SketchUp Extension Review : Solid Inspector 2

One of the best things about Trimble SketchUp is that it can extend its abilities by adding plugins or extensions to it. Today, we will talk about Solid Inspector 2, one such extension that helps in preparing your 3D model for 3D printing and other volumetric operations.

What is Solid Inspector 2

Solid Inspector 2 for SketchUp 2014 or later is a plugin or extension that you can use with a registered SketchUp Pro software. It finds and highlights the issues that are preventing your model from being a complete solid.

There are three main kinds of discrepancies that Solid Inspector 2 can detect in a given object: Model not solid, Useless face in model, Inverted face, Hidden lines.

The SI2 will highlight errors in a model and jump from one error to the next, repairing as you go. This gives the extension tremendous usability in confirming and repairing a model's solid shell. For anyone making solid models or 3D printing, this is an indispensable plugin.

Technical Details

The Solid Inspector 2 (SI2) extension can be found in the Extension Warehouse. The plugin is so popular, that chances are you will see it in the very first screen in the featured or most popular sections; if not, here is the link for the plugin page. The extension is also available in the GitHub repository, you can find it here.

Being an open-source development, you can download and use it for free. The RBZ is fairly small and installs fast. You would have to have Trimble SketchUp 2014 or newer in order to use the plugin. If you are using an older version of SketchUp, you can consider downloading the first version of the tool instead.

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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.sketchup4architect.com
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Some new functionalities of FredoPortrait sketchup plugin

In this sketchup video tutorial, you will be familiar with some new features of FredoPortrait sketchup plugin to transform a complex 3D model into 2D FaceMe geometry.

FredoPortrait is a useful sketchup extension that can be used to generate custom camera views and export custom images from inside of sketchup.

The plugin comprises of a custom camera tool that saves and loads cameras captured from the viewport. Custom Cameras are preserved within the model or at Sketchup level, which create a way to move cameras across models.

Portrait Studio contains a wide array of tools which are used to identify a camera precisely and clarify the view depending on the selection. It then facilitates to create or update scenes, images in different formats, and more commonly render or export the selection with the native Sketchup exporters or 3rd party exporters. It also facilitates to create 2D Components out of selected 3D objects (for SU2018 and higher versions).

FredoPortrait is applied for the following purposes :

1. Move cameras inside a model and across models.
2. Create images and exports of the selection only
3. Create 2D components from selected 3D objects (for SU2018 and higher version)
4. Modify the camera positions and save them as scenes.

Most features are available in the FredoPortrait Studio dialog box.

To get online demonstration of this sketchup extension, go through the following video tutorial.

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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.sketchup4architect.com
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Envimet INX – The newest sketchup plugin in extension warehouse

AntonelloDN has developed Envimet INX for sketchup. It belongs to a elementary plugin that can be used to write *.inx files for ENVI_MET 4.3.

Features:
Work out grid dimensions automatically depending on buildings
Develop a 3d model with buildings, 2d trees

Limits:

1. Unit of the template should remain in "meter"
2. Components and Group are not supported
3. Buildings should be volumes
4. Only one wall material and roof material can be used for all buildings or context
5. The soils and dem can’t be managed

To do:

a) A better method to create voxels... if model is huge it will run slow
b) Study a way to apply materials
c) Dem modeling
d) Soil modeling
e) Improve location settings. E.g. a way to set timezone.
f) Improve exception handling
g) Manage Components and Groups

To get more information, click on the following link github.com

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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.sketchup4architect.com
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Some basic native tools in sketchup and their functionalities

Sketchup contains its own native tools which can be used to navigate, generate, and edit a 3D model. Besides, it also contains supplementary plugins and extensions. These plugins can perform a specific task that native tools lack.

Given below, the detail lists of some vital native SketchUp tools :-

Navigation Tools: With the Navigation Tools, the users can move all around the SketchUp viewport. These tools can be managed by the mouse buttons or applying the shortcut keys.

