This is Part One of a four-part series that highlights different uses for the new 3D Warehouse model sharing feature. In this series, we'll be following our dear friends Jack and Jill.
Jack and Jill are collaborating on a 3D model. Jack has a special talent for modeling World War II airplanes. The two met at a 3D modeling conference, where Jack found out that Jill has a knack for texturing 3D models – adding a cool "damaged" look to World War II airplanes. They exchanged email addresses on the spot.
Jack emails a version of his latest P-51 Mustang to Jill. She adds some textures and emails the model back to Jack. He adds some more details and has some ideas about Jill's textures. And back and forth they go.
Jack and Jill are participating in what we call "email revision control": It works great, as long as you're content to sort through email to find previous versions, figure out which is the latest, and understand which version was built from which previous version. Ugh.
Fortunately, Jill notices that the 3D Warehouse recently introduced collaboration features for 3D models. Jill quickly uploads the model to the Google 3D Warehouse, invites Jack as a collaborator, and they both proceed to use the 3D Warehouse to collaborate and manage revisions on their model.
Coming up next: Jack gets a little wacky and Jill needs to add some controls.
Thanks to moom for the terrific model!
Tommy Acierno and Mark Limber, 3D Warehouse team
Model share feature in the 3D Warehouse: Part 1
Monday, November 10, 2008 3:18 PM
3D Warehouse: 27 languages and counting
Friday, November 7, 2008 8:21 PM
Did you know that over 90% of Google search queries are made in just 17 different languages? Not satisfied with that coverage, the Google 3D Warehouse recently expanded availability to twenty-seven languages. Yes, twenty-seven. We welcome our Danish, British, Latin American Spanish, Finnish, Hebrew, Indonesian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Romanian, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, and traditional Chinese internet friends and look forward to their contributions to the 3D Warehouse.
You can change your language by clicking on the "change" link in the top-left corner of the Google 3D Warehouse.
3D Warehouse Developerbot
Synchro: Your model in 4D
2:40 PM
Synchro is a 4D (3D + scheduling) application that allows you to create and see the construction schedule of your project -- all at the same time. They've created a plugin for SketchUp and have full support for the SKP file format. The plugin allows you to bring geometry from SketchUp into Synchro with a unique ID attached to each component. This gives users the ability to make changes in their SketchUp models and port those changes back to Synchro while iterating on designs. Check out this video with footage provided by Construction Software Advice for a closer look:
3D Warehouse - now with 3D maps
Wednesday, November 5, 2008 5:40 PM
When I first saw the Google Earth Plugin I thought, "That's cool, we have to showcase that on the 3D Warehouse!" So we changed our 3D Model Map to use it. But, my real goal was to use the plugin to show users their fully navigable geo-models on Earth, right in the web page. A little typing, a bit of paperwork, and ta-dah! It's ready.
To see this in action, first find a geo-referenced model in the Google 3D Warehouse. Then, click on the Map tab and choose the Earth map type (this plugin is currently only available on Windows). You'll see the model load and the view change to focus on the 3D model - all within the 3D Warehouse.
Build fold-up paper models with Waybe
Monday, November 3, 2008 9:46 AM
Making 3D models on the computer is great and all, but have you ever wanted a real-life, physical, breaks-if-you-drop-it object to hold in your hands? Of course you have -- we've all been spoiled by Captain Picard's replicator. But we might have to wait awhile for "Tea. Earl Grey. Hot." to become a reality.
Until then, you've got a couple of choices for turning your faces and edges into something you can put on your coffee table. Waybe, a brand-new plugin for Google SketchUp (Windows and Mac), lets you unfold your models into flat "patterns". After that, all you have to do is print them, cut them out, and fold them back together. Waybe even automatically adds the little tabs you need to glue everything together.
You can download Waybe and give it a whirl for free. The guys at Waybe put together a bunch of how-to videos for YouTube. As a former architecture student, I can definitely think of several occasions when something like this would've saved me hours of time spent making physical models. I can also imagine Waybe being great for K-12 education. I myself am about to build a paper model of my house -- so much for spending the weekend outside.
