Google SketchUp INTRODUCTION WORKSHOPS

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1 INTRODUCTION WORKSHOPS Outcomes: -A basic understanding of SketchUp uses and outcomes -Why you would use it for project development -A basic understanding of workspace -Basic ability to use/ get satrted on a SketchUp project As you go through the work shops, it is advisable to have a go at following the methods presented, follow the PRACTICE prompts to get the most out of them.

2 Examples: is a 3D design platform which allows you to design and build anything from an intricate bolt to a full scale, detailed city. It is a valuable resource for landscape architects in both academic and professional arenas, with proficient users being snapped up quickly by employers. Some of the most common uses of SketchUp are as follows: -Standard 3D modelling -Topography modelling -Site Survey and analysis -City/ Town massing plans -Large and small scale site design -Shadow testing -Perspective views, and many more Leeds City Centre Riverside Simple massing plan of Leeds riverside, Extruded from Scaled Cad base. Using Iconic buildings (Corn exchange and Church) downloaded from 3D warehouse. (see resource list)

3 Examples: Standard 3D modelling MLA project, Sneinton Market Simple step, seat and planter model MLA project, Sneinton Market -Simple detailed structures used to form spaces -Tables and seat components imported from 3D warehouse

4 Examples: Topography modelling Large Scale Topography Model Using OS referenced Cad contours to form precise landform Topography modelled from Scratch Simple landforms can be extruded. eg. bunds, hills and retaining mounds

5 Examples: Site survey and analysis Derelict building Nottingham ring road MLA project, Sneinton Market Simple site built form extruded from Cad Base, exported to photoshop MLA project, Sneinton Market Buildings of interest detailed with Site photos, Google street view and Aerials

6 Examples: City/ Town massing plans Generic City Model Simple 3D blocks drawn to scale can quickly populate a model Generic City Model, Plan View Colouring buildings and street-scapes in different ways can quickly highlight density/ open spaces

7 Examples: Large and small scale site design MLA project, Sneinton Market Detailed areas within masterplan, resolved and built to a level needed for construction detailing. Exact levels, edges, handrails etc. MLA project, Sneinton Market 2ha Site designed and modelled to full Masterplan detail

8 Examples: Shadow testing MLA project, Sneinton Market, Proposed outdoor performance space. Shadows used to test canopy coverage and shade potential Generic Building Outer. SketchUp shadows showing level of cover porvided by canopy structure

9 Examples: Perspective views Hand Sketch SketchUp Jpeg SketchUp Jpeg Rendered Hand Sketch Rendered Hand Sketch Hand Sketch MLA Project, Leeds Riverside Proposal Simple skecthes over scale model of site (exported as Jpeg from SketchUp) MLA Project, Leeds Riverside Proposal Simple skecthes over scale model of site (exported as Jpeg from SketchUp)

10 Principles: Workspace, Document Set Up To get started simply open, It will launch straight into the application, though from here it is ideal to set up your drawing. (Explained below) The application is similar to AutoCad in that the workspace (green and blue areas (Fig 1.)) represents a 1:1 virtual environment. With no predefined limits to drawing extents. As a default, SketchUp provides you with a three dimensional Axes (green, red and blue) from which to start modelling. This aids you when working in 3D as it can be easy to get disorientated when panning through your 3D environment. As discussed earlier, it is best to set up your drawing units and tolerances before you start modelling. This can be done later but it does require re-scaling everything in the drawing. To set up your drawing (Fig 2.); click on the window tab, and select model info. Select units from the list on the left, then choose decimal and meters or millimeteres (which ever you work best in) from the format drop down menus. Note: If you choose to work in meters you will need to set the drawing precision to at least 4 decimal places (0.0000m) otherwise you will not be able to draw anything under 1M. Fig 1. Fig 2. Axes

11 Principles: Workspace Exploration, Orientation Before you start modelling, it may be worth having a quick practice at moving in and around your SketchUp environment. Practice: Using the tools highlighted in figure 1. have a go at panning and orbiting around the 2D character. Tips: The following shortcuts are very useful, especially within a complicated model. -Zoom shortcut. Roll central roller on your mouse -Orbit shortcut. Press & hold the central roller on you mouse -Pan shortcut. Hold shift and press & hold central roller on your mouse Note: (figure 2.) You can tell that you are panning around as the axis (red and green lines) have moved. Fig 1. Pan Orbit Zoom Zoom Extents Fig 2.

