Sketchup is a 3D modeling program made by Google. It has a relatively low learning curve and the free version offers many basic functions.* In this exercise you will explore Sketchup and make a model of your name in 3D letters.
*note: each new version of Sketchup is outsourcing more functions to third party plugins.
Time: 45 minutes.
First off; some tips for moving the camera:
- Middle mouse button toggles the orbit tool
- Shift-middle mouse button toggles the pan tool
- The scroll wheel zooms in and out
You are going to be making something similar to this example:
Steps
- If Sketchup is not installed on your system, download it here and follow the onscreen instructions for installation.
- Run Sketchup. In the Welcome window check if Default Template is set to Architectural Design – Millimeters. If not, click Choose Template to find it.
- If your workspace shows a human figure, select it and press delete.
- Now select Tools > 3D text.
- Enter your name. Leave the other settings to their defaults and click OK.
- Click anywhere on the ground to place the text.
- Right click the text and select Explode.
- Select the selection Tool (black arrow) and click somewhere off the letters.
- Now triple-click the first letter to completely select the object.
- Right click it and choose Make group.
- Repeat this for all the letters.
- Now use the Move and Rotate tools to position your letters. Start at the first letter and work your way down to the last.
- Try not to intersect letters
- Try to make them ‘rest’ on the ground, without intersecting the ground
- Try to not let letters hover.
- Select View > Shadows to turn on sunlight.
- When you are done, choose the perfect camera angle.
- Select File > Export > 2D Graphic, set the filetype to JPG and save it.
Materials needed:
Hand in:
Upload the JPG file to Dropbox.