News and Update

December 11, 2010	There are two tools that are very often used in Sketchup: the circle and arc tool. A deeper discussion about these two tools is posted in Tool time: Circle and Arc Tool. This chapter also explains how to create a 'perfect' arc, one that merges seamlessly with a line or another arc.
December 4, 2010	Chapter on "Adding Roof Element" has been posted. Now the Project-One house final shape is complete, ready for some finishing work.  However, I plan to talk about some tools first before continuing with this project.
November 21, 2010	Chapter on "Adding Interior and Exterior Details" has been posted. More to come.
November 19, 2010	Hello guys, sorry for not updating the tutorial for more than eight months now. Google has released a SketchUp version 8.0. (UN)Luckily, the update for the free version is more toward Google Earth modeling, which I don't plan to cover (at least for now). Other than that, the rest is almost completely the same.  Fix some links to accommodate the update, and plan to catch up. See you soon.
February 14, 2010	I have uploaded some bathroom components to the 3d warehouse. We need these components for the next lesson: "Adding Some Details"
February 7, 2010	We are now ready to Place all Windows to our windowless house.
February 1, 2010	Let's add some doors to our 3D modeling
January 25, 2010	Let's start our 3d modeling tutorial by creating a floor plan and make walls and floors from the plan.
January 21, 2010	I have uploaded three Dynamic Components to the 3d Warehouse. These are the first batch of Quicky Components that are essential for creating the 3d model in Project One.
January 18, 2010	Need some time to translate components with the right English terminology. Meanwhile you may want to check your hardware and download some files to work with this tutorial. Afterward, you can start installing and setting up your SketchUp and find out about our SketchUp projects.
January 17, 2010	I use SketchUp quite extensively during the construction  my new house. This may give you some ideas if you are planning or in the middle of constructing or remodeling a house.
January 14, 2010	More translation of Section: Welcome and Introduction to SketchUp have been posted. More are still to come. For the time being, you can browse: Improving Model Accuracy and see an example of a SketchUp model I have created.
January 13, 2010	Google issues SketchUp Release 7.1 Maintenance 2 (7.1.6860). It fixes some bugs, security issues and some language interface.
January 12, 2010	This Welcome page is first posted. This blog is officially born.
January 10, 2010	One Chapter per week target is achieved,  The final Chapter of Project One of the Indonesian version of this blog is completed and this English version is started.
November 17, 2009	Google issues SketchUp 7.1.6087.  Although this is a not a major update, it has a better texture management for better spanning and orbiting (But ... 3D import is missing).
November 5, 2009	SketchupTutor blogspot, a sister site to this blog to born

Welcome

This blog is not intended to discuss architecture but rather to explore and learn an excellent yet free 3-D modeling software from Google: SketchUp. However with its surprisingly ease of use, this application might be just the one you need to reveal "the architect in you".

The users of this Sketchup tutorial are absolute beginners who do not have prior knowledge of any 3D modeling software or anyone else who wants to learn SketchUp from square one.  What you need is just a general knowledge of using Microsoft Window applications, a little bandwidth and a lot of time to have fun. Anything else is free ...

This Sketchup tutorial blog is structured more like a book with sections and chapters, than  journal like postings as you would see in a normal blog. Therefore you can use this blog as you usually do when reading an e-book. The main organization of this Sketchup tutorial is as follows:

1. Main Page. The Home page of this blog will always be this Welcome post. At the top of this page, news regarding updates to this blog will be posted along with information regarding SketchUp updates released by Google, or any news that I believe is relevant to this blog readers. 
2. The Left column. The left column is the Table of  Content of this book, which will be divided into Sections and Chapters. Except for the  first two sections (Welcome and What is SketchUp), all Sections and Chapters are designed as step-by-step tutorials and that are to be done in sequential order as each chapter is started where previous chapter left off. However, a link to a base model is provided at the beginning of each chapter in case you want to start directly with the chapter.
   
3. The right column. This column will contain a General section. Here we will discus Tips & Trick and SketchUp techniques which are too lengthy to be part of any of the chapters. Another section  in this column is Freebies. Every now and then I would post 3-D models and components that I have created that might be of interest.
   Each posting in this column can be read separately since each is an individual topic by itself.

This is a "show and tell" Sketchup tutorial. For each step in the modeling process, there will be a general explanation in how and what tool you need to use to finish the step.  At the end of each step, an animation is shown to have a clear understanding how it is done in SkecthUp. I also provide you with a detailed list of steps taken in the animation (especially in the first few chapters). In order not to clutter the pages, these detailed steps are hidden until you click the "Detailed Steps" button .

It is expected that by doing this Sketchup tutorial you can make 3d model of your current and/or planned home and.or can seek inspiration from various sources to put into your SketchUp model .

As I am also writing a sister blog in Bahasa Indonesia, I hope this is not a way too tall order.

Cheers,

Harrynov

How Do We Go About It?

.. Just Do It ..

From my own experience in learning and teaching topics related to computers, computer knowledge will be more easily understood if we go straight with the keyboard (and mouse). Set a complete yet attainable goal and start with something small. During the process of achieving the goal, we learn various aspect of the application.

In this tutorial, the goal is to model a small house, and later will do some remodeling to the house by adding rooms and floors to the original model. Where do we start: Floor plan.

