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    zapwizard

    @zapwizard

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    Latest posts made by zapwizard

    • RE: Looks like it was done with Sketch up

      The look of the model and the animations look more like they were made in Solidworks, ProE, or some other parametric modeler. Most of those types of CAD programs have basic mechanical animation abilities.

      posted in Corner Bar
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      zapwizard
    • RE: [Plugin] IGES Export - 27 February 2012

      This is a greatly needed plugin.

      I tested the plugin on SketchUp 8.0.3117 and tried importing the IGES file into Alibre.
      A .igs.tmp file was left behind, and Alibre spit out the error: ACISERROR_FILE_OF_UNSUPPORTED_UNIT.
      I overrode the units in the Alibre import settings and got the error: ACICERROR_IMPORT_NO_FACES.
      No combination of settings in the Alibre importer let me import the IGES file.

      The file did import perfectly into ProE and a crappy IGES viewer program I found online, so I am not sure what is up with Alibre.

      The curves came out perfectly, even a six sided cylindrical worked correctly when smoothed (circle) and un-smoothed (hex).

      posted in Plugins
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      zapwizard
    • RE: Sketch up for gaming concept art?

      I have made several game maps using SketchUp as a modeler program.
      There are also several studios that use SketchUp for a sort of pre-visualization of game worlds before doing detailed modeling in another program.
      Here is a example case that Google put on their blog:
      http://sketchupdate.blogspot.com/2011/02/art-and-design-of-uncharted-2.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+OfficialGoogleSketchupBlog+%28Official+Google+SketchUp+Blog%29

      posted in SketchUp Discussions
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      zapwizard
    • RE: Latest Furniture Commission

      Mike, do you have a website I can bookmark for later?
      I have an idea for a custom bed side table I want made but currently my funds are allocated elsewhere but I would like to have someone in mind that can work from a SketchUp model.

      posted in Woodworking
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      zapwizard
    • RE: NEW Raylectron v2, a photorealistic SketchUp render plugin.

      The render output looks pretty good but like others I don't see anything that would make me choose this program over the competition.
      Two things I would like to see:
      Support for pre-made material libraries, no one wants to reset materials every time they make a new file.
      IES light profiles, for me this is a must for accurate architecture rendering.

      posted in Extensions & Applications Discussions
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      zapwizard
    • RE: SketchUp game exporter (Source)

      I might be using CryEngine right now for visualizations if it weren't for the fact that they won't spell out their licencing costs. The Architecture portion of their licencing website still says "Coming soon", it has for several years now. One thing to keep in mind is that CryEngine requires a hefty graphics processor for real time playback, meaning you usually can't just pack a file and send it to a customer.

      Unity Pro is becoming more and more attractive as they add features, you pay them $1500 once and your good for life, no other fees ever. It also works on WebGL, iOS, and Android.

      UDK has a $2500 per seat per year licence for anyone using UDK for in-direct income projects, and $99 per direct income project. +25% of any revenue related to the UDK software after $50,000 in sales. UDK also can build for iOS and Android.

      posted in Extensions & Applications Discussions
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      zapwizard
    • RE: SketchUp game exporter (Source)

      I should say, I started out mapping in CryEngine2 (Crysis original) and loved it.
      However getting a workable game took lots of work, Crytek never patched many of the obvious flaws in the original editor, and the community of players faded away.

      I only switched the L4D2 because one, I liked the game and was actively playing it, and two the AI is automatic, there is very little extra work you have to do besides making the game world. But yes, the source editor can be buggy and BSP based map editing is becoming dated.

      I haven't started up a new project yet, as I have others to finish. But my next game would be using a different engine then Source, probably Unity, UDK or CryEngine. CryEngine would by my first choice if they would clearly spell out their independent licencing.

      posted in Extensions & Applications Discussions
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      zapwizard
    • RE: SketchUp game exporter (Source)

      I seems that I haven't posted some of my newer (like last two years) SketchUp to game works to this thread.

      First: I wrote a start to finish article on making games in the Source engine using SketchUp:
      http://www.maximumpc.com/article/howtos/howto_make_left_4_dead_map_google_sketchup?page=0,0

      My most popular project is Fan Feast: http://www.zapwizard.com/blog/projects/fan-feast/
      It is a 1:1 scale near perfect recreation of a real world shopping center.
      It was made for Fantastic Fest 2010, which is mainly a movie festival, but in 2010 they started including independent games. The coolest part is that people were both actually, and virtually inside the same building while playing the game at the festival. The map is made for the game Left 4 Dead 2.

      There are over 300 custom textures to make the place feel authentic (Signs, graffiti, etc..)
      All the building exteriors were made using the photo-match tool as well as the theater interior. The bowling alley interior was made directly from the source DWG files.
      I choose SketchUp as my modeler for a few reasons: One its super fast to work in, and two it is made for real world architecture and so it makes matching the real world so much easier then in-game editors.


      http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4143/4805296671_c8648ed5ea_z.jpg


      http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4120/4805919460_27e4d276a5_z.jpg


      http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4088/5011241423_6cbed6b420_z.jpg

      My longer on going project is Seaholm Power Plant: http://www.zapwizard.com/blog/tag/seaholm/
      It will be a three map campaign for L4D2. It is based again on a real world location, also at 1:1 scale.
      Most of the geometry for this map was made in SketchUp.


      http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2743/4355752494_0ce787ec55_z.jpg


      http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5180/5449255025_65f6b08375_z.jpg


      http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6062/6134110199_e976c3227d_z.jpg


      http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6164/6134731670_8461bea9ff_z.jpg

      Another showcase project I did was the winning entry in the the World of Level Design story telling contest.
      In less then three hours I was able to model a old rail road station, and in less then two weeks I put together the whole contest map.
      http://www.zapwizard.com/blog/2011/04/world-of-level-design-winner-storytelling-level-design-challenge/


      http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4045/4313958027_4beb4a538d_z.jpg

      Trimley Railway Station (13) by Richie Wisbey, on Flickr


      http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5260/5531428598_14753871e2_z.jpg


      http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5298/5559884845_dd54f45d13_z.jpg

      posted in Extensions & Applications Discussions
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      zapwizard
    • Sketchup made scene converted to WebGL using CopperLicht...

      It does load pretty quickly. The mouse inertia feels a bit high, but that could be my own mouse sensitivity.
      Also the newest version of Unity 3D now exports to WebGL (no plugin needed)

      posted in Extensions & Applications Discussions extensions
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      zapwizard
    • RE: Free DAZ Studio 4 Pro, Bryce 7 Pro, Hexagon 2.5

      This is an awesome steal for that much software.
      Also of note the $100 FBX import plugin is also free right now:
      Search their store for "FBX Plug-in for DAZ Studio"

      posted in Hardware
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      zapwizard