The illustrations were produced in Xara Xtreme -- it is vector illustration like Adobe Illustrator CS5. So in effect they are rendered by drawing the old fashioned computer graphics way. There are lots of overlayed transparent objects used to build up the effects. I basically used SketchUp to produce 'clipart' for the illustrations.

If anyone needs a budget place to stay in Boulder I thought I'd mention the motel "University Inn".I stayed there during the first basecamp and it was the least expensive accommodations in Boulder and I found it very suitable. It isn't posh but the room was clean and the staff friendly.

Looking at their site just now, it seems they offer complementary bicycles. It would be a relatively short bike ride to Google.

And another...

Here's another image from the project. It features a different but related turbine design seen more in its context.

Something Different...
I don't think I posted this before. I had a little side job to do some graphics relating to a proposed tidal power installation on the Bay of Fundy [home of the world's highest tides -- 40+ feet]. I didn't have technical drawings of the turbine so I just had to make it suitably plausible. The turbine is a "kite" meaning the buoyant turbine is tethered down by cables and then "flies" in the tidal current. The blades turn slowly enough for fish to swim right through. Power is transferred back to shore simply by an electrical umbilical cord

Regards, Ross

When I went to the first Basecamp I had to wait at the Denver airport for a shuttle to Boulder. It turned into a wait of close to an hour and I waited on a park bench out where the shuttles do their pickups. Another guy was also waiting on the bench for the same shuttle. We talked some small talk about the weather & where we were from etc. Later, at Basecamp we were both very surprised to run into each other - both were going to Boulder for Basecamp we just didn't know it.

Hi Liam
I went to the previous two Basecamps and had a great time. At both the numbers of participants was relatively limited and that was a good thing as you will get to know many of the other participants and the developers too. The first basecamp was in Boulder and what was really great about it was that practically every Google employee was involved so the ratio of hosts to participants was very high. I'd expect the same again this time. The last one at the Googleplex in California seemed to have less staff involved --- understandable given all those staff had to come from Boulder. It was fun but I think the original in Boulder was really something special. I'm expecting good things again from Boulder this year.

One thing you'll experience is what a top-notch group of people Google have working on SketchUp. You will be impressed. It is also a great to see first hand their enthusiasm for SketchUp. You will find your participation is appreciated as they seem to really enjoy meeting the users and learning from them. I'd expect much of this year's activities will focus on getting those two groups together. Put 200 guests & 60 or so hosts together, all sharing a love of SketchUp, and you can expect some interesting knowledge & ideas to be shared. I'm not worried at all about this years informal agenda.

For me the biggest benefit of going to Basecamp is the lifelong friends you'll meet. It seems most of us have learned to use SketchUp on our own in relative isolation. We develop our own ways of working and many use SketchUp in relatively unique ways. To get together with others who share an enthusiasm is a great learning experience. Even folks who've been using SketchUp since version 1 will learn new techniques at Basecamp -- guaranteed!

I look forward to meeting you in person!

Regards, Ross

@dave r said:

Too bad you won't get to see some of the countryside as you go.

True we won't see much scenery flying but we will get to see the insides of four different airports!

I'll be going to Basecamp with my colleague David Lopes (a long-time SketchUp user). We have our flights booked and a reservation at the Best Western. Unfortunately we don't arrive until Wed. morning and our flight out of Denver is Friday evening. Boulder is such a nice place it would have been great to spend more time in the area.

As you can see from the attached graphic David and I face a brutal trip back home given that we are aren't leaving the continent. Kind-a crazy really.

Regards, Ross

Hi Rudbeckia

I rather like the FormFonts styles but being their creator I'm probably biased. I attach an example showing one of my favorites. It is known as the Fineline Ink Sketch style. Click on the image for a bigger version.

Regards, Ross

And here's another favorite of mine -- the preview featuring the same model. The style is called Smooth Graphite Sketch. Click on the image for a bigger version.

Regards, Ross

TIG - you're forgetting that Google knows everything about everybody and they know who you are even before you enter their building. Apparently they also have lasers in space that can vaporize anyone they don't like.

Great to see that pic again Csaba! Looks like you peed your pants. Mike was having a bad hair day.

I'll be in attendance at this year's Basecamp too. I'm really looking forward to seeing my old sketchup friends and meeting new ones.

Is the Best Western where others are planning to stay? From the previous two basecamps I've learned it is desirable to stay where many others are staying -- it just makes it easier to stay connected.

Regards, Ross

Back when I used to do lots of pen & ink sketching I used inexpensive speedball nibs. http://www.utrechtart.com/dsp_view_products.cfm?classID=1516&=SpeedballsubclassID=151610&brandname There are many different sizes with some better suited to lettering and some suited for sketching. They differ significantly from fountain pens in that fountain pens are designed for handwriting. With speedball nibs you can get much finer sizes than what is available in fountain pens. The speedball nibs slide into a simple wooden or plastic holder and are used with liquid ink. They wick up ink into a hole that acts as a small reservoir. With the smaller nib sizes it is surprising how much drawing can be done before refilling. When you are done you simply wipe with a damp kleenex. For the price of one decent fountain pen you could buy a lifetime supply of speedball nibs!

I attach an oldsketch I did with a speedball nib. (The colour was latter added digitally).

Regards, Ross

Very nice images! Photographs were nice too.

In traditional watercolours like that are the black lines added at the end or were they done first with the washes added after? (While I have done watercolours myself I have zero training so I wonder what is the traditional technique).

Regards, Ross

Hi Guys!
Csaba I was surprised to see this here but its okay. I had put the images up on picasaweb just as a temporary place while building a gallary on my FaceBook page. On FaceBook I've added captions so at least there the people, like Kim, who made some of the models are credited appropriately.

You're right I haven't been hanging around these forums for a while. I've been busy with work - a good thing I suppose given the economy.

Regards, Ross

Silvershadow - stunning display of modelling skill and observational skills!

I'm not sure if you are aware but the last surviving Corvette - the H.M.C.S Sackville - is in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada and is open to the public during the summer tourist season (May 1 - September 30) and open by appointment throughout the rest of the year. The Corvette has a website here but unfortunately it doesn't do it justice. I think you are going to have to go visit! I also think the trust that looks after the H.M.C.S Sackville would be very interested in your model - your detailed model suggests so many educational & interpretive possibilities.

Thanks for sharing it with us
Regards, Ross

PS - Here's a good pic of the HMCS Sackville the last time the tall ships were in Halifax. The international gathering of world-class Tall Ships is returning to Halifax from July 16 to August 1, 2009. It would be a great time to visit Halifax! I guarantee you'll love the city.

Hi -- This site sells some bollard lights that look sort-a like that but not LED. There's a few concrete ones at the middle of the page and near the bottom.

http://www.illuminatorwholesaler.com/bollards.html

Regards, Ross

For that Line 20 I'd Suggest "Arqui3D" followed by your home address. If you work from some other place than your home use it instead. This is not lying. You are the owner/operator of Arqui3D.