Boulder's concept3D gets cash infusion, expands mapping, energy application

The Boulder-based developers of SketchUp set off to build a 3-D modeling software program, they sought to create an application that would make 3-D modeling more accessible and they wanted to make a living in return.

"Honestly, we could've never imagined in our wildest dreams how that played out," said Brad Schell, co-founder of SketchUp developer @Last Software, which was acquired by Google Inc. in 2006.

While SketchUp led to Google and, later, Trimble dropping anchor in Boulder in recent years, it also fueled concept3D — a burgeoning Boulder-based company that is making significant moves in arenas such as interactive mapping and energy auditing and assessment.

Concept3D, which got its start thanks to some involvement and funding from SketchUp employees, recently raised a $1.25 million equity investment — a round funded in part by Schell.

The money will help boost concept3D's efforts in expanding its CampusBird interactive mapping program and software, and bringing its simuwatt energy assessment application to market.

"We still touch on our 3D roots through everything we do," said Oliver Davis, concept3D's co-founder and chief executive officer.

The company, which has offices in Boulder and Denver, plans to add to its 15-person staff and bring the company to 25 to 30 employees in the coming year.

That would complement some management moves made within recent months. Concept3D brought on Market Force Information Inc. co-founder Rushton McGarr as president and chief operating officer, and marketing veteran Lisa Harris as vice president of marketing.

The growth could push Concept3D out of Boulder. Company officials say they're looking for new space in Boulder, Boulder County and around Denver.

The privately held Concept3D, which does not disclose financial details, expects to have revenue in the "low-to-mid seven figures" in 2014 and to record "nominal profits" in 2014 because of the ramp-up in hiring, said Rushton McGarr, president and chief operating officer. The company essentially was break-even last year, he added.

Investor Schell said he will not be involved with concept3D in any official, boardmember role; however, he'll serve as a resource for the firm.

"They're at a point where they're stepping up to another level, and I wanted to be a part of that," Schell said.

Mapping opportunities: Concept3D started as a services shop, but eventually evolved into an outfit specializing in software development.

"We realized that we wouldn't be a valuable company without embracing software-as-a-service as a platform," said Oliver Davis, co-founder and chief executive officer of concept3D.

During the past three to four years, concept3D developed and honed its Atlas program, a database-driven map content management system. Atlas serves as the umbrella for CampusBird, software that allows universities and entities to develop maps with rich graphics, interactive capabilities and the ability to customize and update information.

More than 75 entities have used CampusBird, including Duke University, Walt Disney World Resorts and the Harvard Business School.

The CampusBird business is projected to grow four-fold this year with the added expectation the company will have a position in new markets, Davis said, adding that the software could apply in industries such as commercial real estate, resorts and economic development.

"There's a lot of fertile ground out there that we haven't really approached," Davis said.

More companies are able to incorporate 3D mapping as the technology has become easier to use and more affordable, said Joe Francica, editor in chief of Directions Magazine, which follows the location technology and geospatial industries.

"People want that realistic look, or that semi-realistic look," he said.

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Published By
Arka Roy
www.sketchup-ur-space.com
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Some exclusive workshops on digital manufacturing with sketchup

Some exclusive workshop will be held in Ljubljana, Slovenia on June, 2014 to discuss and practice how to utilize a CNC milling machine, 3d printer & PLA rapid prototyping, rapid 3d modeling with sketchup. The attendees will be provided a tailored 3d printer having a milling head to slice and form several materials. There will be practical training to accomplish small projects. Some open source software and machineries will be utilized in this workshop

By participating with this workshop, all the participants will be familiar with the fundamentals of digital fabrication and adopt all the essential knowledge required to produce simple 2d models to cut and shape.

The workshop will be very useful for Tinkerers, makers, product and industrial designers; architects, carpenters, engineers as well as any other professionals or individual prefer to put their steps in the enthralling world of digital manufacturing.

The workshop will be conducted in English language with Slovenian speaking assistant.