Massively cool models
Monday, October 27, 2008 12:54 PM
If you've never heard of Massive Black, you're in for a treat. They create concept art for movies, advertising and game studios, and their work is super-inspiring. We found out that they use SketchUp, so we asked if we could create a profile on them for YouTube. It turned out great:
If you're interested in this kind of stuff, also check out conceptart.org, the online art community "wing" of the folks who started Massive Black.
File --> 3D Print
Thursday, October 9, 2008 8:44 PM
Creating a 3D printing file from a Google SketchUp file has never been easy. Today a new class of 3D printing technology has slashed the time and expense it takes to create a physical model. Our friends at CADspan just released a plugin that allows for the generation of solid, 3D printable files directly from a Google SketchUp model. This software re-creates a model by "shrink-wrapping" it with one continuous mesh. The result is a single object, in STL file format, that is completely solid and ready-to-print.
3D printers create a physical object from a digital model by first dividing it into thin virtual “slices.” Then, the printers build the physical model, one layer at a time. These machines can typically build a shoe box sized object with almost any detail, overnight.
The new CADspan plugin makes 3D printing from Google SketchUp easier than ever. Install the plugin, and use the included tools to clean up and put some finishing touches on the model. When ready to export, click upload and let CADspan's servers take care of the rest. Then, go right on to working on your next Google SketchUp project while the first model is being resurfaced. When it's finished, simply download the STL file, review it, and the model is ready to print. Check out their User Guide for video tutorials and informative help. To see the rest of what the CADspan team can do with SketchUp visit LGM and Rapid Arch.
This model is your model. This model is my model.
Monday, September 29, 2008 4:11 PM
We've been thrilled to see the Google 3D Warehouse community grow and thrive these last two years. However, sometimes we've felt that a model in the 3D Warehouse is like an island - isolated and constrained to a single owner. So, in the spirit of communal collaboration, we've created a new sharing feature for models.
You control who edits, views, or even downloads your model. If your intentions are to collaborate, this feature can do it. If privacy is the "name of the game," we've got that covered too.
If you're itching to get started but not sure where to begin, try this out:
- Visit one of your models in the 3D Warehouse, and click the "Share" link.
- Invite a friend as a collaborator and select the option, "The owner must approve all changes to this model."
- When your collaborator proposes a change you'll receive an email. Select the "History" link to see the "pending edit."
- If you like the changes, click on "Accept" and the model will be updated for everyone. Otherwise, click on "Reject" and hurt your collaborator's feelings.
Tommy Acierno, Strategist in Consumer Operations Permalink | Links to this post |
Construction Visualization at DPR
Thursday, September 25, 2008 6:18 PM
Our friends at DPR Construction are using 3D visualization in Google SketchUp to enhance communication through the many phases of their construction projects. They are able to identify errors and inconsistencies that can derail progress. From presenting site logistics to resolving construction details in RFI proposals, DPR uses SketchUp to design and review in 3D. As Justin Schmidt from DPR puts it, “SketchUp helps take the inefficiencies out of the traditional construction process and really breaks down the walls that used to obstruct communications.”
Take a look at the DPR Construction case study to see how they are utilizing Google SketchUp and the power of 3D.
Design Your Dwelling: Runners-Up
Friday, September 12, 2008 4:08 PM
As promised, here are the runners-up from the Design Your Dwelling Competition, as determined by the judges at SketchUp and Dwell. They're not presented in any particular order:
Matt Hutchins | Model
Modern means giving back to the community. In this case, the house gives over most of the allowable square footage for a community room/exhibit hall (1210 sf.) to create an anchor for a new public sculpture park. The residence is situated on the second floor, using the broad roof of the community room as an artificial ground plane, simultaneously eliminating the conflict between the public park and the private residence and allowing maximum transparency for the residents. The house is situated at the east end of the park, along the arcing path, and incorporates an existing extension across the path, overlooking the wetlands.
