Playing with SketchUp

Edit 1: changed post Title
Edit 2: added weakness of SketchUp

Links: SketchUp Website | Download Page

Model examples

*Note: not to scale, not exact replicas.

All these models were done completely from scratch, drawing inspiration from the objects lying around on my desk.

Throughout my years in Polytechnic and University, I have been using 3DS Max for my 3D modelling purposes. But I wanted a much simpler software to use. So I decided to explore SketchUp further and see what its strong and weak points.

I first touched SketchUp during my Polytechnic years out of interest-sake, but soon stopped because I wasn't used to its ways of modelling. I was still used to the modelling-style in 3DS Max. The next time I used it was for one of my University courses. The lecturer wanted us to use it for the modelling purposes of the entire course. But due to heavy workload, I was unable to delve deeper into the software.

Now that I have time, I decided to give this software a try again and soon fell in love with its intuitive controls. I especially like its Follow-Me tool which makes a quick job of copying complex faces. This tool is best seen on the 3DS XL model. I first modelled out the shape of the side as a flat face. Then I used the Follow-Me tool to copy this feature around all sides of the model.

Simplified 3DS XL

Another feature I like about Sketch Up is the ability to paint textures onto objects directly without the need to unwrap UVs. For now, I have used SketchUp's default textures and colours to texture the models. I will explore how to make custom textures in SketchUp at a later date.

Although I have experience in modelling, I am by no means an expert at it. And I still feel I lack the knowledge and experience to make more complex models. Throughout my 5 and a half years of tertiary education, I only had 3 courses in 3D modelling.

However, as with every software, SketchUp has its weaknesses. One thing I found problematic is that the cursor doesn't snap to the axis lines (I don't mean the origin or aligning with the axis) when trying to draw a new shape or guide. Also, I haven't found a way to snap objects to other objects or the origin/axes while moving them. A third issue is that SketchUp doesn't automatically detect the centre of an extruded face and I have to find it using the guides. Another weakness is that SketchUp's measure tool and dimensions box only measure's up to 2 decimal places. Beyond that, it gives an approximation number. While not a big issue, it makes it harder to model accurately if need be. But, I am still new to SketchUp so perhaps there are solutions to these problems; but as of writing this post, I have yet to find them.

Here are some screenshots of other objects I've modelled in SketchUp:

Creeper Figurine

Monitor

Speaker

Water Bottle