Hello all,
Thanks for the plug, who ever started the thread. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.
Also, thank you Chris and Mike and others for the kind words.
I know many of you are advanced SketchUp users. In many cases, I come to SketchUcation to learn what the community is doing and how SketchUp is being pushed.
If it were not for SketchUcation, SketchUp would not be used in the fashion its being used. I remember all these users on the orginal SketchUp forums and searching to find everyone again. Thank you for all your help over the years!!!
If you’re a beginner or intermediate user, the book is ideal for you.
More important, the book is about process, not just modeling tools. Utilizing a workflow for your models and projects.
I hope this is ok but here is a quick overview:
Part 1 – reviews basics. Most important is the chapter on components. I talk about problem solving your SketchUp model and problem solving SketchUp ![:smile: 😄](https://community.sketchucation.com/assets/plugins/nodebb-plugin-emoji/emoji/android/1f604.png?v=ortm2mm07uk)
Part 2 – starts out with a simple site plan. Then you build a complex site plan , model some easy to complex site elements (benches, ped lights, steps, rails, etc..), next - model buildings and then a chapter on how to combine all 3 separate elements (site plan, custom site components and architecture) into a single model and export specific scenes.
The last chapter in part 2 reviews how to create a real world building model based on the previous tutorials. I used the Jefferson County Courthouse near my home for the tutorial. It’s all curves, windows and a glass dome.
Part 3 – Sandbox tools – I review how to use the sandbox tools to create ‘conceptual grading’. Sorry. I do not review digital elevation modeling and complex terrains (for more on this, see below).
I review how to do organic shapes and how to use From Contour and Drape to create quick, architectural buildings. Both tutorials in this chapter are based on real world projects that I worked on. One building is built; the other is in the process of being built. This is true for many of the tutorial models in the book.
Part 4 – this is a detailed section on converting your CAD drawing into a complete articulated model. I use Todd’s Ruby scripts but show a variety of methods. This is method intensive. The CAD drawings are available for download from Wiley’s web site. The book and my web site (http://www.daniel-tal.com) have a link to these files.
There are models on 3D warehouse to use with the tutorials. Some are complete (so you can check your work) others you have to complete.
The whole book is a giant tutorial .The point is not the specific model you are creating but how to learn the tools to use them for your own needs. There are work arounds that I do not cover and there are short cuts that would be faster in completing some of the tutorials. But that’s not the point – again, its about process.
Advanced SketchUp topics – I was asked not to produce an advanced SketchUp book. There were reasons for this but suffice it to say, another manuscript might (might!) be in the works in which I will go into very advanced topics based on projects and what is being done here at SketchUcation (hint, all those really amazing Ruby Scripts). Another hint - it will be all about organic modeling and digital elevation modeling as well.
Thanks – give me the feedback and I will be around to answer questions.
Also, sorry about the flicker in the animations with Shadows. They drive me nuts as well. I will be posting a new animation hopefully at the end of this weekend of a terrain model.
And yes, I am a huge fan of FormFonts models. They are clean (except for the people who import with extra layers) and they have a variety that’s ideal for site design.
Peace,
Daniel Tal