book

Google® SketchUp® and SketchUp® Pro 7 Bible

Name: Google® SketchUp® and SketchUp® Pro 7 Bible
Author: Kelly L. Murdock
ISBN: 9780470292297

by Kelly L. Murdock

March 2009

Intermediate to advanced

550 pages

10h 9m

English

Wiley

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Copyright
About the Author
Credits
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
I. Getting Started with Google SketchUp
Quick Start: Building a Windmill
Finding a Reference ImageTutorial: Loading a reference imageBuilding the WindmillTutorial: Building the base structureTutorial: Adding the finsTutorial: Aligning the finsAdding Materials and StylesTutorial: Applying materials to the windmillTutorial: Adding a styleEnabling ShadowsTutorial: Adding shadowsSummary
1. Introducing Google SketchUp
1.1. Designing with SketchUp1.2. Understanding the Different Versions of SketchUp1.2.1. Google SketchUp1.2.2. Google SketchUp Pro 71.2.3. Google SketchUp Pro 7 trial versions1.3. Getting Help1.3.1. Learn panel1.3.2. Quick Reference Card1.3.3. Help Center1.3.4. The SketchUp forum1.3.5. Self-Paced Tutorials1.3.6. Accessing other tutorials1.3.7. Viewing the video tutorials1.3.8. Instructor window1.4. Summary
2. Exploring the SketchUp Interface
2.1. Learning the Interface Elements2.2. Using Menus2.3. Accessing Toolbars2.3.1. Docking and floating toolbars2.3.2. Using tooltips2.3.3. Using the toolbars2.4. Interacting with the Interface2.4.1. Using context menus2.4.2. Getting help from the status bar2.4.3. Using the Measurements Toolbar2.4.4. Working with dialog boxes2.4.5. Learning the color clues2.5. Customizing the Interface2.5.1. Customizing keyboard shortcuts2.6. Summary

