Slicer3: Make physical site models fast

Making physical site models was the bane of my architecture school existence. The photocopying, the tracing, the hundreds of dollars spent on wasted reams of chipboard -- I can smell the spray mount just thinking about it. Ugh.

I recently came upon Slicer3, a Ruby plugin for SketchUp by TIG that's so useful and so easy to grasp that I couldn't wait to write about it. What it does is simple: Given a piece of geometry, Slicer3 slices it up. You tell it what spacing to use, how thick the slices should be and which direction to cut, and it does the rest. For turning a piece of digital terrain into a physical model, it's a godsend.

Take a look at what I was able to do with Slicer3:

Start with a terrain surface, then make it a solid (I use the Line tool) and group it.

Choosing X for "Slice Orientation" produces slices that are perpendicular to the X axis.

Specify your units in the Spacing and Thickness fields.

Entering the same value for Spacing and Thickness (and choosing Z for Slice Orientation) yields a traditional contour model.

Some things you should know about this awesome script:

• Slicer3 is free; you can download it from the Ruby Library Depot
• To install it, just drop it in your Plugins folder.
• This SketchUcation thread provides some nice discussion and examples.
• This Pushpull Bar post is also very informative.
  
• For this script to work, the thing you want to slice has to be solid (watertight) and either a group or a component.
• Slicer3 doesn't automatically scale your model for you; you'll have to do that part yourself.

And if that isn't enough, Slicer3 will also (if you wish) lay out each slice on the ground, separating them by an amount that you specify. It can even number the slices for you. Can you say "laser cutter"?

Tell Slicer3 to lay out copies of each slice on the ground -- and number them automatically.

One last thing: I thought it might be neat to try using Slicer3 on some 3D terrain from Google Earth. Here's my attempt:

Start by framing a view in Google Earth. This is a section of Boulder Canyon, a few miles West of the SketchUp office.

Import a terrain snapshot into SketchUp and color it (because it's prettier in color).

Make a giant 3D "crop box" that encloses the terrain you want to keep.

Use Intersect with Model to merge the box and terrain surface into a single, solid object. Then group it.

Scale the terrain object. I scaled by a factor of 0.005 to achieve 1:200 scale.

Use Slicer3 (this is the fun part).

The resulting stack of slices. Cut, stack, glue and enjoy.

On behalf of the entire SketchUp community, thanks for this script, TIG. A thousand architecture students will get another hour of sleep because of you.

Posted by Aidan Chopra, SketchUp Evangelist

Summer SketchUp training schedule

I'm happy to announce that our July/August 2010 SketchUp Authorized Training Center schedule is now available. Training sessions are available in more places than ever.

The map below contains information on specific locations, dates, and courses provided.


View July/August 2010 Training Schedule in a larger map

Posted by Shara Rice, SketchUp Training Team

Great book: Real World Google SketchUp 7

If you think you’re a SketchUp hotshot, think again. Ten minutes spent flipping through Real World Google SketchUp 7 by Mike Tadros will make you realize there’s plenty to learn. Spend an hour and I guarantee you’ll be more productive. The book is that good.

Mike (who is also the lead instructor at Go-2-School.com) has been one of the world’s best SketchUp teachers for years. His video podcasts are terrific and his training DVDs are second to none. My favorite thing about Mike is his ability to explain not just how to do something, but how to do it quicker and smarter than anyone else. He’s a power user’s power user, and I learn something every time I watch him work.

This book provides a behind-the-scenes look into the professional workflows he's been putting to use at his company, Igloo Studios. It explores topics that are super-relevant to everyone who uses SketchUp: working with 2D CAD files; turning hand drawings into 3D models; making compelling fly-throughs; setting up SketchUp for maximum efficiency; working with materials; authoring Dynamic Components; using Rubies and other plugins... The list goes on.

Congrats on a great book, Mike.

Update: Peachpit Press (the book's publisher) is offering a discount: Enter the coupon code “SKETCHUP” to receive 35% off and free USA shipping (expires 12/31/10).

Posted by Aidan Chopra, SketchUp Evangelist

Featured Geo-modeler: Don Shepperson

As an architecture student at the University of Kentucky, Don Shepperson started modeling existing buildings as a way to learn more about about the formal language of cities and towns -- to study what works and what doesn't.

