Patterned Panels from Images and Formulas

Patterned Panels from Images and Formulas

In this video tutorial I show how you can use my Scale By Tools SketchUp extension to create various designs for patterned panels. We start with sine and power equations and then use images to form intricate screen designs. This video follows a presentation that I gave at SketchUp's 3D Basecamp in 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gu-8x8Y1dnw I had covered some of these techniques in an earlier video, included below for reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmvTROcPETY I hope you are enjoying this extension. Let me know in the comments how you are using it. ...
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Trimble Creator: Introduction to Parametric SketchUp

Trimble Creator: Introduction to Parametric SketchUp

In this video tutorial I show how the newly released Trimble Creator works. This tool/service allows you to create parametric "Live Components" for SketchUp and lets you come up with some cool, parametric designs (or product configurators). You can try all of this for yourself at Trimble Creator's live site: creator.trimble.com. If you want to experiment with my models, search for "alexschreyer" there (using one of the left icons). Also, I am collecting all of my Trimble Creator videos in a YouTube playlist. Tutorial Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joc6ouRTaTg Links Trimble Creator - Access the web app here Trimble Creator Forum - A place to ask your questions on SketchUp's forums Node Documentation - The main help docs for Creator's nodes Have you tried Trimble's Creator yet? Let me know below in the comments what you think about it. ...
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Modeling a Log House

Modeling a Log House

In this video tutorial I show how useful SketchUp's Solid Tools (especially the Trim tool) are when modeling a log house. The process as shown here makes it easy to create clean log overlaps and door/window cutouts. Of course, the log portion of this is just an example - you can use the technique for much more than that. Note: I am not showing the entire modeling process here, just the basic principles based on two walls. You can easily expand this to other walls and windows, etc. Tutorial Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rokkx7EmZXM Did you design your own log house this way? Let me know below in the comments. ...
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Construction Site Logistics Planning with SketchUp

Construction Site Logistics Planning with SketchUp

In this tutorial I cover various approaches for construction site logistics planning in SketchUp. This begins with importing an accurate geolocated site, constructing a rough building model from a plan, and then laying out the construction site with pre-made components from the 3D Warehouse. This is then followed by crane location planning. As I mention in the video, the goal here was to use the 3D environment for rough (but realistic) logistics planning. Adjust the techniques as needed for your projects. Also, for more documentation options, check out SketchUp's LayOut software. Tutorial Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdXnFYDpens Links The Turner Construction Logistics Collection that I mention in the video can be found here. One example (a site trailer) is embedded below as an interactive 3D model. Did you like this tutorial? Got any images of your construction sites that you planned this way? Let me know below in the comments. ...
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Placing Wind Turbines with my Random Tools Extension

Placing Wind Turbines with my Random Tools Extension

In this tutorial I use the example of a large wind turbine array to show how useful my Random Tools extension for SketchUp can be in making things look more realistic - by rotating turbine blades in this case. Tutorial Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHuqTEaOtI0 Tutorial Steps Time needed: 10 minutes. The three main steps to prepare a component for use with SketchUp's Random Tools extension are also illustrated below. For this example it is best to use a component, not a group. As I show in the video, grouping the rotor blades will not allow the extension to properly place its center at the rotation axis. Therefore, start by selecting the rotor blades and the axle and using the "Make Component" tool. In the Make Component tool, we then need to place its axis at the center of rotation. Click the "Set Component Axis" button and then place the axis as shown below. Now you can use the "Randomize Objects" tool from the Random Tools...
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