Free Sketchup Renderings *inquire within*

[FishNFun]

You've got Sketchup that's free and does probably 90% of what a casual user needs vs. AutoCAD which ranges from about $800.00 to $3000.00 depending on the version and can do most any drawing function. Seems pretty simple choice to me.

It took me about 30 minutes to learn Sketchup and in a couple hours I had my entire basement in-wall tank and fish room drawn up. I guess if you have AutoCAD already and are versed in its use then you should stay with AutoCAD. If not, free can make up for a lot of shortcomings.

 

[Mishap]

I never knocked sketchup. I use it quite frequently if I feel like playing around in it. However, I have had several issues with it. For a free program its great! But its not the end all be all best program out there.

Its been a while since I've played in it. I know I had issues pulling a circle through a cylinder. It always came out at a funky angle.

You seem to have had great success in sketchup for your renderings. But personally, I like autocad much better. The interface could be much better in sketchup as well as some better tools. Regardless, last time I checked everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I prefer autocad over sketchup.

 

[BeanAnimal]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14085959#post14085959 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RedEDGE2k1
Bean,

I tried learning Spanish in high school and after 2 years I couldn't speak Spanish. Does that mean Spanish is a silly language?

I think you should learn to use a program instead of bashing it because you don't know how to use it.

Ohhh stop with the "bashing" stuff, it gets old. People throw that word around without having any clue what it really means. Nobody, nothing, is being bashed here.

Secondly, your analogy is irrelevant and insulting. Your ability to learn or focus on a subject has no relevance to my opinion or experience. I did learn how to use the software and leverage its full toolset. I have used the package many times and do not have a favorable opinion of the workflow, features, interface, help file, tools or features. Frankly, I think they flat out suck. I think the package flat out sucks. That is my infomred opinion, it is not bashing by any stretch of the imagination. I can work in Autocad faster and more accurately than Sketchup for any 2D or 3D task. The irony is that I have a fraction of the experience/hours working in 3D with Autocad compared to the time I have spent using sketchup. I had not touched Autocad since back in the early days (autocad release 9 I think) until last year. I liked it so much I purchased it.

I have used (and been educated in the use of) a large variety of CAD, CAM, 2D and 3D drawing packages as well as good old fashioned drafting. I am also, by education, a software programmer with experience in interface design and coding. I own an IT consulting company.

You said yourself that comparing Sketchup and AutoCAD is "silly at best." I agree with you. I think AutoCAD is much harder to use and I don't understand 95% of it's functions, but you won't hear me blaming the program for that.

I am not blaming the program, I am blaming the authors of the program. It is not my fault that you do not understand Autocad's functions my friend. You openly admit that your opinion is based on your lack of understanding of one of the products being compared and assume my perspective is from the same level of understanding or lack of skill, but reversed. Sorry, but I DO understand SketchUp and am skilled in its use. I simply DO NOT like it by any stretch of the imagination and have simply explained why. I would not wish to stop anybody from using it and would not deny that it can be leveraged to create wonderful drawings.

 

[BeanAnimal]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14086179#post14086179 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RedEDGE2k1
Ok, see below. I did it in 2 steps in 2 seconds.

BeanAnimal (and you) does not. That doesn't make SketchUp a bad program, it means you guys need to learn how to use the program before judging it.

The point was (and still is) that the functionality is NOT consistent or robust and the tools are severely lacking in features. It takes a lot of "work around" type creativity to build true models. It would be easy to make a list of quirky problems and missing basics, but honestly who cares. You have made this personal and that is shameful.

Use whatever program you like, just don't infer that I am too stupid to understand how to use Sketchup and therefore to ignorant to have an opinion about it.

WHZANG clearly also knows how to use it and loves it. He does not like Autocad and kindly said why without attacking me, or me him. Maybe we should give his thead back to him...

 

[WZHANG]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14085722#post14085722 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hahnmeister
True, Autocad is easily converted to g-code and other programs, Spicy-ketchup concentrates more on how you want your image to appear... line thickness, perspective, backgrounds... and as far as I know, not converted to any other codes (other than jpeg, lol).

you can get plugins to export sketchup to .obj .stl and others. Sketchup Pro also comes with some exporters as well (useful 3d ones ones would be .obj, .3ds and .dwg)

I learned autocad and solidworks before I tried sketchup and I must say that it took some getting used to sketchup (I still like to use solidworks though for other projects). Once I learned how to do booleans and such a whole new door of sketchup understanding opened up for me. I do realize the program is limited and can be buggy in ways, I guess I have patience for it.

Now I'm not saying that sketchup is the best tool for professional use, but it is a great, cheap tool for hobbiest (free). And, the ability to share your models and find parts in 3dwarehouse is something that I have not seen any other 3d program do.

 

[BeanAnimal]

By all means the "free" aspect of SketchUp is its most attractive feature. For the single time or ocassional user, there are few alternatives that do not require a more than modest cash investment.

