Google Sketchup

What is Sketchup

• SketchUp is a very powerful 3-D modeling software of the type used by architects and drafters.

• In three dimensional computer graphics, 3D modeling is the procedure of developing a 3D model using specialized software (we are using Google Sketchup).

What is Sketchup

• The program is downloaded from the internet.

• There is a free version and a pro version.

• We will be using the free version.

Basic 3d Solid Modeling Vocabulary

Face

• Any surface of an object

Extrusion

• A push or pull on any shape or a face of an object

• You can add or remove (extrude) material with an extrusion.

• The side shape that the arrow is pointing to is extruded 1” in this figure.

Side Shape

• This is the basic toolbar located at the top of the screen when Sketchup is running.

• The next slides will explain what each is used for.

• Select Tool– Use the Select tool to specify the entities you

will modify when using other tools or commands

• Line Tool– Use the Line tool to draw edges or Line

entities.

• Rectangle Tool– Use the Rectangle Tool to draw rectangular

Face entities, specified by clicking at two opposite corners of the desired shape.

• Circle Tool– Use the Circle Tool to draw circle entities

• Arc Tool– Use the Arc Tool to draw Arc entities,

comprised of multiple line segments (which can be edited as a single arc).

• Make Component Tool– Components are like mini-models within your

main model, and they can represent anything - furniture, plants, vehicles - anything.

• Eraser Tool– The Eraser tool is used to erase entities in the

drawing area.

• Measure Tool– Used to measure accurate dimensions

• Paint Bucket Tool– Used to color

• Push/Pull Tool– Use the Push/Pull Tool to push and pull faces

to add volume to or subtract volume from your models.

• Move Tool– Used to move items

• Rotate Tool– Use the Rotate tool to rotate, stretch, distort,

or copy entities along a rounded path.

• Offset Tool– Use the Offset tool to create copies of lines

and faces at a uniform distance from the originals.

• Orbit Tool– Use the Orbit Tool to rotate the camera about

the model and is often used while drawing to quickly change your view in between drawing operations.

• Pan Tool– Use the Pan Tool to move the camera (your

view) vertically and horizontally.

• Zoom Tool– Use the Zoom Tool to move the camera (your

view) in or out.

• Zoom Extents Tool– Use the Zoom Extents Tool to zoom your view

to a distance where the whole model is visible and centered in the drawing area.

• The stairs above have a length of ten inches (10”). The length is measured along the x-axis (red line)

Length

• The stairs above have a width of five inches (5”). The width is measured along the y-axis (green line)

width

• The stairs above have a height of ten inches (10”). The height is measured along the z-axis (blue line).

height

• Each step above has a height of 2.5 inches. The height is also known as the rise.

Step Height

• Each step also measures 2.5 inches from the front to back of the tread. The width is also known as the run.

Step Width

• The initial shape you have to draw for this object is a rectangle.

• You then use the various drawing tools to form the stairs.