The Big Ask....

This month in CatchUp we There are also two great interviews. The first with Plus looking at FollowMe and FollowMe and Keep tools, take a look at some cool plugins from Tomots Bi-Fold Doors and Wikiis Follow Me and Keep. Plus Adriana shows how to quickly use images to replace geometry with the help of transparency. inventor Jeremy Canterbury and secondly we had chance to pick John Bacus brain about SketchUp, the big move to Trimble and Star Trek. panoramas with Pixeet and much, much more... Enjoy!

tranparencies
04 Use Alpha-Transparency to replace modeling. Adriana Granado shows how using .png/.tiff images can save ample time.

treezy peezy
11 Tree[D] to SketchUp. Wyatt Thompson goes through the tools needed to make trees in SketchUp.

copy that
12 Save Copy As. Aidan Chopras takes a look a Fredos CurviLoft and explains

revolve
16 Kickstarted your next idea. Read our interview with Jeremy Caterbury.

Where to noW?
23 Interview. SketchUp Product Manager John Bacus spills the beans

Gallery
27 Are you featured? Our members submissions to the Gallery for April.

WindoW treatment With alpha-transparencies

by adriana granados

inexhaustible source of possiblities

Textures with transparent background can As you already know me, I always tend to use textures when the modeling process can be too much time consuming or when I want to keep the face-count low. In this example I needed to use a wood blind that could let me to show the outside landscape, and at the same time see part of the window. The first step was to take or find a picture of the blind in a front elevation to avoid any distortions. I had a very short time and I couldnt find any appropriate so I decided to use Sketchup to apply the texture of a strip of the blind on a rectangle. I could have done this directly into Photoshop but I preferred to use directly real world dimensions. provide an inexhaustible source of possibilities for mounting of any kind, from an iron fence to a curtain. To get an image with alpha channel you need help from an editing software, such as Photoshop or PaintNet, to name just two. When you open an image in any of these programs that has a one color background you can use the Magic Wand to select it. Use the Cut tool and save the image as a PNG or TIFF as these are the only formats that will allow you to use an alpha transparency background defined as transparent in SketchUp.

I scaled the rectangle to make it narrower and added another rectangle to place the vertical string. Then I copied it a few times. As a background I chose a lime green as it would be easier to cut in the photo editor.

Still in Sketchup I selected File > Export and saved it in PNG format. I opened the file in my photo-editor, cropped and cut the background. Saved it again and returned to SketchUp.

I created a new material and applied it on a face placed on top of a window. I used the fixed pins to adjust the texture to the face. I drew a small valance on the top of the window and with the Push/Pull tool I gave thickness to it.

I saved my material for future use and also created a component to use it several times in my model. With the Scaling with Orientation of Scaling Box by Fredo I could use it rolled up and down or adjust it to different widths.

Tree[d] To SkeTchUp
by Wyatt thompson
These first 5 steps are required to import a tree component into SketchUp with textures. 1. Download and install the free 3D tree creation program Tree[d] from here. 2. Create a tree using the program parameters. There are lots of tutorials about using tree[d] but it is a fairly straight forward process. Once you have created the tree choose File > Export OBJ... 3. Copy the required png/jpg textures from the tree[d]/texture folder into the same folder as the obj and mtl created in the previous step. You can open the .mtl file in a text editor to see which images are required. 4. Start a new SketchUp file. 5. From the Plugins menu, select OBJ Importer - Import OBJ [with textures]. Select the scale (feet or meters works best for trees). Select the proper YZ axes orientation.

The following steps attempt to make the file size of each tree component more manageable. These steps will take time to process so you may need to weigh the time spent vs the need for a more manageable model. 6. Clean up the model using Thomthoms CleanUp plugin. 7. Now isolate the trunk/branches and leaves into groups. To do this quickly use the Select > All with same Material from the context-menu.