3. Navigating and Configuring the Drawing Area
3.1. Understanding 3-D Space3.2. Learning the Standard Views in SketchUp3.3. Managing Perspective3.3.1. Axonometric versus perspective3.3.2. Orthographic and Isometric views3.3.3. Two-Point Perspective3.3.4. Changing the Field of View3.4. Using the Drawing Area Camera Controls3.4.1. Orbiting a view3.4.2. Panning a view3.4.3. Zooming a view3.4.4. Controlling views with the mouse3.4.5. Moving between views3.4.6. Tutorial: Navigating the active drawing area3.5. Walking Through Your Model3.5.1. Positioning the camera3.5.2. Looking around the scene3.5.3. Walking around the scene3.5.4. Tutorial: Walking through a scene3.6. Configuring the Drawing Area3.6.1. Setting the drawing area style3.6.1.1. Using the default Face styles3.6.1.2. Using the default Edge styles3.6.2. Displaying shadows and fog3.6.3. Setting units3.6.3.1. Setting Length units3.6.3.2. Setting Angle units3.6.4. Setting OpenGL preferences3.6.4.1. Enabling hardware acceleration3.6.4.2. Enabling anti-aliasing3.6.4.3. Troubleshooting hardware acceleration3.7. Summary
4. Working with Files
4.1. Starting with a Template4.2. Opening and Saving Files4.2.1. Saving files4.2.2. Saving templates4.2.3. Opening files4.2.4. Adding objects to the current scene4.2.5. Getting out4.3. Setting File Preferences4.3.1. Setting default folders4.3.2. Backing up a project4.3.3. Enabling Auto-Save4.3.4. Checking for problems4.3.5. Setting a default template4.4. Importing Files into SketchUp4.4.1. Importing 3-D files4.4.1.1. Importing SketchUp files4.4.1.2. Importing AutoCAD files4.4.1.3. Importing 3DS files4.4.1.4. Importing DEM files4.4.2. Importing 2-D files4.5. Exporting SketchUp Files4.5.1. Exporting 3-D content4.5.1.1. Exporting 3DS files4.5.1.2. Exporting AutoCAD files4.5.1.3. Exporting to Google Earth4.5.1.4. Exporting Collada files4.5.1.5. Exporting FBX files4.5.1.6. Exporting OBJ files4.5.1.7. Exporting VRML files4.5.1.8. Exporting XSI files4.5.2. Exporting 2-D graphics4.5.2.1. Exporting PDF and EPS files4.5.2.2. Exporting BMP, TIF, and PNG files4.5.2.3. Exporting JPEG files4.5.2.4. Exporting EPX files4.5.2.5. Exporting DWG and DXF files4.5.3. Exporting section slices4.5.4. Exporting animations4.6. Printing Scenes4.7. Using SketchUp Viewer4.8. Summary
II. Working with Objects
5. Selecting Objects
5.1. Selecting Objects with the Select Tool5.2. Selecting Objects with Menu Commands5.3. Viewing Object Info5.4. Selecting Objects with the Outliner Palette5.5. Selecting Entities5.5.1. Selecting surrounding entities5.5.2. Expanding a selection5.5.3. Tutorial: Practicing selecting objects5.6. Summary
6. Transforming Objects
6.1. Using the Move Tool6.1.1. Moving along a straight line6.1.2. Moving a precise distance6.1.3. Stretching entities6.2. Using the Rotate Tool6.2.1. Rotating to regular intervals6.2.2. Rotating to a precise angle6.2.3. Stretching entities6.3. Using the Scale Tool6.3.1. Scaling along a single axis6.3.2. Scaling to a precise value6.3.3. Stretching entities6.3.4. Tutorial: Rearranging the furniture6.4. Summary
7. Cloning Objects
7.1. Using the Cut, Copy, and Paste Commands7.1.1. Cut, Copy, and Paste entities7.1.2. Tutorial: Creating a row of sunflowers7.2. Cloning with the Transform Tools7.2.1. Cloning with the Move/Copy tool7.2.2. Creating a linear array of objects7.2.3. Creating a radial array of objects7.2.4. Tutorial: Adding bolts to a flange7.3. Summary
8. Grouping, Hiding, and Locking Objects
8.1. Creating a Group8.2. Working with Groups8.2.1. Editing a group8.2.2. Exploding a group8.3. Hiding and Unhiding Objects8.4. Locking and Unlocking Objects8.4.1. Tutorial: Locking multiple objects8.5. Summary
III. Modeling Basics
9. Drawing in SketchUp
9.1. Understanding the Drawing Axes9.2. Drawing Lines and Faces9.2.1. Understanding inference positions9.2.2. Constraining inference9.2.3. Tutorial: Building a hexagon tower9.3. Drawing Arcs9.3.1. Arc inference9.3.2. Tutorial: Drawing arcs within a hexagon9.4. Using the Freehand Tool9.5. Using the Eraser Tool9.6. Drawing Shapes9.6.1. Creating rectangles and squares9.6.2. Circles9.6.3. Polygons9.7. Drawing Preferences9.8. Using a Graphics Tablet9.9. Summary
10. Modifying Objects
10.1. Using the Push/Pull Tool10.1.1. Creating 3-D objects10.1.2. Tutorial: Extruding faces of a column10.1.3. Creating holes10.2. Using the Follow Me Tool10.2.1. Following a path10.2.2. Tutorial: Creating a sink drain pipe10.2.3. Beveling an edge10.2.4. Lathing about a circle10.3. Using the Offset Tool10.4. Detecting Intersections10.5. Summary
11. Adding Text
11.1. Creating 2-D Text11.1.1. Creating Leader text11.1.2. Creating Screen text11.1.3. Editing text11.1.4. Tutorial: Labeling the height of a vehicle11.2. Creating 3-D Text11.3. Summary
