catchup edition 11
DESCRIPTION
SketchUcation Community NewsTRANSCRIPT
The Big Ask....
tranparencies04 Use Alpha-Transparency to replace modeling. Adriana Granado shows how using .png/.tiff images can save ample time.
treezy peezy11 Tree[D] to SketchUp. Wyatt Thompson goes through the tools needed to make trees in SketchUp.
copy that12 Save Copy As. Aidan Chopra’s takes a look a Fredo’s CurviLoft and explains
Gallery27 Are you featured? Our members submissions to the Gallery for April.
Where to noW?23 Interview. SketchUp Product Manager John Bacus spills the beans
revolve16 Kickstarted your next idea. Read our interview with Jeremy Caterbury.
This month in CatchUp we
take a look at some cool
plugins from Tomot’s Bi-Fold
Doors and Wikii’s Follow Me
and Keep. Plus Adriana shows
how to quickly use images to
replace geometry with the help
of transparency.
There are also two great
interviews. The first with
inventor Jeremy Canterbury
and secondly we had chance
to pick John Bacus’ brain about
SketchUp, the ‘big move’ to
Trimble and Star Trek.
Plus looking at FollowMe and
FollowMe and Keep tools,
panoramas with Pixeet and
much, much more...
Enjoy!
inexhaustible source of possiblities
WindoW treatment With alpha-transparenciesby adriana granados
Textures with transparent background can
provide an inexhaustible source of possibilities
for mounting of any kind, from an iron fence to a
curtain.
To get an image with alpha channel you need
help from an editing software, such as Photoshop
or PaintNet, to name just two. When you open an
image in any of these programs that has a one
color background you can use the Magic Wand
to select it. Use the Cut tool and save the image
as a PNG or TIFF as these are the only formats
that will allow you to use an alpha transparency –
background defined as transparent – in SketchUp.
As you already know me, I always tend to use
textures when the modeling process can be too
much time consuming or when I want to keep the
face-count low. In this example I needed to use a
wood blind that could let me to show the outside
landscape, and at the same time see part of the
window.
The first step was to take or find a picture of the blind
in a front elevation to avoid any distortions. I had a
very short time and I couldn’t find any appropriate
so I decided to use Sketchup to apply the texture of
a strip of the blind on a rectangle. I could have done
this directly into Photoshop but I preferred to use
directly real world dimensions.
I scaled the rectangle to make it narrower and added another rectangle to place the vertical string. Then I
copied it a few times. As a background I chose a lime green as it would be easier to cut in the photo editor.
Still in Sketchup I selected File > Export and saved it in PNG format.
I opened the file in my photo-editor, cropped and cut the background. Saved it again and returned to SketchUp.
I created a new material and applied it on a face placed on top of a window. I used the fixed pins to adjust
the texture to the face. I drew a small valance on the top of the window and with the Push/Pull tool I gave
thickness to it.
I saved my material for future use and also created a component to use it several times in my model. With
the Scaling with Orientation of Scaling Box by Fredo I could use it rolled up and down or adjust it to different
widths.
These first 5 steps are required to import a tree
component into SketchUp with textures.
1. Download and install the free 3D tree creation
program Tree[d] from here.
2. Create a tree using the program parameters.
There are lots of tutorials about using tree[d]
but it is a fairly straight forward process. Once
you have created the tree choose File > Export
OBJ...
3. Copy the required png/jpg textures from the tree[d]/texture folder
into the same folder as the obj and mtl created in the previous step. You
can open the .mtl file in a text editor to see which images are required.
4. Start a new SketchUp file.
5. From the Plugins menu, select OBJ Importer - Import OBJ [with textures]. Select the scale (feet or
meters works best for trees). Select the proper YZ axes orientation.
Tree[d] To SkeTchUpby Wyatt thompson
The following steps attempt to make the file size of each tree component
more manageable. These steps will take time to process so you may
need to weigh the time spent vs the need for a more manageable model.
6. Clean up the model using Thomthom’s CleanUp plugin.
7. Now isolate the trunk/branches and leaves into groups. To do this
quickly use the Select > All with same Material from the context-menu.
8. Paint the leaves - Open the Leaf group, select all the leaves, and
select UV Toolkit from the Plugins menu. Select Frontface to Backface.