The navigation tools are sub-categorized as follow :-

• Zoom: It facilitates the users to be nearer or away from the object to be modeled with the scroll wheel of the mouse by moving it forward or backward. It is effective while viewing a minor detail or a general view in the 3D model. The quick shortcut key is “Z”.
  • Orbit: It allows orbiting the camera view by pressing and retaining the scroll wheel of the mouse. It is effective for analyzing the models from several angles. The quick shortcut key is “O”.
  • Pan: With the panning tool, it is possible to move devoid of losing the earlier perspective. It only arranges a vertical and horizontal movement and it is useful while framing a scene. To avail this tool, just hold the scroll wheel and press Shift simultaneously. For quick accessibility, press “H”.

Drafting Tools: Drafting Tools can be applied to generate something from the beginning. Drafting tools are sub-categorized as follow :-

• Line Tool: While design something in SketchUp, this tool is inevitable. It facilitates the users to produce any 2D surface by relating line segments. The lines are drawn in the X, Y and Z axis by the left click of the mouse. The quick shortcut key is “L“.
• Arc Tool: This tool not only draws a section from one point to another but also assign a third point to identify the arc curvature. The quick shortcut key is “A“.
• Eraser Tool: The main purpose of it is to rub out the unnecessary line segments. To apply it, just click with the left button of the mouse over any line. The quick shortcut key is “E“.

Editing Tools: SketchUp contains the following editing tools:

• Push Pull: It extrudes a 2D surface to transform it into a 3D shape. Just press “P” button to access it and place the cursor over the face according to your choice and then clicking the left button of the mouse for extruding.
• Scale: With this tool, it is possible to create any object selected bigger or smaller by applying a bounding box with some grips. Choose one grip and shift the cursor to scale your object. To make the scaling identical, choose the grips in the corners. The quick shortcut key is “S”.
• Move: Just press the “M” key and choose the object to be moved. The place you click in the object is considered as moving point. This prime objective of the tool is to adapt things in your model.
• Rotate: Just press the “Q” key and then clicking in the object to be rotated. The point you click on your object will be considered as the pivot point.
• Offset: It is used to create an equidistant line of any face. Just press “F” button and place your cursor on the line or surface to be offset. Then shift the cursor outside or inside as per your requirement, and finally provide a selected distance with the numeric pad.
• Follow Me: It extrudes a surface along any specified Path. Just choose the path to be worked with, then from the Edit toolbar, choose the “Follow me” tool. The surface to be extruded should be perpendicular to the selected guideline. By double-clicking to the surface, the extruded shape will be completed that follows the path direction.

Extensions: SketchUp also contains some native extensions which can be activated from the Toolbars available in the View menu.

• Sandbox Tools: This set of tools is suitable for terrain modeling from the beginning or from specified lines, like topographic curves for instance. It can produce a triangulated mesh that can be edited later as per requirements of your project.
• Solid Tools: It is only applicable with solids. They can be groups or components. It applies Boolean operations to integrate, subtract, split, intersect or trim one shape from another. It facilitates the users to generate more complex and cleaner models. It is available in the View menu in the toolbars section.

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.sketchup4architect.com

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"Using 3D Printer with SketchUp"

SketchUp users can create wonderful 3D models with the help of SketchUp and can print them in 3D way through the help of 3D printers; it is a way better combination.

3D printing or additive manufacturing is way of making three dimensional solid objects from a digital life. The creation or making of a 3D printed object is achieved using additive processes and in this process, an object is made by laying down successive layers of material till the object is created. Each of these layers can be visible as a thinly sliced horizontal cross-section of the eventual object. So basically 3D printing is the opposite of subtractive manufacturing which is cutting out a piece of metal or plastic with for specimen a milling machine.

SketchUp and 3D printer are a perfect match; every new 3D printer’s manufacturer will come with documentation to help users in learning the way of using printers and the related software. The following information will focus on a few basic concepts of 3D printing that are often not explained well and users get confused about them.