Don learned about Google Earth’s 3D Buildings layer the first time he opened that product to research the Lexington, Kentucky area. While doing that research, Don noticed how few 3D buildings Lexington had in Google Earth. As an experienced SketchUp modeler, he started creating local buildings by using image textures from Street View in Google Maps. With the launch of Building Maker, the process has become easier and more refined.

Since that time Don has been modeling, creating and contributing to collections in the 3D Warehouse; he currently has 150 geo-models which have been accepted to -- and are viewable in -- Google Earth. Don feels that the more buildings he models, the better designer he’ll become as he uses these skills in the creation of his own designs.

Don would like to model as much of Kentucky as possible, then he’d like to move on and model buildings in other states and even other countries. To that end, he’s started a collection of LEED-certified buildings with the intention of creating more in the future. Of the many models that Don has created, his favorite is the style and bold attitude of the TVCC (Television Cultural Center) in Beijing, China.

Don's model of the TVCC buildings in Beijing

Posted by Greg Wirt, Google SketchUp Team

SketchUp Pro Case Study: Tropman & Tropman Architects

As part of the ongoing SketchUp “Down Under” series, Sheryl Uytiepo of Tropman & Tropman Architects, a multi-disciplined design firm in Sydney, Australia, provided some great graphics and input into how they use SketchUp.

Why SketchUp?
“There are several reasons why I prefer using Sketchup over other 3D visualisation programs. I believe that architecture should be informed by its site and the ease in which SketchUp models are incorporated in Google Earth is an extremely useful tool that allows you to see what impact the design proposal will have on the site.”

Project: The Red Palace | Design Director: Tasman Storey

“I also find that I am able to model more quickly and efficiently using SketchUp. It is very easy to learn so I am often able to pass off a lot of modelling work to my colleagues regardless of their 3D expertise. Which as you can imagine is extremely important in regards to deadlines."

Project: The Red Palace | Design Director: Tasman Storey

Some of the graphics were produced using SketchUp with the iRender rendering program. I asked Sheryl about when and why they produce photorealistic images:

“The method of render whether photo-realistic or sketch is dependant on the idea that we are trying to convey. Throughout the design development period of a project we tend to create several sketch models and hundreds of sketch like images to show the relation between use, mass and space. More importantly it allows us to convey several concepts to the client from which they can inform us what design or aspects of design they prefer."

Project: Atturaif Historic District

“Generally we tend to shy away from images that are too photorealistic in the beginning because we don't want the client to think that what the image proposes is exactly what will be built. Then as the project progresses and the client solidifies certain aspects of the design we develop more detailed and thus more photorealistic images. The most important aspect of the photo-realistic image is the atmosphere they convey.”

Project: Atturaif Historic District

Big thanks to Sheryl and the team at Tropman & Tropman Architects for sharing their work. Cheers!

Posted by Chris Dizon, SketchUp Sales Team

Winning more jobs with LayOut

Most people we’ve met know what SketchUp is and what it can do, and those people generally think it’s the greatest thing since the three-button mouse. But what about LayOut? LayOut? What is that? How much is it and how do I get it?

Well, if you own SketchUp Pro you already own LayOut. It comes bundled as a part of SketchUp Pro. Robbie Blance of RB3D shows us how SketchUp Pro modelers are putting their models to work in LayOut – and winning more jobs.


Robbie has created professional construction documents. Everything shown in the images above was done using LayOut, including the title blocks. Robbie says:

“I have been using Sketchup LayOut for about 2 years. Originally I used it to only to show prospective clients what their new deck was going to look like on their house. I produced an A3 presentation sheet with four views of their new deck. As I got faster with my modelling and learned more about Layout I started building the decks and patios with more detail, in fact I built them completely using all the material the carpenters were going to use, so I then started producing working drawings. Now I use Layout to produce the drawings for the development applications as well, nothing is wasted, the original concept model simply gets more detailed.”

