Combining Innovation & Technology

Sketchup - 3D Design

The Challenge:

SketchUp software allows you to draw three-dimensional (3D) models. You can draw an object, rotate it to look at it from various sides, and place the object in a setting of your choice.

Designing 3D models adds dimension and reality to your object. It improves your story when sharing your ideas with others. There are careers that work entirely with designing and creating 3D models. As you explore this challenge, consider how much you like drawing 3D objects. You might have a career in computer graphics one day.

There are careers that work entirely with designing and creating 3D models. As you explore this challenge, consider how much you like drawing 3D objects. You might have a career in computer graphics one day.

Tutorials are included below.

STEAM U Challenge Levels:

GREEN CIRCLE (1 PT.)

Your challenge is to draw a three-dimensional (3D) object.
Use resources and tutorials below to learn how to use Sketchup.

BLUE CIRCLE (2 PTS.) IN ADDITION TO ALL IN THE GREEN CIRCLE....

Your challenge is to design a model of a complex environment with SketchUp.
Before beginning this Learning Launcher, you should be able to:
Locate SketchUp “Instructor” and other resources
Create a simple 3D object with SketchUp
Use navigation tools like Orbit, Pan, and Zoom
Use drawing tools like Lines, Shapes, and Arcs, and Follow-Me

BLACK DIAMOND (3 PTS.) IN ADDITION TO ALL IN THE BLUE SQUARE & GREEN CIRCLE...

- Your challenge is to design a model of a complex environment with SketchUp. SketchUp allows you to design and manipulate models of individual objects and entire scenes.

Learn more advanced SketchUp tools and techniques by watching the video tutorials found below
Brainstorm ideas for your scene.
Create one object from scratch to include in your scene.
Create your scene, including your own object and objects from the 3D Warehouse
If your SmartLab has a 3D printer, ask your Facilitator if you can print your model.
One of the big advantages of designing with computer graphics is that it allows us to design, manipulate, visualize and study a model without actually having to build it.

Sketchup Presentation Template - CMA

Make a copy of the presentation template for your own use.

Click here to make a copy

Challenge Resources:

SKETCHUP FOR SCHOOLS TUTORIAL

SIMPLE HOUSE TUTORIAL FOR SCHOOLS

SketchUp Tour

Launch SketchUp and follow along to explore this powerful graphics application.

Open SketchUp.
Click the button: “Choose Templates”.
Select: “Simple Template-Feet and Inches” or the metric version.
Click the button: “Start Using SketchUp”.

Workspace

SketchUp will open to a new workspace. Most of the screen is taken up by an image of a person standing on a green surface.

Notice the red, blue, and green lines, which represent the X (length of an object), Y (height), and Z (width/depth) axes, respectively.

Tools

On the left of the page, you will find tools used to draw 3D objects. If the “Large Tool Set” shown on the left is not visible, select it from the top menu under View and Tool Palettes.

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