Given below is the list of some of the most important plugins that you can use in SketchUp:

1001bit Tools – Helps Modelling Architecture

The 1001bit tool is a SketchUp plugin that is a must-have. Several architectural elements can be created using this tool as it works as a collection of tools. The architectural elements range from roofs to railings, windows, staircases, and roof design. This plugin provides some tools which can be used for drawing/editing geometry such as fillet, extend and chamfer which are missing in the native Sketchup.

After the installation of the plugin, SketchUp can take time to open as it takes time to load the plugin. The reason why it takes time to load is that it checks the license status before loading. The basic tools of 1001bit are the ones regarding distance which includes Information Between 2 Points, Point on Face, Center Point of Arc, and Circles.

For creating complex objects, the most efficient tool is the Divide tool where the selected edge can be divided.

The 1001bit provides a better layer management system than Sketchup provides originally. Switching layers using 1001bit will seem a lot easier than the SketchUp workflow.

Best Fit Face is a useful tool for creating organic shapes. Using this tool you can after creating non-coplanar points pick the series of points for double-clicking so that you can create a face that will contain those points as part of the edges of that face. If you want to create structural models in SketchUp then the Edges to 3D Profiles tool can be of immense help, it can also be used for making bridges. Given below is the procedure:

• At first, have to select the edges you want to work with and then run the tool.
• You have to then choose your desired profile and enter the parameters. You can choose the default steel profiles which you can apply.
• Create profiles

The Array tool comes with several settings that you can apply, the Polar Array is the most useful one, as it helps you to create a spiral staircase with minimum parameters.

The wall tools are a simple-step solution than trying to build a wall with the SketchUp way. This tool helps you to draw a wall by simply choosing a type of wall instead of drawing and extruding planes. Also, you can apply details to your walls by using this, for example, baseboards.

In the case of wall openings and columns, the parameters work in a similar way. By using a dialog box you can select the type and apply parameters and simply create.

One of the tools for Structural Models is to create Foundations. It is extremely helpful as you can quickly be made anything from pad footing to strip footing.

To create stairs, use the stair tool, which will allow you to create 12 different kinds of stairs whereas the Escalator is meant for creating mechanical stairs. and, to create windows and door Frame use the tool with the same name, here you have to create a face at the opening prior to being able to apply the command to it. The skin for the façade can be made by using a Perforated Screen, this can be an important part of some projects.

The other important tools that are present are Louvres, Joist, and the Roofing tools, the alternative for Joist and roofing tools is the Vali-Plugins which will be explained later.

Instant Roof – Plugin to Model Complex Roofs

Part of the Vali plugin the Instant Roof is extremely useful to create a wide variety of architectural elements.

In the Vali plugin, the focus is on making roofs from selected faces and edges. There are infinite possibilities, as it depends on both, the kind of roof you want to make along with how the geometry looks like for what you created for hosting that roof. and to create a roof using the Craftsman-style roof, you have to create in Sketchup a figure where two shapes are joined is up to you how you decide to create the geometry but you must remember that if you don’t want to be change parameters and use the default method then the geometry group must be a bit large in scale for the roof so that it is able to adapt.

Selectedges+faces

Leave one edge unselected as it will determine the direction of the slope.

Go to Plugins → Instant Roof → Make Roof

Select the roof type and adjust parameters if you like after which you have to hit OK.

Instant Road – Creating roads and pathways

This other plugin part of the Vali Plugins helps in creating roads, pathways, and waterways on terrains.

The elements that are required for creating the necessary geometry are lines, curves, and faces. You can create a road from a centerline, or even create a road from faces and also make islands inside the created roads. and first, you have to create a Terrain mesh by using the Sandbox tools of Sketchup. After which you have to draw connected lines or curves within our terrain.

After that, you have to group the lines and select both the group and the terrain.

Plugins → Instant Road → Road from Centerline

After this you have to apply the parameters needed for the road, such as its Width, depending on if it is curved or if additional parameters are required to be applied. After it is created make sure to double click the road group to open it for editing. You must then apply the changes you want. Close the group and select it as well as the terrain.

Plugins → Instant Road → Road from Face

And it is created!

Artisan – Create Organic Shapes in Sketchup

To create organic shapes, you can use the Artisan plugin. Using this plugin you can then “sculpt” your 3D model in a much more friendly way than what Sketchup originally will help you to achieve.

The Artisan plugin is mostly useful for creating complex architectural buildings and also for furniture modelling as it can help you achieve perfect rounded edges and faces, SketchUp is unable to provide this feature while subdividing elements. and understand more about how the Artisan plugin works you can also refer to videos available on the internet to understand better.

The post Which Sketchup Plugins are the most helpful? appeared first on SketchUpFamily.

Client Delivery Issues

It is basically 3D-based software so it is difficult to handle. Many times, clients will hope that they will install a viewer and by installing it they will download and open a file very easily and then see the whole design while making comments on it. So, the handoff of a model to the client may become quite dangerous and complex.

To create a custom flash presentation with the capacity of the virtual tour, using a hotspot is very technical and time-saving. In this process users just need to click a hotspot option in the flash presentation with the hotspot on the plans. Then a virtual tour can be opened. Though this is quite a huge and expensive technical process.

