Google SketchUp Crash Course

MIT | SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING | FALL 2011

DUSPviz Google SketchUp Tutorial

Allison Albericci | 03 February 2012

| 1 © Allison Albericci

Part 1: Basic Modeling Tools and Functions

1. Draw Tools:

Line

Rectangle

Circle

Arc

Dimension Entry and Measure

2. Orbit, Pan and Zoom:

3. Move, Copy, Rotate, Offset:

Move

Move and Copy

Rotate

Offset

4. Groups, Components and Extrusions:

The difference between groups and components

Before extruding a surface, be sure to group it.

Extruding

5. Part 1 Practice:

Part 2: Basic Representation Tools and Techniques

6. Simple Materials:

7. Daylight and Shadows:

8. Setting Scenes:

Standard Views

Parallel Projection v. Perspective

Saving Scenes

Scene Manager and Updating Scenes

Exporting Simple “Animations”

9. Geo-locating and Previewing Model in Google Earth

Import ACAD File and Grab Location

Preview Model in Google Earth

10. Part 2 Practice





1. Draw Tools: Most of SketchUp modeling relies on manipulating basic geometric shapes and solids.

Line

Rectangle

Circle

Arc

Dimension Entry and Measure

Begin by drawing some basic shapes in the workspace. Try each of the tools a few times.

Control the size of the shapes by inputting dimensions in the MEASUREMENT box at the bottom of the

screen, as shown below:

These tools allow you to SELECT, draw a

LINE, draw a RECTANGLE, draw a CIRCLE,

and draw an ARC.





Draw several shapes, and specify their size. Check the dimensions by using the TAPE MEASURE TOOL.

2. Orbit, Pan and Zoom:

Use this tool

to measure

dimensions. Use this box

to input

dimensions.

Use ORBIT, PAN, and

ZOOM to view the

workspace from

different angles.





3. Move, Copy, Rotate, Offset:

Move

Move and Copy

Rotate

Offset

Use the MOVE tool to move an object.

Use MOVE combined with the CTRL key to COPY.

Use the LENGTH box to specify distance of object movement.

Use the ROTATE Tool to Rotate an object. You can enter the exact angle in the ANGLE type in, see

below.

NOTE: Pay attention to the Blue, Green and Red AXES. These are indications of orthogonal movement /

modeling. The color of the directional indicator corresponds to the color of the axis of movement.

Use these tools to MOVE,

COPY, ROTATE and OFFSET

Control distance

of object

movement here





Control Angle

Rotation here

Control Offset

Distance here.

Use this tool

to OFFSET

Use this tool

to ROTATE





4. Groups, Components and Extrusions:

The difference between GROUPS and COMPONENTS: A GROUP allows you to link a set of

points, lines and surfaces for modeling and editing as a single object. A COMPONENT is similar,

but allows you to edit multiple copies of an object simultaneously by editing just one.

Before extruding a surface, be sure to group the components that make up the surface (ie the

edges, and surface are separate until you group them).

Extrude using the PUSH/PULL tool.

Select multiple objects and right click to make either a GROUP or a COMPONENT.

Take a moment to practice both of these actions.

NOTE: Once you have created a GROUP or COMPONENT, you will have to double-click on it in order to

edit it.

Create a COMPONENT as shown in the first image below. Then, use the EXTRUDE tool to extrude the

box, as shown in the second image below.

Use this tool

to EXTRUDE

Select objects

and right-click

to make

GROUPS or

COMPONENTS





Use this tool

to EXTRUDE

Control EXTRUDE

height here.





5. Part 1 Practice: Practice your skills by making this image (or something like it).

HINTS:

Think geometrically.

Use all the Draw tools, the Push/Pull tool, Rotate, Move, Move+Copy, Group, etc.

Use the type-in to control dimensions.

Pay attention to object snaps and the colored axes to model with better precision.

Have fun.

TAKE A BREAK!





6. Simple Materials: Go to Window > Materials to bring up the MATERIALS palette.

Use the Materials

Palette to apply

various materials

to your model.





7. Daylight and Shadows: Go to Window > Shadows to bring up the SHADOW SETTINGS.

Use SHADOW

SETTINGS to set

Time Zone, Time of

Day, Day of Year,

Lightness, Darkness,

and other settings.

Play around!





8. Setting Scenes:

Standard Views

Parallel Projection v. Perspective

Saving Scenes

Scene Manager and Updating Scenes

Exporting Simple “Animations”

Go to Camera > Standard Views to see the Standard Views.

The Standard Views are Top, Bottom, Front, Back, Left, Right and Iso.

All can be shown as either Parallel or Perspective Projections.

Parallel Projection shows you an orthographic view of the model. Perspective shows the model in

perspective projection.

Try several different views to test this function.

Go to Window > Scenes to bring up the SCENES Box, as shown below.





Use this tool to create new scenes – make one for each standard view.

Add, Subtract, and

Update Views





Export a simple Animation: Go to File > Export > Animation to create an animation from saved scenes.





9. Geo-locating and Previewing Model in Google Earth

Import ACAD File and Grab Location

Preview Model in Google Earth

Go to File > Import

Set file type to AutoCAD Files (.dwg, .dxf)

Select the File “MIT Kendall Basemap v2004”





You now have the linework for the Kendall Square Area of MIT in your model.





Go to File > Geolocation > Add Location

The Model is now

Geo-located.





Move the linework, rotate and scale to align with the Aerial imagery.





Use the Draw tools and the Push/Pull to propose new massing for the area.

Tracing and snapping to object points allow you to model a variety of shapes.

Pay attention to the snap points and colored axes for improved modeling accuracy.

Use the Distance type-in box to specify the height of extrusions.

Then preview the massing in Google Earth!

Go to File > Preview in Google Earth.





Go to File > Save Image to export views from Google Earth.





Part 2 Practice: Practice your skills by proposing a new design vision for MIT-Kendall Square. Play

around with applying materials, displaying shadows, setting views, exporting animations, and previewing

your model in Google Earth.

If you get stuck, use the HELP menu.

More Help: http://sketchup.google.com/training/videos.html

GO HOME!

http://sketchup.google.com/training/videos.html

Google SketchUp Crash Course

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