Architectural Design with SketchUp: 3D Modeling, Extensions, BIM, Rendering, Making, Scripting, and Layout

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments xiii About the Companion Website xv Chapter 1: Introduction 1 1.1 A Multitude of SketchUp Users 1 1.2 How Does SketchUp Fit into the Designer’s Toolbox? 2 1.3 Easy 3D for Everyone 7 1.4 Windows or Mac, Pro or App, iPad or Phone? 9 1.5 Trimble’s Product Ecosystem 11 1.6 About This Book 14 1.7 How This Book Works 19 Let’s Go!. 20 Chapter 2: A SketchUp Refresher 21 2.1 Getting Started and Getting Help 21 2.2 Interface and Program Setup 22 Adjusting SketchUp’s Preferences 27 2.3 Working with Templates 29 Setting Units and Fonts 30 Adding Components 31 Views 32 Completed Template 33 2.4 SketchUp’s Tool Set 33 Navigating the 3D Model 33 Accurate Modeling 36 Example 2.A: Starting a Pergola 38 Selecting Items 39 Temporary References 40 Example 2.B: Creating Beams for the Pergola 40 Groups and Components 43 Example 2.C: Using Components for the Pergola 45 Applying Materials 52 Example 2.D: Applying Materials to the Pergola 52 Curved and Compound Shapes 56 Example 2.E: Modeling a Post Cap 56 Other Tools in SketchUp 60 2.5 SketchUp’s Best Practices and Watch- Outs 62 Chapter 3: 3D Modeling Approaches 65 3.1 Massing and Reference- Based Modeling 65 Using References for Modeling: Location and Images 66 Example 3.A: Location- Based Modeling 66 Example 3.B: Modeling from an Imported Plan 73 3.2 Group- and Component- Based Modeling 78 Effective Use of Groups and Components 79 Staying Organized in SketchUp 80 Generating Reports of Groups and Components 82 Modeling with Assembly in Mind (Virtual Mockup Building) 85 Example 3.C: Trimming Groups Using Two Methods 87 Example 3.D: Assembly Animation in SketchUp 90 3.3 Using Parametric Components to Your Advantage 93 Dynamic Components 93 Example 3.E: Adding Dynamic Components to Your Model 95 Authoring Dynamic Components 97 Example 3.F: Making a Wall Dynamic Component 97 Live Components 101 3.4 Modeling from Point Clouds 103 Laser Scanning 103 Point Cloud Modeling Techniques 103 Example 3.G: Drawing a Structural Column from Point Cloud Data 104 3.5 Where Does SketchUp Fit into the BIM Workflow? 106 Example 3.H: Program Planning with SketchUp’s Dynamic Components 109 Making a Space Dynamic Component 110 SketchUp and Revit 112 SketchUp and AutoCAD 113 BIM Classifier and IFC in SketchUp 114 Example 3.I: Using IFC Classifications in SketchUp 116 Chapter 4: Using Extensions Effectively 123 4.1 What Does an Extension Do? 123 4.2 Getting and Using Extensions 124 How Exactly Do Extensions Work? 129 Updating, Uninstalling, and Organizing Extensions 131 4.3 Extensions and Their Applications 132 Extensions for General Modeling 133 Better Curves (Bezier, Spline, Catmull, etc.) 133 Surfaces and Shells 134 Working with Surfaces 135 Freeform Organic Modeling 136 Arranging Components 136 Bending and Scaling 3D Objects 138 Boolean Operations 139 Randomizing Things 139 The Missing Modeling Tools: Shapes, Geometry, Lines, etc. 141 The Missing Editing Tools: Selection, Mirror, Copy, etc. 142 Model Cleaning 143 User Interface Improvements 143 Example 4.A: Creating Trusses 144 Example 4.B: Making Shells in Different Ways 147 Extensions for Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) Modeling 151 General Architecture Tools 151 Site and Landscape 