3D Modeling screen captures from Google SketchUp

[Jeffry Fontaine]

I have been attempting to learn how to use Google's SketchUp software for some time now, all with the hope that I can master the quirks that seem to pop up with every new attempt that I have undertaken so far.  In my defense, I learned to be a draughtsman the old fashioned way on a table top with a straight edge, compass, protractor, eraser shield, and graphite pencils.  This was followed up years later with formal training on AutoCAD which seems to be less frustrating to learn and use when compared to its quirky step brother SketchUp.  

I would like to share a couple of images with you of something I managed to create over this past weekend.  Something simple, a box, that I felt comfortable enough to share with you.  Nothing fancy, mind you, but it is based on a description provided in a role playing game called The Morrow Project which had a survivalist/para-military theme and a lot of factoids on weapon systems past, present, and future included in the game sets.  

The player guide book stated that each participating member of the game could pack personal items for their game in a storage box with the following dimensions:
Height: 15.0" (38.1 cm)
Width:  18:0" (45.72 cm)
Length: 36.0" (91.44 cm)

There was no mention of what the box was made of so I decided to start off with something simple that was constructed of wood beams and plywood.  It was a fun diversion for me and allowed me to master a few more of the features provided in SketchUp.  The attached images show the box with and with out the lid and the last image shows that it has a "stacking" feature.  I am quite pleased with the forklift truck cut outs in the skids, but the handles could do with some improvements if and when I can find the time and the resources to develop a decent set of hinges and a hasp to lock it I will then update the drawings.  

Until then, enjoy.

[Jeffry Fontaine]

How about a WHIF boat?  123.0' (37.5 m) planing hull to be specific.  I did this free hand in SketchUp and tried to put some hull plating on it.  It did not look as nice with all of those odd looking polygon shapes cluttering up the hull so I removed them and positioned the views so you could see the hull outline and framing.  This is the third or fifth attempt at creating a boat hull in SketchUp.  The first couple of times I created a hull in DELFTship and saved the file as an AutoCad file which SketchUp6 recognizes.  The end result was a really nice looking hull but it had so many polygon shapes that it was almost impossible to work with.  Trying to add framing and bulkheads for the water-tight compartments proved to be almost impossible so I went back to the basics and created the hull in SketchUp from scratch.  It was really easy to do and the next challenge is to attempt to put in the buttocks and bulkheads with some added depth. 

Now if I can find a couple of suitable engines for this thing, it would be sweet to make some waves.  Gas turbine or Diesel?  I would prefer a quartet of Napier Deltics paired to two shafts and driving a pair of pump jets or high performance propellers. 

[B777LR]

Now if I can find a couple of suitable engines for this thing, it would be sweet to make some waves.  Gas turbine or Diesel?  I would prefer a quartet of Napier Deltics paired to two shafts and driving a pair of pump jets or high performance propellers. 

Both! Diesel for cruise, and turbine for those full speed chases. The standard-flex ships have that system.

[frank2056]

Jeff, That hull is really a good job - especially since you're using  Sketchup... and you know what I think of that program.

[Jeffry Fontaine]

Jeff, That hull is really a good job - especially since you're using  Sketchup... and you know what I think of that program.

There are times when I completely agree with you on SketchUp.  The hull framing and lines were easy enough to create but when it came to applying a skin to cover up the internal details it all turned to crap.  I had some really horrible looking polygons that were making me rethink my approach to trying to keep it simple.  I could have done a faster job using the old school tools (paper, straight edge and pencil).

[frank2056]

I had some really horrible looking polygons that were making me rethink my approach to keeping it simply.  I could have done a faster job using the old school tools (paper, straight edge and pencil).

That's my guideline when approaching a project - can I do it faster by hand, or on the computer? In Sketchup, the answer was always "by hand" - with Rhino, it's faster for anything but the simplest projects.

