Construction Archives | SketchUp for Design

Construction Site Logistics Planning with SketchUp

March 4, 2022February 23, 2024 by Alex SchreyerNo Comments

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. ...

Making a 3D-Printable Patterned Panel (with Scale By Tools)

July 27, 2020February 23, 2024 by Alex SchreyerNo Comments

This video tutorial revisits a parametric 3D printable panel that I created a while ago using plain Ruby code. Since the underlying code is now included in my Scale By Tools extension, I used it to re-create the same panel. Watch the video to see how you can very easily create the same design (or whatever else you want) with it. You can then 3D print it, laser cut, CNC cut, or use a waterjet cutter to create this panel out of many materials. Tutorial Video https://youtu.be/UmvTROcPETY 3D Model You can explore the original 3D model using the viewer below. Just click the image to start it. ...

Just Published: Two New SketchUp Extensions (Random Tools & Scale By Tools)

July 8, 2020July 5, 2020 by Alex SchreyerNo Comments

I just published two new SketchUp extensions that were both based on Ruby code that was either previously posted on this site or in my book, Architectural Design with SketchUp". Random Tools Ever wanted to place large swaths of randomly-arranged grass in SketchUp as shown in the image above? Have you been frustrated by textures that repeat a bit too much on copied wood boards? Do I have an extension for you... Read the announcement Scale By Tools Using the provided tools, you can scale, move or rotate objects based on an image or a mathematical equation. For the equation, you can choose between a trigonometric function or a power function. It is also possible to use image data to push/pull faces or move vertices, which can be useful to create ripples on water or a heightfield topography. Read the announcement...

Second edition of “Architectural Design with SketchUp” is now available!

October 26, 2015February 24, 2019 by Alex SchreyerNo Comments

I am very excited to be announcing the release of the second edition of my book "Architectural Design with SketchUp" today! For this edition, I went back through the text and updated and improved a lot of content. As before, my main goal was to keep it relevant for as large a variety of SketchUp users as possible and at the same time provide thorough yet easy to follow examples and tutorials. I am also very excited to announce a completely new chapter on physically making things with SketchUp that includes 3D printing, CNC cutting, and other techniques. Lots of fun stuff! As before, this second edition will use the companion website at http://sketchupfordesign.com/the-book where you can find free sample chapters, videos, references, 3D models, and tutorials.There are also now over 30 videos that accompany the book and can be accessed using the instructions in the book. Interested in getting the book? Check out Amazon or Wiley. Here's the official press release: 3D Modeling in SketchUp and Digital Making Come Together in Second Edition of “Architectural...

What’s New With SketchUp 2015

November 8, 2014February 24, 2019 by Alex SchreyerNo Comments

This is What's New... Depending on who you ask and how those people use SketchUp, it is quite likely that they will hone in on different favorite elements in the 2015 release of SketchUp, which came out just this week and parallel to Trimble's Dimensions user conference in Las Vegas (which I attended, hence the late post). High on many people's wishlist was 64 Bit support, so that is likely what will get mentioned most. Others will find the new IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) importer extremely useful. Here is my perspective on the new features: The performance improvements from 64 Bit support, face-finder improvements, and the "fast styles" labels are significant. Even with a thorough, component-based workflow (as I described in Chapter 3 and in my Basecamp presentation) especially large models could in the past bog SketchUp down quite a bit. Things should now get much smoother, especially on powerful machines. The now built-in IFC importer is a tremendous addition! This allows SketchUp to at least...