CHAPTER 2 Introduction to SketchUp and 3D Models … Cooperative Extension 229 CHAPTER 2 Introduction to SketchUp and 3D Models in Google Earth In this unit, we will use SketchUp to

UNH Cooperative Extension 229

CHAPTER 2 Introduction to SketchUp

and 3D Models in Google

Earth

In this unit, we will use SketchUp to explore building 3D models and Google Earth to

view spatial data. SketchUp is a deceptively simple, extremely powerful tool for cre-

ating, viewing, and modifying 3D designs. SketchUp was designed to offer the ele-

gance and spontaneity of hand drawing with the speed and flexibility of digital

media. SketchUp functions somewhat like a CAD program, however, CAD applica-

tions are designed specifically for representing concrete information where as

SketchUp is used for exploration and design of concepts and ideas.

1. Open SketchUp

a) To open SketchUp double-click the GOOGLE SKETCHUP icon

on the desktop. If an icon is not present, use the Start Menu

instead. Usually, SketchUp can be found if you Click the

START BUTTON, select PROGRAMS, then GOOGLE SKETCHUP

6, then GOOGLE SKETCHUP.

Introduction to SketchUp and 3D Models in Google Earth

230 UNH Cooperative Extension

2. Elements of the SketchUp Interface

The SketchUp window should look similar to the one shown below.

NOTE: SketchUp’s interface is very easy to customize. If your interface looks different,

it may be because another user has previously changed the SketchUp settings on your

computer. Don’t worry about any minor differences, but ask an instructor if you can’t find

the features discussed below.

NOTE: When installing or running SketchUp and Google Earth for the first time, Startup

tips may appear when each program is opened.

Large Tool

Set

Status Bar

Title BarMenu Bar

Drawing Area

Standard Toolbars

Value Control Box

UNH Cooperative Extension231

3. Open An Existing SketchUp Document

a) From the FILE menu, choose OPEN... .

b) Browse to C:\CommunityMapping2007\SketchUp\UNHexample.skp, and

click OPEN.

Throughout the course of this workshop, you will work through the steps of creating

a similar 3D model. While SketchUp can be quick to learn and easy to use, there

are many tools and advanced techniques that are beyond the scope of this

workshop. This workshop will simply demonstrate how to extract image data from

Google Earth for use in SketchUp, how to build a 3D model using this data in

SketchUp, and how to display that model in Google Earth.

4. Navigating Within the SketchUp Interface

The SketchUp interface can be customized much like ArcMap or most windows

programs. The various toolbars can be moved and docked into whatever

configuration is comfortable to the user. In this exercise we’ll review some of the

basic tools for navigating within SketchUp.

a) Within the Large Tool set, usually on the left of the interface,

there are a number of navigating tools. They should look like

the tools shown to the right. Move the mouse over each of

the tools and look in the lower left corner of the status bar, a

description of each tool should be displayed.

b) Click on each tool and try navigating around the model.

TIP: Use the scroll wheel on the mouse to zoom in and out. If the mouse is set up to

accept the scroll wheel as a third button, you can click and hold down the scroll wheel

and use it to orbit around the model. If you click and hold the scroll wheel and then click

and hold the left mouse button, you will be able to pan around the model.

c) The Views toolbar, shown to the right, can be used to

quickly move to different preset views around the model.

Again, move the mouse over each of the tools and look in

the lower left corner of the interface to see a description of

their functions. Try clicking on each tool to see the different

views.



5. Opening Google Earth, Panning and Zooming to a

Desired Area

SketchUp can be used to model just about anything from machine parts to buildings.

Any model built in SketchUp can be exported to Google Earth. Since we are

modeling buildings, we can use imagery from Google Earth to assist us. While

Google Earth can be quick to learn and easy to use, there are many tools and

advanced techniques that are beyond the scope of this workshop. For the purpose

of this exercise, we will only be going over how to navigate in Google Earth and how

to get an image into SketchUp.

a) To open Google Earth double-click the GOOGLE EARTH icon

on the desktop. If an icon is not present, use the Start Menu

instead. Usually, Google Earth can be found if you Click the

START BUTTON, select PROGRAMS, then GOOGLE EARTH, then

LAUNCH GOOGLE EARTH

b) When Google Earth launches, it should look similar to this:

Table of

Title BarNavigation Tools

Contents

Menu Bar

SearchTools


c) In the FLY TO search tool type “Durham, NH.” This will zoom us to the area

needed for this project.

d) Use the mouse and Navigation tools to Zoom in closer. Pan to the area

needed for the exercise. Click and hold the left mouse button to orbit the

Earth, use the scroll wheel to zoom.

Tilt Control Zoom Control

Rotate

Control

Pan Controls



TIP: Place the mouse cursor over an area you want to zoom to and double click the left

mouse button, Google Earth will automatically zoom in a fixed amount to the desired

area.

e) Once you have a good feel for the Navigation tools, move to the area shown

below. Make sure you are at the same extent and that N is facing up.


