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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.