LAD202/ 3D modelling with SketchUp/ Plugins

In order to work with SketchUp for landscape site design, we are using some additional functions (Plugins). These Plugins are installed at the computer labs at ILP. If you are using your own computer, you should install it by yourself. Here is a list of Plugins used in the course and the method that you should follow in order to install it. Please note that we are using SketchUp Pro (not the free one): please check the complete document about this subject here .

Name of Plugin:	Name of Plugin file:	Location in SketchUp:
Drop at Intersection	Drop.rb	mouse: right-click fly list
Make faces	Makefaces.rb	Tools menu
	Progressbar.rb (system file)
Simplify Contours	Simplifycontour.rb	Plugins menu
RP-Treemaker	RpTreemaker (Zip file)	Plugins menu

You could download it from the following web sites:

http://www.smustard.com/scripts/

http://www.crai.archi.fr/RubyLibraryDepot/Ruby/em_edi_page.htm

http://www.crai.archi.fr/RubyLibraryDepot/Ruby/RUBY_Library_Depot.htm

http://www.renderplus.com/wk/RpTreeMaker_Free_w.htm (for downloading Rp TreeMaker)

For installation:

After downloading the selected file (Plugin). You will see a file end up with extension (*.rb). You place this file into the sub-folder Plugins under SketchUp folder:  C:\Program Files\Google\Google SketchUp 7\Plugins. This should work for all Plugins except for Rp Treemaker.

After placing the “*.rb” files in the Plugins folder, you could open SketchUp. You will see that the Plugins are located in different places. Mainly: Plugin menu, Tools menu, mouse: right-click fly list. Here is the location for each Plugin in SketchUp:

Installing Rp_Treemaker

Rp Treemaker Plugin is a ZIP file. This file needs to be extracted first and then installed. After extracting, you find the installation file and click on it. It will place itself in the right place within SketchUp Plugins folder automatically. 
for complete instructions with illustrations, download Plugins document here

LAD202/ 3D modelling with SketchUp/ session 3

Working With Terrain and Irregular Surfaces 

In this session we explore terrain modelling techniques using Sandbox. The following features will be explored and used:

• Creating 3D terrain from scratch.
• Creating 3D terrain from contours lines imported from AutoCAD.
• Considerations before importing contour lines to SketchUp.
• Draping images over a 3D terrain.
• Stamp objects into the terrain.
• Make use of the extra plugin’s: Make faces, Simplify contours and Drop at intersection.

For more insight into the Sandbox, you can watch the following YouTube links:  

The Sketchup Show #13: The Sandbox Tools (Pt.1)
The Sketchup Show #13: The Sandbox Tools (Pt.2)
The Sketchup Show #17: Sandbox Terrain (Pt.1)
The Sketchup Show #17: Sandbox Terrain (Pt.2)

3D terrain site for the Pergola

The main exercise for this session is to model a 3D terrain site for the Pergola. You could create a 3D terrain model in SketchUp in various ways. The method described here is based on contour data and site features imported from AutoCAD. In this exercise, you will make use of the Pergola model you created in the previous sessions. Follow the exercise document here, and see the two recorded video instructions below:


 
3D terrain site for a building 

Here we use Sandbox function to create 3D site for a building. Basically, you will build up a 3D terrain by using the features under Sandbox: From Contours, From Scratch, Smoove. You will also need to shape a sloped walk way using techniques you learned from previous sessions. After you create the landscape, you will then use the Sandbox features: Drape and Stamp in order to place a swimming pool. See the recorded video below: