Every SketchUp model is made up of just two things: edges and faces. Edges are straight lines, and faces are the 2D shapes that are created when several edges form a flat loop. For example, a rectangular face is bound by four edges that are connected together at right angles. To build models in SketchUp, you draw edges and faces using a few simple tools that you can learn in a small amount of time. It’s as simple as that.
Push/Pull: Quickly go from 2D to 3D
Extrude any flat surface into a three-dimensional form with SketchUp’s patented Push/Pull tool. Just click to start extruding, move your mouse, and click again to stop. You can Push/Pull a rectangle into a box. Or draw the outline of a staircase and Push/Pull it into 3D. Want to make a window? Push/Pull a hole through your wall. SketchUp is known for being easy to use, and Push/Pull is the reason why.
Accurate measurements: Work with precision
SketchUp is great for working fast and loose in 3D, but it’s more than just a fancy electronic pencil. Because you’re working on a computer, everything you create in SketchUp has a precise dimension. When you’re ready, you can build models that are as accurate as you need them to be. If you want, you can print scaled views of your model, and if you have SketchUp Pro, you can even export your geometry into other programs like AutoCAD and 3ds MAX.
Follow Me: Create complex extrusions and lathed forms
You use SketchUp’s innovative, do-everything Follow Me tool to create 3D forms by extruding 2D surfaces along predetermined paths. Model a bent pipe by extruding a circle along an L-shaped line. Create a bottle by drawing half of its outline, then using Follow Me to sweep it around a circle. You can even use Follow Me to round off (fillet) edges on things like handrails, furniture and electronic gadgets.
Paint Bucket: Apply colors and textures
You can use SketchUp’s Paint Bucket tool to paint your model with materials like colors and textures.
Groups and Components: Build smarter models
By “sticking together” parts of the geometry in your model to make Groups, you can create sub-objects that are easier to move, copy and hide. Components are a lot like Groups, but with a handy twist: copies of Components are related together, so changes you make to one are automatically reflected in all the others. Windows, doors, trees, chairs and millions of other things benefit from this behavior.
Shadows: Perform shade studies and add realism
SketchUp’s powerful, real-time Shadow Engine lets you perform accurate shade studies on your models.
Sections: See inside your models
You can use SketchUp’s interactive Sections feature to temporarily cut away parts of your design, enabling you to look inside. You can use Sections to create orthographic views (like floorplans), to export geometry to CAD programs using SketchUp Pro, or just to get a better view of your model while you’re working on it. Section Planes can be moved, rotated and even animated using SketchUp’s Scenes feature.
Scenes: Save views and create animations
We created Scenes to enable you to easily save precise views of your model so you can come back to them later. Need to create an animation? Just create a few Scenes and click a button.
Look Around and Walk: Explore your creations firsthand
SketchUp lets you get inside your model with a set of simple navigation tools designed to give you a first-person view. Click with Position Camera to “be standing” anywhere in your model. Use Look Around to turn your virtual head. Finally, switch to Walk to explore your creation on foot; you can even climb and descend stairs and ramps, just like you’re playing a video game.
Dimensions and Labels: Add information to your designs
You can use the super-intuitive Dimension and Label tools to add dimensions, annotations and other glorious detail to your work.
The Instructor: Catch on quickly
SketchUp’s Instructor dialog box, which you can choose to activate at any time, provides context-sensitive help.
Layers and the Outliner: Stay organized
When you’re building a big, complicated model, things can get messy very quickly. SketchUp provides two useful ways to keep your geometry manageable:
Google Earth: See your models in context
SketchUp and Google Earth are part of the same product family, meaning you can exchange information between them easily. Need a building site for your project? Import a scaled aerial photograph, including topography, directly from Google Earth to SketchUp by clicking one button. Want to see your SketchUp model in context in Google Earth? Click another button, and you can. Anyone can use SketchUp to build models which can be seen by anyone in Google Earth.
Sandbox tools: Work on terrain
SketchUp’s Sandbox tools let you create, optimize and alter 3D terrain. You can generate a smooth landscape from a set of imported contour lines, add berms and valleys for runoff, and create a building pad and driveway.
3D Warehouse: Find models of almost anything you need
The Google 3D Warehouse is a huge, online repository of 3D models which you can search through when you need something. Why build something when you can download it for free?
Import 3DS: Get a head start on your modeling
You can import 3DS files directly into your SketchUp models. Have a piece of furniture in 3DS format that you’d like to use? Import it in, then keep on truckin’.
Import images: Paint walls with photos
With SketchUp, you can import image files like JPGs, TIFFs, PNGs and PDFs. You can use them by themselves (kind of like posters), but you can also stick them to surfaces to create photo-realistic models of buildings, package designs, and more.
Export TIFF, JPEG and PNG
SketchUp lets you export raster images up to 10,000 pixels square, so generating an image which you can send in an email, publish in a document, or project on a wall is as easy as choosing a few options and clicking Export.
PRO Import and Export DXF and DWG: 2D line drawings and 3D models
Google SketchUp Pro allows you to import and export DXFs and DWGs, giving you an easy way to move plans, sections, elevations or even your whole model into (and out of) your favorite CAD program. Imported and exported geometry remains at 1:1 scale, and layers are preserved.
