by Ginny Holm
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| I can't wait to get started! |
Every blue moon at work I am asked to do a rendering of sorts. I’ve done buildings, a park, an athletic complex… but they are always in 2D. I use Illustrator for the most part to do these renderings and overall everyone is happy. I would prefer to have the 3D option available, but CAD software is super expensive and I doubt I could learn it that quickly.
A few months ago one of my students told me about a really neat 3D program. He said it was easy to use. Best of all, the basic version is free. I downloaded it and opened it for a few seconds and that was it. I haven’t had any time to really check it out. I was really excited to read about this particular assignment. I had originally considered Flash, but I have tried an older version and was totally lost. I also think some of the other applications we’ve learned like iMovie cover what I need (at least for now).
The software that I downloaded was Google Sketchup. It’s a 3D modeling program that claims it’s also fun and easy to use. We are currently gearing up for our Centennial at my school. Part of our plan is to build a beautiful park in the center of our campus for all to enjoy. I’ve done a 2D rendering of what I envision the park to look like using Illustrator. I’d like to come up with a 3D version that would show better on the website I am designing for the event. So my software that I’d like to learn more about is Google Sketchup. In the next two postings I hope to have an actual rendering to show you. Wish me luck! r
2 comments:
BP
Ginny,
One of the great things I have found about Google SketchUp (free version) is how easy it is to interact with Google Earth.
To see how amazing this can be simply open Google Earth and navigate to a destination that is a suitable home for your rendering. Next, click on Tools and select Google Earth from the bottom. The options here allow you to "get” a snap shot of the exact view you have in Google Earth. Then with the toggle terrain button you can build the house to fit the 3D world. The last step is to place your model in Google Earth and see how it fits!
A Google Search for some “Google Earth Overlays” if your area may render some interesting results. In Hampton, Virginia I can download jet noise decibel range maps from Langley AFB, a 3D downtown Hampton, voting districts, and lots more. Great to use when making a lesson cross curricular with Social Studies.
I am glad you found this tool! If all this wasn’t enough I will leave you with Waybe! A plug in that allows you to “unfold” your digital models and print them on paper with tabs to be glued together. This can be REALLY fun!
http://waybe.weebly.com/
Google SketchUp is actually giving their Pro version for free for educators and instructors if any of you are interested. Just check here at http://www.creationengine.com/html/p.lasso?p=16243
for more information. The Pro version has all the great features that you guys have mentioned already, plus the Solid Tools, which helps in manipulating shapes together or apart in different ways, an Angular Dimension tool that gives angles to intersecting lines and shapes, configurable dashes if you like to make your own types (great for map making), precision moving of shapes (even though I think this should be in the free version), and the ability to export in Cad friendly formats like DXF or DWG. Once I get more time I would love to play around a lot more with this, but I'm not an educator so It'll probably be the free version :( Here is a link with more information http://sketchup.google.com/product/newin8.html
Let me know what you think.
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