SketchUp Geometry is just Edges (lines) and Faces (polygons). Even arcs
and circles are just small straight-line segments. Also edges and faces
don't have
a thickness. Faces are dependent/need edges to exist and the edges have to
line on the same plane, that is coplanar. (see
Understanding Edges and Faces in Google SketchUp 8 by
Aidan Chopra.
Lines have Endpoints and Midpoints
To draw in 2D, click the arrow key to parallel to that plane.
Also, move mouse along one of the 3 axis, can create a 2D
line in that plane.
It appears you can use the line tool to create a 2D polygon.
Appears you cannot add a face to a 3D polygon like a surface.
holding the shift key down will also lock the drawing in that plane
can move Edges and Faces. SketchUp will maintain geometry automatically
Help to create a roof ridge line
SketchUp Push/Pull Tool
Probably the most import 3D tool in Google SketchUp
Only works on a face/surfaces/flat plane, doesn't work on curved surfaces
or edges
Works on extruded polygons (hard edges) but not on extruded circles (soft edge).
Have to turn on View → Hidden Geometry to push/pull a circle.
To push/pull a relative distance just push/pull the 3D object in the direct
you want then type in the dimension. The distance to push/pull will show
up in the status bar (bottom right corner of the SketchUp window)
2a. click once to specify the rotation center and use the orientation of
the objects face
2b. click once to specify the rotation center and drag to change the
orientation axis to red, green or blue (this is the part student have difficulty with)
3. click and drag to specify the datum axis (basis of bearing) for the
rotation arm. This is the 0 angle and all measurements will be from this
rotation arm.
Google SketchUp Pro 7 Instructor License - obtain from
Creation Engine Academic Superstore. Email a scanned image of
the school ID or email a link to faculty/staff webpage on official school
website, see https://www.creationengine.com/html/policies.html#academic
Create 3D model of the UNLV sidewalk cafe (SWC) in Sketchup and display in Google Earth
Download and install Google Sketchup and Google Earth
Download these building pictures
Front
Back
West side of building
Start Google SketchUp
Template → Engineering - Feet → Start Using SketchUp
Add Google Earth Aerial Photo
File → Geo-location → Add Location...
Search University of Nevada Las Vegas
Pan and Zoom to SWC
click Select Region
adjust pushpins to fully enclose the building then press Grab
should see a screen shot of the Google Earth image in SketchUp
Top View and Align Axis
View → Toolbars → Views then click the Top button
Tools → Axes and align the axes to the building (red axes along
back of the building, green axes along the west side of the building
and blue axes is the height/elevation of the building)
Draw the building footprint
click the Line tool
click each corner of the building to create the edge and then click the starting point
again to close the polygon, that is create the face.
Remember, SketchUp geometry is either an edge (line) or a face (polygon)
Extrude the building height
click the Push/Pull Tool
click the roof face and drag the building up. Still holding the left mouse button
down, type 20 and then enter.
Building should now be 20 feet high/tall.
Place building image as texture
File → Import &rarr SWC-sidewest.jpg → Use as Texture (radio button)
click lower left corner of the SWC west side face
click the upper right corner of the SWC west side face
right click on the texture and select Texture → Position
left click with the mouse to drag/pan the photo/image on the building face
right click on the texture/image and uncheck fixed pins
move the push pin to the building edge on the photo/image by left click and release
drag the push pin to the 3D model edge by left click and hold
Place aerial photo image as roof texture
Tools → Paint Bucket
click the eyedropper tool on the select tab of the Materials dialog box
Orient the SketchUp axes with the building site image
Camera → Standard Views → Top
Tools → Axes, place the origin at the southwest corner of TBE-A
building. Make the red axes line up with the south side of the building.
Make the green axes line up with the west side of the building
View → Face Style → X-ray with make the objects you create
transparent so you can see the underlying aerial photo
Tools → Rectangle
Draw → Arc is used to select the beginning and ending point of a
curve, then adjust the radius.
Tools → Eraser tool to delete all the interior edges/lines of the
building footprint. Goal is to have a single face because the building
has a constant height.
Camera → Standard Views → Iso to change from a 2D view to an
isometric view
View → Face Style → X-ray to turn off transparency
Tools → Push/Pull and click the roof face to extrude. Hold down the
left mouse button and move the mouse forwards and backwards to dynamically
adjust the building height. To enter a fixed height, with the left mouse
button still down/clicked, type in 50' to extrude the building with a height
of 50 feet. Should see the building height in the lower right corner of the
SketchUp application window.
Windows → Layers use this to make the Google Earth Snapshot layer
current and then turn off Layer0. This should turn of the 3D building
Tools → Paint Bucket and click the eyedropper tool and select
the top of the building/roof from the aerial photo.
Windows → Layers to turn on the Layer0 so you can see the
3D building
The mouse icon should still be a paintbucket, select the top/roof
face of the 3D building. It should apply the aerial phot image
as a texture to the 3D building.
"Note: For best performance, make sure SketchUp is running before you start
Google Earth; otherwise, SketchUp might run slowly."
(see Placing a SketchUp model in Google Earth)
Will take a black and white screen capture of the Google Earth image
and terrain (the Terrain layer must be on in Google Earth else SketchUp
will just capture another flat image)
SketchUp 7 - "In SketchUp, choose Tools › Google Earth › Place Model to export your
model to Google Earth. Google Earth becomes your active application,
and your model appears on the terrain in the location you specified using
the Google Earth snapshot." (see
Placing a SketchUp model in Google Earth)
4. Get Models
5. Share Model
Google SketchUp Animation
Background
Animation is moving the camera around the model and changing the style.
Dynamic Component Animation is like opening a door on a model house
or animating the assembly of something. see
SketchUp Making components that animate
Just scene to scene animation like an architectural walkthrough
Use Paths or guides to move the camera around the model. Use the Move Tool (m)
to move a path. Don't need the face of a polygon, so that can be deleted.
How do I animate along a 3D path/line?
Create Scenes by using Windows → Scenes
use Position Camera tool to adjust the camera view. Left click and drag to
set the focus
