Hard Light Productions Forums

Modding, Mission Design, and Coding => The Modding Workshop => Topic started by: Admiral Nelson on April 27, 2006, 06:59:02 pm

Title: Free Sketchup
Post by: Admiral Nelson on April 27, 2006, 06:59:02 pm

Google is apparently offering Sketchup downloads for free:

Ars Technica Story (http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060427-6688.html)

Download (http://sketchup.google.com/download.html)

I've seen at least a few models on here using this tool.  Is Sketchup a suitable tool for Freespace modeling? Would it be easier to use than tools like Blender??

Title: Re: Free Sketchup
Post by: Ferret on April 27, 2006, 07:11:34 pm

I think it's a superb program, but very hard for game models.

Title: Re: Free Sketchup
Post by: Descenter on April 27, 2006, 07:55:17 pm

Maybe not, but might be a good tool for thoes just starting to get into 3d moddeling..especially me.

[Edit]
This is basically the first model I have ever created, and I think it has turned out well within the 3 hours put in to this.

(http://www.geocities.com/deacenter6/pic1.bmp)

Title: Re: Free Sketchup
Post by: Unknown Target on April 28, 2006, 06:22:50 am

It's a great modeling program, and good for game models too; I made this one completely in it:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v56/UnknownTarget/infinit2.jpg)

Title: Re: Free Sketchup
Post by: Turnsky on April 30, 2006, 08:50:51 pm

i might give this a go, i've been meaning to try out a combination of 3d modelling, flash, and website design.

Title: Re: Free Sketchup
Post by: Descenter on April 30, 2006, 08:54:44 pm

Be warned though, that you can't convert any models in SketchUp to anything else besides Google Earth.  Unless you buy the pro version...

Title: Re: Free Sketchup
Post by: Turnsky on April 30, 2006, 09:05:42 pm

Quote from: Descenter on April 30, 2006, 08:54:44 pm

Be warned though, that you can't convert any models in SketchUp to anything else besides Google Earth.  Unless you buy the pro version...

well, damn, ohwell, it's useful practice anyway..

Title: Re: Free Sketchup
Post by: Fineus on May 01, 2006, 06:17:21 am

That's the neat thing. It's faster than other 3D modelling programs when it comes to sketching out rough ideas etc. Making it handy to make a rough draft before you dive off the deep end in another program.

Title: Re: Free Sketchup
Post by: Unknown Target on May 02, 2006, 11:15:27 am

Actually you can do pretty much everything except UV mapping and texturing in Sketchup.
But yea, if you happen to "aquire" the full version, tell me how to keep the smoothing groups. The only way I've found is to run it through Truespace and UV map it in there, then export it. That's the only way the smoothing groups stay set.