8. Paint the leaves - Open the Leaf group, select all the leaves, and select UV Toolkit from the Plugins menu. Select Frontface to Backface. 9. Simplify leaves Select all the leaves and select Loose Geometry to Groups from the Plugins menu. With the groups still selected, run Convert in Single Components from the Plugins menu. Choose Yes when asked to convert all the entities to components. (You may have to run it multiple times until you get the option to select Yes, since the plugin doesnt seem to work 100% of the time.) With the leaf components still selected, click Similar Objects from the Plugins menu and click Replace Similar Objects to eliminate redundant components. Be patient because these operations will take a while. 10. Purge the model using Window > Model Info > Statistics > Purge Unused. 11. If you dont plan to render, edit a leaf component and hide the edges.

Ultimately, the file size will depend on the complexity and variation of the tree created in tree[d]. To create the smallest 3D tree, turn Leaves Off and set Cross-Geometry to On. When individual leaves are necessary (for a foreground tree, for example), start with the lowest number of leaves suitable for your purpose and set the leaf-size minimum/maximum to the same number. This will allow you to create a single leaf component instead of hundreds in Step 9. Using the default tree, I was able to obtain the following results.

Steps 1 -5 Steps 6 -10 Leaf Size min/max = same Cross Geometry On

Tree Geometry Comparison 6.0mb 3.5mb 2.5mb 1.8mb

12,000 faces 7,400 faces 7,000 faces 2,100 faces

Known Issues:
Tree[d] utilizes vertex colors to create gradations in the color of the leaves based on the color palette you select in the Branch dialog. Each vertex of the leaf face in the tree[d] model is assigned a color, and the colors blend together across the face of each leaf. At this time, SketchUp is not able to import vertex colors so the color variations are not possible to recreate (at least using the above method; it may be possible using a different export format from tree[d]). There are two possible workarounds:

1. Export a png image from tree[d] and create a 2D face-me component in SketchUp.

2. Modify the leaf texture in SketchUp and use it to repaint the leaf components. This wont have the same gradation effects, but it can be used to introduce variation into the model. Use Random Select by TIG to select random leaf groups/components to modify.

Below is a list of plugins used to accomplish this workflow....

TIGs OBJ Importer

Thomthoms CleanUp

Thomthoms UV Toolkit

Chris Fullmers Loose Geometry to Groups

Matt666s Component/Group Tools

Thomthoms Component Comparison

SkeTchUp TIp: save a copy as...

by aidan chopra
Every time I talk to Mitchel Stangl, I learn something new. Mitchels a mechanical engineer who uses SketchUp Pro to build massively intricate models of processing and manufacturing facilities. On his last visit to SketchUp HQ, Mitchel helped me improve my workflow by telling me about the File > Save A Copy As command (which we apparently added at his suggestion). When Im working on a big model in SketchUp, I like to save a new copy of my file every few hours. Doing so lets me easily go back to a previous version in case Ive accidentally deleted something I need this happens more often than I care to admit. It also provides a measure of protection against file corruption, which isnt common, but can be devastating. For the last eight years, Ive been choosing File > Save As and creating a numbered copy in the folder that contains my project. The result is a long, long list of sequentially numbered files. The most recent is the one with the highest number appended to the end, as you can see in the screenshot below. Simple, no?

There are two problems with this system (as Ive come to find out the hard way): First, when I come back to a project after a hiatus, Im never 100% sure that Im working on the latest version of my file. Maybe I saved a newer version somewhere else? Second, when Im working on a set of drawings in LayOut, the linked SketchUp file always needs to be the most recent one. Every time I change the name of the SketchUp file (three or four times a day), I need to manually re-link the new model to my LayOut file. Yech.

Using the Save A Copy As command (instead of Save As) takes care of both these issues. It lets you save a version of your model as a new file without renaming the one youre working on. The saved versions can be numbered and archived, but the master version is always called the same thing. Theres no confusion about which is the latest, and working with LayOut is twenty times easier. Presto. I love it when answers to complicated problems are so simple. Thanks Mitchel!

