Showing posts with label sketchup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sketchup. Show all posts

Digital Drawing for Landscape Architecture: Contemporary Techniques and Tools for Digital Representation in Site Design Review

Digital Drawing for Landscape Architecture: Contemporary Techniques and Tools for Digital Representation in Site Design
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Bradley Cantrell and Wes Michaels have authored a concise and beautifully illustrated book. They know their stuff and it shows. The book presents a detailed overview of digital methods, graphics and tools used in landscape architecture and related design professions. The clearly written content encompasses varying software and graphic. The images are excellent representatives of the graphics and methods the book's content advocates.
The book focuses on the creation of graphics type and not just on specific graphic programs. The authors took into account the flexibility in which many designers create representative graphics. This smart approach allows the book to center on the creation of rich representations of the landscape, but still delve in to the specifics of the programs used by design students and professionals.
Each chapter and section demonstrates varying techniques. From using Photoshop to create sections and plan graphics, to scaling and working with aerials. The authors demonstrate how to integrate CAD with Adobe Illustrator in an easy but important workflow. The book reviews a variety of 3D modeling programs including 3D Max and SketchUp and the type of graphics these programs can generate. One favorite chapter includes a step-by-step tutorial on creating Photoshop Perspective Collage. And this is just a sampling of what the book contains. The comprehensive nature of the book is phenomenal.
The authors move the discussion beyond just `how to' and discuss digital theory. Of particular note is a dialogue on how current digital methods are directly informed by the tradition of ink, pen and paper which was the backbone of graphic representation for decades. Framing the book's methods in the long tradition of hand-drawn illustrations emphasizes why design practitioners must read and use this book; it's a milestone in bringing the design community up to date to the level that design should be represented and practiced.
The book's approach and theories on digital presentation will elevate professionals and students practicing landscape architecture and related fields.
Daniel Tal, author of Google SketchUp for Site Design: A guide to Modeling Site Plans, Terrain and Architecture

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For a hundred years, pencil, pen, markers, and watercolor have been the principal tools of representation for landscape architects and urban planners. Today, those hand-powered aids have been replaced by computers and Computer-aided design (CAD). Digital Drawing for Landscape Architects bridges the gap between the traditional analog and the new digital tools and shows you how to apply timeless concepts of representation to enhance your design work in digital media.
Building on the tried-and-true principles of analog representation, Digital Drawing for Landscape Architecture explores specific techniques for creating landscape design digitally. It explains the similarities and differences between analog and digital rendering, and then walks you through the steps of creating digitally rendered plans, perspectives, and diagrams. You'll explore:
Computing Basics

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Real World Google SketchUp 7 Review

Real World Google SketchUp 7
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This is not the book you should buy to learn SketchUp. For that I recommend two others: Start with Google SketchUp 7 for Dummies; follow up with Google SketchUp Cookbook if you want/need to know the program more in depth, say for your work. In either case, it's then that you should definitely read Mike Tadros' excellent Real World Google SketchUp 7. This book extends your understanding of the power of the program.
Starting out with setting up your keyboard shortcuts and workspace and carrying on through using templates, scripts, and extensions, Mike covers the groundwork very well. For me, the core of the "real world" was dealing with site plans, importing CAD files, and building exteriors and interiors because that's part of my work. He also thoroughly goes through the creation and application of textures for the model, including how to build a model using a photograph, which is absolutely one of SketchUp's strengths.
Although I don't see myself creating dynamic components anytime soon, the author's section on this topic is more in-depth and clear than any I've read.
Mike carefully takes us through creating animations, adding dimensions, preparing your model for presentation and printing. Finally, the videos on the bonus CD are terrific, and are teasers for his superb website, and its hours of SketchUp training.

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Expert SketchUp instructor Mike Tadros shows you his techniques for using SketchUp in a professional, production-oriented environment, allowing you to finish drawings faster and get better results, whether you work alone or in a multiperson studio. Starting with customizing SketchUp preferences for maximum efficiency, Mike takes you through a professional SketchUp workflow--from setting up your workspace to installing Ruby scripts to importing CAD files and images to managing libraries to exporting your finished product.In Real World Google SketchUp you'll learn how to:
Turn your site plans, floor plans, and elevations into 3D SketchUp models
Import your own digital photos and hand-drawn imagery into SketchUp
Create animated fly-throroughs by saving scenes and exporting movie files
Use Google Earth to create site models and utilize the Google 3D Warehouse to add elements to your models
Get more out of SketchUp with bonus video tutorials on the included DVD



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Google Sketchup Cookbook: Practical Recipes and Essential Techniques Review

Google Sketchup Cookbook: Practical Recipes and Essential Techniques
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This book is a huge help! I've been using SketchUp for a few years and never knew about some of the topics covered in this book. For instance you can use section planes and styles as part of an animation, which I never saw explained in another book or video. The stuff on presentation and model display is really helpful for developing models that my clients want to see. The tutorials are easy to follow, and the use of color is great bonus - very unusual for a how-to book. Excellent book!