12. Using the Construction Tools
12.1. Measuring Distance with the Tape Measure Tool12.1.1. Using guide lines12.1.2. Using guide points12.1.3. Editing and removing guide lines12.1.4. Tutorial: Creating guide lines for a keypad12.1.5. Using the Tape Measure tool to rescale the scene12.2. Measuring Angles with the Protractor Tool12.3. Adding Dimensions with the Dimension Tool12.3.1. Configuring dimensions12.3.2. Using the Expert Dimension Settings12.4. Using the Axes Tool12.5. Summary
13. Matching a Background Photo
13.1. Aligning the Current Model to a Background Image13.2. Modeling to a Background Image13.3. Editing Matched Photos13.3.1. Working with multiple photos13.3.2. Hiding the background photo and model13.3.3. Projecting textures13.3.4. Working with grids13.4. Summary
14. Working with TIN Surfaces
14.1. Creating TIN Surfaces14.1.1. Creating objects from contour lines14.1.2. Creating TIN surfaces from scratch14.2. Modifying TIN Surfaces14.2.1. Using the Smoove tool14.2.2. Stamping objects into surfaces14.2.3. Using the Drape tool14.2.4. Increasing surface resolution14.2.5. Flipping edges14.2.6. Tutorial: Creating a terrain object14.3. Summary
IV. Organizing Scenes
15. Using Component Libraries
15.1. Using the Components Browser15.1.1. Working with collections15.1.2. Moving components between libraries15.1.3. Using the Edit tab15.1.4. Using the Statistics tab15.2. Creating Components15.3. Accessing the 3D Warehouse15.3.1. Getting more components15.3.2. Getting 3D Warehouse models15.3.3. Sharing models15.4. Summary
16. Working with Dynamic Components
16.1. Using Default Dynamic Components16.1.1. Enabling Dynamic Components16.1.2. Manipulating Dynamic Components16.2. Creating Dynamic Components16.2.1. Using the Component Attributes dialog box16.2.2. Adding new attributes16.2.3. Creating formulas16.3. Summary
17. Using Layers
17.1. Accessing the Layer Manager17.1.1. Creating new layers17.1.2. Deleting layers17.2. Working with Layers17.2.1. Setting an active layer17.2.2. Learning the layer properties17.2.3. Hiding layers17.2.4. Identifying objects on layers17.2.5. Moving objects between layers17.2.6. Tutorial: Separating into layers17.3. Summary
18. Using the Scenes Manager
18.1. Accessing the Scenes Manager18.2. Working with Scenes18.2.1. Adding new scenes18.2.2. Learning the scene properties18.3. Animating Scenes18.3.1. Exporting animations18.3.2. Exporting to video18.3.3. Exporting to sequenced images18.3.4. Tutorial: Animating a view change18.4. Summary
V. Working with Materials, Styles, and Effects
19. Creating and Applying Materials
19.1. Using the Material Browser19.1.1. Selecting a predefined material19.1.2. Exploring the default materials19.1.3. Changing the browser display19.1.4. Moving materials between libraries19.1.5. Creating a new material library19.2. Applying Materials to Objects19.2.1. Using the Paint Bucket tool19.2.2. Sampling existing materials19.2.3. Tutorial: Applying materials to a truck19.3. Editing Materials19.3.1. Creating new materials19.3.1.1. Changing colors19.3.1.2. Loading textures19.3.1.3. Adding transparency19.3.2. Editing current materials19.4. Using the Position Texture Tool19.5. Summary
20. Using Styles
20.1. Using the Styles Browser20.1.1. Applying a style20.1.2. Changing the browser display20.1.3. Moving styles between libraries20.2. Editing Existing Styles20.2.1. Changing edge style20.2.2. Changing face style20.2.3. Changing the background style20.2.4. Adding a watermark20.2.5. Changing modeling colors20.2.6. Mixing styles20.3. Summary
21. Using Style Builder
21.1. Learning the Style Builder Interface21.2. Loading Sample Strokes21.3. Defining a New Style21.3.1. Selecting a stroke set21.3.2. Controlling the preview21.3.3. Setting preferences21.4. Summary
22. Adding Effects
22.1. Adding Fog to the Scene22.1.1. Enabling fog22.1.2. Setting fog distance22.1.3. Changing fog color22.2. Sectioning an Object22.2.1. Defining a section plane22.2.2. Manipulating the section plane22.2.3. Reversing the section cut22.2.4. Extracting a cross section22.2.5. Hiding the section plane22.3. Exporting Section Slices22.4. Summary
23. Using Lights and Shadows
23.1. Accessing the Shadow Settings23.1.1. Turning shadows on and off23.1.2. Setting shadow time and date23.1.3. Brightening lights and shadows23.1.4. Controlling where shadows fall23.2. Allowing Which Models Cast and Receive Shadows23.3. Summary
VI. Presenting SketchUp Scenes
24. Using LayOut
