SketchUp for Architects
Using Layout for Construction Documents
One of the questions always posed to me is "Do I need SketchUp Pro?". Probably the biggest advantage of the Pro version is the inclusion of an add-on program called Layout, which allows you to import your SketchUp model into construction documents and thendimension and annotate them there with more precision. Some architects and designers use this method solely to create their working drawings.
Below is a couple of examples to illistrate how powerful this feature is.
Interested in hearing more from the "guru" of architectural layouts: Check out this Youtube video by Nick Sonders athttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnHrdUCenzs&list=PLaVYG8XC1VouXpBQ2yvZFs-xmPPtmYb6b&index=1
Textures in Mac
The Paint Bucket Tool is unquestionably the one tool that is very different between the Mac and PC. If you've taken any of my classes, you know that I'm teaching with a PC, but Mac users can pretty much follow along, with the exception of applying and altering textures with the Paint Bucket tool. I always feel a bit sorry for ya'll when we get to that part of the class.
So, I've tried to hunt down some additional resources for Mac users to help alleviate my guilt about leaving you a little behind when we use this tool. I've found an incredible online resource thats a compendium to the Rendering in SketchUp book I talked about a couple of weeks back. Find it at http://ambit-3d.com/RenderingInSketchUp-Resource.html
The textures that come packaged with SketchUp have always been a sad affair for interior designers. Tiles, flooring, fabrics all look like they were chosen in 1970. I've often recommended Formfonts http://www.formfonts.com/ as a source of great textures, but their subscription rate is $199 every year.
I'd like to recommend an additional sources of textures: CG Textures http://www.cgtextures.com/ They provide a variety of textures for a variety of fields...including graphic designers and moviemakers. So, you'll find an incredible variety of textures available. Furthermore, you can download some many textures in small versions for free. For a yearly fee of $76, you can download larger files and tileable versions.
Look for more information and a video on how to utilize this amazing resour
ce in my next newsletter.