The attendees have to bring their individual laptop with SketchUp installed.

·         COURSE OUTLINE:

·         Begins with the CNC mill parts

·         The software tool-series

·         Where to find ready-made 3d models

·         Build up your project with basic sketchup tools for digital model customization

·         From .jpg to .stl

·         Modify .stl files

·         Project Milling

·         Fundamental of digital fabrication and the 3^rd general revolution

Fees for workshop

Register online

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Published By

Arka Roy

www.sketchup4architect.com

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How to create this field for football with Sketchup

Simone Piccioni

First I created a regulatory field , ie, a rectangle of 117 x 64 mm , and I drew the lines of the game inspired by some photos found on the net.

 

At this point, with 15 mm thick boards , I created a box around the field , each of these is a component so if we're going to work on an automatic will change all copies and this will be very useful in the later stages.

   

This field needs to be a little ' raised , perhaps with legs 80x80 mm square base (they are always copies of a component ) , in the lower part of the legs I created with squares slightly smaller.

   

To hold the whole structure, but also to give more realism , I added the bolts. But back to the speech of the components, if we add the bolts entering the component " Paw " ( just click twice above) magically appear on the other leg ... unless you do not want to repeat several times the same operation.

   

However, the realization of the bolts is very simple but effective . I created two cylinders of different sizes (see photo below). In the smaller one I created with the tool "Offset" a circle even smaller.

   

and I reduced to 5 the number of segments in the information entity and then push it slightly inward.

   

To give more realism to the bolt I rounded the edge of the smaller cylinder with the plugin "Round Corner".

   

Finally, this is the result.

   

We return to the playing field ... All football fields of the banks have in order not to stop the ball , even mine, and it is a triangle 20 x 20 mm which runs along its perimeter , obviously not at the door.

   

But now comes the fun part ! Make 8 equally spaced holes 20x20mm larger than one in the middle . Easier said than done.

   

I added the rings around the holes where they will spend the iron bars of the players and a boss where you stop bars of 'opponent . Even these have rounded them with the plugin "Round Corner" and I have also added the screws.

   

For the central hole instead I made a ring in her size then I created a quarter-sphere and I pulled one of the two sections,

   

and I combined everything.

   

Then I mounted the door , always with screws. Make it however you like , I took a cue from the internet.

   

To count the points I made a cube and rounded edges always with the plugin "Round Corner" and copied 12 times.

   

This is where things get complicated. To achieve the tiller handle I drew half of his section,

   

then with the instrument , "Follow me ," I have followed the trajectory of a circle of 30 segments that I drew earlier.

   

But with a handle so ' smooth swivels are wasted.

   

So to give it a more boxy shape I created a hole decagonal ( that ugly word ... ) on a rectangle,

   

of sufficient scale to bring out its corners slightly from the cylindrical part of the ' grip making sure it is perfectly centered.

   

From the rectangle tool " Push / Pull " I have created a solid to almost completely cover the ' grip , I exploded and then highlighted everything, then open the drop-down menu I clicked on " Intersect with Model".

   

After deleting segments of the white solid I can only delete segments that are intersected with the decagon ( parts violet photo below).

   

And also the handle is ready.

   

Now the tricky part. Players!

  

I started with an image I found on the net and began modeling on this half player. We need a little 'practice.

 

As you can see in the ' image below , I created a border that would ply Sock player.

 

To make it I used another plugin called "Joint push pull," virtually acts as the instrument "Push/Pull"

 

but with the ability push / pull faces at the same time more complex solids (see photo below).

   

I used the same plugin for the collar of his shirt. So a few tweaks to the head and body,

   

and I joined a mirrored copy

   

To round better player , I used the plugin " Subdivide and smooth " setting the iteration to 1.

Now, just assemble and paint all the pieces. I also added the springs at the end of the race of the bars, you can see how to implement them by clicking here.

The field is ready!

  

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Published By

Arka Roy

www.sketchup-ur-space.com

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