This is CatchUps first short interview with Jeremy Canterbury , the inventor of the Revolve camera dolly, an ingenious low cost design that offers smooth and fluid tracking that could only be achieved with much more expensive systems until now. Jeremy quickly surpassed his target pledge goal of $7,500 by nearly a factor of ten, finally reaching $71,664 before the closing date. CatchUp noted while viewing his presentation video that he looked to be using SketchUp in the preparation of his early design concepts. We contacted Jeremy and he confirmed that he

did indeed use SketchUp for his preliminary design work. Jeremy also advised us that he was Newbie to SketchUp and that he felt he was not experienced enough to comment on the various features of the application, however we were more interested in learning more about his background and how he came up with the idea for a low cost camera dolly at just $120 for the Revolve dolly, rail kit, friction arm mount. Anyone interesting in ordering can get details here: http://www.tinylightbulbs.com/ revolve-camera-dolly.html

used SketchUp in preparing of his early design concepts

CATCHUP: Jeremy, can you give us a little background about yourself and how you came up with the idea for the REVOLVE? Jeremy: While I was a student I began working in video production, but with no money for expensive film gear I was forced to build my own. After putting together my own camera dolly, I took it upon myself to design a solution that could be manufactured and sold at an affordable cost, allowing film makers on a budget a chance to use professional quality tools as well. CATCHUP: I understand that you used SketchUp in your design process. Can you tell us about your design work flow and how SketchUp helped in this area of the process. Jeremy: SketchUp became my medium for visualizing and fine tuning the design. I was completely new to product design, and even to SketchUp, so having a free 3D design program that was easy to use was instrumental in designing the Revolve. After a few design iterations, I exported the files directly from SketchUp and sent them to my manufacturer for production.

CATCHUP: Could you give our readers, that may have an idea lurking at the back our their mind, some advise on how to bring these to fruition? Jeremy: My advice would be to go outside of your comfort zone and explore your ideas. I think that many people leave good ideas on the shelf because they arent completely sure how to execute it. The process of designing the Revolve as well as bringing it to market has been an entirely new experience for me. I had to learn along the way, and I think just diving into a project and seeing where it takes you is much better than just leaving it an idea. CATCHUP: Are there any further design ideas that you have in the pipeline that you can tell us about? Jeremy: There are several other projects down the road for me. I have been working on a follow focus design which is another film tool which gives you better control over your focus. I also have an idea for a product that will help us shoot better video with our smart phones. With both of these projects, SketchUp will be my instrument for realizing their form. CATCHUP: Jeremy, thank you for sharing your experiences and views with CATCHUP. We look forward to seeing your new innovations soon.

having a free 3D design tool was instrumental

doorS galore!
by rich obrien

If you spend some time on our forums you will notice a lot of members share quality content from time to time. But recently one of our long time members, Paul Russam, shared a huge collection of doors and windows to do with as you please. The models are excellently compiled and can be viewed either opened or closed via layer control. Fully textured and nicely organized these really are a great collection to have in your library. The whole collection comprises of:
6 internal single doors 5 internal double doors 1 internal lift door 1 external single door 5 external double doors 2 internal windows 8 external windows 1 velux roof window

Go grab a download here and dont forget to leave a reply to thank Paul for his great contribution.

plUgIn TIp : FolloW and Keep

by rich obrien
The Follow Me tool in Sketchup is a great addition but at times it can produce somewhat funky results. While funky results are cool they are not always what you need. Because it can twist and deform a profile as it sweeps through a curve the desired results is not what you intended in the first place. If you look at the image opposite you can see how the profile rotates as it revolves around the spiral. Notice how the green face does not remain in place and by the end of the sweep the profile has flipped vertically. This is typical when using the Follow Me tool and if you are looking to create some type of water slide it is perfect. But when you need the start and end profile consistent then you will need to use a plugin. Luckily Wikii wrote such a plugin called Follow Me and Keep. Once installed it resides in your plugins menu and it could not be simpler to use. Select the path and profile that you wish to sweep before running the plugin. You can also place a contruction point and this will set the align point of your profile sweep. Once complete the geometry is grouped separate from the path and profile. As you can see the end result is completely different than the standard Follw Me tool. To download Wikiis Follow Me and Keep click here.