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As the first book for intermediate and advanced users of Google SketchUp, this Cookbook goes beyond the basics to explore the complex features and tools that design professionals use. You'll get numerous step-by-step tutorials for solving common (and not so common) design problems, with detailed color graphics to guide your way, and discussions that explain additional ways to complete a task. Google SketchUp Cookbook will help you:



Use SketchUp more efficiently by taking advantage of components and groups
Learn new techniques for using Follow Me, Intersect, and constraints
Go beyond simple textures with tools such as texture positioning and Photo Match
Create animations and walkthroughs, and explore design scenarios by using layers and scenes
Learn how to use styles to customize your presentations
Combine SketchUp with the 3D Warehouse and Google Earth

Google SketchUp Cookbook is ideal for architects, engineers, interior designers, product designers, woodworkers, and other professionals and hobbyists who want to work more efficiently and achieve true mastery of this amazing tool.


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Google SketchUp Workshop: Modeling, Visualizing, and Illustrating Review

Google SketchUp Workshop: Modeling, Visualizing, and Illustrating
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This is not an intro to Sketchup, and doesn't really cover the actual program in depth so if you are a beginner or even novice user -- this probably is not the best book to get. But if you are already familiar with the application then this workshop in a book can be an invaluable resource as a "behind-the-scenes" look at how real professionals actually use the program, why they chose it, and how they integrate it into real-world projects.
I can't remember another book of this type that reveals so many pro tips and tricks as this book (especially those that involve things other than SketchUp.) The worldwide professional interviewed reveal their workflow, their favorite programs to use in their work, how they use them, plugins, and more. You can tell that this is not just a Google book or "missing manual" type of publication -- this is a different animal.
The actual book itself is beautiful with full color throughout, nice heavy paper and quality printing. Tons of diagrams, screenshots and in-progress project designs really let you see how things were done (even if there is not a true step-by-step handholding.)
The topics and industries covered are quite varied, and this may be a downside for some who would get the book -- if 80% of the industries are not something you work in, you may feel some of it is a waste. However, I think getting perspectives from things like architects, engineers, urban developers, graphic designers and even theatre set designers is fascinating in how many ways this program can be used. I think everyone will take something away from each part of this book.
So, all in all - highly recommended as long as SketchUp is something you work in and are very comfortable already. A rare book that doesn't talk down to experienced users and waste time with basics for those who don't need it.

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Discover the secrets of the Google SketchUp with the 16 real-world professional-level projects including parks, structures, concept art, and illustration. Google SketchUp Workshop includes all the wide variety of projects that SketchUp can be used for-architectural visualization, landscape design, video game and film conception, and more. SketchUp masters in every field will get you up to speed in this agile and intuitive software and then show you the real uses with through projects in architecture, engineering, and design.
* Packed with 16 real-world Google SketchUp projects from working professionals that traverse the entire spectrum of what SketchUp can accomplish * Covers both the free and Professional versions of the Google SketchUp program - it is not bound to any version* Teaches 2D illustration and pre-visualization through to the fully rendered 3D Model - from start to finish

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Google Earth For Dummies Review

Google Earth For Dummies
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This book is a well written introduction to Google Earth. The fact that it doubles as a wonderful introduction to Google Sketchup means you're getting two outstanding technical primers for the price of one.
As a Google Earth fan from its beta days, I thought a dummies book wouldn't give me enough information to warrant the price of the book, particularly given the abundance of tutorial materials freely available online. This book, while valuable to its base of novice users, offers enough for an intermediate user to justify a thorough reading. For example, while beginners will appreciate the information about geographical terms such as defining latitude and longitude and familiarizing themselves with GPS jargon, other users may find the more comprehensive knowledge about the program's KML file structure and the explanations about the various layers in Google Earth more worth their reading time.
Now again, the addition of the materials on Google Sketchup, a 3D modeling program more likely once intended for CAD and landscape enthusiasts, means that even more accomplished users can use this as a tool to explore Google Earth's more advanced features. I myself had only cursory knowledge of Sketchup before reading this book and was sold on it when I saw how quickly I could get started with 3D modeling and put it to immediate use on Google Earth. Had this book not included the Sketchup section, I would probably have relied on web sites to fill me in on GE's other features. By reading the chapters on Sketchup, I was able to download the program with the confidence that I could begin using the program quickly. I even showed the program to several of my advanced fifth graders who themselves were playing with the program in no time at all.
As a consequence of reading this book, I am a much more capable member of the Google Earth community but I can also now boast some knowledge of 3D modeling. That's not too bad for an Earth dummy.

