Sketchup for Site Design - A Guide to Modeling Site Plans, Terrain, and Architecture

The site designer's guide to SketchUp's powerful modeling capabilities
 
SketchUp for Site Design is the definitive guide to SketchUp for landscape architects and other site design professionals. Step-by-step tutorials walk you through basic to advanced processes, with expert guidance toward best practices, customization, organization, and presentation. This new second edition has been revised to align with the latest software updates, with detailed instruction on using the newest terrain modeling tools and the newly available extensions and plug-ins. All graphics have been updated to reflect the current SketchUp interface and menus, and the third part of the book includes all-new content featuring the use of new grade and terrain extensions. Developed around the needs of intermediate professional users and their workflows, this book provides practical all-around coaching on using SketchUp specifically for modeling site plans.
 
SketchUp was designed for usability, with the needs of the architect, industrial designer, and engineers at center stage. This book shows you how the software's powerful terrain and grade functions make it an ideal tool for site designers, and how to seamlessly integrate it into your workflow for more efficient design and comprehensive planning.
* Master the SketchUp basics, navigation, components, and scripts
* Turn 2D sketches into 3D models with volume, color, and material
* Create detailed site plans, custom furnishings, gradings, and architecture
* Learn sandbox tools, organization strategies, and model presentation tips
 
SketchUp has undergone major changes since the publication of this guide's first edition, with its sale to Trimble Navigation bringing about a number of revisions and the availability of more immediately useful features. SketchUp for Site Design shows you how to harness the power of this newly expanded feature set to smooth and optimize the site design workflow.

List of contents

Part 1: Introduction to SketchUp 1
 
Chapter 1: How to Use This Book 2
 
What's New in the Second Edition? 4
 
wwwdanieltalcom 4
 
Who Can Use This Book? 4
 
Learning Tutorials 5
 
Downloadable Tutorial Models 5
 
Downloadable Pre?]Made Components 6
 
The Four Parts 6
 
Part 1: Introduction to SketchUp 7
 
Part 2: Introduction to SketchUp Process Modeling 9
 
Part 3: Terrain Modeling 9
 
Part 4: AutoCAD to SketchUp 10
 
Chapter 2: SketchUp Basics 12
 
Geometry 12
 
Simple Geometry 12
 
Complex Geometry 13
 
Healing Faces 13
 
Subdividing Faces 14
 
Sticky Geometry 14
 
Face Count 14
 
Basic SketchUp Tools 15
 
Drawing and Modification Tools 16
 
The Line Tool 16
 
The Select Tool 16
 
Additional Tools 17
 
The Measurement Window 19
 
Styles 20
 
Edge Settings 20
 
Background Settings 20
 
Navigation and 3D Inference System 21
 
Navigation 21
 
Inference System 21
 
Drafting with Edges 23
 
Model Organization 25
 
Layers 25
 
Layer 0 26
 
Chapter 3: Components and Groups 27
 
The Importance of Components and Groups 27
 
Using Components 28
 
Component Instances 29
 
Editing Components 29
 
Adjusting the Component/Group View 31
 
Components Within Components 33
 
Components and Layers 35
 
Pre-Made Components 36
 
Component Library 36
 
3D Warehouse 37
 
DanielTalcom 39
 
FormFonts 39
 
DynaSCAPE Sketch3D 40
 
Chapter 4: Problem Solving 43
 
Problem-Solving Tutorials 44
 
Typical SketchUp Problems 44
 
Different Results on Different Computers 44
 
SketchUp Freezes 45
 
Auto Save 45
 
Subdivide 45
 
Resources 46
 
Chapter 5: SketchUp Extensions 47
 
Using SketchUp 47
 
Extension Warehouse 49
 
Installing Weld 49
 
Using Weld 51
 
Extension Websites 52
 
Installing Extensions 52
 
SketchUcation Plugin Store 53
 
Smustard 54
 
Recommended Extensions 56
 
Part 2: SketchUp Process Modeling 59
 
Chapter 6: Introduction to SketchUp Process Modeling 60
 
The Built Environment 60
 
Surfaces 61
 
Objects 61
 
The 2D = 3D Method 62
 
Drafting the Flatwork Base 64
 
Drawing the Base 64
 
Reviewing the Drawing 67
 
Applying Material and Color 68
 
Organizing Models 69
 
Adding Volumes 70
 
Lowering the Road 70
 
Creating the Building 71
 
Making a Roof 72
 
Push/Pulling the Steps 72
 
Push/Pulling the Walls 73
 
Adding Objects to the Flatwork Base 73
 
Organizing Components 74
 
Creating Component Layers 74
 
Component Tools 75
 
Adding Components to the Flatwork Base 78
 
Adding Component Windows and Doors 80
 
Adjusting the Building Components 81
 
Reviewing the Completed Model 81
 
An Advanced Example 83
 
Modeling Your Own Designs 84
 
Chapter 7: Detailed Site Plan Modeling 85
 
Using Site Plans 85
 
Importing Site Plans 86
 
Imported-Image Resolution 87
 
Placing the Plan Image on a Layer 87
 
Scaling the Image 87
 
Preparing the Drafting Trace 88
 
Drafting Tips 89
 
Drafting Order 90
 
Drawing the Site

About the author

DANIEL TAL, RLA, is a licensed landscape architect who freelances on a range of projects and consults on technology education and software development. He consults on SketchUp-related tools, conducts workshops and seminars on 3D modeling, and beta tests future software releases to assure that they meet the needs of professionals.

Summary

The site designer's guide to SketchUp's powerful modeling capabilities SketchUp for Site Design is the definitive guide to SketchUp for landscape architects and other site design professionals.

Product details

• Authors: D Tal, Daniel Tal, Tal Daniel
• Publisher: Wiley, John and Sons Ltd
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 29.03.2016
• EAN: 9781118985076
• ISBN: 978-1-118-98507-6
• No. of pages: 400
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Art > Architecture; Landschaftsarchitektur, Architektur, Architecture, landscape design, SketchUp, End-User Computing, Computer-Ratgeber, Graphik- u. Designsoftware (außer Microsoft), Design, Drawing & Presentation, Entwurf, Zeichnung u. Präsentation, Graphics & Design software (Non-Microsoft)