9. Simplify leaves – Select all the leaves and select Loose Geometry
to Groups from the Plugins menu. With the groups still selected, run
Convert in Single Components from the Plugins menu. Choose Yes
when asked to convert all the entities to components. (You may have to run it multiple times until you get
the option to select Yes, since the plugin doesn’t seem to work 100% of the time.) With the leaf components
still selected, click Similar Objects from the Plugins menu and click Replace Similar Objects to eliminate
redundant components. Be patient because these operations will take a while.
10. Purge the model using Window > Model Info > Statistics > Purge Unused.
11. If you don’t plan to render, edit a leaf component and hide the edges.
Ultimately, the file size will depend on the complexity and variation of the tree created in tree[d]. To create the
smallest 3D tree, turn Leaves Off and set Cross-Geometry to On. When individual leaves are necessary
(for a foreground tree, for example), start with the lowest number of leaves suitable for your purpose and set
the leaf-size minimum/maximum to the same number. This will allow you to create a single leaf component
instead of hundreds in Step 9.
Using the default tree, I was able to obtain the following results.
Tree Geometry ComparisonSteps 1 -5 6.0mb 12,000 facesSteps 6 -10 3.5mb 7,400 facesLeaf Size min/max = same 2.5mb 7,000 facesCross Geometry On 1.8mb 2,100 faces
Known Issues:
Tree[d] utilizes vertex colors to create gradations in the color of the leaves based on the color palette you select in the Branch dialog.
Each vertex of the leaf face in the tree[d] model is assigned a color, and the colors blend together across the face of each leaf. At this
time, SketchUp is not able to import vertex colors so the color variations are not possible to recreate (at least using the above method;
it may be possible using a different export format from tree[d]). There are two possible workarounds:
• 1. Export a png image from tree[d] and create a 2D face-me component in SketchUp.
• 2. Modify the leaf texture in SketchUp and use it to repaint the leaf components. This won’t have the same gradation effects,
but it can be used to introduce variation into the model. Use Random Select by TIG to select random leaf groups/components
to modify.
Below is a list of plugins used to accomplish this workflow....
TIG’s OBJ Importer
Thomthom’s CleanUp
Thomthom’s UV Toolkit
Chris Fullmer’s Loose Geometry to Groups
Matt666’s Component/Group Tools
Thomthom’s Component Comparison
SkeTchUp TIp: save a copy as... by aidan chopraEvery time I talk to Mitchel Stangl, I learn something new. Mitchel’s a mechanical engineer who uses
SketchUp Pro to build massively intricate models of processing and manufacturing facilities. On his last visit
to SketchUp HQ, Mitchel helped me improve my workflow by telling me about the File > Save A Copy As…
command (which we apparently added at his suggestion).
When I’m working on a big model in SketchUp, I like to save a new copy of my file every few hours. Doing
so lets me easily go back to a previous version in case I’ve accidentally deleted something I need — this
happens more often than I care to admit. It also provides a measure of protection against file corruption,
which isn’t common, but can be devastating.
For the last eight years, I’ve been choosing File > Save As… and creating a numbered copy in the folder that
contains my project. The result is a long, long list of sequentially numbered files. The most recent is the one
with the highest number appended to the end, as you can see in the screenshot below. Simple, no?
There are two problems with this system (as I’ve come to find out the hard way): First, when I come back to
a project after a hiatus, I’m never 100% sure that I’m working on the latest version of my file. Maybe I saved
a newer version somewhere else? Second, when I’m working on a set of drawings in LayOut, the linked
SketchUp file always needs to be the most recent one. Every time I change the name of the SketchUp file
(three or four times a day), I need to manually re-link the new model to my LayOut file. Yech.
Using the Save A Copy As… command (instead of Save As…) takes care of both these issues. It lets
you save a version of your model as a new file without renaming the one you’re working on. The saved
versions can be numbered and archived,
but the “master” version is always called
the same thing. There’s no confusion about
which is the latest, and working with LayOut
is twenty times easier. Presto.
I love it when answers to complicated
problems are so simple. Thanks Mitchel!