The Solution to Above

Users just have to click the render and upload option to render all views, and uploads so that they can create a virtual tour. If the viewpoints are set then users just have to click one button. this one-click render does all the things like all pano images, uploading these to Lumion’s servers, applying those in pano cube making a presentation, and last but not least emailing the users a link. That’s it.

When the user presents 3D-based models in MyLumion then the same link would be assigned to still and animation is used for MyLumion. They just need to reload, re-render and repeat the same process!

Advantages of MyLumion Software

There are many pros of this newly upgraded 3D-based MyLumion software. These advantages are mentioned below.

• MyLumion can create photorealistic still renders, animations, and also virtual tours.
• It provides customers with a seamless presentation that is animated and can control the 3D experience of customers.
• It can deliver presentations from any location on any device.

At a glance

In MyLumion page users can find more information about Lumion software. The virtual tour is really quite slick for tailoring down and delivering a seamless 3D-based experience. But in past, there was a problem with virtual tours. The problem was that users needed different software, then build a flash presentation online through a very complex process indeed.

However, now MyLumion makes this complex process into a very easy way. MyLumion makes this one clicks process. After creating 3D based model in SketchUp users just need to click eyeball option to active the virtual tour. The user must stay in one position, and need to render out front and back views, left and right views, and top and bottom view.

In order to do those users just need to click the plugin called cubic pan out option. The plug in is available in smustard.com. This is a free plug-in, so users don’t need to buy this plug in with cash. However, when users go to camera and choice cubic pan out then user can set the resolution, create cube pages, can turn on the image correction menu.

After that users have to save the setting. Then users have to go to online help sessions of Brightman design. In the session users need to clear out this file. It also can snapshot of all the images from any angel. After that users have to compile all the images and need to create the virtual tour.

In here go cubic option is a little program. Some of these are free and some of these are not free of cost. Then user has to make pano movie and select the particular images and save those. After completing all the steps, a quick time MOV file is created there. Users can easily embed this in a web page.

The post MyLumion a 3D Based Software by Brightman Designs appeared first on SketchUpFamily.

SketchUp Essentials

This YouTube channel has been active since 2014 and offers 3D modeling lessons and tutorials. There are new videos posted each week, ranging from tips and tricks to tutorials. There may be no more famous YouTube channel for SketchUp tutorials than this one. Over 500 tutorial videos are available on this site. Users can get a full introduction to SketchUp here.

SketchUp School

A professional who is serious about learning SketchUp goes to SketchUp School. Having taught professionals working in a wide range of industries how to use SketchUp for more than a decade, this channel is sharing some of the things they have learned.

SketchUp Blog

SketchUp blogs are published using Google’s Blogger platform since 2007. You can find industry news, information on SketchUp plug-ins, and important updates on this blog.

Designer Hacks

This YouTube channel, which has been active since 2014, gives designers tips and tricks to maximize their productivity at home and work. They provide designers with simple & engaging tutorials, DIY guides, & helpful tools to get them focused on what matters most, which is design. This Channel helps designers learn Trimble SketchUp, AutoCAD, Photoshop, and other programs by creating tutorials.

SketchUp for Interior Designers

SketchUp for Interior Designers teaches SketchUp in the context of an interior design workflow. Since 2016, Tammy Cody has been teaching SketchUp. She places a strong emphasis on good drawing habits and model efficiency. When students feel stuck, she is easy to reach and supports them. YouTube tutorials and webinars are also available free of charge. The company she runs in San Luis Obispo, CA, is Cody Design Studio.

SketchUp Architect

SketchUp Architect has been offering online SketchUp training since 2018. It publishes two videos a quarter. This channel features world-renowned architecture models while you learn Lumion rendering and SketchUp models. You can find tutorial videos on realistic renders, quality materials, and lighting settings on this channel.

AF Channel

Learn more about minimalist house designs, interior design as well as 4-story building designs in this channel. In addition to interior design, there are also facade models using this tutorial channel.

Sefaira

Modeling can learn in SketchUp, as well as how to make all the settings in this channel. You can follow video tutorials in three playlists on this channel: Modeling, Analysis, Results.

Bright-man Designs

In this channel, you will find videos that demonstrate nearly every tool and command that is available in SketchUp. From terrain modeling to fine details of rendering, you can access all kinds of content. Additionally, you gain an understanding of SketchUp extensions.

Tutorials Up

Video tutorials are posted at Tutorials Up weekly. This site provides a lot of content for SketchUp users of all levels, including tutorials, tips, and tricks.

Winning with SketchUp

The winning with SketchUp YouTube channel is more than a channel for YouTube videos. This site provides information and resources on integrating 3D technology into home improvement businesses.

Architecture Inspirations

A YouTube channel for architectural rendering and visualization, Architecture Inspirations, shares Minh’s knowledge, tutorials, tips, and tricks.

Constructible

Construction technology is the focus of the Constructible blog, which offers articles covering the latest industry news, best practices, and topics to keep you up to date.

The post Follow These Brilliant SketchUp YouTube Channels and Blogs appeared first on SketchUpFamily.