Aidan Chopra was a beloved member of the SketchUp team for 10 years; he is the creator of SketchUp Blog where SketchUp members and professionals share their new designs and tells some tips and tricks to design various designs that help users a lot. This Blog has attracted huge number of people and helps them to know more about SketchUp tools and extensions, moreover that users can now easily use SketchUp in their everyday life. Aidan also taught countless classes on SketchUp, he authored the SketchUp for Dummies Book. Users can get guidance here from creating a basic 3D model to showcase their work through 3D print or animation, literally everything in SketchUp that can help in anywhere like from redesigning the house to mocking up the future great invention. More than that, SketchUp’s vast usability has gotten very wide success as a tool that even non-designers can also make basic drawings; there are also many expert tips from former SketchUp product director Aidan Chopra and co-author Rebecca Huehls that help to draw and access SketchUp.

Print often with SketchUp: We often assume that Desktop 3D printing is too much costly, but it is really, unbelievably and remarkably cheap. Let it make clear, look the cost for running a general desktop 3D printer is about 38.56 Rs/- an hour; after starting printer once it will continue working on design on its own. SketchUp models can be printed over and over and it will give perfect print every single time.

Like Test Printers which are great in catching errors and mistakes; they are also a great way to document the evolution of a design. So always save a version of every SketchUp 3D model to print later and to find out the errors. Though there are some lacks also: these printers though use 3D printer’s Low Quality setting to print faster but come with a rougher surface, they can’t be edited after printing one time so it is better to keep copies.

Inside a SketchUp model: After creating the outer part of a model, it is way better to check out the inside part of a model as usually users let the 3D printer automatically do the inside part, filling it with automatically generated structure. But users can also make changes in them.

Source: wwww.dummies.com



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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.sketchup4architect.com
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"Custom Toolbar Button Images in LayOut”

SketchUp users can get a nice new button icon in the toolbar and can add a Custom toolbar button images in LayOut which is though an easy thing but need extra care to do it.

Matt Donley: Matt Donley has been working with SketchUp since 2007; at first he started working as a carpenter and started using SketchUp to model things around his house. After that he started to model his customer’s homes for helping them to visualize their construction projects. He also wrote the “SketchUp to LayOut” book as a help for other construction professionals as a learn how to make construction documents using SketchUp and LayOut. He shares his SketchUp knowledge online with SketchUp users where he teaches how to create tutorials and videos for helping people to learn how to work with 3D model online.

In this article Matt has described about a new idea where he will show how to create own custom buttons for any LayOut command as well as the way of creating a custom button image for users to use the super-secret-hidden-built-in button image editor. Matt always has thought that the default toolbar in LayOut should include a button to insert a SketchUp model into LayOut file; though it is a common thing to do but it is a little weird to have to go to File > Insert every time. Though, this option is a Windows-only option as it has a huge range of toolbar.

How to add Custom LayOut Commands:

• It is a simple way to add new buttons to any LayOut toolbars and here are the steps to do:
• At first users have to do Right-click in the toolbar area and then select the Customize option.
• Next they need to select the Command tab in the Customize window.
• Then users can find the commands that they want to add to their toolbar and then drag it directly into the toolbar.

As all the commands don’t have icon images related to them, so there will appear an ugly text button for these commands.

Using the LayOut Button Image Editor:

It is not known o all that, when users have the customize window active, all of the toolbar buttons become editable; then users can drag them to various positions and can pull them out of the toolbar to remove them. Users can also click right button on them to get a context-menu; this context-menu will give the users some magical capability to change the look of button. Though the image can be downloaded from a pop-up appears in below the page; here are the ways to add an image to the button:

In the Image Editor, users can use the drawing tools to create their own icon or can import an icon that they have created in an external image editor. To import, click on File menu and go to Open option. If users don’t want to go through the image editor window they can have the image copied on the clipboard and can select Paste Button Image directly from the button context menu.

