Google Sketch Up

[skyhawk]

Possibly one of the easiest architectural modeler I have EVER used. Not too good for organic modeling, but for anything with hard edges (I can think of a million and 2 possibilities), it is perfect.


It only has ONE problem, it (the non pro version) can't export to any meaningful formats

So, what are everyone elses opinion on this wonderful new program?

Link for lazy: http://sketchup.google.com/

[Taxxodium]

Originally Posted by skyhawk

So, what are everyone elses opinion on this wonderful new program?

It's not entirely new. I saw a beta (or was it final) version at Apple Expo in 2004. The only new thing is that it was sold to Google, but the app sure ain't new.

Other than that, my first thought was that it was a cool app for beginners and intermediate users.

[skyhawk]

ahh yes, I suppose to me it was new as in it was the first time I saw it. Specifically under Google's name.

[Frank C.]

Yep, this would be a sweet modeller for first-person-shooter style maps, but $495 for OBJ export is a little steep! The free version's license is also very restrictive - obviously Google just wants people to make models for Google Earth and give'm away for free. If they had a less encumbered $50-$100 mid range version I'd just might bite...

[igame3d]

Whats new about it is that it doesn't cost $495.
The pro 5 version does.
Oh if you want a low priced cool modeller check out ac3d

[Frank C.]

I tried AC3D a while back - command-Q is "Select None" - It looks decent in other respects but the workflow and features didn't stand out as anything special.

I'm not knocking SketchUp Pro's price (I'm sure it's worth every penny to people who use it commercially) but as someone who's invested a lot of money and time into Cinema4D any add-on 3D tools I buy would have to offer enough specialized functionality to justify the price. SketchUp Pro doesn't fall into my threshold for such a tool, but a more affordable stripped-down version just might - that's all I was trying to point out.

[NCarter]

I haven't tried the free version (I use the pro version at work), but I believe the Ruby scripting API is still present in the free version. Since you can examine the geometry from scripting, I suspect that it's possible to write scripts to export to any format you want.

Anyone want to try it?

[skyhawk]

Originally Posted by NCarter

I haven't tried the free version (I use the pro version at work), but I believe the Ruby scripting API is still present in the free version. Since you can examine the geometry from scripting, I suspect that it's possible to write scripts to export to any format you want.

Anyone want to try it?

tell me more.

[Najdorf]

wow, the only 3d modeller I'm able to use...

[skyhawk]

Originally Posted by Najdorf

wow, the only 3d modeller I'm able to use...

I KNOW! that's basically what I said! I can use others to a lesser extent, but this one just feels so freaking intuitive!

[unknown]

Originally Posted by NCarter

Anyone want to try it?

Yes I wanna try it! This program is perfect for making game levels in

[unknown]

NOooOoooooo!
I did it

def do_it() 
	model = Sketchup.active_model
	
	if(!model) then
		UI.messagebox "Failure !model"
		return
	end
	
	entities = model.entities
	
	if(!entities) then
		UI.messagebox "Failure !entities"
		return
	end
	
	$all_vertices_pointers = Array.new
	
	faces_string = ""
	
	entities.each { |entity|
		if(entity.typename == "Face") then
			my_mesh = entity.mesh 0
			
			n_points = my_mesh.count_points
			for i in 1..n_points
				my_point = my_mesh.point_at i
				
				my_index = $all_vertices_pointers.index(my_point)
				
				if(my_index) then
					my_index += 1
				else
					$all_vertices_pointers += [my_point]
				end
			end
			
			n_polys = my_mesh.count_polygons
			for i in 1..n_polys
				faces_string += to_obj_polygon(my_mesh.polygon_points_at(i))
			end
		end
	}
	
	$all_vertices_pointers.each { |vert|
		to_obj_vertex(vert)
	}
	
	print faces_string
	
	UI.messagebox "Done"
end

def to_obj_vertex(vert)
	print "v "
	print vert.to_a.join(" ")
	print "\n"
end

def to_obj_polygon(my_vertices)
	my_str = "f"
	my_vertices.each { |my_point|
		my_str += " "
		my_str += ($all_vertices_pointers.index(my_point)+1).to_s
	}
	my_str += "\n"
end

do_it()

[Najdorf]

Wow, what a l33t haxxor!

[igame3d]

Ok whats that code do and how do I use it?

[unknown]

I R

Save it as "/Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp/Plugins/objExporter.rb"
In Google SketchUp, go into the Window/Ruby Console, and type load 'objExporter.rb' after creating _somthing_. It will print it to the console as an obj file.

It only exports a list of vertices and faces, but its a good start and wings can load up the data it saves.
If anyone makes any improvements try and get them to me and we will have a proper export plugin soon enough.