Probably been posted before, but this was pretty interesting.

http://www.instructables.com/id/SketchUp-Inkscape-and-Ponoko-Laser-Cutting/

To add to the architectural rant: Brick slips are the worst invention ever. Why not just use bricks?

301 Moved Permanently

(www.sketchucation.com)

Post no.3 I hope this helps.

As a rule, I export at 4000 pixels when I do my views in PS, and it easily fills an A1, and thats 72 dpi with no discernable loss of quality - my advice is up res to 200 dpi in PS if your machine can handle it.

Sketchup model in 3D. Checked the landscape package and 3D warehouse but I got nothing. Anyone got one floating around?

Thanks

Personally, I'm on the fence with the Global Warming debate. On one hand, you'd be a moron to not recognize our impact on the environment and the fact we are causing mass habitat extinction, on the other I do question our carbon emissions as one of the major agendas in the public conscious. Surely instead of just addressing carbon (lets face it; 'carbon offsetting' is a complete joke), there surely should be more coverage on other greenhouse gases such as methane. With the current rise in population clustered in urban concentrates, then the increase in methane gas is something that is worth acknowledging? Thoughts?

Right now I'm using a Macbook 2GHz with Mac OSX 10.5.2, and I have a G4 tower back at my parents house. I've used macs since 1999 starting off with a revision D iMac. There was a brief time I switched to windows with an IBM T40 thinkpad but it died on me about three months later (I only really needed it for Microstation), so I went back to Apple - now I just use bootcamp to use Microstation.

If you are doing architecture, there seems to be a healthy mix of PC's and Macs floating around in the diploma studios where I am at; I'm of the opinion it comes down to personal preference. I just find Macs easier to use.

Channel 4 Documentary on this subject. Let the debate commence.

Thanks for this - I have to admit I had real trouble, being one of the only members of my studio who hadn't used it prior to that course. It's on my to do list of stuff to learn. Thanks again.

Not quite what Amo was envisaging, but it's a step closer. Enjoy.

TED: Not Found

(www.ted.com)

That is interesting news indeed. I always feel that the planning process (and construction industry) on the whole still needs to play catchup with available technology. Although a friend did tell me that they were all set to get planning permission on a project, until they submitted the renders done in Sketchup!

Thankfully, I haven't had much cause to go for Non Euclidian forms yet, but when I do, I'll probably go and learn Rhino properly

Is it easy to learn? The training I got went as far as 'here is how you load a script', without any references to the basics.

And some linework taken straight from the SU model and lineweights changed in illustrator. Its fantastic when you can use the model you spent a while doing, as drawings like this literally take minutes to put together.

And a perspective section. In this case, the SU became the background perspective, with the detail draw in Microstation and both files were PDF'd and put together in illustrator.

Here you go Eamon, knock yourself out. They take between one and two days to do depending on the view. I use a Sketchup model as either a base for the view and work into it, or I photomatch into an existing model. I don't actually like straight up renderings, so I use them as a base or a reference and work into it using the brush tool and a graphics tablet.

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My first post with a thumbnail of the sketchup model going in on photomatch.

My first attempt at subverting an SU model in photoshop.
http://jaylloyd.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/table_layout.jpg

I'll post up some line work in a second.

UP_Orchard_View.pdf

UP_Kitchen_Garden_View.pdf

Just a quick addition - for better results, try editing your styles so you have thinner edge lines, I find it gives it a slightly more professional look.

I'm with the previous poster on this one. Illustrator is essentially my middleman tool when designing for output. I export the view or section as a PDF and open it in illustrator - the first thing I do is change the line weights and manually correct the scale (I'm sure you can probably scale in Layout then export as a PDF but I haven't got round to using Layout yet). If you want colour work, well Photoshop seems to be the best answer - I take multiple styles and blend them in Photoshop, then import straight into InDesign for final PDF output. Sounds a little longwinded I know, but it works for me and I have no problem with it.

Great stuff Remus, from what I am getting from this thread, it looks like the general consensus is in Oxford. Are there anymore topics about what kind of presentations are proposed?

I noticed that the cursor has the axes following it, how do I switch this on?

I've studied the drawings of LTL and I came to the conclusion that they don't use sketchup. Even their recent stuff doesn't sniff of any styles. If anything, they may trace over a SU model, but from what I've seen (before they made their drawings the size of postage stamps on the website), my guess is a pencil perspective scanned in with tone added in Photoshop. My 2 cents!

PS I was laughed at in a London school of architecture for using SU. As far as I am aware, I believe it beats the pants off things like Rhino with some of the scripts I've seen.

Hi Dylan,

Thanks for your comments, FYI the building pictured is the old Sharrow Junior School.