[Jeffry Fontaine]

After reviewing some of the work that has been to the 3DWarehouse by other people using Google's SketchUp I have come to the conclusion that there is no easy way to skin the hull other than taking it frame by frame and sub-dividing it as often as practical to achieve a smooth surface.  So with that in mind I sat down last night and did just that.  After skinning one half of the hull I copied it, pasted it, reversed it and mated it up with the original half.  It required a couple of small adjustments to address some irregularities on the surface but the overall appearance is about as good as it can get with SketchUp.  I added a figure to provide some idea of just how large the hull with the 5' 11' (1.8 m) tall figure is standing next to the bow.  My next goal is to pull it apart again so I can try to add in the framing and bulkheads that will separate the watertight compartments.  I have also been searching through the 3D Warehouse for a suitable power plant that can be scaled up to a reasonable size to represent a couple of large high performance marine diesel engines.  This is actually quite enjoyable when I get it right.  So attached are three images of the hull with the skin applied.  

[ElectrikBlue]

Nice work Jeffry! 

I have tried myself this software to model aircrafts but I quickly gave up ().

I am impressed by your patience!

[ElectrikBlue]

... I might want to buy that program because it might make it easier to come up with my Aircraft WHIF designs

Kendra, you can learn how to use SketchUp with a freeware version, here is the link:
http://sketchup.google.com/intl/en/

[frank2056]

While not free, AC3D can be used without paying for a while. It looks more intimidating than Sketchup, but in reality it's much easier to get the object in your head onto the screen with AC3D than Sketchup. I would put Sketchup near the bottom of the list of easy to learn and use 3D software - maybe easier than Blender, but not by much.

If you're a student/staff or faculty at a school, you can get Rhino3D for around $190. Expensive, but ultimately far easier to use than Sketchup and far more powerful. The demo version is fully functional, only limited to 25 saves.

Frank

[Jeffry Fontaine]

Some additional work done on the superstructure with a to scale figure posing on the deck to appreciate the size.  The hull has been sectioned once again to try and work out details on spaces for living, machinery, and operations. 

One of the pleasant little surprises I found while surfing through Google's 3D Warehouse was the inclusion of digital terrain elevation models.  This is something that I used to work with in the Army way back before the internet and actual computers that could handle the data.  We had a Macintosh computer that was "militarized" by placing the Mac guts into big green EMP proofed boxes.  A real monster to move around and it may have started out as a desk top computer but after it became GI issue it took a truck to make it portable.  Anyway the digital elevation data was provided on VHS tapes which were loaded one square mile at a time to the hard drive to merge with a digitized tactical map to create some really neat for the time 3D images of what point X would look like on the ground if you were standing there.  Keep in mind that this was all created on low definition monitors and dot matrix printers and it was certainly high-technology for the time but stone age technology when compared to what I can manipulate and exploit on a desk top computer now. 

[Jeffry Fontaine]

Took a break from the boat project and diverted my attention to another couple of projects.  One is posted in the hot topics discussion forum so I won't display it here.  If you are interested, it is a drawing of the Grand Slam II air launched ballistic missile that is based on the low resolution sketch provided by Thorvic a few years back.  I had wanted to see learn more about this weapon system but there is little to be had so using the sketch I came up with something that looks pretty close.  

I drew another storage box.  This time it is based on the dimensions of a standard freight pallet (48.0" x 40.0").  All of the variations of the box are in the same image.  SketchUp also provides image files as dynamic components that will allow you to be that much more creative or productive depending on your muse.  SketchUp-6 has a rather extensive collection of these things that range from construction to interior decoration and more are available at the 3D Warehouse for downloading.  I found a few of these dynamic components to be quite primitive looking but several were worth working on.  One of these was a generic barge that had minimum detail.  I decided to add some hatches and access panels, some bollards and a couple of storage lockers on the deck to tart it up a bit.  It certainly looks better than the original.  The second and third images show the old and new barge with a bow on and stern view.  

[Jeffry Fontaine]

[edit] seeing all these drawings you have made in Google Sketchup has me intrigued..... is this software easy to use? Just wondering as it could be useful for visualising various details in a scratchbuild project?

Duncan,

I will say that the learning curve for Google SketchUp is a bit steep.  It has features that continue to impress me while at the same time providing me with no end of aggravation.  It has taken many months to get to the point where I can use the program with confidence and share what I have created.  