PRO Export PDF and EPS: 2D vector images
With the Pro version of Google SketchUp, you can export views of your models in PDF and EPS format, allowing you to continue to work on them in vector editing programs like Illustrator and Freehand. For 2D images that need to be resolution-independent, nothing beats exporting to these formats.
PRO Export 3DS, OBJ, XSI, FBX, VRML and DAE
If you’re using Google SketchUp Pro, you can export your models to a number of useful 3D formats. Pros use a number of different tools, and these exporters allow SketchUp to join most professional workflows by offering interoperability with just about every popular 3D modeling application in existence.
Artec 3D scanner InstructionsStep by step instructions on how to use the Artec scanner booked out at DMC Bartlett.
How to scan
How to process data
General info
file types
CNC Routers and Laser Cutters can be booked 48 hours in advance. During busy times i the Bartlett schedule these can be very busy with queues
outside the office to book from 8am, so get there early! CAD/CAM workshop times: 9.30am – 4.30pm (Closed for lunch 1-2pm)
Cost of all machines for Slade students is £15 per hour, with the exception of the Slade CNC router which will be charged at cost (check in workshop for details).
DMC London, is the Bartlett’s new, state-of-the-art digital manufacturing (DM) centre. Bringing together two key technologies, and associated software solutions, the centre services all the DM requirements of the school, the wider needs of the UCL community, as well as, providing a highly valuable service to SMEs and micro-companies from within Greater London.
To access any of the technologies detailed below, it is first necessary to generate a 3D CAD file of your design and export this into .stl format. The majority of 3D CAD packages have this export facility.
GrabCAD is a community founded by mechanical engineers. It is also a place for engineers to share their talent, expand knowledge, find a dream project and work with tools and features that make life better. Our HQ is located in Boston, MA with the development team in Estonia.
The way you process your three dimensional data will depend on the 3D program you are using to model in. Different programs utilise different approaches to modelling, however, the following points need to be considered independently of your software type:
Ultimately the data you supply needs to be in .STL format. The three dimensional geometry created in your 3D program can be converted to this file format typically under the File–Export menu of most programs.
All geometry to be 3D printed must be in three-dimensions. Any two-dimensional geometry will not be processed or built by the 3D printer.
All three-dimensional geometry must consist of closed volumes. Further, all closed volumes must have a minimum of 1mm thickness. Single surfaces cannot be built.
Generally it is best to unify any parts that are attached in to one file, and surface normals should be correctly orientated.
Some issues can be fixed in our software, but some will need to be corrected first in the native software. With typical deadlines in mind, it is good practice to bring the model down to us as early as is possible to help identify any problematic data.
Exporting Guidelines
Once you have checked that your file consists of only three dimensional closed volumes you are ready to export your file.
Translate your model to the HOME axis of 0,0,0
Scale your file to final print output size
Change the units in your application to millimeters
Exporting an STL file usually involves the ‘Export’ or ‘Save As’ function. STL is the most common file format for use in 3D printing. Your three-dimensional design will be converted to a three-dimensional triangulated polygon mesh, made up entirely of triangles. STL stands for Standard Triangulation Language.
If your application does not export to STL the next preferred file formats are .3ds and .dwg. This format can be brought into almost any 3D CAD application and exported to STL from there.
Double check your .STL file to ensure it looks right and is to the correct size and scale
David Bourell of UT Texas describes how laser sintering works. This method of 3D printing uses a laser that fuses plastic powder, building up layer by layer somewhat same way as filament-based 3D printers do.
Metropolitan Works is London’s leading Creative Industries Centre, helping designers and manufacturers develop ideas and bring new products to the marketplace through access to digital manufacturing, workshops, knowledge transfer, advice, courses and exhibitions.
At the heart of Metropolitan Works is the Digital Manufacturing Centre, housing a range of new technology for prototyping, manufacture, research and experimentation.
Their large format 100 watt laser cutter has an effective cutting area of 1227mm x 2422mm and cuts a maximum thickness of 12mm. It is the largest currently in London
ONull is an image based Vector Generator for Mac OSX. It allows the user to convert images into rasterized vector graphics. This tool was developed to give graphic designers the ability to transform small images from the Internet into printable and editable graphics.
Roland iModela iM-01. Incorporating 25 years of Roland’s proven 3D milling technology, the iModela is an inexpensive, easy-to-use desktop device that mills wax, foam, balsa wood and plastic materials commonly used in craft and hobby projects.
The RGBDToolkit invites you to imagine the future of filmmaking.
Repurposing the depth sensing camera from the Microsoft Kinect or Asus Xtion Pro as an accessory to your HD DSLR camera, the open source hardware and software captures and visualizes the world as mesmerizing wireframe forms. A CGI and video hybrid, the data can be rephotographed from any angle in post.
A document put together by SPAR Point Group detailing the many ways that 3D data can be captured. What is 3D Data Capture
Includes image examples and a glossary of the 3D Data terms. Georeferenced, non-georeferenced, Laser scanning, Time of Flight, Phase-based, hand-held / close range, photogrammetry, structured light scanners and sonar.
