SketchOSM by PlaceMaker - New Horizons in Parametric World Modeling

Have you ever wondered, why not put your neighborhood on the map? The SketchOSM plugin for SketchUp, by PlaceMaker, lets you do just that! You can create parametric buildings in a few quick clicks and share them with the world in a jiffy.

Trimble SketchUp is famous for its flexibility, which comes from its ability to integrate many extensions or plugins from various sources. Though only SketchUp Pro and above can do this, it is still an awesome way to customize and empower this lovely modeling and rendering software.

One such great extension is SketchOSM by PlaceMaker.

What is SketchOSM by PlaceMaker?

The main functionality of the extension is two-fold. First, it lets you create 3D buildings that add site context to your model. You can do it by establishing a constant, which, in the equation of a curve or surface, can be varied to represent a family of curves or surfaces.

Secondly, you can share these buildings with the world by directly uploading them to OpenStreetMap. Yes, you guessed right, this is how the plugin gets its name, by combining the software and service names.

If you don’t know, OpenStreetMap is an enormous database of geoinformation, available to everybody on earth. It is accessible and editable by anyone.

It’s a completely free service, with no hidden charges or advertisements. Many devices and services already use them like car or phone GPS, websites, apps, and of course, millions of people.



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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.sketchup4architect.com
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2018 BiMUp 5D for SketchUp ? The newest sketchup extension

2018 BiMUp 5D for SketchUp is useful sketchup plugin that can be applied for quantity takeoff with reporting from sketchup models.

This newest sketchup pluign is compatible with SketchUp 2013/2014/2015/2016/2017 FREE, MAKE, PRO and 2018 PRO.

The plugin conducts the Quantity Takeoff (QTO) = Bill of Materials (BOM) in US or Bill of Quantities (BOQ) in EU - All in a single mouse click and at any design phase.

It is possible to accomplish complicated calculations with formulas and generate as many reports as necessary with custom-made templates:

? Count of Groups, Components, DCs
? Length, Width/Depth and Height Calculation (any element - beams, columns, windows, doors etc.)
? Area Calculation (room/floor, cladding, roof tiles, intumescent paint, soft or hard landscape etc.)
? Volume Calculation (concrete, insulation - can be converted to packs etc.)
? Weight Calculation based on volume or length (steel, stone etc.)
? Conversion of Volume (to bricks or blocks etc.)
? Windows schedule
? Doors schedule
? Extra Information can be embedded (manufacturer, specification, contact details, location within building etc.)
? Labour and contingency can be added
? Price and Taxes can be added



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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.sketchup4architect.com
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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.

Read more

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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.sketchup4architect.com
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Demonstration of Windows Builder Sketchup Plugin

In this exclusive sketch tutorial, you learn how to utilize Windows Builder sketchup plugin to make different window/door types as components of any shape and arrange them automatically in walls.

This skechup plugin is compatible with sketchup 2016.

With this plugin, the users will be able to generate and arrange various window components in their models. The windows are either rectangular or depends on a selected face of any shape.

Different types of windows are available like fixed, sliding, French and single-double hung. There are different parameters for windows like window length, window height, frame width, frame depth, sash width, sash depth and frame materials.

Options:

1. window type
2. component name
3. materials of all parts
4. glazing (simple, double, triple)
5. muntins (numbers, dimensions)
6. cover profile (side, shape, dimensions)

7. horizontal bar (sill, dimensions)
8. shutter (side, dimensions)
9. screen (side, dimensions, opening %)
10. cuts opening (checkbox)
11. glue to (none, arbitrary, horizontal, vertical, sloped)
12. scaling constraint (none, 1D, 2D, 3D)

This sketchup extension is available in extensions.sketchup.com

Go through the following video tutorial to gather more knowledge.



Read more

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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.sketchup4architect.com
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"SketchUp Viewer will help to experience all the realities"

Mixed reality technology is a game changer to visualize designs and design options; SketchUp Viewer has introduced Windows Mixed Reality to review and approve designs.