24.1. Learning the LayOut Interface24.1.1. Learning the main toolbar24.1.2. Using document tabs24.1.3. Using trays24.2. Working with LayOut Files24.2.1. Creating a new LayOut file24.2.2. Opening existing files24.2.3. Inserting content24.2.4. Saving LayOut files24.2.5. Export to Images24.2.6. Export to PDF24.3. Configuring the LayOut Document24.3.1. Establishing grids24.3.2. Setting paper size, margins, and orientation24.3.3. Referencing external content24.3.4. Setting layout units24.4. Printing a LayOut24.5. Working with Pages24.6. Navigating the LayOut View24.7. Customizing the LayOut Interface24.7.1. Altering toolbars24.7.2. Setting interface options24.7.3. Adding keyboard shortcuts24.7.4. Changing tool color24.8. Getting Help24.9. Summary
25. Editing LayOut Presentations
25.1. Assembling Content25.1.1. Working with SketchUp files25.1.2. Working with image files25.1.3. Inserting text files25.2. Transforming Content25.2.1. Selecting objects25.2.2. Deleting objects25.2.3. Moving objects25.2.4. Rotating objects25.2.5. Scaling objects25.2.6. Duplicating objects25.2.7. Snapping objects25.2.8. Aligning objects25.2.9. Spacing objects25.2.10. Centering objects25.2.11. Flipping objects25.2.12. Changing the stacking order25.3. Using the LayOut Tools25.3.1. Using the drawing tools25.3.2. Drawing arcs25.3.3. Drawing rectangles25.3.4. Drawing circles, ellipses and polygons25.4. Editing Shapes25.4.1. Copying style25.4.2. Erasing shapes25.4.3. Splitting and joining vertices25.5. Working with Text25.6. Summary
26. Using SketchUp with Google Earth
26.1. Installing Google Earth26.2. Using Google Earth26.3. Retrieving the Current View26.4. Placing Models26.5. Exporting Models26.6. Sharing Models26.7. Getting Models26.8. Summary
VII. Extending SketchUp
27. Scripting with Ruby
27.1. Understanding Ruby Scripting27.1.1. Accessing the Ruby Help files27.1.2. Getting Ruby help27.2. Reviewing the Ruby Samples27.3. Accessing the Ruby Console27.4. Summary
28. Expanding SketchUp with Third-Party Plug-Ins
28.1. Enabling Extensions28.2. Locating Plug-Ins28.2.1. Exploring popular commercial plug-ins28.3. Installing Plug-Ins28.4. Using Sample Ruby Scripts28.4.1. Bezier curves28.4.2. Rotated Rectangle28.4.3. Adding new shapes28.4.4. Creating windows28.4.5. Creating grids28.4.6. Making onion domes28.4.7. Simplifying contours28.5. Summary
VIII. Appendixes
A. What's New with Google SketchUp 7
A.1. New Features in SketchUp 7A.1.1. Dynamic ComponentsA.1.2. Search in Components BrowserA.1.3. Custom TemplatesA.1.4. GeoreferencingA.1.5. Style BuilderA.1.6. Improved LayOut interfaceA.1.7. Better performanceA.2. Minor Improvements in SketchUp 7A.2.1. Model CreditsA.2.2. Measurements ToolbarA.2.3. Help Center
B. Installing and Configuring Google SketchUp 7
B.1. Choosing an Operating SystemB.1.1. Installing to WindowsB.1.2. Installing to MacB.2. Understanding System RequirementsB.2.1. Minimum requirementsB.2.2. Graphics cardsB.2.3. Other requirementsB.3. Installing Google SketchUpB.3.1. Authorizing Google SketchUp ProB.3.2. Authorizing a network versionB.4. Updating SketchUpB.5. Contacting SupportB.6. Moving SketchUp to Another Computer
C. SketchUp Keyboard Shortcuts
C.1. Main Interface ShortcutsC.2. Miscellaneous Shortcuts
D. What's on the CD
D.1. System RequirementsD.2. Using the CD with WindowsD.3. Using the CD with the MacD.4. What's on the CDD.4.1. Author-created materialsD.4.2. ApplicationsD.5. TroubleshootingD.6. Customer Care

Content preview from Google® SketchUp® and SketchUp® Pro 7 Bible

Quick Start: Building a Windmill

If you can't decide for sure where to start, I suggest that you start right here with this Quick Start. It is designed to give you a quick whirlwind tour of the major SketchUp features using tutorials.

Each stage of this Quick Start is also saved on the book's CD and available as a reference if you get off track. And if you are inspired to take the model in a different direction, feel free to do so.

The example project for this Quick Start is a windmill. SketchUp is really good at creating architectural designs such as buildings and homes. It also is good at visualizing machines, and a windmill is both.

Finding a Reference Image

One of the best places to start is to look for a reference image that is similar to what you want to build. A quick search on the Internet enabled me to find a windmill that is fairly close to what I want to build. This image is used as a reference that gives me the correct relative dimensions and shapes.

Because the reference image is flat, you can load it into the drawing area and use the image as you line up different dimensions. You can load the reference image as a background image, but the scaling may be off, so you'll load it onto a flat planar surface that you can position wherever you want.

Tutorial: Loading a reference image

Loading and positioning a reference image will take a little bit of work, but it is worth ...

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