6. Importing Google Earth Imagery Into SketchUp

a) Keeping Google Earth open, go back to SketchUp and start a new document

by going to the FILE menu, choose NEW... .

b) Use the Google toolbar to import the image to

SketchUp. Click on the Get Current View

icon on the tool bar

c) After a few moments, you will see that SketchUp has automatically imported

the image from Google Earth. It should look something like this:

NOTE: SketchUp may momentarily minimize while it is importing the image, this is nor-

mal. SketchUp should maximize again after it is finished. If it doesn’t, simply maximize

the SketchUp window yourself. All imagery imported from Google Earth comes into

SketchUp as a black and white image.



7. Drawing in SketchUp

After the Google Earth image has been imported to SketchUp, we can start building

our model from the features in the image. To do this, we will use some of the basic

drawing tools found in the Large Tool Set. Before we can draw effectively, however,

we need to first understand the Axes in SketchUp. Within the SketchUp drawing

area you should see a blue, a green and a red line converging at the axes origin

point, these are known as the SketchUp axes.

It is important to orient the axes to the image so that they help us keep everything square

in the model.

a) Use the axes tool to move the axes origin point to a desired location, usually

the corner of a building.


b) Once the axes tool has been placed on the corner of the building the origin

point will stay on the corner but the axes will rotate as you move the mouse. At

this point, you will need to orient the direction the red and green axes should

go.

c) First is the red axis. Move the mouse parallel to the building so that the red

axis is in the direction parallel to the building. Left mouse click to set the red

axis in that direction.

d) Do the same with the green axis, only this time make the green axis perpendic-

ular to the red axis but parallel to the other side of the building. It should look

something like this:

e) Now that the axes are in place, we can start to draw the foot print of our

building. The axes will help us to keep our lines square to each other. You will

see as you begin to draw that the LINE TOOL will actually snap or stick to the

blue, green and red axes when the tool is near them. This snapping or sticking

will be important when you begin to draw a line.



f) Let’s begin by using some tools from the

Large tool set. We won’t be using all of

these tools. Most of them will be fairly

obvious in their function.

g) Left mouse click the LINE TOOL and move

the mouse to the origin of your axes. You

should see a dialog box appear that says

“Origin”. Left mouse click at that point, this

is the begining of the line.

h) Move in the direction of the green axis. If

you stay on or near the green axis, the line

you are drawing will snap to the axis. On

the green axis, left mouse click on the

opposite corner of the building.

i) Move the mouse in the direction of the red

axis to the opposite corner of the origin

point. Left mouse click on the corner and

continue around the rest of the building.

You should see a polygon form once you have completed the building foot-

print.

NOTE: The polygon may appear fractured by the image. This is due to the terrain that

was brought in by SketchUp from Google Earth. This will be corrected in the next few

steps.

Line

Tool

Arc

Tool

Tool

Eraser

Push/Pull

Tool

Tool

Tool

Tool

Tool

Tool

Select

Rectangle

Circle

Move

Rotate

Paint bucket

Tool


j) Use the PUSH/PULL TOOL to raise the building to its proper height. The Push/

Pull Tool only works on faces of polygons.

k) Select the Push/Pull tool and move the mouse to the center of the polygon.

The face should change and have a dot pattern over it.

l) Left mouse click on the face and move the mouse forward, the face should be

pulled upward.

TIP: When creating models using the Push/Pull tool you may find the need to raise a

building to a specific height; this can be achieved by simply entering the desired value

with the keyboard. To do this click on a face with the Push/Pull tool and start to push or

pull the face in the direction you wish to go. Without clicking the mouse again, type in the

desired height on the keyboard (the value will show up in VCB (value control box)). Hit

enter. The face should now be pushed or pulled to the distance previously entered.

m) Try repeating the last few steps to create the other rectangular building in the

image. Remember to reorient the axes to the other building. Try using the

rectangle tool to speed up creating the building footprint.



8. Creating Photorealistic Buildings

So far we have learned to build simple models using Google Earth Imagery and the draw-

ing tools. Now we will learn to create photorealistic buildings using photographs taken in

the field.

a) We will begin by bringing an existing SketchUp file into our model. Leaving the

current model open, go to the FILE menu, then choose IMPORT.

b) Change the file type to SketchUp files. Browse to

C:\CommunityMapping2007\SketchUp\Babcock.skp, and click OPEN. A

message will pop up asking if you want to place the file yourself, click Yes.

c) Move the imported SketchUp file relatively close to the location of the building.