CONSTRUCTION MODELING
OUR BOOKS TAKE SKETCHUP BEYOND SIMPLE DESIGN

i n s i t e b u i l d e r s
www.insitebuilders.com

TRIMBLED
BY RICH OBRIEN With all the news of acquisitions and the recent changes to both their website and place of work it is fair to say that the team at SketchUp are in the middle of some exciting changes. Despite the general upheaval we had a chance to discuss these recent changes with the SketchUp Product Manager John Bacus. What is a typical day at the office for SketchUps Product Manager? Mainly, it involves drinking coffee and worrying. Often, it includes going to meetings and sending email. All too infrequently, I get to draw pictures of things and speculate about the future. Sometimes, I get to go out and meet people from outside our office. Next week, for example, Ill be in Helsinki. Thats usually pretty fun. Users have taken SketchUp in a direction that is far flung from its original intention. How do you feel about its adoption in these other areas? I feel pretty good about it. This was our plan right from the beginning - especially with the launch of SketchUps Ruby API. Theres no way that we could ever hope to build features that everybody in every market wanted for SketchUp. We wouldnt know what to build and wed likely get it at least partially wrong. More importantly, if we had built everything everyone wanted us to build SketchUp would have ended up looking like the control panel of a nuclear power plant. We have pitched SketchUp for years as 3D for everyone. The only way that really works is if everyone participates in extending SketchUp to suit their own particular needs. That SketchUp is now the leading design tool for artificial climbing walls in North America (or pick your favorite other thats not what SketchUp was built for market) sends a little thrill down my Product Manager spine.

SketchUp has always been easy to learn and makes understanding 3D very simple. But what other aspects are you most proud of? I think thats a respectable thing to be proud of. It turns out that simple is pretty tough to build. It is also very satisfying to see the way that our user community has gotten itself organized to deliver consistently great content (in 3D Warehouse, with Ruby, on YouTube and elsewhere.) You recently launched a new gallery and online viewer. What was the driving force behind this and will this be available to users at some point in the future? The driving force for our new gallery was you guys - our SketchUp users with all the exciting work that you all do. Im pleased that folks find the gallery so exciting I know that is how

we all feel out here as well. Other than that, were always working on something out here in Boulder. WebGL is still a very young technology and not yet widely supported, but it offers some exciting opportunities for 3D modeling in the future. Recently you used Reddit to discuss what SketchUp users wanted from SketchUp in an ongoing effort. What did you take away from the conversation? We learned what we already knew: SketchUp users have great ideas and want to be actively engaged in defining its future development. I heard ideas for security around models (read only), aspect ratios for image export, and API for LayOut. And a bunch of other things as well. Everybody still wants SketchUp to perform better (everybody always wants more

performance). If I were thinking of getting into the SketchUp extension development business, I think Id keep the Reddit transcript bookmarked ;-). Im also taking away my favorite new complement; SketchUp wrecks shop. Not quite sure what it means, but I like it. SketchUp is renowned for not letting future features into the public domain but if you could see into the future what would you like to see SketchUp capable of? Ah... sneaky. I dont think SketchUp is unique in holding future features closely until they are ready to ship, but we are careful about that. In the broadest sense, I think youll see SketchUp continue to grow both as a focused 3D modeling tool for everyone and as a platform for building advanced

applications for particular markets. Its a decent bet that building construction will be one of those markets. What has you most excited about SketchUps new home? Probably that there are so many familiar faces in it. SketchUp isnt just fun to use we have a lot of fun building it, too. It doesnt much matter where we are or what we have to work with so long as we get to work on what we love. Though Tyson has been complaining a little about his new chair.