This is CatchUp’s first short
interview with Jeremy Canterbury
, the inventor of the Revolve
camera dolly, an ingenious low
cost design that offers smooth
and fluid tracking that could only
be achieved with much more
expensive systems until now.
Jeremy quickly surpassed his
target pledge goal of $7,500
by nearly a factor of ten, finally
reaching $71,664 before the
closing date.
CatchUp noted while viewing
his presentation video that he
looked to be using SketchUp
in the preparation of his early
design concepts. We contacted
Jeremy and he confirmed that he
did indeed use SketchUp for his
preliminary design work.
Jeremy also advised us that
he was Newbie to SketchUp
and that he felt he was not
experienced enough to comment
on the various features of the
application, however we were
more interested in learning more
about his background and how he
came up with the idea for a low
cost camera dolly at just $120 for
the Revolve dolly, rail kit, friction
arm mount. Anyone interesting
in ordering can get details here:
http://www.tinylightbulbs.com/
revolve-camera-dolly.html
used SketchUp in
preparing of his early
design concepts
“having a free 3D design tool was instrumental”
CATCHUP: Jeremy, can you give us a little
background about yourself and how you came
up with the idea for the REVOLVE?
Jeremy: While I was a student I began working in
video production, but with no money for expensive
film gear I was forced to build my own. After putting
together my own camera dolly, I took it upon myself
to design a solution that could be manufactured and
sold at an affordable cost, allowing film makers on a
budget a chance to use professional quality tools as
well.
CATCHUP: I understand that you used SketchUp
in your design process. Can you tell us about
your design work flow and how SketchUp helped
in this area of the process.
Jeremy: SketchUp became my medium for visualizing
and fine tuning the design. I was completely new to
product design, and even to SketchUp, so having a
free 3D design program that was easy to use was
instrumental in designing the Revolve. After a few
design iterations, I exported the files directly from
SketchUp and sent them to my manufacturer for
production.
CATCHUP: Could you give our readers, that may
have an idea lurking at the back our their mind,
some advise on how to bring these to fruition?
Jeremy: My advice would be to go outside of your
comfort zone and explore your ideas. I think that
many people leave good ideas on the shelf because
they aren’t completely sure how to execute it. The
process of designing the Revolve as well as bringing
it to market has been an entirely new experience
for me. I had to learn along the way, and I think just
diving into a project and seeing where it takes you is
much better than just leaving it an idea.
CATCHUP: Are there any further design ideas
that you have in the pipeline that you can tell us
about?
Jeremy: There are several other projects down the
road for me. I have been working on a follow focus
design which is another film tool which gives you
better control over your focus. I also have an idea for
a product that will help us shoot better video with our
smart phones. With both of these projects, SketchUp
will be my instrument for realizing their form.
CATCHUP: Jeremy, thank you for sharing your
experiences and views with CATCHUP. We look
forward to seeing your new innovations soon.
doorS galore!by rich o’brien
If you spend some time on our forums you will notice a lot of members share quality content from time to time.
But recently one of our long time members, Paul Russam, shared a huge collection of doors and windows to
do with as you please.
The models are excellently compiled and can
be viewed either opened or closed via layer
control. Fully textured and nicely organized
these really are a great collection to have in
your library.
The whole collection comprises of:
• 6 internal single doors
• 5 internal double doors
• 1 internal lift door
• 1 external single door
• 5 external double doors
• 2 internal windows
• 8 external windows
• 1 velux roof window
Go grab a download here and don’t forget to leave a reply to thank Paul for his great contribution.
plUgIn TIp : FolloW and Keepby rich o’brien
The Follow Me tool in Sketchup is a great addition but at times it can produce somewhat funky results. While
funky results are cool they are not always what you need. Because it can twist and deform a profile as it
sweeps through a curve the desired results is not what you intended in the first place.
If you look at the image opposite you can see how the profile rotates as it revolves
around the spiral. Notice how the green face does not remain in place and by the
end of the sweep the profile has flipped vertically.
This is typical when using the Follow Me tool and if you are looking to create
some type of water slide it is perfect. But when you need the start and end profile
consistent then you will need to use a plugin.
Luckily Wikii wrote such a plugin called ‘Follow Me and Keep’. Once installed it
resides in your plugins menu and it could not be simpler to use.