154 Structure and HVAC/Plumbing 155 BIM and Object- Based Modeling 156 Example 4.C: Mullion Windows 156 Extensions for Digital Fabrication 158 3D Printing 158 Shape Properties (Centroid, Volume, etc.) 159 Cutting and Shop Solutions 159 Unwrapping and Slicing 160 Example 4.D: Slicing Up a Volume 161 Example 4.E: Making a Terrain Model 163 Example 4.F: Unwrapping/Unfolding a Shape 165 Extensions for Data Integration and Exchange 169 Attributes in SketchUp 169 Geometry from Points 170 Import/Export Extensions 170 Extensions for Presentation and Animation 171 Camera and Object Animation 171 Physics- Based Modeling 172 360- Degree and VR Viewing 173 Example 4.G: Sharing Interactive 3D Models from SketchUp 174 Extensions for Analysis 177 Model Analysis and Graphing 177 Solar and Building Energy Analysis 178 Example 4.H: Creating an Energy Analysis Building Model with OpenStudio 180 Chapter 5: Rendering in SketchUp 187 5.1 Let’s Get Visual! 187 What Is Already in SketchUp? Non- Photorealistic Rendering 187 The Magic of Styles 189 Example 5.A: Creating Your Own Branded Sketchy Style 189 What If I Want More? 197 5.2 Overview of Photorealistic Rendering Methods 197 What Is Photorealistic Rendering? 198 Rendering Techniques 202 5.3 Rendering Software 203 Example 5.B: Setting Up Twilight (Hobby) and Creating a Rendering 206 5.4 Perfecting the Components of a Rendering 217 Modeling 217 Edges and Faces 217 Front Face and Back Face 220 Triangulation 221 Environment 221 Sky (Physical Sky, Sky Color, or Sky/Environment Image) 222 Night Renderings 226 360° Environments 227 Ground 229 Lighting 230 Ambient Lighting and Image- Based Lighting 230 Sun 233 Omnidirectional Lights 234 Attenuation 237 Spotlights 238 IES Lights 240 Recessed Lights 242 Neon and Other Self- Emitting Light Sources 244 Combining Lighting Scenarios (in Photo- Editing Software) 246 Materials 248 Components of a Material 250 Texture or Color (Diffuse Texture) 251 Reflection 253 Refraction 255 Bump 256 Displacement 258 Emittance 258 Subsurface Scattering 259 Putting These Features Together 261 Tweaking Texture Positioning 262 Example 5.C: A Wooden Tabletop 262 Example 5.D: Texturing Curved Surfaces 266 Example 5.E: Texturing a Sphere 269 Objects 271 Entourage 271 Urban Context 273 People 275 Example 5.F: Adding a Person (or any Object) to an Image in Photoshop 276 Plants, Trees, Grass, Rocks, and Carpet 277 Example 5.G: Making a 2D PNG Cutout Face- Me Component 281 5.5 Rendering Tips and Tricks 287 5.6 Making Renderings Presentable 289 Combining SketchUp Output and Rendered Output in Photoshop 289 Other Methods 292 Chapter 6: Making Things with SketchUp 295 6.1 What Can You Make with SketchUp? 295 6.2 Services for Makers 297 6.3 Selecting the Manufacturing Technique 298 6.4 Manual Fabrication Planning 303 Example 6.A: Fabricating an L- Shaped Stair 303 6.5 Laser Cutting (and Engraving) 311 Example 6.B: Creating a Laser- Cut Mobile from SketchUp 312 6.6 CNC Routing and Milling 317 Example 6.C: Cutting the Patterned Panel 319 Example 6.D: Depth Cutting Profiled Models 322 6.7 3D Printing 323 Preparing Your SketchUp Model for 3D Printing 324 Example 6.E: Cleaning Up a Model for 3D Printing 327 Method 1: Using the Outer Shell Tool (or other Solid Tools) 328 Method 2: Using Intersect and Manual Cleanup 328 Example 6.F: 3D Printing a Cutaway View 333 Exporting and Processing Your Model Outside of SketchUp 334 6.8 Learn More About Making 338 Chapter 7: Creating Geometry Using Ruby Scripting 341 7.1 Why Computational Geometry? 