguru.com/
http://cgcookie.com/blender/cgc-series/interior-3d-architectural-visualization/

Very nice renders Rick
Can you post a cycles nodes setup?
Render time? GPU or CPU?

Hey Rich.
Well done.
Getting better and better at blender indeed!
Though SU models can be well imported to blender (thanks to the excellent TIG's obj exporter), I also have to ask. Is this a SU model?
Who cares anyway... these days.
Well done, once more.

Impressive work my friend!
A surprise, always.

Let's jump to this thread.
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=179&t=45262
@ rv1974
Did you watch the video? Please, post your comments on the other thread, it's an interesting discussion.
We better close this thread, anyway.

Re-posting this interesting 1:30 video...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoNjVMhmBfM

I better not post this on the funny pics thread.

Well, the following 1:30 min video is more interesting. I think so.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoNjVMhmBfM

@unknownuser said:

One other observation, a clock in a pub? I have never seen that in a pub before or a casino for that matter.

A wonderful render!
Octane is an excellent render engine, though most of the magic comes from your talent!

My wish!
Google stay away from blender foundation

Against who?
A world war then.
I can't talk about it without violating the rules of this forum. Neither anyone can, I'm afraid so.

Sorry, I can't remember who's the creator of this ruby. Maybe Pilou can help us.

@unknownuser said:

Not to hijack this thread but have you seen TreeSketch for iPad?

Interesting! BTW you're not hijacking at all.

@unknownuser said:

SU + Blender = war machine

True, but not for me. I'm the peacemaker.

I use this ruby.
remove_inner_faces.rb

In any case, to have face's normals outwards, is the more important. No blue faces.
Is there a plugin for this job?