Select the path and profile that you wish to sweep before running the plugin. You
can also place a contruction point and this will set the align point of your profile
sweep. Once complete the geometry is grouped separate from the path and profile.
As you can see the end result is completely different than the standard Follw Me
tool. To download Wikii’s Follow Me and Keep click here.
TRIMBLEDWith all the news of acquisitions and the recent
changes to both their website and place of work
it is fair to say that the team at SketchUp are in
the middle of some exciting changes.
Despite the general upheaval we had a chance
to discuss these recent changes with the
SketchUp Product Manager John Bacus.
What is a typical day at the office for
SketchUp’s Product Manager?
Mainly, it involves drinking coffee and worrying.
Often, it includes going to meetings and sending
email. All too infrequently, I get to draw pictures
of things and speculate about the future.
Sometimes, I get to go out and meet people
from outside our office. Next week, for example,
I’ll be in Helsinki. That’s usually pretty fun.
Users have taken SketchUp in a direction
that is far flung from its original intention.
How do you feel about its adoption in these
other ‘areas’?
I feel pretty good about it. This was our plan right
from the beginning - especially with the launch
of SketchUp’s Ruby API. There’s no way that we
could ever hope to build features that everybody
in every market wanted for SketchUp.
We wouldn’t know what to build and
we’d likely get it at least partially wrong. More
importantly, if we had built everything everyone
wanted us to build SketchUp would have ended
up looking like the control panel of a nuclear
power plant.
We have pitched SketchUp for years as “3D for
everyone.” The only way that really works is if
“everyone” participates in extending SketchUp
to suit their own particular needs. That SketchUp
is now the leading design tool for artificial
climbing walls in North America (or pick your
favorite other “that’s not what SketchUp was
built for” market) sends a little thrill down my
Product Manager spine.
BY RICH O’BRIEN
SketchUp has always been easy to learn
and makes understanding 3D very simple.
But what other aspects are you most proud
of?
I think that’s a respectable thing to be proud
of. It turns out that “simple” is pretty tough to
build. It is also very satisfying to see the way
that our user community has gotten itself
organized to deliver consistently great content
(in 3D Warehouse, with Ruby, on YouTube and
elsewhere.)
You recently launched a new gallery and
online viewer. What was the driving force
behind this and will this be available to
users at some point in the future?
The driving force for our new gallery was you
guys - our SketchUp users with all the exciting
work that you all do. I’m pleased that folks find
the gallery so exciting— I know that is how
we all feel out here as well. Other than that,
we’re always working on something out here in
Boulder. WebGL is still a very young technology
and not yet widely supported, but it offers some
exciting opportunities for 3D modeling in the
future.
Recently you used Reddit to discuss what
SketchUp users wanted from SketchUp ‘in
an ongoing effort’. What did you take away
from the conversation?
We learned what we already knew: SketchUp
users have great ideas and want to be actively
engaged in defining its future development. I
heard ideas for security around models (read
only), aspect ratios for image export, and
API for LayOut. And a bunch of other things
as well. Everybody still wants SketchUp to
perform better (everybody always wants more
performance). If I were thinking of getting
into the SketchUp extension development
business, I think I’d keep the Reddit transcript
bookmarked ;-). I’m also taking away my favorite
new complement; “SketchUp wrecks shop.” Not
quite sure what it means, but I like it.
SketchUp is renowned for not letting future
features into the public domain but if you
could see into the future what would you like
to see SketchUp capable of?
Ah... sneaky. I don’t think SketchUp is unique
in holding future features closely until they are
ready to ship, but we are careful about
that. In the broadest sense, I think you’ll
see SketchUp continue to grow both as a
focused 3D modeling tool for “everyone”
and as a platform for building advanced
applications for particular markets. Its a decent
bet that building construction will be one of
those markets.
What has you most excited about SketchUp’s
‘new home’?
Probably that there are so many familiar faces
in it. SketchUp isn’t just fun to use— we have a
lot of fun building it, too. It doesn’t much matter
where we are or what we have to work with so
long as we get to work on what we love. Though
Tyson has been complaining a little about his
new chair.
“SketchUp wrecks shop”
What are some of the challenges you face
as the newest member of the Trimble group?
