[w i l l]

Could anyone give me some tips on modelling with SketchUp - it seems relatively fast for modelling (as long as the objects are simple and non organic) but I seem to run into problems when making changes to the model. Coming from a parametric background it seems like a nightmare. How do you move around walls/parts etc that arent components, just select the right lines/points and drag? Any tips?

Thanks.

[weetie]

I come from a background in 3DS Max, so I can understand your frustration. As simple as Sketchup is, it seems to have more of a learning curve for us experienced 3d people because we have to unlearn a lot of our techniques.

Ok, tips:

My biggest hurdle was the assumption that if something went wrong it was because sketchup's a piece of junk & sucks. After 2 years of regular use, I've come to realize that I'M the problem & the software's fine. Sketchup demands tight control & organization, especially as you're getting the feel for it. Generally, I run into problems now only when I revert to a Studio Max way of working.

Component EVERYTHING. If there's any chance that at some point you'll have your object touching another object, component it so they don't stick together.

Components vs. layers: Make sure the component you're creating & the object(s) it contains are on the correct layers. You can have a box made on Layer A, accidentally select one edge of it & move it to Layer B, then component it while you're on Layer C. Make the Entity Info window your best friend. Get obsessive about stopping in the middle of your work, & going back to check that what you've done - components and their subobjects - are on the correct layers.

It's easy to think you're making edits to an object, say cutting new faces into the top of a cube, but forgot to go into the Edit Component mode. Then your new lines are not part of the cube. So make sure you're IN a component if you need to edit it.

I could go on & on, but so many tips I can think of are situation-specific. If you want to post more questions I'll see if I can provide more assistance.

[Stinkie7000]

Read both Bonnie Roskes' and Aidan Chopra's books - that helps alot.

The Google mob has a YouTube channel on using SU. A decent staring point.

Also good: www.go-2-school.com. Great podcasts.


"Sketchup demands tight control & organization, especially as you're getting the feel for it."

This is good advice. Don't just dive head first into a project. You'll find yourself in tight spot pretty fast. Think about what you want to do first, and how you're gonna organise things. Sounds obvious enough, but given the fact that SU is not as flexible as other modeling apps, you'll find that organisation is key.

And the most important thing: try to have fun.

[numerobis]

...triple-click and group is your friend!

...strg-shift-alt is the key

...watch the status bar in the lower left for aditional functions

...there are many helpful ruby scripts available, e.g. mirror selection, joint push pull, round edges... (at sketchucation forums)

[Richard]

Tips for using with maxwell

1. Apply textures to base level geometry, not to groups or components,
2. Use a low res version of your MXM maps at same pixel dimensions, large maps will drag SU to a hault,
3. Use groups and components, take adavntage of the hide rest of model function to speed editing,
4. SU suffers commonly from texture breakup on most last edited or created component. If you witness this on export (when scene starts to render) select the effected object and copy out of camera view,
5. Whinge toward Google to get them to build in functionality to stop material browser opening every time you just want to sample and paint in the model not from the browser - this is going to drive you CRAZY!!!!
6. Select to view materials in the browser in list view this will speed the browser's popping up and stop you going as CRAZY,
7. Don't use SU>MR on vista it will crash on export,
8. If you scale mapped groups or components you will need to explode and regroup to correct map scaling, and unfortunately often re-map to correct position,
9. Whinge at Google regarding the need for non scalable textures regard 8 above!,
10. Monotone display mode is VERY useful to ensure normals are correct,
11. Enjoy using SU it can be lots of fun and fast as a modeller for non organic forms!

12. Good luck!!!

[w i l l]

Well thanks for all that! The problem I have is usually with walls. For example what if the walls need to be edited - the angle changed, I find it hard to select the right bits to drag and move. Objects that are 'stuck to' walls then seem to come unstuck. Also what if the walls have a thickness - that makes things even more difficult.

http://willusher.com/MY%20IMAGES/4.jpg

[numerobis]

to change the angle of the wall in your picture i would box-select the wall and all attached parts and group it temporary. then rotate the wall and extent the other parts (wall, floor...)
then you can ungroup the rotated wall or laeve it grouped - but then you should place the group on the right layer - or layer0.