Features of this book

1. This book has different informative text and full-color illustrations.
2. It has a new chapter explaining the making process with SketchUp, CNC milling, and laser cutting.
3. This book provides acuteness to the readers about the latest plug-in extensions, navigation methods, import and export options, and 3D model creation.
4. This book provides all the updated information about SketchUp.
5. Readers can easily understand it because of its easy-to-understand writing style.
6. This book helps the readers to increase efficiency and accuracy during the usage of SketchUp and its basics of it.

Advantages of reading the book

1. This second edition helps the users to understand the step-by-step process of creating accurate 3D-based models.
2. This book also has different tutorials and color illustrations.
3. In this second edition of this book, designing 3D based model with the help of SketchUp tools, plug-in extensions, and ruby scripting is elaborately discussed.
4. By reading this book readers can understand the photorealistic rendering process right inside the SketchUp.
5. Readers are also able to use SketchUp’s efficiency and precision for digital fabrication.
6. The integration of SketchUp to any AEC and BIM workflow is also discussed in the second edition.

Detailed information about the book

• Wiley is the publisher of this book.
• The language of the book is English.
• Text to speech option is enabled for this book.
• This book is also supported by screen readers like Kindle, Kobo, Onyx, and paperback version.

About the book

The second edition of this book uses the companion website where users can find sample chapters, videos, 3D models, and tutorials. Readers just need to search the website in search engines. This book has more than 30 videos which help the readers a lot.

Alexander C. Schreyer is the writer of this book. Schreyer is the program director building and construction technology program, senior lecturer in environmental conservation, and faculty member in Architecture of Massachusetts university.

Since its first publication, this book is the textbook, sourcebook for SketchUp. Ti provides step by step tutorials and full color illustrations to teach 3D modeling and show the achievement. This book also has a 3D based modeling software named Trimble SketchUp. This application is free of cost and students, architectural, interior designers, landscape planner, builders, and engineers can use this software.

After 3 years of first edition, the second edition has released recently. This new edition has made many improvements. In this 2nd edition a completely new chapter is added. The name of the new chapter is “making with SketchUp”. In this chapter clear instruction about what has been designed on the computer into real, physical objects using techniques as 3D printing, laser cutting is provided to the readers.

This book many examples are given from architectural and interior design, construction, landscape architecture, and fabrication. These books lead the way towards the BIM for students. Other topics like photorealistic rendering, presentation, advanced 3D based modeling with the use of extensions, design to fabrication, Ruby language.

The last chapter of the book is “creating geometry using Ruby scripting”. This chapter provides two purposes. It provides the designers a particular way for using a scripting language to create complex computational geometry. For everyone this chapter provides learn to code curriculum regarding coding principles in an easy way.

At a glance

1. Users can access all the updated information in this book.
2. This book shows the use of cook-book style Ruby coding for creating amazing 3D based objects.
3. This book is the supplement of reader’s knowledge with video tutorial, sample files, Ruby scripts via a robust website.
4. By reading this book readers can learn the use of 3D based printing, CNC milling, and laser cutting for making things with SketchUp.
5. Readers can see how easily they can generate presentation ready renderings from 3D models.
6. Readers are also able to find the perfect plug-in extensions and understand the best use of them.
7. Readers can explore component-based modeling to assembly, schedule, collaborate and create models with a BIM approach.

Wrap up

In this article we discussed about the second edition of “architectural design with SketchUp” book which is released in market and best option to understand for designers, engineers, students, features, advantages, information of book and provides acuteness to the readers.

If readers like this article then please share your valuable opinion below the article in comment section and let us know about your opinion.

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The unreal engine was developed by Epic Games and is used in many different genres of 3D games and other architectural work. The Engine is ideal for creating easy and superfast renders that can be navigated in real-time.

Unreal Engine in SketchUp

Datasmith is a set of tools and plugins that enable you to bring pre-built assets from industry-standard design applications into Unreal Engine.

The Unreal Datasmith Plugin for the SketchUp program also gives us the ability to enable seamless exports from SketchUp To Unreal Engine.