What is the Plan?

Here is what we are going to do. We'll start this tutorial by learning how to put your floor plan into SketchUp. From the floor plan, we will create floors and walls, add doors and windows, roofs and some other details. After the physical form of the house is completed, We would do some finishing work by adding material such tiling, paint, grass as you normally would to finish a home building.

During the making of the model, we will gradually learn concepts, tools and techniques for making 3-D model using Google SketchUp for Windows. Certainly at this tutorial stage, the house should be quite simple yet detailed so we can utilize most of tools and technique available in SketchUp.

In this scenario, this initial model is a two-room house on a 91 square meter land. At the end of this project, we will have a 3-D model of a small house that will look like this following:

For those of you who are wondering whether this tiny house is only made conceptually to introduce you with SketchUp modeling. Nope, this is a typical building size in suburban housing projects all around Indonesia.

Although the building is small, I have managed to make it as detailed as possible down to wall thickness, dimension of window/door frames, to approximate size of the tiles we use.

We would assume that the the 3D model we just created as the house that in need for some additional rooms and facilities.  Because space limitation, the development will have to go upward by adding another floor. The final 3d model of the two-story house will look this following picture.

Later we will see how easy this is done using SketchUp. As easy as "pull it here, push it there ", seriously …

End Target

The end target end of this tutorial is to help you learn to make 3-dimensional model of the house you live in, and afterward how to remodel the house. I believe by the end of this tutorial, you will have all the skill you need to do this with SketchUp and show it off to your family and friends.

Harrynov

Planning to Model Your Own House?

.. or just wanting to rearrange your furniture .. 

Many of us want to make additions / changes to the house we live in. From planning to add a room or two to adding another floor, or simply want to change the interior or the look of our house.

Whatever the reason, all have to start with a design. The easiest way is to obtain services from experienced architects who will explore your needs and styles and translate them into architectural designs. The more experienced the architect the more expensive the fee. However, the exploration of needs and styles is not easy. Depending on the communication skill of the architect and our ability to articulate thoughts.

Designing is Fun

Actually, designing is one of the most exciting parts of a home remodeling project. (The least exiting: cost overrun)  Why not do it yourself.  There are a lot of books, magazines out there that you can use as references. Internet and Google will overwhelm you with ideas. Or just go to  some neighborhoods for some inspiration. Visit websites managed by architects. Some housing projects provide you with detailed enough plans you can adopt. Most of all, who know you and your family better than yourself. Moreover, the amount of time you could spend designing may be far more than the architects’ who must also work on other projects. What we need is a good and easy to use tool to help us with the design process.

Tips and Trick

Need for Expert Advices It is necessary to have your house comply to building codes applicable in your area. So you still need to consult with experts regarding building structures, house safety, wiring and plumbing plan,etc

I'm not saying the architect is never needed at all. If you are willing to adopt someone else’s design, chances are you can do your own home design. If you want to have a house that does not look like every other house in the block, you need to get expert help. When I build a bigger house, I asked for architects help to do the retouching of my design. My intention was to have a house façade which was not attached to a certain era and yet not outdated. I love minimalist design but everybody is doing it. All of the room layout that I created was adopted by the architect. For such tasks, I choose architect that was relatively more affordable.

Making  3-Dimension (3-D) Model

Humans are used to see objects with perspectives. In 3-D models, we can maintain perspective of object at every angle possible, compare objects to another object so we can “feel” its size and presence. Objects can be evaluated with its surrounding. For example, if we want to make a small lavatory under a staircase we have to considers things such as the minimal height of the lavatory ceiling, and the maximal height of the stair landing. We must evaluate how deep the floor must be recessed in order not to make the stair too steep. You will need a lot of two-dimensional drawings to be able to analyze this comprehensively.

There were times that we could only make model house using cardboard, toothpicks, plastic sheets, and some paints. If you wanted to add objects to the model, such as furniture, human figures, you had to look for objects with the same scale with the house. Not too easy a task. Some people can make very realistic model house as shown in the pictures. Drawback: difficult to make, not easy to modify, costly and need a lot of time to finish. Not to mention prone to damage by a flying ball.

Nowadays, we can make 3-D models with the help of computers. Today’s home computers are so sophisticated that in general they can be used to create 3-D models with ease. 

Too ambitious?

The above story may sound "too ambitious". How could we – mere human – who have never studied architecture or understand any CAD software – do that? It is hard .... if we don’t know SketchUp. SketchUp will help you make three-dimensional model with very good results, fast and easy. This SketchUp tutorial will take you there, step by step.

SketchUp is very powerful modeling software with very intuitive usage. Their motto once was "3D for Every One". It is believed that the learning curve is shorter than a more serious CAD such as ArchiCAD and the like. With such ease of usage, your creativity will not be handicapped by the tool you have. This is very important in designing

A car made with SketchUp (Source: Wikipedia)

If you are not planning to create 3D models of organic shapes (such as human form), or other complex shapes (like the Sydney Opera House or the car in your garage) then the "SketchUp is exactly for you". If you want to add stuff to your model (appliances, trees, a gazebo, or even a plane), you just need to search it in the internet. Chances are, they have already been made. Most are free. In fact, Google already hosts a warehouse of 3d models for you to download and upload 3D models, free of charge.

Harrynov