SketchUp wrecks shop

What are some of the challenges you face as the newest member of the Trimble group? Trimble has a large and diverse product portfolio with all kinds of interesting integration opportunities. The toughest challenge Ill face in the next year (after I get the espresso machine plumbed in properly) will be to figure out what to do next.

Trimble already has other companies that are involved in the AEC market, Tekla and Meridian for example, what do you hope to see happen by having a relationship with these types of companies? I think youre right to connect these things together Trimble are building quite an interesting product portfolio in the building construction space and they bring a few fairly unique opportunities into the game as well. While few architects are probably familiar with Trimble, every contractor in the world knows them and many use their equipment on a daily basis. I think Bryn Fosburgh put it best; Users will be able to collect data, design, model, and collaborate on one platform. ...including both design work in the office and construction work in the field. So, is SketchUp now a company or division within Trimble? SketchUp is now a part of Trimble. Various other Trimble acquisitions have used different syntax to describe what is essentially the same outcome. Has the team remained intact from the acquisition? In the majority, yes. In fact, the SketchUp team that has moved to Trimble is largely unchanged since the days of @Last Software. Weve picked

Users will be able to collect data, design, model and collaborate on one platform

up a few new friends along the way and lost some old ones here and there, but the SketchUp team today is essentially the same gang that has been working on SketchUp for the last twelve years. Will SketchUp Pro pricing strategy change? I dont have anything to announce today except that which has been said already elsewhere. We intend to continue selling SketchUp Pro and to continue offering a limited version of SketchUp for free. Trimble is fully supportive of this strategy. How will you offer online support to users? For now, were continuing to offer support through all the usual channels. Nothing new to announce at this time. What is going to happen with your integration with Google Earth and the 3D Warehouse? 3D Warehouse is coming with us to Trimble, so you should expect to see the same integration or better in the weeks, months and years to come. In the short term, Google will continue to operate it on our behalf until we are able to stand up servers on our own that can handle the (surprisingly large) load.

In addition, all the plumbing for our UGC 3D Building pipeline (the way you publish models to the 3D Buildings layer in Google Earth) remains in place. It is Googles intention to continue accepting models through that pipeline for the foreseeable future. At the end of the last Basecamp you had a list of wants from attendees. A lot of these were tackled through various updates in v8 but are there any current unaddressed wants you feel need implementing? Everybody has a pet issue and theres always more want than our team can directly address more than we probably think we should address as well. We got a nice refresher from our recent Reddit session. Performance will always figure high on our list of priorities (always has, always will) but I think features that streamline and encourage collaboration between designers probably interest me the most personally. Will there be a another basecamp in the future? I dont have anything to announce yet, but I think we will surely do Basecamp again. It has been a blast every time weve done it and we all learn a ton from one another. Away from SketchUp and its 30 million users how do you unwind? I like to get away in the mountains

for a good long hike, but have less and less time to really do that these days. I have a growing orchid collection that keeps me busy. I blame Bryce for that particular addiction. Beyond that, I like to think, draw, build and play with my kids. A day not spent making something or fixing something is kind of a day wasted, in my opinion. I do as much of that as I can. Finally.....Shatner or Picard? Picard, because hes the fictional one. Also, Patrick Stewart... because hes the one with talent. Come to think of it, Shatner is more than a little fictional these days as well. But I suspect the correct answer is Original series over Next Generation but Picard over Kirk. (never try to out-geek a software guy).

The latest gallery submissions on SketchUcation.com

Each month we want to show what our members are achieving using SketchUp. if something takes your fancy just click the image to be brought to that topic.

SHOWCASE

c o M M U n i T y

clay style
BossFanta still SketchUp output. delivering quality

FullinGs mill
John Higgins goes epic!

npr hillside villa

JeriSamuis concept work through to final renderings are sublime.

Kimbell
Chedda revisits Louis Kahns Art Museum using Maxwell and SketchUp.

russian house
Allan Casas masterful use of water colouring bring it to life.