Unreal Datasmith Plugin for SketchUp can be used by both professionals and beginners alike. The Plug-in is great for fast and real-time rendering of projects.

The Plug-in has wide system compatibility and supports both Windows and Mac. Unreal Datasmith Plugin is a free-to-use plugin and, therefore, could be used by anyone.

How to get started with SketchUp content in the Unreal Engine?

Before getting started with the SketchUp content in Unreal Engine, We need to install the Unreal DataSmith Exporter Plugin for SketchUp first.

Installing the Datasmith Exporter Plugin for SketchUp

To install the Datasmith Exporter plugin for any version of SketchUp on our computer, we need to follow the following steps.

1. If you have any SketchUp instances running on your machine, you must close them. If they are still running, the installation will fail.
2. The older version of the Datasmith Exporter plugin should be uninstalled before installing the newer version.
3. Then we need to download the Explorer plugin installer from the Removing the Datasmith Exporter for Sketchup page.
4. Once the download gets completed, run the installer.
5. To continue, accept the license agreement as shown on the screen.
6. The Installer automatically detects the version of SketchUp Pro installed on your system. Click Install after you check the box for each version you want to be able to export via Datasmith.

Enabling the Datasmith Exporter Plugin for SketchUp

If you have trouble using the Datasmith Exporter plugin, follow these steps to enable it in SketchUp.

1. Open SketchUp, and from the main menu, go to Window > Extension Manager.
2. Check the Extension Manager window for the Unreal Datasmith plugin. If it is not enabled, check the Enable | Disable column, and then click Apply Changes.

Removing the Datasmith Exporter from SketchUp

We can remove Datasmith Exporter From SketchUp with the same process that we use to uninstall any other application from Windows.

You can uninstall the Datasmith exporter plugin using the Apps & features control panel on Windows 10. Click the entry for the plugin in the list, and then click Uninstall.

You can also use the Uninstall or change a program from the control panel; then, choose Uninstall from the context menu when you right-click the entry for your Datasmith exporter plugin.

For more information CLICK HERE to watch the video tutorial – (Video Source: VR Division)

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Integration Improvement

Revit 2022 can easily integrate with everyday tools. It is now possible to work round-trip from Revit 2022 to Rhino and FormIt Pro. You can import the model into Revit using a link feature. Revit 2022 can also instantly incorporate Rhino modeling updates into current working models. That enables all teams to access updates to the model. Using the interoperable option 3D Sketch, Revit models can also be transferred to FormIt and modified.

Scheduling & Tagging

To help you communicate design intent and create design deliverables, Revit 2022 incorporates several tagging and scheduling features. Several improvements to schedules, annotations, tags, and setting up projects will make them more precise, faster, and less prone to errors. With Revit’s Rotated Tags, flexible revision numbers, slopes, elevations, and grids in 3D views, designers can clearly communicate their intent and capture design intent.

A Wide Range of Options awaits at Revit 2022

Architects, in particular, will benefit from the improved modeling and informed design features in this release. In addition to tapered walls and slanted wall profiles, Revit 2022 includes new categories that make it easier to model common design elements, such as food and medical equipment, vertical circulation, and more. Furthermore, it comes with the latest updates to the Generic Design and Route Analysis tools. So you can make better design decisions based on more informed geometric analysis.

The improved documentation tools will benefit engineers of all stripes. Steel connections and rebar improvements have also been added for structural engineers, further expanding their capabilities. Scheduling improvements in Revit make it easier to document design intent for MEP engineers and fabricators. Enhancements were made to the Design to Fabrication tool to provide a smoother, more consistent workflow. Mechanical system analysis is directly displayed in Revit with detailed load and sizing reports, as well as energy analyses in 3D views.

Upgrade Features of Modeling

Rebar Modeling

As well as improving rebar modeling, the new version is also faster. Engineers can now design and place rebar elements easily in beams, columns, and slabs. Modeling the reinforcement also requires accurate measurements of the re-bars diameter. Taking these measurements will also eliminate rebar clashes. Structural representations are now more accurate and fast. In Revit 2022, you can record the loads that are borne by various building systems. That helps you determine the size of the system elements.