Source
www.mastersketchup.com/custom-layout-button



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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.sketchup4architect.com
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"Using images for Scaling and Geometry patterns in SketchUp”

SketchUp 2018 has added a new class in ruby, the ImageRep which goes further and allows the users to look at the images on a pixel by pixel basis.

The new version of SketchUp, SketchUp 2018 has included a new class in ruby which is called the ImageRep. It is like the opposite of the regular Image class which users use to work while working with images as entities in SketchUp; this ImageRep class goes further and allows the users to look at the images on a pixel by pixel basis.

Overall, ImageRep is a referenced image representation object.

Instance Method Summary:

• #bits_per_pixel: this method gets the number of bits per pixel in the image.
• #color_at_uv: this method returns a color corresponding to the UV texture coordinates.
• #colors: this method returns an array of Color for each pixel in the image.
• #data: this method gets the pixel data for an image in a string of bytes.
• #height: this method returns the height of an image.
• #initialize: this method creates a new image object.
• #load-file: this method loads images data from the specified file.
• #row_padding: this method returns the size of the row padding of an image in bytes.
• #save_file: this method saves an image data object to an image file specified by a path.
• #set_data: this method sets the pixel data of the ImageRep.
• #size: this method gets the total size of the image data in bytes.
• #width: this method returns the width of an image.

The model is done by Alexander Schreyer; he is a Senior Lecturer and Director of the Building and Construction Technology program at the University of Massachusetts. He is also the author of “Architectural Design with SketchUp” and of various SketchUp plugins, including the Sketchfab uploader. Alexander has created a code snippet also to make understand the users about the making of the 3D model and he also created a demonstrative video link is: https://bit.ly/2B1MHZM ; this code is reasonably straightforward once one figures out the basic geometry behavior.

The code also stretches the image by the dimensions of the selected geometry; the code applies the image data as a scaling in 2 to objects; so users can rather move things round then need to replace that with a translation. The line below demonstrates about the look; he made two changes in this new version; one is that he is inverting the effect simply by including (1- scale) and the other is that he didn’t want fraction values for the scale but rather only zeroes and ones. This is made by rounding the scale with .round.

Though the color information in an image is needed to resolve that contained red, green and blue data, as it is not very useful here, since a single scaling factor is needed. So he added a small routine to convert those to grayscale at values from white to black.

Almost everything can designed in 3D with SketchUp and who have splattered in 3D drawing or are interested to learn the basics of design, SketchUp for Dummies has made it faster and easier to learn the ropes of a powerful, user-friendly tool that bring life into the design ideas. Users can get guidance here from creating a basic 3D model to showcase their work through 3D print or animation, literally everything in SketchUp that can help in anywhere like from redesigning the house to mocking up the future great invention. More than that, SketchUp’s vast usability has gotten very wide success as a tool that even non-designers can also make basic drawings; there are also many expert tips from former SketchUp product director Aidan Chopra and co-author Rebecca Huehls that help to draw and access SketchUp.

So, this is basically what the SketchUp users need to be able to read pixel color values and then use those to create or modify geometry.

Sourcewww.sketchupfordesign.com/tutorials/scripting/

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.sketchup4architect.com

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nz_Bricks&Blocks – The newest sketchup extension

Natale Zappia has developed nz_Bricks&Blocks sketchup extension. It is well matched with SketchUp 2016, SketchUp 2017, SketchUp 2018, SketchUp 2019.

This sketchup extension can be used to substitute your Brick Dimensions Table with a 3D modeller, measurement tool & tailor-made catalogue.

Design to brick/block dimensions instantly and simply.