The work process has changed a lot from past days, now the work is not bond in the desk or office anymore; actually it happens on the move. Now-a-days work has become more technology based and less place-based. The SketchUp Viewer family of products has dedicated from a long time to lubricating the wheels for their customers who want access to some simple and effective project collaboration tools on the world’s leading mobile and XR platforms. The SketchUp team has proudly announced the release of new version of SketchUp Viewer for Virtual Reality which is the latest addition to the Viewer family. SketchUp Viewer for VR is consistent with Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and Vive Pro headsets also; moreover that, SketchUp Viewer also supports the plethora of Windows Mixed Reality VR headsets with the latest release of SketchUp Viewer for Windows Mixed Reality.

About VR or Virtual Reality:

Virtual Reality or VR is a new way of using computer technology in creating a simulated environment and its most recent added component is the head-mounted display or HMD. Human beings are visual creatures and display technology is often the single biggest difference between immersive VR systems and traditional user interfaces. Virtual Reality copies a realistic environment that allows builders to contact with a particular structure using a series of scanned images. It is an important form of automation as it uses programmed 3D scans that are very perfect and not prone to human error. It can simulate as many senses as possible like vision, hearing, touch even smell but the only limits to near-real VR experiences are the availability of content and low-cost computing power.

SketchUp Viewer for Windows Mixed Reality:

It has made possible to engage colleagues and clients in experimental design review which is a powerful and new way to measure, coordinate and communicate in mixed reality. With the use of any Windows Mixed Reality headset like VR or HoloLens, any team and teammates can virtually inhabit a design, helping to facilitate clear and efficient communication about complex spatial issues. Besides that there will be also the ability to interact with the designs as virtual or holographic scale models, supplementing or alleviating the need to build physical models of the projects. The application also has many of the viewing, navigation and information tools that SketchUp users are habitat in using; users can easily fly around the project models by choosing from the list of the scenes created in SketchUp or can toggle layer visibility on-and-off to control model visibility or can use the Tape Measure tool and Entity Info tool to get quick view about the model. SketchUp Viewer is free to install and needs that users sign in a Trimble Account; just an active SketchUp Pro or SketchUp Studio subscription is needed to access all application features.

SketchUYp team also updated the AR/VR Extension for SketchUp Pro for easily publishing SketchUp Projects to any AR/VR device. Here is a little description of all SketchUp viewer apps:

• SketchUp Viewer for Mobile: It gives the power to view designs on any iOS and Android device; also supports AR model viewing on ARKit and ARCore enabled devices.
• SketchUp Viewer for VR: It brings the projects to life in VR; this app supports Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and Vivo Pro headsets. Users can download a Windows Installer from the My Apps page at sketchup.com.
• SketchUp Viewer for Windows Mixed Reality: It is designed to support the ever-expanding list of mixed reality headsets offered by Microsoft and its partners. It can be installed from the mIcrosoft Store and is available for users with an active SketchUp Pro or SketchUp Studio subscription.

Source: wwww.blog.sketchup.com

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.sketchup4architect.com

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How to model a rooftop patio in sketchup

Justin Geis, the renowned sketchup tutor, presents another useful video tutorial for sketchup users. In this vide, he teaches you how to model a rooftop patio area in sketchup.

While creating the model, various tools like group tool, push pool tool as well as instant fence and railing plugin from Valley Architects are used.

Instant Fence And Railing

This sketchup plugin offers the following exclusive features :-

1. It is compatible with Mac or Windows
2. It comprises of fences, balcony railings, handrails, banisters..
3. Pickets, rails and fencing are provided on center or situated at a specified side
4. Textures will adapt with fence and railing parts
5. Various options exist for posts, pickets, and handrail profiles, along with user defined shapes.

