Introduction to Google SketchUp (Wiley Pathways)

Chopra, Aidan; Town, Laura

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0470175656 ISBN 13: 9780470175651

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, 2007

Considerably easier to use than other 3D software, Google SketchUp has found a niche in architecture, landscape design, real estate development, furniture building, and other design professions. This book provides an accessible approach that assumes no previous 3D modeling experience and explains the basic concepts involved in 3D modeling. Wiley Pathways SketchUp shows you how to build a 3D model, print it, share it, export it to another professional design package, export it to Google Earth, and create a 3D animated tour. The book will also help you harness the power of Google SketchUp so you can populate Google Earth with 3D buildings, monuments, and other sculptures.

From the Back Cover:

You can get there

Whether you re already working and looking to expand your skills in the computer–aided modeling field or setting out on a new career path that involves 3D design, Wiley Pathways Introduction to Google SketchUp will help you get there. Easy–to–read, practical, and up–to–date, this text not only helps you learn how to use Google SketchUp at your own pace; it helps you master the core competencies and skills you need to succeed.

Developed with architects and other design gurus in mind, Google SketchUp is the fast, easy way to build 3D models of anything you want buildings, furniture, or your own unique creations.

With this book, you will be able to:

• Understand the basic concepts behind Google SketchUp and the general workflow for creating and sharing a model
• Use Google SketchUp to make buildings, draw and extrude simple plans, model stairs, and construct roofs
• Use advanced techniques for modeling objects like vehicles, furniture, and more
• Build models using photographs with Google SketchUp s new photo matching feature
• Present your finished design using such features as Styles, Shadows, and Sections
• Get your models out into the world through Google Earth and the 3D Warehouse
• Print and export images and animations from your model file 

About the Author:

Aidan Chopra is the Product Evangelist at Google for SketchUp and Google Earth.  He writes and lectures about how SketchUp is used in design, and writes the SketchUpdate, a monthly email newsletter that reaches SketchUp users worldwide. He holds a Master of Architecture degree from Rice University, and has taught architecture at the university level and, at Google, works on ways to mediate between power and usability.