Trimble has a large and diverse product
portfolio with all kinds of interesting integration
opportunities. The toughest challenge I’ll face in
the next year (after I get the espresso machine
plumbed in properly) will be to figure out what to
do next.
Trimble already has other companies that
are involved in the AEC market, Tekla and
Meridian for example, what do you hope to
see happen by having a relationship with
these types of companies?
I think you’re right to connect these things
together— Trimble are building quite an
interesting product portfolio in the building
construction space and they bring a few fairly
unique opportunities into the game as well.
While few architects are probably familiar with
Trimble, every contractor in the world knows
them and many use their equipment on a daily
basis. I think Bryn Fosburgh put it best; “Users
will be able to collect data, design, model, and
collaborate on one platform.” ...including both
design work in the office and construction work
in the field.
So, is SketchUp now a company or division
within Trimble?
SketchUp is now a part of Trimble. Various
other Trimble acquisitions have used different
syntax to describe what is essentially the same
outcome.
Has the team remained intact from the
acquisition?
In the majority, yes. In fact, the SketchUp team
that has moved to Trimble is largely unchanged
since the days of @Last Software. We’ve picked
“Users will be able to collect data, design, model and collaborate on one platform”
up a few new friends along the way and
lost some old ones here and there, but
the SketchUp team today is essentially
the same gang that has been working on
SketchUp for the last twelve years.
Will SketchUp Pro pricing strategy
change?
I don’t have anything to announce today
except that which has been said already
elsewhere. We intend to continue selling
SketchUp Pro and to continue offering
a limited version of SketchUp for free.
Trimble is fully supportive of this strategy.
How will you offer online support to
users?
For now, we’re continuing to offer support
through all the usual channels. Nothing
new to announce at this time.
What is going to happen with your
integration with Google Earth and the
3D Warehouse?
3D Warehouse is coming with us to
Trimble, so you should expect to see the
same integration or better in the weeks,
months and years to come. In the short
term, Google will continue to operate it on
our behalf until we are able to stand up
servers on our own that can handle the
(surprisingly large) load.
In addition, all the plumbing for our UGC 3D
Building pipeline (the way you publish models to
the 3D Buildings layer in Google Earth) remains
in place. It is Google’s intention to continue
accepting models through that pipeline for the
foreseeable future.
At the end of the last Basecamp you had a
list of ‘wants’ from attendees. A lot of these
were tackled through various updates in
v8 but are there any current unaddressed
‘wants’ you feel need implementing?
Everybody has a pet issue and there’s always
more “want” than our team can directly address—
more than we probably think we should address
as well. We got a nice refresher from our recent
Reddit session. Performance will always figure
high on our list of priorities (always has, always
will) but I think features that streamline and
encourage collaboration between designers
probably interest me the most personally.
Will there be a another basecamp in the
future?
I don’t have anything to announce yet, but I think
we will surely do Basecamp again. It has been a
blast every time we’ve done it— and we all learn
a ton from one another.
Away from SketchUp and it’s 30 million
users how do you unwind?
I like to get away in the mountains
for a good long hike, but have less and less time
to really do that these days. I have a growing
orchid collection that keeps me busy. I blame
Bryce for that particular addiction. Beyond
that, I like to think, draw, build and play with
my kids. A day not spent making something or
fixing something is kind of a day wasted, in my
opinion. I do as much of that as I can.
Finally.....Shatner or Picard?
Picard, because he’s the fictional one. Also,
Patrick Stewart... because he’s the one with
talent. Come to think of it, Shatner is more than
a little fictional these days as well. But I suspect
the correct answer is “Original series over Next
Generation but Picard over Kirk.” (never try to
out-geek a software guy).
c o M M U n i T ySHOWCASEThe latest gallery submissions on SketchUcation.com
Each month we want to show what our members are achieving using SketchUp. if something takes your fancy just click the image to be brought to that topic.
Geoma chairAlvis’ latest build is a tour de force in Sketchup modeling
russian house Allan Casas’ masterful use of water colouring bring it to life.
Kimbell Chedda revisits Louis Kahn’s Art Museum using Maxwell and SketchUp.
npr hillside villaJeriSamui’s concept work through to final renderings are sublime.
