Creating 3D graphics is apparently an uphill task. 3D tools have traditionally been costly and propriety in nature such as 3D Studio Max, and can be time consuming or even require professional training for an advanced level expertise.
But for starters, Google offers a free tool named Sketch Up. Though Google is popular for its search engine and email, the company has attracted substantial number of Sketch Up users as 3D models (replicas of original buildings) created in this tool can be submitted for insertion in Google Earth — the satellite based rendering of the world available for free.
Sketch Up supports diverse range of uses — simple 3D home plans, small projects such as furniture or woodwork items, architectural and interior design, or Google Earth models. Select one of these templates from the start-up screen or select ‘Simple Template’ for general 3D modelling. In the same start-up screen, along with ‘Template’ there’s a ‘Learn’ menu offering links to videos and documentation. And that’s one of the best parts of Sketch Up that realistic models can be created simply by watching videos of an already created model. This makes it easy to learn new techniques and to convert what’s in your imagination on to the screen.
Start off with ‘Simple Template’ and press ‘Start Using Sketch Up’ button. 3D perspective axes are displayed with a human figure standing in the middle. An ‘Instructor Window’ appears on the right showing basic operations for the selected tool. Select rectangle tool from the toolbar and see that the pencil pointer now shows a small rectangle attached to it. Place the pointer in the middle point, and as the mouse coincides with the origin, it turns yellow. Drag the mouse diagonally to create a rectangular surface. To convert this into a 3D box, select ‘Push/Pull’ tool from the toolbar (the icon with a red upwards pointing arrow over a triangle) and move the mouse over surface area already created.
Surface selection is shown by filling it up with dots. Drag it upwards to see it getting turned into a cube shape. Let’s now add a door in it and extend a roof to make it look like a hut. This can be done easily again using the simple rectangle and ‘push/pull’ operations. Draw a door shaped rectangle on the front surface of the cube and then push this surface inwards. This creates a hollow opening of the door. At the top of the door, draw a horizontal line stretching from end to end of the wall and then again use the ‘push/pull’ tool to pull this surface outwards to extend the roof outwards and complete the hut type shape.
The advantage of Sketch Up is that complex objects can be created simply by creating a basic structure first and adding/ subtracting surface shapes and pulling and pushing them.
For learning more advanced concepts, there is a wealth of information available online in ‘User Guide’, ‘Reference Guide’ and a number of online tutorials. These detailed guides offer tool-wise information as well as conceptual details. To see the creation of other users, check out ‘3D Warehouse’ or submit your own for addition to this online gallery.
Sketch Up is a wonderful free tool that runs smoothly over normal PCs. The interface is easy to follow and use with less cluttered environment — yet the tool is powerful enough to create very realistic and detailed level models. Many online design competitions ask submissions to be made in Sketch Up. Make use of this tool to bring out the hidden architect in you!
Source: DAWN.COM Young World
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