Tampered Walls

It is possible to design walls with tapered and angular edges in Revit 2022. Design parameters and dimensions can adjust based on the shape needed, allowing for instant changes to the form. It is possible to shape the geometry of tapered walls based on related components, such as windows.

Enhancements in Generative Design

In Revit 2022, there are new options available for the Generative Design feature that was missing in Revit 2021. Generative Design helps to iterate and study space planning in 3D. The new sample space study options include random, grid, and stepped grid placement. It helps determine if spaces are too close or too spacious by establishing physical distance guidelines. AEC collaboration is also possible with Generative Design.

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Not only a designer and landscape architect, but Hensey also is a well-known author on the subject, writing books and contributing to many journals and magazines and often sought for his mastery of SketchUp and organic design. Paul let us know how and why he chose to combine SketchUp and Landscaping, thus defining his professional life.

How it all began

Even when he was very young, the kid Paul Hensey often liked to take things apart to see how they worked. As expected, this created a lot of unnecessary expenses his parents were not happy about, but young Paul gradually got to understand that behind every artificial thing there is someone’s design, someone’s ingenuity. The moment he got that clear, he fixed his mind on becoming one of those people who designed stuff.

Hensey started off as an Industrial Designer, but gradually shifted towards the garden and landscape design in the ’90s. Thus began his presently-ongoing, immensely successful, and very rewarding to the soul, career.

Hensey’s reason behind switching to landscaping has more to do with design fruitfulness rate than anything else. In construction or industrial designs, you may have to make a hundred designs to see only one of them get built. In landscaping and gardening, almost everything you design will materialize. Some might take a few years to grow!

Also, there is the matter of personal connection. In most commercial designs, you don’t get to meet the guy who wants it built – they just work through a lot of middlemen, often never seeing the designer in person. But in the case of landscaping,

it is completely the opposite – the vision has to be transferred to the designer manually, and for that mano-a-mano talks are a necessity. This way, a landscape architect always gets to meet the people who ordered it, and gets to know their personal views. It is almost always a quite enriching experience.

Picking SketchUp over others

As he began his career in the industrial sector and then shifted to landscaping, there are few CAD software that Hensey did not work with. He saw how different they were from each other, and what each other’s strengths and weaknesses were. However, he gradually got to understand that to be a truly successful designer you have to pick ONE software and stick to it.

The reason for this is pretty simple. If you target being a jack of all apps, you will never be a master of one and will keep compromising all your life. Not to mention the time you will waste switching between stuff.

Thinking thus, Hensey went and chose SketchUp – even while it was in its infancy before even Google acquired it. But why?

Back in those days, SketchUp was not as versatile and agile as it is nowadays. We are talking about the pre-2005 era when the world was still green. There were not many extensions available those days, nor much knowledge on the web about SketchUp. It was still a free tool for starting 3D modeling.

However, as young Hensey has a keen sight to see how things work instinctively, he understood the huge potential of SketchUp even back in those days. He could not do much of his industrial design stuff on the old SketchUp, but he saw and understood its great potential – with a bit of tinkering – to do landscape design. So, he remained faithful with SketchUp, and he has been rewarded enormously and regularly, with each update and release of new, powerful extensions.

Granted, there are more powerful albeit hugely expensive software available in the market today. However, Hensey will not budge from SketchUp, since he also teaches designing to the young generation. Most of them haven’t ever done any kind of CAD before. And in this matter, SketchUp is hugely helpful, with its mellow learning curve and easy, clean interface that doesn’t scare a rookie.

SketchUp plugins Hensey recommends

JHS Powerbar – a collection of essential tools. Especially useful is the Pipe Generator to design the waterworks, which are basically the lifeline of any large automated garden.
Fredo6 Plugin set – another collection of tools extremely important for organic modeling.
DzConvert to construction linedz – a simple but great tool for aligning organic shapes and assembly drawings.

Apart from extensions, Hensey encourages everyone to take advantage of the LayOut features, especially the one which updates elevations automatically.

