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.

The post Uploading and Sharing SketchUp 3D Models on websites appeared first on SketchUpFamily.

SketchUp (SKP) to Blender

SKP is the only format that is available for export in the free version of SketchUp. It is possible to work around the issue, but it takes some effort.

No additional software needs for the easiest method. Since we cannot export our model directly from the platform, you must upload your model to 3D Warehouse and then download it in Collada extension format. Following this, you can import the file to Blender, as you did previously. You will proceed as follows:

1. Your model should appear in the SketchUp online window.
2. You can access the menu by clicking the icon in the upper left corner.
3. 3D WAREHOUSE is the place to go.
4. Please specify if you would like public or private access to the model.
5. Fill in the title and the description of the project. Fields that are mandatory are important later.
6. Upload your file by clicking “Upload”.
7. Go to the 3D Warehouse website once the upload is complete.
8. Enter your model’s title in the search bar at the top. You need to be logged in if you uploaded it as a private model.
9. You can download your model by clicking the “Download” button located on the model page.
10. Select “Collada File” from the drop-down list.
11. Download the file and unzip it.
12. Choose File > Import > Collada (.DAE) in Blender.
13. Located in the unzipped folder is the .DAE file.
14. Import by clicking twice.

Alternative Method

It is also possible to transfer your SketchUp models to Blender using another workaround. It is possible to import native SketchUp files directly into a blender using an add-on. Fortunately, you can still download all versions of Blender. Several versions of the software can install on your computer at once. Importing SketchUp files directly through File, Import is easy with the add-on.

Compatibility Issue

Even though Blender is a free program, it not intends for casual hobbyists. After the release of version 2.8, all the features and tools might overwhelm a beginner. Be aware that the tantalizingly powerful features of Blender are impossible to escape once you learn them.

In SketchUp, it is possible to export files that are compatible with Blender, and it is possible to download models from 3D Warehouse in a format that is friendly to Blender. SketchUp, which is free and online, produces only its native format (SKP), which Blender cannot directly import.

Final Thoughts

A broad range of professionals and hobbyists use Blender, while it is open-source software. It can use not only for 3D modeling but also for rendering, animation, simulation, sculpting, visual effects, and game development. Due to SketchUp’s architecture-centric focus, most users render their models with Blender.

Blender may not be as powerful as SketchUp plug-ins, but there are a few that are. Besides building and structuring buildings and structures for games, SketchUp is also very useful for converting them into a final game. From everyday objects to vehicles and houses, you can find all kinds of models on the community platform 3D Warehouse. SketchUp users create the designs, so the source for free models is great.

The post A short guide to Import SketchUp files into Blender appeared first on SketchUpFamily.

3D Warehouse

The 3D Warehouse, which can open or export in SketchUp, has a simple and direct interface. Searching on its homepage is made easier by a search bar located at the top. In addition to the search bar, there is a categories list to the left. Here you can select the category of your choice.

If you don’t already have an account, you’ll need to sign in to receive a free SketchUp model. After selecting a model, you will automatically direct to a Trimble sign-in page for downloading that model. To sign in, you simply click on the user logo on the top right of the 3Dwarehouse homepage.

CAD details

A 3D model of a product can be found in CAD details, enabling architects and designers to visualize the product in a 3D environment. An easy-to-use website is available on this site. There is a tab for BIM models at the top of the CAD details homepage. BIM models, a SketchUp tab we’re interested in, are free SketchUp models.

Turbo Squid

The landing page for Turbo squid beautifully designs with an easy-to-navigate interface. The following categories and subcategories contain a lot of SketchUp models that you can download for free.

If the free models don’t meet your needs, you can also download premium SketchUp models. Compared to free SketchUp models on this site, there are more premium SketchUp models.

SketchUp Texture Club

It is a club dedicated to SketchUp textures, as its name implies. However, you can download SketchUp models for free from our 3D model section. The site’s about page describes how it dedicates to 3D visualization, education, and information.

Go to the SketchUp Texture Club homepage and click on the 3D models tab, various categories are available here. Select a category from the list of options, or search for a particular free SketchUp model.

Open3DModel

Simple interface welcomes you to this site. The homepage of this site provides several categories that can be accessed via the search bar, clicking on the .SKP file type, or click on any category you would like.

This site does not require registration to access and download free SketchUp models. It takes only a few clicks to get your free SketchUp model.

3D export

The site also offers tutorials and CG textures in addition to its free 3D models. The top of the homepage includes a link to the free 3D model’s section, where you can view SketchUp models for free. Select the free products only option when searching for the model you want, click on the model, and click on the download button.

Sketchfab

Sketchfab has a simple, interactive interface with a plain design. Sketchfab boasts an impressive collection of 3D models thanks to its large community of creators. For downloading a model from this site, you need to register.

