Smooving in the Sandbox

Speaking of user interfaces, SketchUp 5 introduces seven new tools (see image 02 previous page) that are collectively called "The Sandbox." Terrain modeling in previous versions of SketchUp was technically possible, but terrains were certainly not easy to create or alter. While adding seven new tools to learn seems like the wrong direction for simplifying an interface, these tools were needed for streamlining the creation of terrains and integrating structures into topography. And to prevent confusion for new SketchUp users, the Sandbox must be turned on in the preferences. Instead of reading a manual to learn how to use the Sandbox tools, you can get a general sense for how they operate by watching this brief Google created flash video.

Terrains can be created with the Sandbox tools from a flat mesh (using the "From Scratch" tool), contour lines drawn in SketchUp, or contour lines imported from the variety of supported file formats (using the "From Contours" tool). Choosing between these tools gives you control over how much detail and accuracy you need in a terrain model. The aptly named "Smoove" tool is perfect for moving virtual dirt to create 3D hills and valleys. In addition to terrain, it can also be used for casual modeling of organic forms. The Smoove tool joins the ranks of the Push/Pull and Follow Me tool for its versatility and simplicity.

03 - A model made with Sandbox Tools.

Modeling terrains is typically an easy task with most 3D software; however, laying roads and foundations on gradients has always proven to be difficult. SketchUp 5's Stamp and Drape tools make this process less daunting. Positioning a flat road over the modeled terrain is all that's required to drape it across the contours. The Stamp tool works in a similar manner for embedding foundations of buildings within a terrain. In some instances the Stamp tool can cause a "fragmented" terrain, but overall it works as advertised. The Sandbox offers two other tools for adding more detail and editing terrains. While there are occasional glitches in converting complex contour lines into three dimensions, terrain modeling does not get much easier than the Sandbox. (see image 03 above)

Managing Groups and Components

SketchUp groups and components are integral elements for organizing and replicating portions of your 3D model. Groups are best at clustering faces and edges into a single, moveable entity (a concrete beam for example). Components offer the same grouping capabilities with the added advantage of automatic updating for similar instances. Components work best for furniture and other common elements like windows and doors. SketchUp's website offers thousands of free components to supplement the sample components that ship with version 5. There are also several other websites that sell SketchUp components.

04 - Outliner Palette

If you aren't using groups and components extensively in your SketchUp models, you are subjecting yourself to unnecessary frustration. If you are new to SketchUp or are familiar with solid modeling applications, you will find SketchUp's "sticky" edges and faces easier to maneuver if they are confined within a group that forms a single object. Creating groups and components in SketchUp is as easy as "right-clicking" on a selection or assigning a keyboard shortcut. Nevertheless, users often forget to group objects early. This results in hundreds of edges and faces that are difficult to select and place in a group. In future versions of SketchUp, we would like to see a feature for automatic group recognition to prevent unmanageable models for new users.

If you have been using SketchUp for an extended period of time and have realized the importance of groups and components, you will appreciate the added capabilities in version 5. The new Outliner (see image 04 above) is a window palette that gives a hierarchical summary of the elements in your model. In addition to showing how you have nested your groups and components, it allows you to easily move a group from inside one element to another. This feature eliminates the arduous task of cutting and pasting elements from one group to another. SketchUp 5 has also added options to swap instances of one component with another component.

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