Conceptual Site Modeling With SketchUp and Google Earth
When it comes to architectural design, the process begins with the site and a great concept. Software required: SketchUp Pro and Google Earth.
What you'll learn
When it comes to architectural design, the process begins with the site and a great concept. In this set of tutorials we'll use SketchUp Pro and Google Earth to quickly create a site model for visualizing a conceptual mass within the context of its overall site as well as in the design site. We'll begin this SketchUp tutorial by exploring our site and understanding the context of our environment within Google Earth. We'll take a look at a few of the basic tools we'll be using throughout our design process. From there we'll export our initial massing concept into Google Earth to find a few crucial measurements, as well as examine its impact on the surrounding site. Next we'll jump back into SketchUp Pro, where we'll use the Sandbox tools to quickly sculpt and paint the terrain in our site model. We'll even explore how work with components from your favorites library and in the 3D warehouse to add scale and a sense of life to your model. Once we've modeled the design site, we'll learn how to create views, scenes and even simple animations that can help us communicate our concept. By the end of this SketchUp training you'll know how to create a site model, generate scenes and even walkthroughs. You'll also learn how you can utilize Google Earth to aid in the communication of your design intent. Software required: SketchUp Pro and Google Earth.
Table of contents
- Preparing the Model and Exploring the Site 12m
- Modeling the Shapes and Boundaries of the Site 10m
- Drawing and Extruding Surfaces on the Site 8m
- Drawing the Curbs Around the Site and Walkway 6m
- Laying out the Terrain in the Site Model 10m
- Sculpting and Smoothing the Terrain Surface 9m
- Adding a Water Feature to the Terrain 5m
- Working with Components from the 3D Warehouse 10m
- Placing Trees Throughout the Site Model 12m
- Exploring the Effects of Shadows and Fog 10m
- Exporting Your SketchUp Model to Google Earth 8m
- Creating a Second Design Option 8m