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!

Excellent online magazine for SketchUp Enthusiasts!

Just in case you hadn't downloaded any issues yet of SketchUp Ur Space, you can download the latest issues here

This is a great magazine full of features. The May issue introduces all the Authorised Training Centres around the world.

May 2011 Magazine

SketchUp4Architect (who create the magazine) do some great models on their website also...

Its great to see this initiative from the SketchUp4Architect team in West Bengal, India. It reminds me how small the world has become! We hope to contribute soon with some articles..

County Mayo shows Ireland how it's done

County Mayo is becoming a bit of a digital hub. Besides being where my mother hails from, it is the current Taoiseach's county, Mayo's endeavours to progress in the use of technology have been quite impressive. Recently St. Colman's School introduced an option to use iPads instead of books, and now Westport has featured in the official Google SketchUp Blog for it's Town of Tomorrow initiative.

Model created by the students in Google SketchUp representing students' ideas for the development of Westport town.

I hope Ireland takes up on Mayo's initiatives. We need more of this!

Ireland welcomes President and First Lady Obama

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle have just finished their visit to Áras an Úachtaráin (President of Ireland's residence) where a tree planting ceremony took place to Mark the occasion. Large crowds are expected to turn out to greet the First Couple.

We would like to welcome the President and urge him to reinvigorate his stance against human rights abuses by many countries in the world today, including the US.

Céad Míle Fáilte.

Cork City Ireland Welcomes The Queen of England

Today, SketchUpIreland's home City of Cork is welcoming Queen Elizabeth.

Today she will be visiting the English Market and the Tyndall Institute before flying back to England.

We would like to congratulate Queen Elisabeth and her husband Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh for rising to the occasion of what has been a complicated few days of difficult speeches and acts of reconciliation between our two great nations. The Queen has been a shining example of respect and dignity during her visit to Ireland.

Go n-eirí an bothar leat, Ma'am, agus go raibh míle maith agaibh!

Kevin McCloud gives Google SketchUp the thumbs up

This article in Pocket-Lint.com gives a great review of modern technological features, mentioning SketchUp as a great 3D design tool for the masses.

We also had a look at the Grand Designs software which allows anyone to quickly place walls, presses, cookers and sinks etc. together and view them in 3D context. Very interesting- and only around a tenner sterling!

Fair play to Mr. McCloud.