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This interesting guide covers all aspects of Google Earth, the freely downloadable application from Google that allows users to view satellite images from all points of the globe
Aimed at a diverse audience, including casual users who enjoy air shots of locales as well as geographers, real estate professionals, and GPS developers
Includes valuable tips on various customizations that users can add, advice on setting up scavenger hunts, and guidance on using Google Earth to benefit a business
Explains modifying general options, managing the layer and placemark systems, and tackling some of the more technical aspects, such as interfacing with GPS
There are more than 400,000 registered users of Google Earth and the number is still growing


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A Small Home Of Your Own Review

A Small Home Of Your Own
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I am a General Contractor in Southern California. I use Google SketchUp for all of my remodels and when I asked around for a good book that would help me create and understand Architectural drawings, I was lead to Dennis' book. This is actually the third book of his that I own. Each one of his books are truly helpful in understanding how a house is built.
Dennis simplifies the concepts and techniques associated with home building to the degree where his book can be understood by anyone regardless of their current construction or architectural skills. His books look like comic books because there are more pictures than there is writing which is extremely helpful since I am not a visual person yet understand things much better when they are drawn out for me.
The best thing of all is that the author, Dennis, is extremely accessible. I have emailed him several times with questions and he never fails to help out. His wife Barbara, is very nice and always responds to my emails as well.
Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone interested in either SketchUp, Architecture, or Construction. This book has saved me A LOT of time and money by giving me the ability to do things myself instead of subbing it out to an architect.


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A Small Home Of Your Own: Plan Permit Pay in 3D gives an overview of the production of a small house. Like all our books, it uses illustrations, 3D models, drawings, short videos, hands-on tutorials, sample files, and checklists to visually explain the design and construction process.

In Chapter 1, a plan is shown to include a realistic budget, evaluation of alternate sites, a prioritized program, and gradual development of a preliminary model.

In Chapter2, drawings are exported for initial code review and contractor input, a design development phase refines the preliminaries, and final 2D permit drawings are completed for a permit application.

In the last chapter, a payment schedule is illustrated on a timeline with milestones based on industry standards to control cash flow and the construction process. The result is a well defined, logical sequence of work with clear-cut cost control checkpoints along a well-traveled road to a home of your own.


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Google SketchUp for Site Design: A Guide to Modeling Site Plans, Terrain and Architecture Review

Google SketchUp for Site Design: A Guide to Modeling Site Plans, Terrain and Architecture
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As a new sketchup user (going on 3 months) and a purchaser of four books on how to use Google's Sketchup, this book is without a doubt, the most comprehensive introduction to utilizing an amazing tool to design (in 3D) to your hearts desires.
Being a newbie to sketchup can be a daunting experience, such a powerful, yet easy to use tool can get one into all sorts of trouble and lead to many a sleepless night. Aidan Chopra's `Google sketchup 7 For Dummies' was a godsend, as were the numerous online tutorials on Youtube and various online sketchup forums.
Tal's book however has made all the difference, by offering a concise and easy to understand process of how to model effectively. He delivers it with an engaging style that makes all the difference when one is trying to learn something new. The book doesn't suffer the dryness that `Google sketchup 7 Bible' sadly offered. He makes it fun because it really is fun.
Daniel Tal's book is an altogether different beast. A guide book that encourages one to simplify ones approaches by getting organized from the outset, it's all about the process to get the most out of sketchup and ease up on the headaches and sleepless nights that can often entail- no small feat to accomplish in the written word, I can assure you.
The book is set up in four parts the first of which covers the rudimentary tools. The second is where Daniel's expertise and knowledge really start to unfold. On every page, for me at least, there were numerous A-ha moments. So, that's how it's done!!, it's all so easy when one knows how.
The other benefits of the book are the tutorials. These provide numerous exercises' to hone ones skills and climb the ladder to "Sketchup awareness". Part 3 offers an all too rare glimpse into the powerful tools that the `Sandbox' can provide (a feature that I understand Tal was instrumental in fine tuning with the people at Google) to create terrain and organic forms that can really add to ones models and offer endless possibilities. If you can imagine it, Tal's methods enable you to build it. Part four is perhaps the most important one, dealing with Sketchup's unique abilities to import CAD files and also how to greatly increase productivity and turnaround time by using the numerous `Ruby' scripts available.
This is more than just a beginner's book and it is more than just a landscape architects approach to using sketchup in his work. Whether you are an interior designer, a home builder, carpenter, student, an aspiring 3D artist, or a garden designer like me, this book is indispensable.

If you love to model in 3D, you will find this book to be of immense value. Words cannot convey the gratitude I have for this book. It has made me a better, wiser, calmer and happier modeler than even I thought was possible.
Two thumbs up and five stars all the way.


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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.

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