Google SketchUp: The Missing Manual: The Missing Manual

by Chris Grover

Overview

If you want to learn to create 3-D models using Google SketchUp, this Missing Manual is the ideal place to start. Filled with step-by-step tutorials, this entertaining, reader-friendly guide will have you creating detailed 3-D objects, including building plans, furniture, landscaping plans -- even characters for computer games -- in no time.

Google SketchUp: The Missing Manual offers a hands-on tour of the program, with crystal-clear instructions for using every feature and lots of real-world examples to help you pick up the practical skills you need. Learn to use the basic tools, build and animate models, and place your objects in Google Earth. With this book, you will:

• Learn your way around the SketchUp workspace, and explore the differences between working in 2-D and 3-D
• Build simple 3-D shapes, save them as reusable components, and use SketchUp's Outliner to show or hide them as you work
• Tackle a complicated model building with lots of detail, and discover timesaving tools for using many components
• Animate the model by creating an interior walkthrough of your building
• Dress up your model with realistic material shading and shadows, and place it in Google Earth

It's easy to get started. Just download the program from Google.com, and follow the instructions in this book. You'll become a SketchUp master in a jiffy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780596555764
Publisher:	O'Reilly Media, Incorporated
Publication date:	05/22/2009
Series:	Missing Manual Series
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	602
Sales rank:	855,515
File size:	27 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Christopher Grover lives in Fairfax, California with his wife and two daughters. Chris received degrees in Creative Writing and Film from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. He's worked as a technical writer, advertising copywriter and product publicist for more than 25 years. His freelance articles have been published in a variety of magazines from Fine Homebuilding to CD-ROM World. Chris's latest project is launching Bolinas Road Creative, an agency that helps small businesses promote their products and services. He's also the author of Word 2007: The Missing Manual and Word 2007 for Starters: The Missing Manual.

Table of Contents

The Missing CreditsIntroductionPart I: Basic SketchUp SkillsChapter 1: Building a Bench: Your First SketchUp ModelChapter 2: Starting Off in Two DimensionsChapter 3: Drawing in Three DimensionsPart II: Building a HouseChapter 4: Drawing a Basic HouseChapter 5: Working Smarter with Groups and ComponentsChapter 6: Changing Styles and Applying MaterialsChapter 7: Organizing with Outliner and LayersPart III: Advanced Construction TechniquesChapter 8: Drawing a Hipped Roof and Using Follow MeChapter 9: Advanced Techniques for Groups and ComponentsChapter 10: Matching Your Photos in SketchUpPart IV: Adding Realism and MovementChapter 11: Adding Shadows and Placing Your Model in Google EarthChapter 12: Saving Views and Animating with ScenesPart V: Saving, Printing, and Sharing ProjectsChapter 13: Importing, Exporting, and PrintingChapter 14: Finding, Creating, and Sharing ComponentsChapter 15: Designing Edge Styles in Style Builder (SketchUp Pro)Chapter 16: Presenting Your Model with LayOut (SketchUp Pro)Part VI: AppendixesInstalling SketchUp and Getting HelpSketchUp Menu by MenuColophon