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3D Warehouse

Likely, you are already aware that 3D Warehouse comes with an integrated model repository. A free 3D model library includes in this application. You can download these models directly from the application.

Users from all over the world create these models, and the majority of them are of high quality. These are the only sources on this list that offer SketchUp-compatible models. 2D and 3D objects such as furniture, cars, and buildings can find here.

Sketchfab

3D models, textures, materials, and more are available on this website. Stylishly laid out and navigationally easy, it contains hundreds of SketchUp-specific models, including rare ones such as giant robots and spaceships, for when the scale is non-important.

CG Trader

A large variety of 3D models is available through this website. You can still find free high-quality models even though it’s mostly models with prices attached.

If you search for SketchUp, you’ll find all the 3D models this site offers in this format. Select Free to view their collection of free models. The .SKP extension allows you to download objects, furniture, and complete scenes. Creating an account is all you need to download.

Open3Dmodel

Open3DModel might be more your style if you’re looking to optimize the premises. Each model on the site is free, and there are vehicles, objects, peoples, and architecture models. The .SKP models even separate into their sections is helpful when you’re on the go. You can search through the database of nearly 50 items per page in just a few minutes.

Modlar

The site is a modern architecture model site that will make you feel like a real person. While the site takes the form of a Pinterest-like board for architecture and components, you can download SketchUp files there.

To get there, either search for SketchUp in the main search bar of the website or navigate to the BIM/CAD Sharing tab under the Community tab. The Formats for SketchUp filter find there. Furniture and exterior designs accented with masonry and railings, as well as high-end furniture, can bring your specific project to life.

CAD details

CADdetails offers 3D models for specific products. If you want to view them, you should visit their site. Architects and designers can create free 3D models and planning documents from the website. It can help them visualize products in a 3D environment before contacting manufacturers. Among the 3D models available is a good selection for SketchUp and other software.

Final Thoughts

In SketchUp, files save as .SKP files, but they can also export as .DWG (AutoCAD) and .3ds (3ds Max). Since SketchUp exports STL files, it is popular in the 3D printing space.

Even large design jobs are made easier with SketchUp’s ability to create models from scratch as well as import ready-made models. Our list of sources for SketchUp models includes 3D models from a variety of sources. Create immersive, engaging interactive 3D models with your clients, coworkers, and collaborators for better, faster design decisions. In a timeline-like interface, you use this tool to work on your models individually and animate them.

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Shaderlight is interactive SketchUp software. It releases in 2020. Shaderlight connects for SketchUp in order that professionals to use this to form HD quality pictures in a very short time. Shaderlight is much better than the other software. Users use this software very smoothly so nothing can obstruct their work.

Features

• This software is easy to learn. Users can use this software seamlessly.
• By using this software images will look lively.
• The complexity rate of this plug-in SketchUp software is very low.
• Professionals create better animation by using this software.

Light Emitting

Light-emitting replaces self-illuminating materials and area light. By using this software users can create accurate images. Users can do that with less effort. Material type and area lights are kept in Shaderlight in order that the software can support previous existing models and specific abstract effects. Shaderlight glows and emits light that excites other surfaces. It can easily create specific light-emitting objects.

This light-emitting material has two sorts of modes. One is used to define the emission of color and another one allows the color to be specified.

The Changes

There was some problem happened in specific internet explorer. Users installed this Shaderlight in internet explorer and they couldn’t even use this. So now the issues are fixed. Dialog layout issues are solved and also incomplete exports of models also are solved during this software. Shaderlight doesn’t export certain texture types.

you’ll also get the SketchUp 2021 support. Portal light updates also are available in SketchUp. The new upgradation of Shaderlight also improves quality and accuracy.

Now you’ll correlate color temperature with the color of Shaderlight. This benefit is related to color temperature.

This Shaderlight software also offers the setting of white balance. By using this mode, you’ll adjust the actual white point of renders. It also can produce images without color tint. Shaderlight has another benefit that it can remember the newest selected light to make designs. It also can use the setting regarding light selections.