The company is well-known for selling 3D models, but it also offers free 3D models.

In SketchUp, for instance, you can download free models by hovering over the explore tab, clicking the downloadable option. In this way, you can see all available free models. Browse a range of categories to find the model of your choice.

CADblocksfree

It is a good alternative for SketchUp enthusiasts with its wide variety of free 2D and 3D models. There are many categories to choose from on this website in regards to 3D models. Furthermore, the site is easy to navigate and basic.

On CADblocksfree’s homepage, click the link for free SketchUp models. You simply select the file format category you want or click directly on the .SKP option, under the file formats category, to open .SKP files. As with a few of the sites on this list, you can download SketchUp models for free without registering or logging in.

Grab CAD

Especially among CAD designers and architects, Grab CAD is a very popular platform. It is the biggest engineering community online, with over 7 million members and over 4 million free files.

The user interface of Grab CAD is very user-friendly, allowing you to navigate through its extensive library of tools with ease. Grab CAD’s homepage features a library option at the top left corner. From there, you can search for models and download them for free.

Free 3D

The user interface for free 3D is very beautiful, easy to use, and well-structured. Additionally, it provides freelance designers with an opportunity to showcase their work and find employment.

Using the search bar or clicking one of the categories will let you find free SketchUp models. The Open 3D model also allows you to download models directly without needing to register. There is no need to do anything else other than clicking the download button for the desired model.

The post The Top 10 Websites for Free SketchUp Model Download appeared first on SketchUpFamily.

3d warehouse

The first thing to figure out is whether we want to create a photo-realistic rendering or we are trying to create something more diagrammatic or a stylized kind of thing. So the first place we can look for vegetation is 3D Wearhouse. To get to that, just go to files, then click on 3D Wearhouse. When to get to 3D Wearhouse, we can search for what we want to. Just type in the search engine “3d trees”. Here we will see that there are a whole lot of options for 3d trees. There are 2d as well as 3d trees available. We need to be aware, before downloading how big is our model and how big is the tree we are downloading. If we mouse over the options, we will find out how big are the trees. Try to make a collection of trees so that instead of searching, we can directly select from our collection which will automatically save time.

Laubwerk Extension

Option two is actually an extension called Laubwerk which is created by Germany and this is basically used to generate more detailed trees. And that is an extension that we can install and we can download it from https://www.laubwerk.com. There are trees that will cost us but there is also a free tree model available. With drag-and-drop simplicity, and easy-to-use tools that modify the shape, age, season, and level of detail for each of Laubwerk’s stunning 3D plants, users can seamlessly add 3D trees to any Sketchup project. The most important aspects of it, and what makes it shine are:

• Drag and Drop smart 3d trees
• Render Ready with dedicated V-Ray support
• Forest Pack Pro compatible
• Built-in variations for age and season (36 variations per tree)
• LOD – Level of Detail control

Photoshop / Photo Processing

The last option we want to talk about is the ability to add trees and shrubs within Photoshop itself. Basically, within Photoshop if we create a new layer and import a photo that contains trees; go up to filter, click on render, and then click on the tree, we can actually generate trees and shrubs within Photoshop to add to our model.

The post 3 Places to get Trees for SketchUp Models appeared first on SketchUpFamily.

To provide additional features bits of code are added into Sketchup, these bits of codes are called plugins and these can be installed after the initial installation. These are usually developed by 3rd parties. In SketchUp, plugins have the suffix of .rb file.

How to Install

Method 1: Automatic

In case you have Sketchup 2013 or newer, you will be able to access to the extension warehouse.

Just by clicking download you can get the latest version of Sketchup. To be able to access the extension warehouse go to Window > Extension Warehouse.

After opening the Extension Warehouse window, you have to make sure that you are signed in to your account. You will find the ‘Sign in’ button in the top right. Without the sign in process you will not be able to download or install the extensions this way.

You must navigate around for an extension that entices you. After you are able to find an extension click the red download button in the upper right corner.

Method 2: Manual

This method is in case you have found an extension on the web which is perfectly fine. You must make sure that the .rbz file is saved somewhere which you can easily get access to and receive. You can assign a folder naming it Sketchup/Tools folder where you can store it. In older versions you might want to use the Sketchup/Plugin folder.

Now, you have to go to Window > Preferences

On the left make sure you have Extensions selected

After which you have to click Install Extension at the bottom left This will lead to installation of extensions

Where to Find Plugins and Extensions

Listed below are the resources from where you can install SketchUp plugins and extensions

• Sketchup Extension Warehouse – It is truly the best place to get extensions. One of the safest and easiest places to go to find what you need.
• Smustard – This used to be a good place to find resources but the problem now is that most plugins are paid. Paid plugins are equally important and can be used by those who can afford it.
• Ruby Library Depot – In this site you will find a long list of free plugins and extensions to sort through. and it is a great site but can be difficult to navigate.
• SketchUcation – You can find a number of plugins here. It is a great site as well. You can find paid plugins here as well.