6. Options are available for handrail returns, extensions, volutes and brackets.
7. Various options exist for panel clips or stops.
8. Metric or Feet / Inches
9. Option to follow terrain elevation.
10. More than 300 preset styles are arranged into libraries. The custom styles can be created and saved with images and icons
11. Interactive Menu: icons+images+text
12. All fences or railings are modeled as 3d, 2d face me or 2d hide lines
13. Automatic quantity take-offs and keeps take-off history log.
14. Single entry macro height modification.

To learn the complete process for modeling the patio area in sketchup, go through the following video tutorial.

Read more



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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.sketchup4architect.com
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"New features about SketchUp Pro 2019"

The whole team of SketchUp Headquarters has proudly announced the newest SketchUp subscription of SketchUp Pro 2019 where users can get all the favorite products to work.

According to the developers, SketchUp Free is the simplest, consistent 3D modeling till date that will help the user to access, learn and share the models with others easily. It has been more than a year at SKetchUp Headquarters with huge amounts of coffee consumed and after a long wait, SketchUp HQ finally released SketchUp Pro’s new version SketchUp Pro 2019.

The whole SketchUp team has been discussing to bring SketchUp lovers the newest development in the life of their products; they proudly announced a brand new way to purchase all the SketchUp products which is the SketchUp Subscription. They have offered the best value so that users and SketchUp lovers can easily choose the perfect combination of SketchUp for every project, workflow or creative concept.

This is a real opportunity to challenge the team itself to earn users’ business every single day by continuously improving the tools which are needed and loved whole year. The new ways to buy SketchUp is on their website; still the team has been working to bring subscriptions for years as according them it is the best way to deliver more value to the users in a single package. Their shift in new business will make it easier for new users to buy SketchUp and for current users; even more SketchUp products can be easily available. Besides that, this shift in business will help to keep them accountable to run business by releasing new features as often as possible; this is a challenge for them which they have taken proudly and moved process from an annual update cycle to a continuous cycle.

The new version has become faster and more powerful than ever before with bug fixes, system improvements and some wonderful new features. Here are a few of the highlighted features:

SketchUp Pro 2019 for Desktop: Just need to Sign in and modeling will be started; everything in SketchUp-iverse is now combined together with one single account to make modeling, viewing, account management and many more. In SketchUp Pro & LayOut 2019, Layers now come with dashed lines which can allow simplifying drawings with effective drawing communications. While the Tape Measure tool can help to see measurement info in the modeling.

LayOut: It will help the users to know which files are ready to open; in both SketchUp and LayOut there are many improvements t the .dwg import and export feature. There is also the ability to import and export with materials for better BIM interoperability and workflows. An “ Export for SketchUp” feature between SketchUp and LayOut feature .dwg exporter will send all LayOut entitles along with any SketchUp viewport data to the model space.

Trimble Connect: It will welcome users to a new world of efficient workflows and cloud collaboration; their 3D modeling sharing and document management tool is fully focused on projects related to building design and construction.

SketchUp for Web: The team has added a ‘live preview’ for image exports; after signing in to SketchUp for Web when users open a model and go to File>Export>PNG, it will recompose model as taking a snapshot at the desired image ratio.

SketchUp Viewer for AR/VR: SketchUp Viewer is now also available on more VR headsets than earlier, just need to access to every single one with a SketchUp Pro subscription. Oculus, Windows Mixed Reality, VIVE and Hololens are all running SketchUp Viewer.

SketchUp Campus: SketchUp’s official learning hub is known as SketchUp Campus where SketchUp-built courses all created by their in-house team that make SketchUp convenient abd simple in 104 languages.

3D Warehouse: The 3D Warehouse has millions of models and 17 languages from where it is difficult to find the right thing on time so new version has come with categories which boasts better browsing, search refinement, subcategories and filtering by real products etc. that helps fast searching in less time.

Sefaira: Those who are working in a firm that has a focus on performance-based design, SketchUp’s Safaira is like a subscription through SketchUp Radio.