Others have had similar experiences and you will either love it or loath it.  Since it is available for free from Google I am content to accept it with all of the faults I have encountered so far.  It is a tool that can either be mastered or abandoned, it is up to the individual to take what is there and make the best of it.  

I only wish that this had been available twenty years ago when I was still working as an intelligence analyst.  It would have been a wonderful asset to have for creating analytical reports that required graphics that only an imagery analyst could appreciate.  While I did use something similar to this when I was in the Army it was a primitive Macintosh built into a group of giant green boxes that required a truck to move it around (they said it was portable ;^)).  That system had features that could create digital terrain models that allowed you to see an objective from many aspects such as directly from the target looking outward in a 360 degeee view or from other points looking at the target.  It was a marvelous piece of work for the time since it required input of the digital terrain elevation data through the use of a VHS video tape recorder that limited you to a very small piece of terrain.  The corresponding map upon which the terrain relief was created was contained on giant LASER disks that were the same size as the old 33 1/3 rpm vinyl LP records.  Nothing about that system was small except the available memory on the computer hard drive  which was pitiful in comparison to what I am running now on my home computer but it was leading edge technology at the time of its introduction to the Army and it was certainly way ahead of using a slide rule to get exact measurements.  

I digress though, the question is do you have the patience and interest to learn how to use SketchUp, if you do, then take advantage of the software and download both versions of SketchUp since the older version has features that are no longer offered on the new release (SketchUp-6 will allow you to import and exploit AutoCAD files).  

[Overkiller]

Thank you Jeffry.

I've decided to take the plunge and give it a go, I've downloaded the software, so lets see what happens 

That terrain visualising equipment you refer to sounds very interesting, and quite amazing considering the then "state of the art" in computing.



Duncan

[Jeffry Fontaine]

Jeff, That hull is really a good job - especially since you're using  Sketchup... and you know what I think of that program.

Once again those words come back to haunt me.  I have learned that SketchUp works really well for small projects, especially if you are working with dimensions in the inch and centimeter range.  Once you go beyond that your margin for error increases exponentially and will come back to bite you on the A$$ when you least expect it.  I was not happy with the hull after I skinned it so I tore it apart and started all over again.  Much to my dismay I discovered that no matter how careful I was about connecting to specific points on the hull to get it "true" it still failed in the end when I found that I could not install any decking in the hull to begin placement of bulkheads, spaces, and voids.  It went downhill rather quickly.  The aquamarine color hull in this latest batch of screen shots is my latest attempt to fix the errors and I am still not satisfied since it fails to meet my standards for acceptable work.  I decided to divert my attention and efforts for now to other details that still need to be developed for the hull such as the engines, rudders, screws, and deck furnishings as well as the bridge/wheelhouse which has been a real experience in trying to get things that fit on one plane to cooperate on another. 

I would hazard to guess that if I chose to scale the model down instead of working in 1:1 scale that the margin for error would diminish but that takes all of the fun out of the project.  I figured it would be neat to build a full size vessel and what better way to do that by going with 1:1 scale for the 3D model. 

First up is something that a few of our members will recognize as an attempt to replicate shipboard accommodations that are necessary on any ship, boat, or small craft.  Most often called a bunk or rack depending on which branch of service you were in and known as a bed to civilians.  I created the drawer section and added a platform above it for the mattress.  The base features 3.0" "U" channel steel to mount it to the deck and the mattress was found on-line as part of a dynamic component that I downloaded which had a dormitory style bed that had a pillow and mattress complete with sheets nad blanket ready for inspection.  I had created my own mattress but it was bare so the blanket and sheet are a nice touch.  I added a figure in the prone position to show that the bunk is the right size all around.  The bunk was saved as a dynamic component which I can share with other SketchUp fans via the 3D Warehouse when I get my account figured out.  In the mean time I have been busy searching through the graphics for specific items that can save my time and energy during the construction of this digital ship model. 

The second item in the next installment is the engine air intake trunking.  I put that together in about fifteen minutes then went back and tweeked it a bit by enlarging the vent area and giving it some color.  I have constructed floor plan or sorts to work out details such as where the engines will go and crew accommodations which is a real interesting process when you try to work with objects that you can only control by way of your mouse.  It has certainly been a learning experience and not always enjoyable.