The post Brief Note on Install SketchUp Plugins appeared first on SketchUpFamily.

Tip one

Model With Components

One of the great benefits of model using components is every version of components you change is a copy of another. So that if you change one version of component , all the other changes as well. Model repeating object is component to be uprooted quickly and easily changes to your model in future. A little planning up can save a lot of time in future when doing this.

Tip two

Organize Groups and Components With Outliner

Use the Outliner as soon as you start modeling to keep the model organised. Group things like walls ,doors, windows and everything else to be able to hide and show and be able to find different objects in model. This organization will make a lot easier once the model starts getting complicated to find the work which you need.

Tip three

Use The 3D Warehouse

One of the best thing in Sketchup is access to 3D Warehouse. Hundreds of thousands of models are available for free to download. You can use the Warehouse to find from furniture to cars to people. To save time , try to get as many things for your model from Warehouse.

Tip four

Purge Unused Items

When you add objects for your model , especially from 3D Warehouse, sometimes they leaves extra stuff in your model, that does not do anything but slowing down your model. Things like unused groups or left over material etc. Use the Purge unused option to remove all other stuffs to speed up your model.

Tip five

Import Custom Texture From 3D Warehouse

In addition to be able to download 3D models from 3D Warehouse, Sketchup 2017 introduces the ability to download texture directly from 3D Warehouse. Simply navigate the model you want , go over to the material section, click on material download it into your model.

The post 5 Tips for Architecture Modeling appeared first on SketchUpFamily.

A component definition provides a blueprint for how all components of a specific type appear and behave in the drawing area. When we insert a component into a model, we create a component instance, which is based on its definition.

So, say we want to use a premade component called Framed Half Door with Double Panel. The definition outlines what that door looks like, and we can insert as many instances of that component into our model as we like.

Basic rules of modeling in SketchUp

There are five basic rules of modeling in SketchUp.

Rule #1: If we are going to use something more than once in our model, make a Component of it. This applies to copying things. Make a Component of it first, then copy the Component.

Rule #2: Draw everything on Layer0. (This is the default layer, so unless you actively change it, everything you draw will be on this layer.)

Rule #3: Before you copy a Group, first consider making it into a Component.

Rule #4: Context click > Make Unique if it is needed to change some components to be different than others of the same definition.

We can not make too many Components. We can always simplify later. When we explode all of a component, it (they) turns back into basic geometry and the definition can be purged from the model. So, say we want to use a premade component called Framed Half Door with Double Panel. The component definition outlines what that door looks like, and we can insert as many instances of that component into our model as we like.

Tip

All this business about the definition and instances is important, because when we edit entities within a component instance, we edit the definition, too. Change the door’s glass, and the glass in all component instances changes. Change the double panel into a single panel, and all the doors in our model have a single panel, too. However, we can scale, rotate, and flip a whole component without changing the other instances. Editing components explains how to edit component entities or the component as a whole.

Inserting components

• Select or download a component via the Components panel.
• Import a SketchUp file (with the .skp file extension).
• Drag a SketchUp file from File Explorer (Microsoft Windows) or the Finder (Mac OS X) into your model.

Premade components are most often inserted from the Components panel into a model. Follow these steps:

• By default, the Components panel opens to the Components Sampler collection, as shown in the figure.

• We can select one of the sample components and proceed to the next step. However, the sampler’s selection is limited compared to the vast selection in the 3D Warehouse. To try the 3D Warehouse, type a search term in the 3D Warehouse search box. (Searching for components, later in this article, explains other ways to search the 3D Warehouse.) To browse collections, click the down arrow next to the In Model icon (home) and select a collection. After you select or download a component, SketchUp loads the component onto the Move cursor.
• Click in the drawing area to place the component in our model.

A SketchUp can be saved to in hard drive, we can import the model as a component in another model. Follow these steps:

• Open the model into which we want to import a SketchUp file.
• Select File > Import.
• In the Open dialog box that appears, navigate to the SketchUp file. If we don’t see our file, in the Files of Type drop-down list, select SketchUp Files (.skp).
• Select the Sketchup file, and click Open. SketchUp loads the component onto the Move cursor.
• Click in the drawing area to place the component in your model.

Dragging a SketchUp file from the File Explorer (Microsoft Windows) or the Finder (Mac OS X) into an open model also loads the SketchUp file onto the Move cursor. Simply click to place the component in your model.

Tip

If having trouble seeing the components in the Components panel, try changing view options. Click the View Options button and choose from Small Thumbnails, Large Thumbnails, Details, or List.

The post Introduction to sketchUp Components appeared first on SketchUpFamily.