Google Sketchup - Anyone using it?

[G2]

Hi All

I have wanted to use Google's Sketchup (free 3D modelling program) to assist me in planning out models and terrain pieces. About 4 days ago I finally started using it. Does anyone here use it to plan out their custom models or terrain? If so, can you please share your experience. I am after tips and hints. AND I would like to know if you actually build things in your scale of choice (ie 15mm, 28mm, 1/56 etc) or whether you model them at a larger size (maybe 1:1) and then scale things down later.

Anyway here is what I managed to build. I did it more as a learning project. I am still working on it.

Zombiesmith's - Baeliog Tractor for the Quar


Note: The Baeliog was modelled on photos taken from the internet, and it is done to 28mm.

[zizi666]

Sangenaru did this piece: http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=27243.0

Do a search for "sketchup" here on the forum. You're bound to find more threads.

[Brandlin]

I use it for all my kits.

Http://brandlin.blogspot.com

You can even download the sketch up files if you want to play around with them...

[infelix]

I use it quite often to design bits and pieces and I've had some of them 3D printed. The best advice I can give you is to join the forums at http://forums.sketchucation.com as there is tons of really good plugins and scripts that makes working with Sketchup much easier and gives you more options.

If you have any questions I'll try to answer them.

[G2]

@ zizi666: Thanks for the tip. I had already tried searching for previous threads, and there weren't as many threads as I hoped there would be, hence why I started this one.

@ Brandlin: I did notice that you use it for your models. I was quite inspired to continue with my projects, based on what I saw on your blog/website. Nice stuff indeed.

@ Infelix: That is some good advice. I actually joined the forum you mentioned a while ago, but I never visited it. I think I will start going to it, as it sounds very useful. I am really interested in the models that you got printed. Did they turn out ok, and where did you send your files to be printed?

[Red Orc]

If you want to see more terrain that people have made using sketchup, head over to Terragenesis - www.terragenesis.co.uk - Andy the site's owner has been championing it for several years and seemingly tries to get everyone who posts on there to use it too... there are some great examples of stuff designed using sketchup on there, including some of Brandlin's early work I think.

[infelix]

@G2

They turned out ok, but not more then just ok. The biggest problem was the lack of fine detail material at that time. I believe that they have added some better ones since then.

The company I used was Shapeways, the service was excellent and they have pretty good prices as well. Just make sure you use the high detail materials because the standard one is not suitable for small and detailed objects imo.