Just draw you proposed wall length and nz_Bricks&Blocks will draw a wall to brick dimensions that is suitable inside your adopted length.

nz_Bricks&Blokes also offers onScreen Data and Analysis with different options and measurements obtained from a table but updating in real-time and to limitless lengths and heights.

nz_Bricks&Blokes also saves the blocks already produced with the above mentioned information together with a brick count.

It is possible to track your doors and windows correctly as well as dimension your model precisely with a 3D illustration of exactly what those dimensions signify. Retain the bricks and convert them into details or remove them leaving behind a perfect model.

Information of the wall itself will be saved to the Group and is available on a right-click. Bricks and Blocks are built with components so as to continue controlling your design simply.

A tailor-made catalogue facilitates to generate a library of brick and block types to adapt your local context.

To get more details or purchase the extension, go through the following link extensions.sketchup.com

For live demonstration, go through the following video tutorial.

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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.sketchup4architect.com
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"Instant Fence and Railing from Vali Architects in SketchUp”

SketchUp models are created using many extensions with their related tools; one is Instant Fence and Railing from Vali Architects that allow users to create quickly fences and railings.

Almost everything can designed in 3D with SketchUp and who have splattered in 3D drawing or are interested to learn the basics of design, SketchUp for Dummies has made it faster and easier to learn the ropes of a powerful, user-friendly tool that bring life into the design ideas. Users can get guidance here from creating a basic 3D model to showcase their work through 3D print or animation, literally everything in SketchUp that can help in anywhere like from redesigning the house to mocking up the future great invention. More than that, SketchUp’s vast usability has gotten very wide success as a tool that even non-designers can also make basic drawings; there are also many expert tips from former SketchUp product director Aidan Chopra and co-author Rebecca Huehls that help to draw and access SketchUp.

This article is going to focus on a new tool from Chuck Vali’s extensions named Instant Fence and Rail used to draw some easy fences and rails in SketchUp models.

Justin Geis: Justin Geis is the founder of The SketchUp Essentials and started using SketchUp while he was working as a general contractor in 2008 and after using it he found that SketchUp is extremely powerful that he just started to use it in his personal works also. Then he started The SketchUp Essentials as a place where he could share his ideas of using SketchUp easily through some tutorials and tips to help other users controlling the power of 3D Modeling in everyday lives.

About Extension Warehouse: It is an online resource with various plug-ins developed made especially for SketchUp and these extensions help to add some special tools and features to SketchUp. These extensions can be found for any particular application like drawing or 3D printing and some industry specified tools for architecture, interior design, construction and many more. So basically in this Extension Warehouse people can do the following things:

• Users can search extensions by name or as per the functionality.
• They can also install various extensions with a single click of a button.
• Or users can also control all the extensions from easy-to-use location in the My Extension page.

Instant Fence and Rail Functions: This extension is one of the extensions of Chuck Vali extensions that help users to create many different kinds of fences and railings in SketchUp including wood and metal fences, stair rails, handrails and many more. This extension has a wide library of nearly 300 preset styles to choose from; this extension works in a very natural way- at first a grouped path is selected, the extension is activated and then it will create a fence based on a selected style. This extension also follows the straight and curved paths and also allows selecting the direction of facing; besides that it will drop the fences along a face and draw a straight line between points on the sandbox fence automatically. This extension also co-up well with other Chuck Vali’s extensions like instant fair to create very different kinds of railings; users can also set parameters of the different made fencing pieces everything from while getting dropped on terrain.

Source:www.thesketchupessentials.com

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.sketchup4architect.com

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Some handy tips to create realistic materials in Lumion

This exclusive Lumion tutorial is presented by Minh from Architecture Inspirations. The tutorial focuses on some crucial tricks to generate realistic materials in Lumion.

Applying materials is a vital feature to perform in Lumion. If there are not the simplest material assigned to a surface while importing the 3D model in Lumion, it is required to apply Lumion’s materials.

The materials should be used to each surface; these materials range from simple colors or a material with diffuse texture. Initially, a model is created in sketchup and brought to Lumion through Lumion LiveSync.