12 Principles: Basic Drawing Example, standard cube. Which could be used to represent a building, form part of a bench or a brick wall, depending on the scale. There are two main ways to make a cube. Either to draw it line by line using the Pencil tool (Fig 1.) Or to draw one of the faces and then extrude it using the Extrude tool (Fig 2.). Note: To ensure the cube is drawn square and to aid future editing, it is important to snap your drawing lines to the relevant axis line. Practice: Using both methods described, try making a simple cube 1.5m x 1.5m x 1.5m. Tip: When drawing lines, angles or extruding faces, type the exact measurements in when promted; Select end point or enter value. This will ensure all your sides/ faces match up, which will allow sketchup to auto fill faces. Fig 1. Fig 2.

13 Principles: Basic Drawing Cont. Occasionaly you will need to draw 90deg from something which doesn t sit square to the axes. To do this accurately, you need to set up a guide 90deg from the cube which you can then snap your new lines too. Step 1. Select the protractor from the tools drop down menu. Step 2. With the protractor selected as your cursor, (holding shift on relevant axis) select the centre point where you want the guide to sit. Step 3. Then select a point along the cube edge (to set your zero point) and type in the angle required. You should now have a guide at your predefined angle to snap your lines too. (Fig 2.) Practice: Have a go at drawing an offset square parallel to your cube by using guides drawn at 90deg to each other. (Fig 3.) Note: Guides can be deleted or turned off in the view tab. Fig 1. Guide drawn 90deg to cube face. Fig 2. Fig 3. Step 1 Step 2 Step 3

14 Principles: Layers Similarly to Cad and Photoshop, layers are an integral part of SketchUp. They are particularly useful when setting up scenes for exporting images (Covered in later Workshop). Also when a file is of considerable size, turning particular layers off will stop SketchUp running slowly. SketchUp will automatically put your objects into a preset layer0, or which ever layer is set as current. To create a new layer, simply select Layers from the Window menu. Then simply select the + option and assign your new layer an appropriate name. To assign an object to a different layer you need to select all objects you wish to move. Open the Entity Info dialogue box from the Window menu (Fig 2.) and change the layer in the drop down box. To turn a layer off, simply un-tick the Visible option in the Layers dialogue box. Tip: you can quick select a face and its edges by double clicking it. Or select a whole 3D object by a triple click. Fig 1. Fig 2. Current layer States if layer is on or visible Objects assigned layer Note: ticks show which dialogue boxes are currently open

15 Principles: Groups Making an object, or a number of objects into a group is often necessary when working with large or complicated models. It essentially makes everything in the group separate from the rest of the model, at least for editing purposes. (Fig 1.) For example, a simple stone capping piece is easy to form as a cube. But in order to replicate, rotate or move it to follow a wall you would need to select each edge and face individually. But as a group, the block can be selected and moved with a single click. Practice: Have a go at grouping one of the cubes by triple clicking it (to select all faces and edges), right click and select Make group. (Fig 2.) Then experiment moving it around, rotating it and opening it for editing. Note: When editing within a group, you can only select and edit things within it. To come out of the group, simply press escape. Fig 1. Fig 2.

16 Principles: Components Components are similar to groups in that they can be moved/ edited as an individual entity. But they have a lot more uses and are slightly more complicated. The main uses (similar to cad blocks) are for replicated detail. Eg. a tree, bollard or bench. Because they are copies of one another they don t use much file space or RAM to process and so shouldn t slow down your computer. Also, because they are essentially the same object, you can edit anyone to change all instances. Fig 1. To create a component; First select all faces/ edges you wish to be included. Right click and select Make Component from the options. This will then open the Create Component dialogue box (Fig 2.) where you can name the component (among other options). To copy a component (as with a group) you can either use Ctrl & C and Ctrl & V. Or select the component, pick Move from the toolbar and select a base point on the component. Then with the component snapped to your curser, press Ctrl. A small + will appear on your curser and you will have a second component (identicle to the first) snapped to your curser. Fig 2.