In this upgraded version transparent objects keep as transparent until the user changes this. It keeps as transparent in chalk renders. In the previous version, chalk render mode made all objects whitish. during this upgraded version transparent glass option is included in chalk mode. So transparent objects remain transparent. Large area transparency is employed during this chalk mode under Shaderlight 2020.

In every scene, those changes are saved automatically. With this software, it’s also possible to save lots of different settings together.

While using Shaderlight computer cannot enter in idle sleep mode. If the user enters some long-running render then from now user has no headache about the idle sleep mode of the computer. Because it’ll not happen again. Shaderlight remake makes sure of that. When the Render is completed then idle sleep mode is enabled by the user. it’ll be done manually.

Om macOS OS can enter into app nap mode. it’ll be possible when no window is visible. Shaderlight reduces the time of CPU which is extremely useful for professionals. It also efficiently pauses the render if the user enters another program. When a user enters another window it covers up the render window.

It will also allow macOS to not be put in app nap mode while rendering. This upgraded version also helps the users to finish the project in the stipulated time.

Common resolution during this upgraded version is now easier than others. This Shaderlight massage window notified users in time. On the opposite hand, macOS has the dark mode option in the message window.

In the previous version, if a user closes the Shaderlight then all progress stopped at that moment. Now this version has another option named quit Shaderlight.

Conclusion

Last but not the smallest amount there’s free 14 days trial available for users in order that they will understand this upgraded version of Shaderlight. So, in a word Shaderlight 2020 is an upgraded version of previous software. There are various new options available during this software in order that users can effectively create all the most perfect designs and models by using SketchUp software.

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Pricing

To start off, let’s look at cost. SketchUp comes in 2 versions – SketchUp Make, which is free, and SketchUp Pro, which costs $695. First of all, I want to put something out there, because there seems to be some confusion – this is a single payment of $695. A license for Autodesk Revit, another building design program, is (at the moment) $2,000/year! That’s a yearly recurring cost. A full AutoCAD license is $1470/year, and an AutoCAD LT license is $380/year. So to put that in perspective, a one-time $695 payment is actually a pretty good deal for software with this level of capability.

So now that we know what it costs, and what some of the options are, let’s discuss capabilities and what you’re getting for your money.

Modeling Capabilities

SketchUp Make (the free version) contains most of the modeling tools and capabilities of SketchUp pro. There are a few exceptions – SketchUp pro contains Solid Tools – a set of tools designed for working with solid objects that is useful for things like 3D printing. In addition, it comes with a set of advanced camera tools which are very useful when working with things like set design or complicated camera angles. The dynamic component editing options may only be available in SketchUp Pro as well.

Mapping

One new change is that Google recently ended access to their map data by SketchUp, meaning that the free geolocation features lost their data source. SketchUp was able to find a new provider, but that new provider charged licensing fees, so now the satellite and terrain functions are features only found in SketchUp Pro.

Import/ Export

Import/Export Another defining feature of the SketchUp Pro version is its ability to import and export different kinds of files. With the pro version, you can import and export a lot more kinds of files, but the most important is the ability to import and export DWG, or AutoCAD Files. In addition, I believe you can export higher resolution animations with the pro version.

Layout

Probably the biggest reason that people purchase the Pro Version of SketchUp is for access to Layout. The layout is SketchUp’s tool for creating documentation and presentations, so things like construction plans. You can use it to add dimensions, labels, title blocks – basically anything you need to present and export plans.

Style Builder

As you’ve probably seen, SketchUp comes with a number of built-in styles that allow you to change the way your models look. This program allows you to create custom line styles to adjust the way your models look even more.

Technical Support

A pro license also comes with the ability to email customer support for help. I believe this is a one-year license, after which you’d have to renew.

Commercial License

According to the licensing agreement of SketchUp, if you’re using SketchUp for commercial uses, you should be using a pro license. So if you’re just modeling for fun, you probably won’t have too much use for a pro license, but if you’re using SketchUp to make money, you should have a pro license.

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New version release notes

There is a page on the Sketchup website, where they talk through it about the exact features that have been added to the new version and if you want to read this in detail just follow the link given below:

CLICK HERE

So this particular update, all of it has been focused on the behavior of different tools more uniform in Sketchup and more usability.

