Product Description

Google SketchUp for Site Design illustrates a holistic approach to SketchUp: how it works and more importantly, what to do with it.

Filled with tutorials from front to back, the book focuses on the start and completion of projects that include rich detail and expression. Each part and chapter of the book builds on the previous chapters and tutorial.

You will learn how to approach modeling site plans, buildings and site elements: from modeling each of these exterior environment elements to piecing them together to generate a singular and expressive model.

The book culminates with tutorials demonstrating effective and simple ways to include grades and terrain using the Sandbox tools and how best to integrate the entire approach with AutoCAD and SketchUp.

Also included are links to supplemental on-line resources such as YouTube tutorials and free tutorial and example models from 3D Warehouse.

The book is useful for all SketchUp proficiency levels including beginners, hobbyists, and professionals.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #16601 in Books
• Published on: 2009-08-24
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: .64" h x 7.40" w x 9.08" l, 1.59 pounds
• Binding: Paperback
• 368 pages

Review
"This book adds valuable information about features not even mentioned in the "Missing Manual". This book allows you to create settings for your creations. SketchUp provides a "sandbox", an interface with tools that create organic geometry. In other words, you can push and pull "terrain" around to create hills and valleys. Then using other tools create streets, sidewalks, and planters. Place the buildings you've created on the terrain, and add vegetation around them - suddenly you have a world! This is a solid book, with good start-to-finish instructions in creating 3D objects, whether a bench or a cathedral." (eJournal of the Tucson Computer Society, December 2009)

"This book illustrates a holistic approach to SketchUp, how it works and more importantly, what to do with it." (San Francisco Book Review, November 2009)

From the Back Cover

Google SketchUp for Site Design

A Guide to Modeling Site Plans, Terrain and Architecture

The design professional?s guide to harnessing the power of Google SketchUp

Site design professionals can now use the powerful tools of Google SketchUp for their own practices. This clear and focused illustrated guide explains how site professionals can use the SketchUp tools and functions to construct expressive models of exterior spaces and architecture.

Utilizing the methodology known as SketchUp Process Modeling, the guide takes you step by step from the basics to more advanced methods that incorporate terrain, AutoCAD, and the creation of complex forms. Covering drafting, modeling order, and organization, you will learn how to:

• Use the SketchUp Sandbox Tools to design conceptual grading, terrain, and elevation

• Design and model a variety of custom components including architectural detail, pedestrian lights, benches, and other site elements

• Integrate AutoCAD and SketchUp to easily create 3D-articulated models

With helpful tutorials and useful tips for both beginners and advanced SketchUp users, Google SketchUp for Site Design: A Guide to Modeling Site Plans, Terrain and Architecture will quickly have you creating models that are highly detailed and organized, easy to work with, and optimized for computer performance.

Included with the book are Web links to free SketchUp exercises, models, and YouTube tutorials that expand on book concepts.

About the Author

Daniel Tal, ASLA, is a practicing landscape architect in Denver, Colorado, and a SketchUp specialist who conducts workshops and seminars on SketchUp for landscape architects and architects. Daniel also consults on SketchUp tools and future SketchUp developments to meet the needs of landscape architects and architects, and helps Beta test SketchUp releases.