3D modeling is a very exciting activity. But the programs designed for it, for example, 3d Max, require serious preparation. Fortunately, there are some 3D editors out there that are relatively easy to learn and have a free version. One such 3D editor is Google SketchUp.
The original purpose of Google SketchUp is to enable users to create building models and add them to Google Maps, so it is adapted for creating architectural objects. However, you can model furniture, dishes, vehicles, and weapons - in short, almost all man-made objects. This editor is not suitable for natural objects with their "irregular" lines.
The paid version of the program has an export function in the * obj format, thanks to which the models made in Google SketchUp can be used in other programs, for example, in the landscape editor Bryce.
Program window
At the first start of the program, it will offer to select the units of measurement: meters, inches. In the window that opens, a "field" will appear on which objects will be placed, a three-dimensional coordinate system and a human figure, with which the sizes of objects can be correlated. If desired, you can delete it by selecting it and pressing the Delete key.
You can manipulate this working area using three tools: "Panorama" (the icon on the panel in the form of a hand) - for movement, "Orbit" (curved arrows) - for rotation and "Zoom" (magnifying glass) to increase.
On the right side of the screen is the Tutorial window. Having chosen one or another function, you can see explanations on how to use it in the form of text and an animated picture. It helps a novice user a lot.
In the lower left corner you can see "Measurements". There, when creating objects, the length of the line, the side of the rectangle, the radius of the circle or the distance from the center of the hexagon to its corner will be displayed.
To work with any object or part of it, the object must be selected using the Select tool (arrow icon). Single click with the left mouse button selects only the plane, double - the plane together with the lines. To select an entire object, you need to press the left mouse button outside the object and, without releasing it, drag it diagonally, "covering" the object.
Creating models
Modeling begins by creating a base on a plane, which will become a specific shape. The tools necessary for this are located in the "Drawing" menu, if desired, they can be brought to the panel: line (pencil icon), rectangle (square), circle, arc, "freehand" (meaning an arbitrary line, an icon in the form curve) and a polygon (a triangle icon, but actually a hexagon). You can use the Eraser tool in the Tools menu to remove unnecessary shapes or parts of them delimited by lines.
Now that the shape is created, you can make it three-dimensional. To do this, use the "Push-Pull" tool in the "Tools" menu (a box with a straight arrow pointing up). It transforms a rectangle into a parallelepiped, a square into a cube, a circle into a cylinder, according to the same principle, any figure is "stretched".
A more sophisticated version of this tool is "Guidance" (similar icon, but with a curved arrow). She "stretches" the figure not directly, but along a previously drawn trajectory. This can be done, for example, a cornice along the perimeter of the building.
One of the simplest Guidance options is to create bodies of revolution. This is how you can create a goblet, church dome, or bell. You need to draw a vertical rectangle. It is most convenient to position it so that one of the corners coincides with the center of the coordinate system, and the two sides coincide with the axes. Draw a shape on the rectangle that is half the cross section of the object. The middle of the shape must coincide with the coordinate axis. Areas of the rectangle outside the shape are removed with the eraser.
Now you need to draw a circle centered at the zero point of coordinates, and the circle should coincide with the edge of the figure. Use the Select tool to select the plane of the circle (but not the circle line!) And delete it so that only the line remains. Now, having selected the plane of the figure, you need to draw with the "Guide" tool along the circle until it closes.
Measurements are essential in modeling. To do this, use the "Roulette" tool (an icon in the form of this object). With its help, you can not only measure shapes, but also outline lines on them. This is necessary, for example, in order to draw windows at the same level.
You may need to resize the object using the Scale tool (rectangle with a diagonal red arrow inside). Before applying it, you need to select an object or part of it. You can scale not only the entire object, but also its face. In this way, you can, for example, turn a parallelepiped into a truncated pyramid, and a cylinder into a truncated cone.
Another important tool is "Offset" (two arcs crossed by a red arrow). With its help, a "copy" of a flat figure is made, located inside it or vice versa - outside, around the figure.
Textures
To apply textures, use the Paint Bucket tool (an icon in the form of a bucket and pouring paint). When this tool is selected, the Materials window appears. In the menu, textures are grouped by varieties: "Metal", "Wood", "Carpets and fabrics", etc. With the texture selected, you can go to the edit tab. The material can be made darker or lighter, you can create a new one based on it or load any graphic file as a texture, and also adjust the degree of transparency. When the material is ready, you can start "painting" by right-clicking on each plane of the object.
Those who are going to use models in the Bryce editor or DAZ Studio should know one nuance. Textures from SketchUp in these programs do not look the best, they will have to be replaced with others. For this to be possible, you need to "paint" differently the parts of the model, on which you intend to apply different textures, otherwise you will not be able to ungroup the object later. It doesn't matter what the textures are, the main thing is that they are different, and each plane needs to be "painted" on both sides.
If the model was created for placing it on a Google map, this can be done by selecting the item "Geographic location" from the "File" menu and the sub-item "Add location". A geographic map will open in a separate window. In the search bar, you can type the name of the city, and then find the desired place in it.
Of course, these are not all the secrets of the Google SketchUp feature, but this information is enough to get started with it. In the process of work, other secrets of the program will also be revealed.