If I remember correctly, RHINO and a few other very powerful packages had "free" somewhat crippled versions that put SketchUp to shame... But I would imagine those days are over as most of that type of trialware has gone to the 30 day then pay model.

 

[Scythanith]

Why doesn'y everyone stop flexing their internet mind-muscles and take this to pm's so you don't continue to destroy WHZANG's thread.

On topic. WHZANG, I will get my sketchup model updated and post it here so you can render it up when you get time. Do you prefer just the tank set up or can it be the entire basement development?

Entire room (rendering not done yet so don't laugh too loud):

Or I will get the tank and the equipment drawn up and see if you can tackle that.

Cheers,

Scott

 

[james3370]

can i send you actual pics once i get mine built w/ most of the dimensions & have one done from there ???

i tried to do one in sketchup & got frustrated trying to figure it out so i gave up.....but i think it would be nice to have one

 

[WZHANG]

Bean,
You are right, there is no way to compare NURBS to sketchup. BTW, Rhino was the first 3d application I ever played around with and still love it (just don't use it that much)

Scythanith,
Whatever you want, just put it on 3dwarehouse when you are done

Your room model looks cool and I do have a softspot for rendering interiors (part of what I do for a living)

james3370,

Sure, I don't mind modeling as long as I have some free time.

 

[BeanAnimal]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14086923#post14086923 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by WZHANG
Bean,
You are right, there is no way to compare NURBS to sketchup. BTW, Rhino was the first 3d application I ever played around with and still love it (just don't use it that much)

I have not looked at it in some time. It was very well regarded at one point. I think solidworks has somewhat stolen the market though. I tried to play with the latest version of Solidworks and found that I did not have the time to learn how to use it well. It appears very bloated, but then again I am not a 3D mechanical designer. It would aslo appear that The Autodesk is starting to make deep endroads into the market with its 3D packages. I just can't afford to buy them to play with. I had great expectations for SketchUp and googles promise to revamp and strengthen the package... it has been over 2 years and they have done little to nothing to improve the product. I guess time will tell. They purchased the product to go along with google earth and their GIS (Global Information Systems) platform.... They have too many irons in the fire right now.

I can draft just about anything. I am crippled when it comes to drawing things like cartoons or scenes to depict a process or procedure. I can think of 1000 drawings I would like to have done for various articles, projects, safety slogans, etc. I just don't have the talent. Poser, Maya, etc are all "realistic" type packages. I need a simple "cartoon" program.... I have yet to find one.

On a side note:
Scythanith,
There was no need for you to take a shot at people like that. The conversation had already righted itself and your remarks only serve to put you into the mix and fan the flames.

 

[WZHANG]

Bean,
Well solidworks has become the industry standard, but programs like rhino and alias studio tools have been gaining momentum and I see alot of design firms using them as well. I use Illustrator and Modo 3d professionally for workflow reasons (we use macs and our cad work is done in China, all we care about on our end is a pretty picture.)


I have a couple of renderings I have been working on that I will post up soon. In the meantime, if anyone has anything they want rendered
feel free to post in this thread.

 

[BeanAnimal]

I know very little about rendering and would love to learn more about the tools and tricks. Care to spend a few minutes explaining how the pros do it?

 

[hahnmeister]

How do I make custom maps for Red Alert 3? ROFL...

 

[WZHANG]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14136261#post14136261 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BeanAnimal
I know very little about rendering and would love to learn more about the tools and tricks. Care to spend a few minutes explaining how the pros do it?

it depends on what you are trying to achieve. One thing that I like is to refer to actuall photos if you are trying to achieve realistic 3d. These sketchup renderings I am doing are done rather carefree in Hypershot (a simple renderer that uses global illumination) and I haven't really been paying much attention. But more complex models I will spend alot of time playing with texture settings and lighting.


Here is some more stuff rendered in hypershot. I forgot the users who modeled these but they came from 3d warehouse and I'll try and update when I remember their names.

Hahn,
Never modeled game maps but maybe its not too difficult (I wonder if you could export something from sketchup, lol)

 

[jasonh]

I haven't seen it mentioned, so I figured I'd post it...

If you guys are looking for more features than sketchup but don't want to pay for something, take a look at Blender.

http://www.blender.org/features-gallery/features/

I haven't used it in quite a while and I only did some basic things at that time, but it is a pretty good program. I used to use 3ds Max all the time, and I think I like Blender better.

 

[~sp0ok~]

so if i upload my sketchup to google 3d warehouse u will mak it look better?..

and how do i upload it there i have try ...................

 

[ron69]

"Drawing with LOGO on the C64 was better!" Boy that brings back memories! lol

 

[freddy4130]

I am a bigger geek!

No! I am.

I am telling you, I am!

No!! I am totally the bigger geek!

 

[freddy4130]

You know that was a joke right? I love you guys. I don't even know the difference between modeling and rendering. You are all studs in my book. I don't care which program tickles your fancies.

 

[morrisgigantus]

i got the joke... lmao

i was thinking the same thing.. this stuff is way over my head..

but i'll go mess w it right now, just to c what i can do w it