Geoma chair
Alvis latest build is a tour de force in Sketchup modeling

barbara barry
Fymoros tribute uses Theas merge feature to great effect.

Good start
DaveSec shows that his first gallery submission is well worth noticing.

el azul estudio
Nomo81 shares another stunning project from their prolific studio.

cappuccino time
Another Fymoro classic where does he get the time?

Gone thea
David Hennessy has moved from Maxwell to Thea and is loving it!

reFreshinG
David Hiers polygon heavy product shot makes superb use of Artisan.

books.sketchUcation.com learn with the experts at your pace

PIXEET by Mike Lucey

Useful App and need I say it, is yet again iPhone based but this one, Pixeet, is one of the most useful I have come across of late. I have for some been playing around with various 360 degree panorama apps and devices with limited success, however after 15 minutes with Pixeets fantastic kit I was able to produce 360s of my living room in less than 15 minutes. The Pixeet kit I used, the PRO pack, consists of a quality silicone case that fitted my iPhone4S snugly, a slide in metal

this

months

CatchUp

it

is

tripod adaptor, a lightweight extendable monpod Japanese and of course the quality, lens.

combination Mayor Mikes Gadget and

manufactured,

fisheye

This lens look like a very professional lens albeit of diminutive proportions.

The kits also included a couple of stick-on magnetic tabs for an iPad or iPhone if the case is not to your liking. The tabs also had little indents to accommodate the iPhone flash. Attention to detail is first class! A soft pouch for the fisheye lens is included and the monopod also has its own pouch. I was a little confused about what the included lanyard with attached rubber band was for and initially left in the pouch but later discovered why it had been included and decided to use!

I decided to opt for the monopod setup as I felt this looked more professional also I now leave the kit in this setup, just removing the iPhone for insertion to the case I normally use. It might be a good idea for Pixeet to include a large pouch that takes this set up. The fisheye lens case is made of quality aluminium with a magnetic ring at its base which attaches to the cases in-built metal ring. When attached its reasonably secure but a nudge can easily dislodge the lens and this happened to me on a number of occasions. This is when I discovered what the included l lanyard with rubber band was for! I quickly clotted the rubber band over the recess on the lens base and then tethered the lanyard to the slide-in metal tripod adaptor. Now if I nudge the lens by accident it doesnt hit the floor.

The set up from opening the packaging took less than a minute and I would add that I didnt need a scissors or Stanley knife to open it!

Once everything is in place its time for downloading the free Pixeet app from the App Store. This is a quick and trouble free operation.

The camera is held in landscape mode for the one shot 180 degree panoramas and in portrait mode for the 4 shot 360 degree panoramas. Once installed and the app icon is activated a straightforward Main Menu opens up on the iPhone. First step is to click the New Panorama button. This opens an option screen Positioning is very important when taking shots. Its essential that the iPhone

(camera) position axis is maintained for all 4 shots / images. The operator might feel a bit ridiculous carrying out this operation in public and this is where to use of the monopod comes in! It makes the job much easier and more accurate also it looks professional!

offering the user the choice of creating a 180 or 360 degree panorama. The 180 degree panorama only requires taking only one image with the fisheye, whereas the 4 images are required to create a 360 degree panorama.

Clicking

the

icon

will

show

the

After each successful shot a flashing arrow indicates that a 90 degree turn in required for the next shot. This process is repeated for the four required images. Once the final shot (4th) has successfully been taken the Upload your Panorama Now screen pops up and its just a matter of clicking the appropriate 180 or 360 degree processing button. An uploading panorama screen shows the progress and once completed, to view the panorama its a case of clicking the menu box on the top left of the screen to bring you to the Albums.

Assistant screen which advises the three steps involved in taking shots.

The + icon puts up the iPhone Calibration Steps ,1 Vertical and 2 Horizontal. To line up the shot all the operator has to do is align the green cross hairs within the square outline box, hold steady and wait for the 3, 2, 1 countdown which then results in an image being shot. Once this is achieved the highlighting green ring on the bottom of the screen dims and the two circle red arrows light up indicating the image has been captured.