Source: www.blog.sketchup.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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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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Demonstration of curic section view

This sketchup video tutorial provides the demonstration of Curic Section Veiw, an exclusive sketchup plugin.

Curic Section View can be applied to check views and observe everything in the model. Besides, it can automatically locate and manage section planes in the model to instantly interchange to next or previous.

This sketchup plugin is compatible with SketchUp Version: SketchUp 17, SketchUp 18, SketchUp 19 as well as Windows and Mac platform.

To avail the plugin, click on the following link. https://gumroad.com/l/curic_section_view

The plugin is also available in extension warehouse. https://extensions.sketchup.com/en/content/curic-section-view-0

For online demonstration of the plugin, watch the following video tutorial.

Read more
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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.sketchup4architect.com
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FlexTools - FlexPack Pro – The newest extension in the extension warehouse

FlexTools - FlexPack Pro is the newest sketchup extension that offers responsive 3d modeling with dynamic windows, doors, panels and more.

Flex components are developed to accelerate the speed of designing and user-friendliness. Each component can be customized as per your design requirements.

1. Place a Flex component onto a wall component - an opening is formed (with WallCutter).
2. Move it - The opening is modified consequently.
3. Scale it - All the elements of the component are maintained with their exact proportions.
4. Adjust - The setting of the component can be changed anytime.
5. Save your preferred components with ComponentFinder

There are several design options to explore with.

This sketchup plugin is available in extension warehouse.

Watch online demonstration of the plugin by going through the following video tutorial.

Video Source Yoni Frandzel

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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.sketchup4architect.com
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Enscape Rendering for SketchUp Alpha Version

Enscape is a globally recognized VR and 3D real-time rendering plugin for SketchUp. This newest version is still in beta testing phase and will be launched soon for commercial application. The plugin is compatible with Sketchup 2016 and Sketchup 2017 as well as Windows Operating system.

The users can easily set up the plugin with a simple mouse click and can walk-through a completely rendered project or export superior quality screenshots instantly. There is not any requirement of any supplementary software. As it is directly incorporated with sketchup, there is no need for uploading data to the cloud. The completely dynamic program reproduces all modifications in construction in simultaneously, and the Enscape walk-through is exported as a separate implementable file for smooth circulation and customization.

The developed walk-through is demonstrated in virtual reality or exported into a video instantly. It facilitates the users to replicate design quickly without much time as well as review design instantly and create presentation to the colleagues, clients and stakeholders.

Given below, some exclusive features of the plugin :-

• Real-time walk-through • Live link to SketchUp – Unlike other renderers the modifications in SketchUp are directly evident in Enscape • Direct integration – Retain your tools and apply Enscape via the SketchUp toolbar • Standalone export – Produce an .exe file out of your project that functions without SketchUp • Effortless usage – Rendering with one click • Virtual Reality (VR) – Oculus Rift and HTC Vive support with one click

A trial version is available for the users that will expire after 14 days. After that, the users have to purchase a monthly or yearly license at the Enscape store.

www.enscape3d.com

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.sketchup4architect.com

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Groundhog (0.9.6) For Sketchup

IGD, a renowned consultancy company that works for enhancing the interior comfort and energy performance of buildings, has launched Groundhog for Sketchup. This sketchup extension supports SketchUp 2015, SketchUp 2016, SketchUp 2017.

This free and open source extension can be used for executing lighting analysis inside SketchUp. With the use of radiance as its calculation engine, this sketchup plugin facilitates accomplishing various static and climate based daylight analysis.

It is also possible to export the entire project with groundhog along with illums, luminaires, workplanes, windows and materials as well as utilize them for research or other works.

In groundhog, all actions are performed by doing "right click" and in the menu Extensions -> Groundhog.

Explore through Groundhog online resources (www.groundhoglighting.com/app)

Go through the following link to download the most updated version of groundhog extensions.sketchup.com

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.sketchup4architect.com

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