FullinGs millJohn Higgins goes epic!
clay styleBossFanta still delivering quality SketchUp output.
barbara barryFymoro’s tribute uses Thea’s merge feature to great effect.
Good startDaveSec shows that his first gallery submission is well worth noticing.
el azul estudioNomo81 shares another stunning project from their prolific studio.
cappuccino timeAnother Fymoro classic where does he get the time?
Gone theaDavid Hennessy has moved from Maxwell to Thea and is loving it!
reFreshinGDavid Hier’s polygon heavy product shot makes superb use of Artisan.
books.sketchUcation.comlearn with the experts at your pace
In this month’s CatchUp it is a
combination ‘Mayor Mike’s Gadget’ and
‘Useful App’ and need I say it, is yet again
iPhone based but this one, Pixeet, is one
of the most useful I have come across of
late.
I have for some been playing around with
various 360 degree panorama apps and
devices with limited success, however
after 15 minutes with Pixeet’s fantastic kit
I was able to produce 360s of my living
room in less than 15 minutes.
The Pixeet kit I used, the “PRO” pack,
consists of a quality silicone case that
fitted my iPhone4S snugly, a slide in metal
tripod adaptor, a lightweight extendable
monpod and of course the quality,
Japanese manufactured, fisheye lens.
This lens look like a very professional lens
albeit of diminutive proportions.
PIXEET
by Mike Lucey
The kits also included a couple of stick-on
magnetic tabs for an iPad or iPhone if the
case is not to your liking. The tabs also had
little indents to accommodate the iPhone
flash. Attention to detail is first class!
A soft pouch for the fisheye lens is included
and the monopod also has its own pouch.
I was a little confused about what the
included lanyard with attached rubber band
was for and initially left in the pouch but
later discovered why it had been included
and decided to use!
The set up from opening the packaging took
less than a minute and I would add that I
didn’t need a scissors or Stanley knife to
open it!
I decided to opt for the monopod setup as I
felt this looked more professional also I now
leave the kit in this setup, just removing the
iPhone for insertion to the case I normally
use. It might be a good idea for Pixeet to
include a large pouch that takes this set up.
The fisheye lens case is made of quality
aluminium with a magnetic ring at it’s base
which attaches to the case’s in-built metal
ring. When attached its reasonably secure
but a nudge can easily dislodge the lens
and this happened to me on a number of
occasions. This is when I discovered what
the included l lanyard with rubber band
was for! I quickly clotted the rubber band
over the recess on the lens’ base and then
tethered the lanyard to the slide-in metal
tripod adaptor. Now if I nudge the lens by
accident it doesn’t hit the floor.
Once everything is in place its time for
downloading the free Pixeet app from the
App Store. This is a quick and trouble free
operation.
Once installed and the app icon is activated
a straightforward Main Menu opens up on
the iPhone.
First step is to click the ‘New Panorama’
button. This opens an option screen
offering the user the choice of creating
a 180 or 360 degree panorama. The 180
degree panorama only requires taking only
one image with the fisheye, whereas the 4
images are required to create a 360 degree
panorama.
The camera is held in landscape mode for
the one shot 180 degree panoramas and
in portrait mode for the 4 shot 360 degree
panoramas.
Positioning is very important when taking
shots. Its essential that the iPhone
(camera) position axis is maintained for all
4 shots / images. The operator might feel
a bit ridiculous carrying out this operation
in public and this is where to use of the
monopod comes in! It makes the job much
easier and more accurate also it ‘looks’
professional!
Clicking the ‘?’ icon will show the
‘Assistant’ screen which advises the three
steps involved in taking shots.
The ‘+’ icon puts up the iPhone Calibration
Steps ,1 Vertical and 2 Horizontal.
To ‘line up the shot’ all the operator has to
do is align the green cross hairs within the
square outline box, hold steady and wait for
the 3, 2, 1 countdown which then results in
an image being shot.
Once this is achieved the highlighting green
ring on the bottom of the screen dims and
the two circle red arrows light up indicating
the image has been captured.
After each successful shot a flashing arrow
indicates that a 90 degree turn in required
for the next shot.
This process is repeated for the four required
images.
Once the final shot (4th) has successfully
been taken the ‘Upload your Panorama
Now’ screen pops up and its just a matter of
clicking the appropriate 180 or 360 degree
processing button.