341 7.2 Setting Up SketchUp’s Ruby Interface 344 Installing the Ruby Code Editor Extension 346 More Extensions and External Editors 348 7.3 Intro to Ruby and the SketchUp API 348 How Does Ruby Work? 349 Objects, Objects, Objects 349 Storing Stuff: Variables and Constants 349 Some String Peculiarities 351 Reusing Stuff: Declaring and Using Methods 351 Controlling Things: IF/THEN/ELSE 352 Repeating Things: FOR, WHILE, and More 353 Making It Work: Some More Ruby Syntax Details 354 What Else Is There? 354 What’s in SketchUp’s Ruby API? 354 API Object Hierarchy 355 Length Units in SketchUp 357 Links to Further Reading 358 Resources for Ruby 358 Resources for SketchUp’s API 358 7.4 Creating Geometry with Ruby 358 Example 7.A: Lots of Boxes 360 Example 7.B: Lots of Boxes with Color 361 Example 7.C: Creating a Small City 364 Example 7.D: Randomizing Extrusions 365 Example 7.E: Using Formulas for Patterned Panels 366 Example 7.F: Drawing Data from Text Files 368 Example 7.G: Saving Vertices to a Text File 370 7.5 Transformations Change Things Up 372 Example 7.H: Lots of Boxes Using Components 374 Example 7.I: Building a Curved Wall 374 Example 7.J: Placing Components on Faces 377 Example 7.K: Randomizing Everything 379 7.6 Attracted to Attractors 381 Example 7.L: Coloring Faces by Proximity 381 Example 7.M: Scaling Objects by Proximity 383 Example 7.N: Solar- Responsive Design 386 7.7 What Else Is Possible with This? 387 7.8 Some Pitfalls and Things to Watch Out For 388 Chapter 8: Creating Documents with LayOut 391 8.1 SketchUp and LayOut— What Can LayOut Do for You? 391 What Is in LayOut? 393 Workflows in LayOut 396 Navigating LayOut’s interface 397 The Ins and Outs of LayOut 398 8.2 Setting Up Your Project in LayOut 400 Your SketchUp Model in LayOut 403 Example 8.A: Setting up the SketchUp Model (in SketchUp) 403 Example 8.B: Creating Your LayOut Template (in LayOut) 408 Example 8.C: Creating a Cover Page (in LayOut) 412 Example 8.D: Creating the Plan and Elevation Pages (in LayOut) 418 8.2 Other Drawing Methods: Scaled Drawings, DWG/DXF Import/Export 422 Shapes, Fills, Patterns, and Strokes 423 Working with Coordinates 427 Example 8.E: Drawing a Scaled Detail 428 Create Your Own Scrapbooks 436 Working with DWG/DXF File Import and Export 436 8.3 Tips and Tricks for Working with LayOut 441 Appendix A: SketchUp and LayOut Reference 445 SketchUp Keyboard Shortcuts 445 LayOut Keyboard Shortcuts 445 File Locations 446 Appendix B: Ruby and API Reference 447 SketchUp’s Ruby API 447 Ruby Core Classes 447 Creating Your Own Extensions 450 RBZ Extension File Structure 450 Extension Template Structure 450 Appendix C: Creating a Simple Custom XML Schema 453 Index 455

About the Author :
Alexander C. Schreyer is a Senior Lecturer II and Director of the Building and Construction Technology (BCT) program at the University of Massachusetts (UMass) in Amherst, MA. He teaches courses in AEC BIM/CAD modeling and visualization as well as materials and methods, structural design, and 3D printing. He is an active member of the SketchUp community, speaks regularly at user conferences, and blogs at alexschreyer.net and sketchupfordesign.com. He is also the co-author of Fundamentals of Residential Construction.