Modifier Toggles (Scale Tool examples)

For a lot of tools inside Sketchup, they have a behavior that allows you to toggle on and off on the different modifiers of the tool. For example, if I act with the move tool, if you remember, we can tap the control key in order to jump in copy mode. That means we don’t have to hold the control key in order to act in copy mode. But there are other tools which have been in this case.

So for example, if you act with the Scale Tool, in past, if you remember, if you want to uniform scale in the center, you have to hold the control key down on your keyboard. But if I was to do it in Sketchup 2021, you just have to tap the control key, you will notice a red box that shows up and now it’s a persistent tool that stays active as long I don’t hit the control key.

This change also happens with the eraser tool.

Pre-locking of inferences

Sketchup 2021 has added to pre-lock some tools. In Sketchup 2021, the rotate tool if you act with that and then you tap the up, left, or right key that will lock it in different axes.

Face Orientation Improvement

In the previous Sketchup, if we draw a rectangle, the face orientation is quite random. Sometimes the front side is facing towards the camera and sometimes it’s facing towards the down. Now what they have done is anything drawn on the ground it’s always going to be drawn with the front face, facing up. If you draw a rectangle upwards way, you will notice that the front face (lighter color side) is facing towards the camera. Now you can control the front side according to the camera.

Other Improvement

There are other performance improvements like the API class which is the programing class that allows a lot of extensions to do geometry works which have been improved. There are many other extensions that also has been improved.

The post What’s New in SketchUp 2021.1! appeared first on SketchUpFamily.

We use SketchUp in Film & Stage to:

• Build sets
• Pre-visualize and plan shots, scenes and special effects
• Calculate camera and lens requirements
• Create animations

SketchUp for Digital Entertainment

Artists and designers in film and gaming use SketchUp to explore and express their ideas, creating 3D assets quickly and accurately. It lets them work as fast as they will think. Sketchup is employed from storyboards to line design for exploring and presenting ideas in 3D.

Here Sketch Up allows you to view your model through realistically configured cameras. you’ll choose a lens/aspect ratio combination, make focal distance and position adjustments, and “look through” your camera to preview your shots. you’ll even perform tilt, dolly, truck and pedestal moves to simulate the action of a true camera.

when, your cameras are found out, it is easy to seek out the precise height, angle and focal distance for every one. you’ll modeled the whole studio set in Sketchup.

All sets and camera angles are going to be pre-visualized with this dynamic 3D modeling tool. the ultimate movie will maintain the integrity of the virtual sets designed in SketchUp. Making quick edits is crucial to the movie production process and this software delivers on its promise of ease and accessibility.

The Light Wave 3D can produce really amazing renderings. If you watch television or if you’ve got ever gone to the films within the last decade, you’ve got seen Light Wave 3D in action.

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Sketchy FFD – Created by C Phillips

This plugin awesome Sketchy FFD or Free Form Deformation by C Phillips. Here we use a grid which moves from different points to deform the shape. It is actually and originally a half circle extruded around a circle. Sketchy FFD is actually a control cage to a model which allows you to create complex curved, forms from gridded surfaces.

Memory Copy – Created by Adam Billyard

The function of Memory copy is not only to copy but also it copies all over the geometry and transforms such as the resizing or rotation of said geometry. This tool can remember the last move and duplicate it for next step. This tool helps in making smooth construction of staircase.

Follow Me and Rotate – Created by Wiki

This tool allows you to twist and turn any or components along a path with quite a bit of placement control. Using it at the moment to twist villas along a road centerline and can interactively control the spacing, offset distance etc. It is a great plugin and it’s worth to buy this plugin if you do architectural work.

Curviloft – Created by Fredo6

This powerful plugin is developed by fredo6. It can produce complex geometrical objects from contours or lines in a more perfect way than the SketchUp sandbox tools. This tool can also be used to create organic or real life model. Basically it is use to make realistic objects.

CLF Shape Bender – Created by Chris Fullmer

Chirs Fullmer is a amazing person who allows you to bend an entire component or group. This helps you can create windows, doors and details for curved walls and roofs

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