Workshop 3 Exporting SketchUp Models for Visualisations

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DigitalDesignandCommunicationTeaching(DiDACT) University Of Sheffield DepartmentofLandscape Google SketchUp GoogleSketchUpINTRODUCTIONWORKSHOPS WORKSHOP 3 -Exporting SketchUp Models for Visualisations Outcomes: -A basic understanding of various exported media types for presentation/ visualisations -A reasonable understanding of ‘best practice’ methods for exporting SketchUp models -A basic awareness of free, 3rd party software for quick, realistic visualisations 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.

Transcript of Workshop 3 Exporting SketchUp Models for Visualisations

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Google SketchUp INTRODUCTION WORKSHOPS WORKSHOP 3 -Exporting SketchUp Models for Visualisations
Outcomes:
-A basic understanding of various exported media types for presentation/ visualisations -A reasonable understanding of ‘best practice’ methods for exporting SketchUp models -A basic awareness of free, 3rd party software for quick, realistic visualisations
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.
Digital Design and Communication Teaching (DiDACT)University Of Sheffield Department of Landscape
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WORKSHOP 3 -Exporting SketchUp Models for Visualisations
Examples: Model Exporting, 2D Images and Annimation.
MLA project, Sneinton Market, Same pre-set Scene positions and views exported as video animation (quality variable), creating a continuous video fly-through ideal for presentations.
MLA project, Sneinton Market, Pre-set Scene positions and views exported as single images, creating ‘film strip’ visual walk through.
Paul?????? Maybe you know how to get video clip to play at better qual- ity????
Digital Design and Communication Teaching (DiDACT)University Of Sheffield Department of Landscape
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Examples: Visualisation examples. SketchUp Styles.
Generic Building Outer. Predefined line styles can quickly soften a ‘sterile’ SketchUp model.
Generic Construction Detail. Sketchy styles can be added to a perspective detail to make it look hand drawn.
Digital Design and Communication Teaching (DiDACT)University Of Sheffield Department of Landscape
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WORKSHOP 3 -Exporting SketchUp Models for Visualisations
Examples: Visualisation examples, SketchUp - Photoshop - Image Filters
SketchUp model detailed with shadows. Simply populated and rendered within Photoshop Rendered images put through a simple image filter to add ‘artistic’ hand drawn effect
Digital Design and Communication Teaching (DiDACT)University Of Sheffield Department of Landscape
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SketchUp scenes, like AutoCad viewports are used to export views within your model. You can save and view fixed positions within your model and apply styles, shadow settings and layer visibility to then export as 2D images or animations.
To set up a scene, simply orbit around your model to display the desired view. Note: the extents of your model visible (minus any open dialogue boxes) when you save or update a scene is what will be exported. Then open the ‘scenes’ diagogue box from the window drop down, click the ‘add scene’ button and create your first scene. (Fig 1.)
Remember that any changes to styles, shadows, views or layers can be updated to relevant scenes simply by clicking the circle ‘refresh button. This can however be an issue if you move the camera without realising so be sure to realign the view first.
You will notice that each scene has aditional options (Fig2.) which will effect what is saved when a scene is updated. These are particularly useful as it will save you time later updating scenes.
Tip: If you are exporting your SketchUp scenes to populate in photoshop, it is a good idea to draw a single line (aprrox 1.7m) where you want to insert people. This will give you an accurate position and height whithin the perspective modelto work to without covering too much of the background model.
WORKSHOP 3 -Exporting SketchUp Models for Visualisations
Principles, Setting Up Scenes.
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SketchUp styles are essentially predefined visual filters which can be assigned to scenes or animations to make a model look more aesthetic. They can also aid further rendering, eg. applying thick edges or coloured faces.
Open the styles menu through the ‘windows’ drop down menu, then select the chosen style by navigating through the options (Fig 1.)
To choose a style, simple select it from the menu. SketchUp will then apply it to your current view. You can either export an image straight from here through ‘File’, ‘Export’, ‘2D Graphic’. Or update your chosen scene to save the style to the particular view.
Note: Some styles will make your SketchUp application run slowly when navigating through your model so be aware when assigning a style to scenes as it will automatically load them.
Practice: Have a play around with various styles to see which suits your current view best. Also have a go at editing styles to increase/decrease line weights etc.
WORKSHOP 3 -Exporting SketchUp Models for Visualisations
Principles, Assigning Styles.
MLA project, Sneinton Market, -Style Builder Competition Winners -Tech End Points
Fig 1.
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Using your previous scenes, with small adjustments you can export them as a single moving animation (as an avi. file).
The main things to consider are: -the speed at which the animation moves between each scene (scene transition’, -the time delay on each scene (Scene delay), and -The physical distance (in model space) between each saved scene These will all affect how realistic and ‘smooth’ the animation is to the eye.
Scene transition is fairly explanatory, it effectively sets the speed at which SketchUp moves between each scene. The scene delay is an optional pause set at the scene view (useful for highlighting specific views or avenues within your model).
Note: The distance between each scene is important because whether its 2m or two hundred meters, SketchUp will take the same time moving between them. So it is important to set them at similar intervals, unless you want to move quicker over some parts than others.
Practice: Have a go at changing the above settings within your model (Fig 1.) and see how they affect the animation. In response to the animation, try adding new scenes in between others to make a ‘smooth flowing’ animation.
WORKSHOP 3 -Exporting SketchUp Models for Visualisations
Principles, Setting Up Animations.
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These SketchUp workshops have been created to help explain features of SketchUp which are particularly useful to Landscape Architects. However, there are many other tutorials available which explain other features, techniques and tips which you may find useful.
-SketchUp has its own tutorials which explain the basics (better suited for first timers).
-Youtube has a particularly good collection of video tutorials (some better than others) with some deatailed series coming from America.
The SketchUp 3D warehouse and other exchange websites are very good for downloading pre-made components. With a growing number of iconic and prominent buildings available for download (example, The corn exchange building, Leeds, Used in Workshop 1, examples).
WORKSHOP 3 -Summary, Additional Support
Additional support, Resource list.