Exporting STL Files from SketchUp

We are getting excited about 3D Printing. Recently we joined up with Cork Hackerspace who are a bunch of technology enthusiasts in Cork. I hadn't seen any examples of printed objects but one member has a 3D printer.

Below is a great new development published on the Ponoko blog that will make 3D Printing easier.

I also have a plugin called Sculpteo. Its a 3D printing service that plugs right in to SketchUp.

I haven't used their service yet but hope to give it a go soon.. 3D printing is so beautifully geeky its bound to become the norm.

Making humans (virtually)

Cool!

Making humans is now easier than getting agreement from a consenting adult.... Except these humans are virtual. This is an intriguing blog post by Johnj about an open-source body-generating system called "Makehuman". If you happen to have Blender installed (to export to .3ds) you can import your humans to SU.

Making "paintings" of humans is about to get really interesting. Carravagio eat your heart out!

Keyframe Animation for SketchUp: Awesome plugin

Have you ever tried using animation software? I have. It inevitably leads to hospitalisation after a severe nervous breakdown. However, Jim's SketchUp (Plugins) Blog can save you thousands in counselling and even medication. (only kidding!) His animation plugin is so easy to install and use.



If you like Jim's stuff, don't forget to give him a few bucks! Paypal button is on his blog.

SketchUp: A Natural BIM Platform

I was hoping to hear Google say it first..... but: 

Google is the best placed company to help create a true Open Standard for BIM*

Why is this?....

• It is obvious that Google doesn't have a problem about sharing this platform with anyone else. SketchUp is free after all...

• SketchUp is already a parametric platform... Check out Dynamic Components

• Interoperability with Google Earth (or any current or future equivalent public platform) is of fundamental importance for any self-respecting BIM package.

• Google is quite good at writing code... ; )

• Other BIM software vendors, (who have some very good products by the way) are operating on antique business and revenue models that seem to ignore the fact that the internet has arrived.

• BIM is in danger of hitting a dead-end without a strong champion to make Open Standards work.

• Google isn't scared of Free Platforms while traditional software vendors are. Just look at Google Apps v Microsoft Office.

• Aspire Architecture is already using SketchUp as a standalone BIM/ CAD tool on successfully completed projects up to €850,000 and is currently working on a €1.5 million project using the same approach.

• Viewsion has written a training course that shows how SketchUp is used for creating Construction Documents.

• There are already platforms available for: Construction Sequencing, Energy Analysis, Acoustic Performance Cost Analysis (Andrew Dwight of Aadbuild) is writing a plugin for cost analysis which we're looking forward to finding out more about.)

• The American Institute of Architects is evidently unimpressed with efforts to create a truly Open BIM Standard thus far.

Google- Its time to take on this challenge.... (please!)

*Its not too late for AutoDesk, Graphisoft, Bentley, Nemetschek and others to get on board... If you have the best platform (like you say you have) then you shouldn't be afraid of opening it up... 

SketchUp for Construction Drawings

A few weeks ago, we achieved geek world fame by being featured on SketchUpdate blog in relation to construction drawings in SketchUp. Now we have uploaded the second of two videos about the topic. This second one illustrates more the technique of creating construction information in the SketchUp model.



We hope to start getting more active with useful and interesting videos this year. Stay tuned!..