Once in Albums its just a matter of locating the Panorama you want the view. Panoramas can be viewed through the apps interface, or you can sync them to a free account on the Pixeet website.

The Pixeet website offers free accounts which allow for a very generous upload of 50 panoramas a month and the upload counter is reset every month so the users gets virtually unlimited storage. Its possible to post to websites, blogs, social platforms or corporate portals in one click. Privacy settings, geolocalization, panorama management is under the users control.

Also Pixeet integrates into Google Street View. Add Google Street View panoramas to your virtual tours to show up the surroundings or drag The impressive panoramas show floor to ceiling, something that has only been previously possible with very expensive equipment. A large selections of sample panoramas can be viewed on the Pixeet website here, http://www.pixeet. com/virtual-tours-360 Virtual tours can easily be created and navigated through placement of hot spots in individual panoramas which link / open further panoramas. the pin to explore the world. A Microsoft TAG and QR Code is generated for each panorama and album. Print the code on your ads or pamphlets to be visible in 3D on mobile devices. You are not stuck with having to work via Pixeet. Its quite possible to import and export your existing panoramas using the most standard formats also back up your panoramas or edit them through an external picture editing software.

Professional photographers Pixeet allows the importation of equirectangular, cube or cylindrical panos. Pixeet is also compatible with a wide range of digital cameras and fisheye lenses. All this functionality is free! Setting up a free Pixeet account is simple and this is where you edit and enhance your panoramas, add hotspots and other details / functions. Pricewise I think the various kits are a bargain. They cover both the iPhone 3 and 4 also other Android phones, starting at 49.90 and going up to 99.90 for the Pack PRO which includes the very essential Ultra Lightweight Monopod. A pro account is well worth considering if you see yourself taking a lot of commercial panoramas. The advantages are:
Commercial use of your virtual tours. Dedicated support Convert panoramas into 360 Videos for Youtube No more Pixeet logo on the viewer Branding of the virtual tour with your own logo Unlimited upload of panoramas HD on the Internet, mobile devices and tablets Record or upload audio files for any virtual tour ...

A Monthly Plan cost 19.90 or 199 per year and saving of 40. Pixeet it a joy to use, no learning curve worth talking about and produces great results. My final though is that Pixeet might be leveraged to work with SketchUp output possibly to create interesting interactive SketchUp native or rendered panorama tours! But thats for another day.

There are three general types of animations that can be quickly recorded from a piece-based construction model. The third is a very simple motion capture. If you use shortcut keys and the Outliner, an animation like the one in Step 10 takes about 5 minutes to setup and record.
1. Set up a path as a guideline for object movement 2. Make measured moves with even increments 3. Use a common pivot point for any rotation 4. Control key to Copy with Move and Rotate tools 5. Place an object copy for every animated position 6. Number the objects to match the Scenes 7. Hide all copies of the object in the Outliner 8. Unhide each object and add a corresponding Scene 9. Scene numbers match the object number 10. Repeat for each captured object position

CONSTRUCTION MODELING - Step 10

Add an object for each frame in the animation

Name the objects to match each Scene frame

Multiple objects in motion share the same frame number

Select and Hide all the objects in the Outliner Objects in motion are not nested in the Outliner

Unhide object and Add Scene for each frame

Group objects that move together and name to match Scene

For videos SketchUp V6 or early is faster with onion skinning Object and Scene match in the Outliner Repeat identical Scenes to create a delay

Unhide object and Add Scene for each frame

Object numbers match Scene number Adjust Scenes then set transitions and Play to test

Heres the finished demo on You Tube

U-TUBE

Related videos from our books

Animated phase model Scene click animation Pan and drive by animation Simple motion capture

http://youtu.be/m8rhtC6UC5M

SketchUcation roundup

Ssssshhhh!

As always, you can send your feedback to richob@sketchucation.com