Lumion LiveSync is a useful sketchup extension that can be used for real-time, photorealistic rendering of your SketchUp model. It is possible to visualize your sketchup model in Lumion’s real time surroundings. Besides, instantly set up a live connection for concurrent modeling & rendering.

In Lumion materials library, there are 1019 materials as follow :-

a. Landscape (soil, water, rocks, grass etc.)
b. Interiors (fabric, glass, leather, metals, plastics, etc)
c. Exteriors (concrete, bricks, roofing, asphalt, wood etc.)

To learn how to produce realistic materials in Lumion, watch the following video tutorial.

Video Source Architecture Inspirations

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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.sketchup4architect.com
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"Methods to design moving parts in SketchUp for 3D Printing ”

SketchUp is famous for its 3D printing models and objects but the method of creating design moving parts in SketchUp for 3D printing is a matter of practice.

3D printing or additive manufacturing is way of making three dimensional solid objects from a digital life. The creation or making of a 3D printed object is achieved using additive processes and in this process, an object is made by laying down successive layers of material till the object is created. Each of these layers can be visible as a thinly sliced horizontal cross-section of the eventual object. So basically 3D printing is the opposite of subtractive manufacturing which is cutting out a piece of metal or plastic with for specimen a milling machine.

SketchUp is just made for 3D printing and designing in SketchUp is cool as 3D printing is something that moves is cooler and unique than that. In this article we are going to discuss about a few features that can be include by the users to make their creations more than just interestingly shaped hunks of immobile plastic. Aidan Chopra and Rebecca Huehls this time comes up with new tricks about 3D printing in SketchUp.

Captive Joints in SketchUp:

A Captive Joint is basically a movable connection that comes out from the previously assembled and working 3D printer. Captive joints are mechanically simple links, ball joints and chain links but they are very powerful. A 3D printer can quickly made objects with hundreds of captive joints that may take a lot of time to build by hand. As there are many poseable action figures, clothing and chainmail which are the examples of simple captive joints assembled into complex structures.

Creating Captive Joints in SketchUp:

Though SketchUp is an easy tool of creating 3D objects though making a captive joint needs many trial and error. Users need to do experiments to get the perfect mixture of clearances and shapes. Here are some rules to keep in mind while working on captive joints:

• Components should be used to build structures with captive joints as they let the users to modify all the joints automatically.
• Designing on captive joints depend on using of the specific 3D printing technology; SLS-based 3D printers can build captive joints with millimeters across while FDM printers make strong joints.
• As a structure is only as strong as its weakest part so a joint should be made a little mixture of fine and hard structure.
• As 3D printing is cheap and with captive joints one is pushing the limits of technology so objects need to be tested before work

SketchUp Pins:
SketchUp pins are small, round cinch fittings that are pressed into the right place to create a connection and they can be a flexible replacement for hardware. As pins like bolts come in exact size and shape as per the need of users and they can also print more while running out.




• While designing the pins, users need to make them one flat side as it will give them a way to build the pins without using support material but keep the tongues horizontal to create platform.
• Making pins into components let them modify easily at once it is needed to do.
• Designing a project with pin joints, create an effort to standardize around a small number of pin sizes as it will keep things clean and simplifies assembly.
• Loose to Groups: This helps to gain the geometry by ungrouping it and organizing it in something useful.





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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.sketchup4architect.com
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EYECAD VR – The real-time rendering engine for Sketchup & Revit users

eyecad VR is the new real-time rendering engine that is compatible with an extensive range of software suite like Revit, ARCHICAD, Rhino, Cinema 4D, ALLPLAN, SketchUp Pro, Maya, Max, Blender, Mudbox, ACCA Edificius, and 3CAD Evolution.