It doesn’t need to be exact for the moment but make sure the model is on the

face of the Google Earth image (a pop up message will appear saying “On

face in group”)

d) Once the imported model has been placed close to where you want it, go to

the WINDOW menu and click on OUTLINER. A window will pop up.

e) Right click the Google Earth Snapshot and from the list click on UNLOCK. Right

click on Google Earth Snapshot again and select HIDE. You should see the

Google Earth Image disappear. Close the Outliner window.

f) In the drawing area, right click on the model that was just imported. Select

EXPLODE from the list.

g) Go to the WINDOW menu and click on OUTLINER. A window will pop up. Right

click on the Google Earth Snapshot and from the list click UNHIDE. You should

see the Google Earth Image reappear.

h) Right click on Google Earth Snapshot again and select LOCK. Close the Out-

liner window.

i) Orbit or pan the model so that you can easily select everything in the

imported model. Click on the SELECT TOOL in the large tool set.

Drag a box with the Select tool over the imported model. This will

select everything associated with the imported model.

TIP: If you left mouse click quickly three times on any entity in the imported model, it will

also select everything. Left mouse clicking two times on an entity in the model will select

everything touching that entity. For example, if you click twice on a face, it will select the

face and the lines outlining the face.

j) Once everything in the imported model has been selected, use the

MOVE TOOL to move the model to the exact location you want over the

image.


k) Use the Push/Pull tool to raise the building 60’ (remember, Pull the building up

in the blue axis direction, type 60’, and hit enter)

l) Your model should look something like this:



m) Now that we have our imported model raised to the correct height, we can

paste photos of the building onto the sides of the model. Orbit and pan so that

your view of the model looks like this:

n) Go to the FILE menu, then choose IMPORT. Change the file type to All Sup-

ported Image Types. Browse to

C:\CommunityMapping2007\SketchUp\Babcock2.jpg.

o) Click on the radio button “Use as Texture” on the right hand side of the window

under the preview and click OPEN.


p) You see that SketchUp has automatically brought in the image and

selected the PAINT BUCKET TOOL to help you paste the image on the

side of the building.

q) Move the mouse to the lower left corner of the wall you are facing and try to

snap the tool to the corner (make sure you are on the face of the wall). When

you have it snapped click on this corner to lock the picture in place.

TIP: You can zoom in and out with the scroll wheel on the mouse to get the positioning

of the image just right. Remember that when using this technique it will zoom in and out

from the point that you have the cursor located at. Do not try to select any other tool until

you have placed the image otherwise it will be lost.

r) Once you have the lower left corner of the image snapped to the lower left cor-

ner of the wall on the model, move the cursor to the upper right corner of the

wall on the model and click to snap the picture to that corner. Your model

should look like this:



s) Once the image has been placed onto the wall, we need to reposition the

image so that the wall in the image matches up to the wall in our model. Right

mouse click on the image, select TEXTURE from the list, and then POSITION.

t) Four push pins should appear on the corners of the image. Once the pins

have appeared, right mouse click on the image again and select FIXED PINS

from the list. This will uncheck Fixed pins and allow you to move the pins

where you need them.

u) Single left mouse click on one of the pins. This should allow you to move the

pin to another part of the image. Move the pin to the corner of the building in

the image that matches up with the corner it belongs to on the model.

v) Repeat this for the remaining pins.


w) Now that a pin has been placed in each corner of the wall on the image, it is

time to move the pins back to the corner of the wall on the model. Doing this

will match the image to the model.

x) Left mouse click on a pin (be sure to hold the mouse button down on the pin).

Drag the pin to the appropriate corner in the model.

y) The snapping function in SketchUp should help you to snap the pin to the wall

corner in the model. The image will appear to stretch and distort as you move

the pin to the corner. Move the remaining pins in the same way. The wall in

the image should be positioned to the wall in the model once you have repos-

tioned all of the pins.



z) After the pins have been positioned properly, press enter on the keyboard.

The portion of the image containing the wall of the building should be clipped

to the wall in the model.

aa) Try placing some of the other pictures in the same way onto the model.


ab) The rest of the areas can be filled in with textures.

Left mouse click on the paint bucket tool in the

Large tool set. You will see a window appear that

says Materials.

ac) Click on the down arrow to see a drop down

menu of different materials and textures. Select

Brick and Cladding from the list.

ad) Click the first brick pattern called BRICK_ANTIQUE.

ae) With Brick_Antique selected as the texture, go

back to the model and use the Paint bucket tool to

“paint” other sections. Simply click on a face or

wall to paint it.



9. Exporting to Google Earth

a) Now that our model is built, we need to get it back to Google Earth. Go to the

FILE menu, then choose EXPORT, then 3D MODEL.

b) Make sure the export type is set to Google Earth 4 (.kmz). Name the file and

save it in an appropriate place (C:\CommunityMapping2007\SketchUp\).

c) Click the Export button to export the model. After viewing the export statistics,

click okay.

d) Reopen Google Earth if it is not already open. Go to the FILE menu, then

choose OPEN. Browse to where you saved your model, select it and click

OPEN.

e) Google Earth should automatically zoom to where your model is on the Earth.




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CHAPTER 2 Introduction to SketchUp and 3D Models … Cooperative Extension 229 CHAPTER 2 Introduction to SketchUp and 3D Models in Google Earth In this unit, we will use SketchUp to