An ‘uploading panorama’ screen shows the
progress and once completed, to view the
panorama its a case of clicking the menu
box on the top left of the screen to bring you
to the Albums.
Once in Albums its just a matter of locating the
Panorama you want the view. Panoramas can
be viewed through the app’s interface, or you
can sync them to a free account on the Pixeet
website.
The impressive panoramas show floor to
ceiling, something that has only been previously
possible with very expensive equipment. A large
selections of sample panoramas can be viewed
on the Pixeet website here, http://www.pixeet.
com/virtual-tours-360
Virtual tours can easily be created and navigated
through placement of ‘hot spots’ in individual
panoramas which link / open further panoramas.
The Pixeet website offers free accounts
which allow for a very generous upload of 50
panoramas a month and the upload counter is
reset every month so the users gets virtually
unlimited storage.
Its possible to post to websites, blogs, social
platforms or corporate portals in one click.
Privacy settings, geolocalization, panorama
management is under the users control.
Also Pixeet integrates into Google Street View.
Add Google Street View panoramas to your
virtual tours to show up the surroundings or drag
the pin to explore the world. A Microsoft TAG and
QR Code is generated for each panorama and
album. Print the code on your ads or pamphlets
to be visible in 3D on mobile devices.
You are not stuck with having to work via Pixeet.
Its quite possible to import and export your
existing panoramas using the most standard
formats also back up your panoramas or
edit them through an external picture editing
software.
Professional photographers Pixeet allows the importation
of equirectangular, cube or cylindrical panos. Pixeet is
also compatible with a wide range of digital cameras and
fisheye lenses. All this functionality is free! Setting up a
free Pixeet account is simple and this is where you edit
and enhance your panoramas, add hotspots and other
details / functions.
Pricewise I think the various kits are a bargain. They cover
both the iPhone 3 and 4 also other Android phones, starting
at €49.90 and going up to €99.90 for the Pack “PRO” which
includes the very essential Ultra Lightweight Monopod. A
pro account is well worth considering if you see yourself
taking a lot of commercial panoramas.
The advantages are:
• Commercial use of your virtual tours.
• Dedicated support
• Convert panoramas into 360° Videos for Youtube
• No more Pixeet logo on the viewer
• Branding of the virtual tour with your own logo
• Unlimited upload of panoramas
• HD on the Internet, mobile devices and tablets
• Record or upload audio files for any virtual tour ...
A Monthly Plan cost €19.90 or €199 per year and saving
of €40.
Pixeet it a joy to use, no learning curve worth talking
about and produces great results. My final though is that
Pixeet might be leveraged to work with SketchUp output
possibly to create interesting interactive SketchUp native
or rendered panorama tours! But that’s for another day.
Add an ob-ject for each frame in the animation
Objects in motion are
not nested in the Outliner
Name the objects to match each
Scene frame
Multiple objects in mo-tion share the
same frame number
Group objects that
move together and name to match Scene
Select and Hide all the objects in
the Outliner
Unhide object and
Add Scene for each frame
CONSTRUCTION MODELING - Step 10There are three general types of animations that can be quickly recorded from a piece-based construction model. The third is a very simple motion capture. If you use shortcut keys and the Outliner, an animation like the one in Step 10 takes about 5 minutes to setup and record.
1. Set up a path as a guideline for object movement2. Make measured moves with even increments 3. Use a common pivot point for any rotation4. Control key to Copy with Move and Rotate tools5. Place an object copy for every animated position
6. Number the objects to match the Scenes7. Hide all copies of the object in the Outliner8. Unhide each object and add a corresponding Scene9. Scene numbers match the object number 10. Repeat for each captured object position
Unhide object and Add Scene for each
frame
Object and Scene match in the Out-
liner
For videos SketchUp
V6 or early is faster
with onion skinning
Repeat iden-tical Scenes to create a
delay
Adjust Scenes then
set transitions and Play to
test Here’s the finished
demo on You Tube
U-TUBE Related videos from our books
Animated phase modelScene click animationPan and drive by animationSimple motion capture http://youtu.be/m8rhtC6UC5M
Object numbers
match Scene number