It facilitates AEC professionals like architects to delve into and examine their designs with some exclusive features like dynamic environments, interactive lights, moving objects, the importing of HDRI images of the real world from project sites, and the inspection of materials and library objects. As soon as an environment is set, one click renders up to 4k resolution are created with a single mouse click and interactive exploration of the environment occurs with output to different VR options.

Eyecad VR Start

The basic version is known as Start and it has the capability to import your model, apply VR interactions, and function with objects and materials and the material editor itself. It is also possible to distribute your work with your clients to mobile and desktop.

Eyecad VR Advanced

The Advanced version includes lighting sources, the environment editor, photo-realistic rendering, and ultra quality options. There are more than 400 PBR (physically based render) materials accessible in eyecad VR. eyecad VR Pro

The Pro version comprises of the Landscape toolset that can be used to produce amazing landscapes. Besides, there are Videomaker and Worldmap features. By applying the robust terrain editor, make realistic natural environments along with water like as in rivers, ponds, lakes as well as with animated vegetation, hills and mountains and more.

The DEM (Digital Elevation Map) support in Pro facilitates the user to arrange their project in the real world. The WorldMap function sets in actual map-based context data and the height of all buildings can be easily decided. This tool is based on GIS technology. With the real world visible the user can then arrange their building into this environment. The Pro version offers some ground-breaking technology to create stunning video animations and several water simulations for renders.

Virtual Reality Apps for Mobile

There are also both Apple iOS and Google Android mobile apps called eyecad VR. These free apps can be utilized for viewing projects in virtual reality and in Cardboard.

To download the software, click on the following link www.eyecadvr.com

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.sketchup4architect.com

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skp2VR allows you to transit from sketchup to immersive virtual reality

skp2VR is the newest inclusion in extension warehouse developed by kubity. This sketchup plugin is compatible with SketchUp 2014, SketchUp 2015, SketchUp 2016, SketchUp 2017 and SketchUp 2018.

The sketchup users can apply this plugin to quickly search 3d models in 1:1 scale immersive desktop VR with Oculus Rift and HTC Vive headsets.

With this plugin, it is possible to quickly obtain your SketchUp models to 1:1 scale VR by a single click of the mouse without any coding or installations. skp2VR is the simple and most natural way to explore your 3D model with the fabulous sensation of existence.

Simple Setup:
- Set up the plugin, click the button and explore your model in 1:1 scale VR.

Quick Loading Time:
- Suitable with bigger and complex SketchUp models.

Comfortable Experience:
- Designed for comfort with low latency and high frame-rates to lessen the feelings of motion sickness.

Oculus Rift & HTC Vive Compatible:
- Experience 1:1 scale VR with the best immersive VR headsets on the market.

The extension is available in extension warehouse.

To get online demonstration of the plugin, go through the following video.




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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.sketchup4architect.com
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How to convert sketchup faces to SVG file for laser cutting

This is a nice presentation from Matthias Wandel for sketchup users. The video sheds light on how to apply the FlightsOfIdeas sketchup plugin to produce SVG files for laser cutting any sketchup model.

This plugin facilitates the sketchup users to choose sketchup faces from their 3D models and export the outlines of these faces to a scalable vector graphics (SVG) file for laser cutting. The plugin simplifies the process for exporting the 3D models to 2D vector graphics.

The plugin allows to apply editors like Inkscape (open source) as well as make 2D layouts for laser cutting, simple CNC milling, scrollsaws etc.

The plugin contains the following drawbacks :-

To set up the plugin, just take out the files from the zip file sketchup-svg-outlines-plugin-0.99.zip and provide them in your plugins directory. On Windows, it is done by opening the zip file (double click), choosing all of the files, and then dragging them to your SketchUp plugins directory.

To get more details about the plugin, go through the following video tutorial.

Video Source Matthias Wandel

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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.sketchup4architect.com
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How to produce glass in sketchup models with lattice maker

In this exclusive sketchup tutorial, presented by the renowed sketchup tutor, Justin Geis, you will learn how to generate glass in your sketchup model instantly with the use of an exclusive sketchup plugin lattice maker that is developed by TIG.

