| content | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
The neutrality of this article is disputed. Please see the discussion on the talk page. (January 2008) Please do not remove this message until the dispute is resolved. |
 |
|
 A screenshot of Google Sketchup in Windows Vista which demonstrates its modeling abilities. |
|
| Developed by | Google (previously @Last Software) |
|---|---|
| Initial release | August 2000 |
| Latest release | 7.0 (Windows) / 7.0 (Mac OS X) / November 17, 2008 |
| OS | MS Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Apple Mac OS X (10.4-10.5) (Universal Binary) |
| Available in | English, French, Italian, German, Japanese, Spanish |
| Type | 3D computer graphics |
| License | Freeware/Proprietary |
| Website | www.sketchup.com |
SketchUp is a 3D modeling program designed for architects, civil engineers, filmmakers, game developers, and related professions. It also includes features to facilitate the placement of models in Google Earth. It was designed to be more intuitive, flexible, and easier to use than other 3D CAD programs.1
It is marketed as an easy-to-use conceptual tool with a simple interface. A well known feature in the SketchUp World is the 3D Warehouse. Users can use their Google Accounts to upload models, and then browse the 3D Warehouse for many components and models.
Some of its key features and uses include:
- A "smart" drawing cursor (inference) system that allows users to draw 3D objects using a 2D screen and mouse.
- Simple massing study capability via "push-pull".
- "Follow Me," which creates 3D forms by extruding 2D surfaces along predetermined paths.
- Ability to animate camera and sun movements.
- Interoperability with Google Earth.
Contents |
History
SketchUp was developed by startup company @Last Software, Boulder, Colorado which was formed in 1999.2 SketchUp was first released in August 20003 as a general purpose 3D content creation tool. It won a Community Choice Award at its first tradeshow in 2000.45 It quickly found a market in architecture and building design industries and was revised to suit the needs of working professionals. The key to its early success was in its fast learning curve, allowing for a shorter learning period than other commercially available 3D tools.
As of SketchUp 5, features were added to allow the user to extrude and widen as well as the ability for a face to "follow" the cursor around an object.
On March 14, 2006, Google acquired @Last Software,6 attracted by their plugin for Google Earth.
On January 9, 2007, SketchUp 6 was released, featuring a handful of new tools as well as a beta version of Google SketchUp LayOut. LayOut includes a handful of 2D vector tools, as well as page layout tools making it easier for professionals to create presentations without jumping to a third-party presentation program.
On February 9, 2007, a maintenance update was released. It corrects a number of bugs, but brings no new features.
On November 17, 2008, SketchUp 7 was released, featuring ease-of-use improvements, integration of SketchUp's Component Browser with Google 3D Warehouse, LayOut 2, dynamic components that respond appropriately to scaling and enhanced Ruby API performance.
Tools
Some of the drawing tools
- Line - Used to draw a regular straight line.
- Arc - To create an arc from two points and a drag (or third click).
- Freehand - Allows the user to scribble and create a freehand figure.
- Circle - To make circles by clicking at a point and then defining the radius.
- Polygon - Regular Polygons constructed in much the same way as circles: Clicked and dragged.
- Rectangle - Used to make rectangles, one can adjust or type the length and width.
- Follow me - Creates an extrude along path (or subtraction of such an extrude)
- 3D Text - Allows the user to create 3D text, with customizable fonts, sizes, and formatting.
Editing tools
- Push/pull - Grabs a two-dimensional surface and pushes or pulls it into three dimensions. This, Google claims in the tutorial, is the main idea of Google SketchUp.
- Rotate - A protractor is used to angle selected geometrical pieces.
- Move - Can select and move (and copy) objects on the three different axes or on some combination of the three.
Other useful tools can be found at SketchUp's wiki.
Patents
SketchUp holds a Patent U.S. Patent 6,628,279 on its Push/Pull technology:
"System and method for three-dimensional modeling: A three-dimensional design and modeling environment allows users to draw the outlines, or perimeters, of objects in a two-dimensional manner, similar to pencil and paper, already familiar to them. The two-dimensional, planar faces created by a user can then be pushed and pulled by editing tools within the environment to easily and intuitively model three-dimensional volumes and geometries."
The patent was applied for in November 2000, and awarded in September 2003 (U.S. Patent 6,628,279).
Google SketchUp
On April 27, 2006, Google announced Google SketchUp, a freely-downloadable version of SketchUp. The free version is not as capable as SketchUp Pro 6, but it includes integrated tools for uploading content to Google Earth and to the Google 3D Warehouse, a repository of models created in SketchUp.
The free version of Google Sketchup exports to a number of 3D formats, including Google Earth .kmz files, while the Pro version extends support to include .3ds, .dwg, .dxf, .fbx, .obj, .xsi, and .wrl file formats. Google SketchUp can also save "screenshots" of the model as .bmp, .png, .jpg, .tif, with the Pro version also supporting .pdf, .eps, .epx, .dwg, and .dxf.
Ruby Application Programming Interface (API)
Ruby is a scripting language whose use in SketchUp was first introduced in SketchUp 4. Since its introduction SketchUp users have shown their creativity by creating hundreds of useful tools using SketchUp Ruby.
There is a Hello World Tutorial for Google SketchUp about creating dialog boxes.
Notes
- ^ Google. What makes SketchUp great
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ A/E/C SYSTEMS Fall 2000
- ^ [3]
- ^ SketchUpdate
See also
External links
- Official
- SketchUp Homepage
- Google 3D Warehouse
- SketchUp Video Tutorials
- SketchUp Google Group, includes forums.
- Third-party
- Spam
- SketchUp Community Forums
- The SketchUp Components Collection
- SketchUp For Dummies
- SketchUp Movie Trivia
- [4] SketchUp lesson plans
|
||||||||||||||