A small permanent collection of sculpture inhabits the site. The glass screen provides security, and electricity--the design on the glass is created with a photovoltaic interlayer, which powers the house and hall. Stormwater is captured, stored and used to feed a vegetable garden on the roof. The hall is a multipurpose space, more infrastructure than building--for public events, private events, exhibits etc, inspired by sculpture gardens in Minneapolis, Seattle and the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. The glass sliding panels open the hall to the public, the park and the bridge view. The core contains public restrooms, storage, and a staircase to the residence (252 sf on 2 levels). The residence split into a large family space with easy indoor/outdoor living, and utilitarian 2 bedrooms sharing a bath (912 sf). The concave roof expands toward the bridge and toward the city.
David-Alexandre Cote | Model
Shaped by the elements, this house takes full advantage of the abundant sunlight afforded by the open site with its roof being made out of solar panels sandwiched between two glass panes. The cool breeze from the sea is used to cool off the roof and take out excess heat from the house. In winter the hot air from the roof is re-used for heating. The ribbon like wall/floor/roof is denser on the south side to minimize solar heat gain and afford more privacy to users. This house reflects the attitude we need to embrace to be able to live in this modern world. The dynamic and playful shape is designed to meet the need; it is frank, opened to the outside and very respectful of the setting in which it is placed.
Stephen Cheung | Model
Prism house is a dwelling for a small family of four, with sustainable features. A small footprint of approx. 30ftx 30ft is intended for that reason. The four facades each has a distinct character. The south entry facade has a 15ft x30ft louvers, which is adjustable and monitored by computer to response to the sun intensity, angles, to allow for optimum amount of natural light, heat penetration. The louver is adhered with photovoltaic films that generate electricity. Behind it is energy efficient windows with openable sections for cross ventilation.
The north side is rather transparent to allow view. Full height windows off the living space with guard rail outside can be wide opened. Privacy provided by interior screens. The west elevation, accommodates three water tanks, which stores the “filtered” water runoff from the green roof, re-filtered and pumped back for irrigation and to the pond, and also provide greywater for toilet use. The east side, which faces the “lagoon” has a more amorphic or sculptural projection. The house is supported on stiles over a pond, to minimize fill and intended for better earthquake performance. There will be a green roof on top. The lower level will be a multipurpose room/home office. No garage is designed-intended for more bicycle/public transit use or car rental when necessary. Hopefully, this will provide a sense of place for us, conscious and try not harming of our only living environment while we dwell.
Chris Craver | Model
Inspired by a passion for surfing and the natural beauty found at this coastal site. The views, wind, sky and waves converge at this location, creating the perfect location to live within nature. The shape of my dwelling is derived from a wave, rolling and cresting as it reaches the shoreline. As it begins to break, a hollow space is formed. It is within this space my dwelling occupies. The vehicle used to inhabit this space is a serious of shipping containers, sip's and glass walls that will house bedrooms, bathrooms and living spaces. The angled scrim that protects the exterior walkway is made up of multi-colored glass units with semi-transparent PV modules. This solar screen will provide electricity for the dwelling.
The living spaces are elevated off grade by a serious of steel frames that have minimal contact with the ground, minimizing the disturbance to the site, native plants and users. The shipping containers, outdoor spaces and the main living areas are oriented towards the views of the water and the Golden Gate Bridge. The dwelling is placed at the intersection of two existing, converging paths. The existing path will be used for vehicular and pedestrian access.
Hsiao Ling Tang | Model
Fab(3) dwelling is an affordable pre-fabricated stack-up housing unit made up of 8.8mX8.8m modules that can be customized in different materials and rotated around a stair core to respond to different view corridors, in this case - 'Waterfront view', 'Islands view' and 'Golden Gate Bridge View'. Upon rotation of these modules, interesting ‘leftover’ rooftops spaces can act as spill-out balcony spaces for outdoor activities and dining purposes. The sustainable grass roof seeks to replace the green groundcover that was taken up by the building footprint, also an effort towards the reduction of carbon footprint and contribution towards Urban Heat Island. The internal spaces are flexible and can be furthered partitioned to suit individual needs. The red stairs and decking take reference from the Golden Gate Bridge and the waterfront deck adds a little surprise element to visitors of this unique home.
Take a look at this 3D Warehouse collection to see all the submissions.