The plugin allows you to simply set offsets, glass thickness, window thickness & materials to smoothly generate windows in sketchup models.

This sketchup pluign can be applied to form lattice style arrays and frames. The plugin is suitable for generating skylights, sculptures, mosaic glass tiles, greenhouses and much more. This plugin provides huge benefits to the architects and contractors to simplify their works.

With this plugin, it is possible to produce the frames and inset panes for any surface. It has the ability to create just about any shape according to your choice. Before applying the plugin, it is required to choose the faces and then go to the plugin menu and click the “Lattice Maker” plugin.

A dialogue will be shown with options for the width and depth of the frame, the pane inset dimension, the lattice or frame material and the pane material.

The plugin contains the following drawbacks :-

A limited amount of colors can be selected from for the lattice and same with the pane. The thickness of the glass can’t be specified.

Click on the following link to download the plugin. sketchucation.com

For live demonstration of the plugin, go through the following video tutorial.

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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.sketchup4architect.com
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Eneroth Relative Camera – The newest plugin in extension warehouse

A new plugin known as Eneroth Relative Camera is added to the extension warehouse. This plugin is developed by the renowned plugin developer Eneroth3.

The plugin is compatible with SketchUp 2016, SketchUp 2017 and SketchUp 2018.

The plugin is suitable for different industries like Architecture, Construction, Education, Engineering, Film & Stage, Gaming, Heavy Civil, Interior Design, Kitchen & Bath, Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning, Woodworking etc.

The plugin is used to remember the position of the camera with regard to a group or component and recall it subsequently relating to a group or component.

It can be applied to arrange various corresponding views associated with different buildings, floors, apartments or cars. Just ensure they contain corresponding axes placement.

The plugin is also applied to shift the camera in conjunction with an object to maintain the view of it when it has been shifted to the model. Initially, remember the camera, then shift the object and then recall the camera.

If it is required to shift different views, e.g. scenes, one will be able to copy the object rather than moving it, and then remember the views, one at a time, with regard to the old object and then recall it relative the new object.

Activate the plugin from Context Menu > Eneroth Relative Camera.

Go through the following sketchup video tutorial to learn how does it function.

Video Source Eneroth3




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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.sketchup4architect.com
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nz_Corset – The newest sketchup extension in extension warehouse

Natale Zappia has developed nz_Corset, the newest sketchup extension that supports SketchUp 2016, SketchUp 2017, SketchUp 2018.

The extension can be used to generate corseted forms along with stilettos, vases, dishes, tensile structure and more.

nz_Corset is a development of nz_Surface

With nz_Corset, organic tubular forms are easily created.

This corset comprises of an adaptable waist (about it's axis) and girth.

It produced elaborate corset shapes along with Dishes, Vases and Stiletto shapes.

Bonus Function: OverdriveOverdrive facilitates the users to go beyond the end planes and generate dish - shapes when these shapes need that the end plane are parallel to each other.

You don’t inevitably require millions of faces so three levels of iteration are arranged. When the model is as proportionally perfect and organic, then it is possible to urn the global subdivide to finalise the form. Use nz_Surface to modify the details or cap your end planes.

nz_Surface vertices correlate with those of nz_Corset so it's simpler to marry the form jointly or make good use of the sophisticatedly structured vertices themselve...consequently generating soft edges

nz_Corset can simulated tensile fabrics use 'Natural' or alternatively run 'Manual' mode and customise the structure to suit

Hot Keys
Control:Toggle Textures 'Smooth|Diamond|Crystal|Adaptation|Shell'
Command:Toggle Centroid Placement: Natural(auto)|Manual
Spacebar:Random Variations to surface finished when now using a 'Smooth' texture

Up & Down Keys:Control the four levels of Iteration 1|2|3

Video Source Natale Zappia

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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.sketchup4architect.com
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