Any google SketchUp artists in the house?

[trydegrau]

Some people say I have too much time on my hands
I love making 3-d models of stuff, I'm curious if anyone here does too, if so, post your work!

This is my first (ugly) attempt at making a model of my indoor garden setup:

This is a real scale model of my garden, complete with flower pots! (but no flowers )

Im sure there are other jubbers who are much better at it than I am

 

[Rush2b]

If you want to get down to more 3D adventure have a look at Blender! it's not only powerful - it's completely free. Not only for modeling, but animating too. Hope to post back some stuff soon

p.s. friend made Sketch up model of our house with photo's stuck on it. Was fun enough

 

[trydegrau]

That looks cool! Can it do landscapes?

 

[Rush2b]

Have a look at the galleries - it can perform miracles

Have a bunch of other free tools on my other site...just by the way

 

[trydegrau]

Ack! Blender requires python to work properly?

 

[Rush2b]

Ack! Blender requires python to work properly?

Blender can work fine without Python - which is only really used for more advanced effects. (Python is also free anyway.)

Here's a link to a flower made in Blender. The same forum has easy to difficult tutorials to follow. Guessing you're going to want to fill those pots sometime

 

[trydegrau]

I tried to use blender, but I just plain suck with it, I can't manage complex applications like that I'm more, technically oriented, making models like in CAD, or programming the 3d environments directly in C/C++ using OpenGL. (although I have minimal experience in that as well)

 

[provenlogic]

CAD is pretty complex itself. My guess is you'd be better off using one of the better modeling programs like Lightwave (hey i have to plug the software i love), Maya, or MAX. Blender, while free, is less than intuitive, and not very powerful. I've made my career out of 3D modeling and graphic design, and i can tell you straight away though, if you don't learn the programs, you can't be in the business. So just try try try, u'll get better.

 

[Paws]

Another free 3D program is http://anim8or.com/

 

[Rush2b]

I tried to use blender, but I just plain suck with it, I can't manage complex applications like that

it's as simple or complex as you like The process between making a ball, or an entire planet is remarkably similar.

Blender, while free, is less than intuitive, and not very powerful.

Wow, are you from the 90's or what? You' have been keeping up - or do you like life in the slow lane?

 

[trydegrau]

Oh i'm not looking for a career or anything, I'm more or less passing the time, trying to find my interests so I can figure out what I want to study. I like google's sketchup because it's almost too easy to use, the second model I posted is the second model I ever made in a 3d program. I don't think I could have managed that in another program that while being more powerful, is also more complex. If anything, I'll likely make a career out of botany and/or photography.

 

[provenlogic]

Wow, are you from the 90's or what? You' have been keeping up - or do you like life in the slow lane?

No, i'm just a professional 3D modeler and graphic designer working for one of the largest PC game designers in the U.S. with over 5 years professional experience in the field using a variety of software (some of which include: NewTek Lightwave 3D, AutoDesk Maya, AutoDesk 3D Studio Max, AutoCAD, Polytrans, Cinema-4D, TrueSpace, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe ImageReady, Adobe After Effects, Corel Paint Shop Pro, etc... etc...); and hold degrees in Computer Science, Graphic Design, and Game Art and Design.

You're right, obviously i couldn't possibly have any idea what i'm talking about, ignore me.

 

[Rush2b]

... ignore me.

OK.

I don't think I could have managed that in another program that while being more powerful, is also more complex. If anything, I'll likely make a career out of botany and/or photography.

My friend learnt Sketch up in an hour or two, so granted it is an accessible program. Also you do not need a very powerful computer to play with it. It works best for simple architecture, but doesn't handle organic modeling. We're using it to try see if we want to move some walls in our house, which is great. Still unless you get the pro version, it looks a bit like 2D, stuck on 3D objects.

Just one last pitch for Blender. Unlike pay-for-packages, it has a community behind it helping each other out. Not only with learning and improving the program, but also with free models, textures and files you can re-cycle in your own projects. Granted it can be a bit daunting at first, but what got me going was they made a text book for school kids to learn. A bit like taking a sort cut

Whatever gives you kicks - enjoy it!