Posted by Brandon Feltman, SketchUp Sales Team

Google SketchUp 7.1 is now available in Russian and Dutch

We have just added some new language support to Google SketchUp 7.1, making '3D for Everyone' available to people who speak French, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese, Korean and Traditional Chinese. Today, I'm pleased to say "welkom" and "добро пожаловать" to those of you who speak Dutch and Russian as we release new language support for Google SketchUp 7.1 in your language. SketchUp 7.1 is now available in a total of eleven languages...but stay tuned. We've still got a few more to go!

Update: Removed Polish from the list of languages in which SketchUp 7.1 is currently available.

Posted by John Bacus, Product Manager

Rotterdam in 3D

Being of Dutch decent, I’m particularly excited to announce the introduction of Rotterdam, Netherlands as the latest 3D city to be in Google Earth!

While there’s plenty to see when visiting this southern city of 600,000 residents, if you’re a fan of architecture then you’ll want to fly directly to the Kubuswoningen (cube houses).



The Kubuswonigen is a set of innovative houses designed by architect Piet Blom in 1984. The houses are tilted at 45 degrees, and sit on hexagon-shaped pylons. There are 38 small cubes and two so called 'super-cubes', all attached to each other.


The cube houses are quite an attraction and visitors are said to frequently disturb the local so often that one owner reportedly decided to open a "show cube", which is furnished as a normal house, and is making a living out of offering tours to visitors. Brilliant!

The geo-modeling community is very active in Rotterdam. Over 100 user-created buildings (created with Google SketchUp and Google Building Maker) are in the 3D Buildings layer in Google Earth - including the cube houses, the Erasmus bridge (“De Zwaan”), and the Feijenoord Stadion, among others.

Posted by Bruce Polderman, Product Manager

Finding your geo-models in the 3D Warehouse

Ever have trouble keeping track of your geo-models in the 3D Warehouse? Wouldn't it be nice if you could sort them to make it easier to figure which ones to work on next? We thought so, too -- behold the following screenshot:

Use the drop-down menu on your My Models 3D Warehouse page to filter your geo-models by their Google Earth acceptance status.

We've added a new drop-down menu to the My Models page. You can use it to filter your models by their Google Earth acceptance status:

All Models
This is the default “show me everything” option.

Models in Google Earth
Displays all your models that are currently visible in the “3D Buildings” layer of Google Earth. May this page be plentiful!

Pending Google Earth Models
Shows your models which are currently awaiting review for the “3D Buildings” layer of Google Earth.

Not Accepted Google Earth Models
These models did not make it through the review process, but don't fret: Check the “3D Buildings Review” section at the bottom of the model page for details and suggestions for fixing your model.

Draft Google Earth Models
These are models which have a geographic location but are not being considered for Google Earth either because they are not publicly-viewable (setting on the “Access” page), or not marked “Google Earth Ready” (setting on the “Edit details” page). Why let these models stay here when they could be in Google Earth?

Happy filtering!

Posted by Dave Hawkey, 3D Warehouse Software Engineer

Explore the South African stadiums in 3D

Whether you call it soccer, like us, or football, like the rest of the world, we have your virtual ticket to South Africa right here. Google Earth is proud to feature 3D models of all ten stadiums and the nine cities of host nation South Africa.

To check it out for yourself, download this 3D tour to explore the stadiums in Google Earth, or check it out using the new Earth view in Google Maps. Fly into Green Point Stadium for a seat looking out at Cape Town’s famous Table Mountain. From there you may want to head over to the dramatic arch that suspends Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium. The distinctive multi-hued orange shell of Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg is a must see. It’s here where South Africa kicks off against Mexico in the first game on June 11, and where the final takes place exactly a month later.

See what’s in store for you to explore in Google Earth:



South Africa offers much more than soccer stadiums of course, which is why we’ve also modeled thousands of buildings around the country. These 3D cities can help you get a feel for why South Africa receiving the world’s attention. And if you’re lucky enough to be there, you might like to see how close the stadium is to your hotel.


Finally, since several of the stadiums are either newly constructed or heavily remodeled, you can use the Historical Imagery feature in Google Earth to see the transformation over the years. Open up Google Earth, turn on the Historical Imagery layer by clicking on the clock button at the top, and slide the bar to travel through time.



We realize that the United States winning the Cup is a long-shot, but the 3D team here in Boulder, Colorado will be cheering for team USA anyway!

Posted by Bruce Polderman, Product Manager