December 22, 2025    3-D Dragon Ship -- SketchUp Make, ChatGPT, GIMP

A crude SketchUp 3D model (skp file) of a Viking Ship along with a prompt for ChatGPT was all it took to create this elegant rendering shown below.  GIMP was used to edit out a few unwanted elements above the mast and to provide a texture background on one of the examples.  ChatGPT now provides multiple views of a 3D model upon request.

Today's prompt for ChatGPT was worded "Please create an equisite and stylized Viking Ship with a serpent-like figure head and a tail.  Include a wooden mast, oars, and colorful sail along with other embellishments that would be authentic for this type of artwork."

Here are two images that have been edited slightly with GIMP:

December 14, 2025    Camera Animation Revisited -- SketchUp Make, GIMP, Gemini, and ChatGPT 

Today's post goes back to 2014 to take another look at a gif animation created with images from a SketchUp Model and then layered with GIMP's animation feature.  

Gemini and ChatGPT both generated polished still-image renderings with a pleasant background--but not a looping animation as shown below,  Here is the original functioning animation created with GIMP . . .

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Comments:

Since neither ChatGPT nor Gemini (free versions) delivered a revised animation containing a new background and  enhanced finishes on the camera's surface, I revised the background myself with GIMP.  The enhanced finishes will have to wait for another day.

• For this project, I used 10 key frames  that had to be cropped from the original GIMP animation sequence that was opened with GIMP.  After pasting the cropped portion of each key frame onto the "front yard"  background image, all ten combined jpeg images were later opened as a layer in a new GIMP file that would later be saved as a  GIMP animated  gif file

• Instead of using 65 separate frames  all having  a 100ms duration like in the original, I opted to use only ten frames with variable frame lengths (durations).  For example, Frame 2 was 1800ms at the beginning, while Frame 7 (the combined camera flash, button and lens shutter movements was only 100ms  (a tenth of a second).  The other key frames also were assignet variable durations. 

• This method works fine for simple animations such as this.  Even with only ten frames to process, it is a tedious process.  The  Gif Animation Export  option, allows  GIMP to process the specified  duration of each  frame rather than to have a blanket setting of 100ms, for example, for the entire animation sequence. 

• Another advantage of using these steps is that no dedicated background image is required for Frame One.  The method described above  has the background merged with each of the 10 frames.  What I have described is an old-fashioned, straight forward process that bypasses many of the built-in features that are more suitable for advanced GIMP users. 

• If you would like to compare  the layers for both the Orginal using 65 layers and today's revised version using 10 layers (frames), they can be download here:

Original Animation  (4.6 MB |   Revised Animation  (2.72 MB).

• The version running below has been optimized by removing the bloat with EZGIF.  The gif animation is now only 345 KB.  The image quality  remains about the same--I can't notice any differences.

• Lastly, here is a similar version of the updated animation converted from Gif to MP4 using the EZGif online app.  Click here to open or to download:   Front Yard Camera.Mp4 (2.21 MB looping 10x).
  
  

ThoughtsOfThomasNotNostradamus

December 13, 2025    Lemonade Glasses Revisited -- SketchUp Make and Gemini 

The Lemonade Glass renderings created with Gemini today were originally modeled with SketchUp Make (see the March 15, 2023 post located in SketchUp Projects I) .  At that time, Twilight Render Extension for SketchUp Make (Hobby Version) was used to create the rendered version.  I liked the final outcome but was a bit disappointed with the blurry yellow band that I was unable to render more clearly (see images below).

Today, Gemini was the tool of choice to correct the earlier project's flaw.  The images and descriptions beneath each picture shown below will explain more.

I was so pleased with Gemini's greatly improved image that I returned this comment:   I wrote, "Perfect! It looks just like Grandma's kitchen."

With that, Gemini sent another, even more refined image, with a centered decorative place mat on the table, lace curtains for the window, and a detailed teapot on the shelf.  It pays to praise a job well done--even when conversing with AI. 

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Comments:

It should be noted that Twilight Render Extension renders the framed area of the 3D model whereas Gemini works only from an uploaded 2D image based on the user's instructions.  Whatever goes on behind the scenes regarding the processing of photorealistic images and colors remains a mystery to me.

ThoughtsOfThomasNotNostradamus

December 12, 2025   Glass Vase Revisited -- SketchUp Make and Gemini 

The vase used today was originally drawn for earlier models that were posted in SketchUp Projects IV on October 4th & 6th.

The design was an intricate assembly of partially opaque spiral grooves that were first formed using welded spirals comprised of deformed helixes (see October 4 Model).  After the model was completed, it was turned over to Gemini AI to add a floral arrangement and to render the cut glass.

Today's project started with the basic spiral-shaped vase--a 2D jpeg image.  Slightly different instructions were applied for today's project and once again, Gemini did an outstanding job.  A closeup view is included that shows a blown-glass effect within the glass.

Refer to the other images for the instructions that were provided.

ThoughtsOfThomasNotNostradamus

December 5, 2025   Drawing Triple Lead Screw Bolts -- SketchUp Make and Twilight Render Extension

Today's project was created using the Thread Segment Method.   When compared to the Helix Method, especially for three sets of threads (triple lead screw), the work load is about the same--very tedious when drawn from scratch.

If speed is your goal, use a thread making extension; however, a more satisfying approach is to draw them manually--an affirmation of your acquired skills.

Here is the link to the model that is accessible with SketchUp Viewer:  Triple Lead Screw Bolts (Opens in  your browser, Uneditable).   It provides most of the steps for creating the bolts (except for one that was accidently overwritten--merging the upper chamfer with the thread).

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Note. The images are for illustration purposes only and is not intended to be used for any real-world application.

ThoughtsOfThomasNotNostradamus

October 30, 2025 Drawing Gears -- Gear Reduction with SketchUp Make

Today's Model provides an illustration for drawing gears.  For actual use, gears will require more engineering regarding proper mesh alignment and design.

The two- and three-gear configurations shown below can do several things.

• Two gears of equal size can change direction.

• Adding a smaller diameter third gear will increase the shaft speed of the smaller gear when meshed with either of the larger (drive) gears.

• If the drive gear is the smaller diameter gear, meshing the larger gear will decrease the shaft speed of the larger diameter gear when compared to that of the smaller gear.

Drawing the gears requires that the cogs on both the larger gear are the same size.  In this project the smaller gear has a diameter that is one-half  that of the larger gear.

Since using 24 line segments in the large and small circles for each gear is easy to work with,  the large gear has 24 cogs with 1 cog assigned to each segment. The smaller gear has 1 cog assigned to every two line segments in its circle.

The gear ratio is therefore two to one, or 24 cogs and 12 cogs.  That is, the gear ratio refers to the number of revolutions of the shafts. Simply put, the smaller gear will rotate twice for every single revolution of the meshed larger gear in this instance; or stated in reverse, the larger gear will rotate once for every two rotations of the smaller gear.

A basic layout design was used to draw and form the first cog, after which the single cog was grouped, duplicated and rotated into position for the remaining cogs.

Click on Gears for Viewer to see the 3D model containing each step for drawing the gears (will open in your browser--Uneditable.  Note, last month Trimble informed its users that Viewer was no longer compatible with Android devices).

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Note. This model is for illustration purposes only and is not intended to be used for any real-world application. 

ThoughtsOfThomasNotNostradamus

October 12, 2025 Bolt Thread Design and Scaling -- Linear Interpolation

For the past several years, deforming/scaling bolt threads using a highly accurate method of alignment has been shared many time on this website.  However, I believe the method that I devised by trial and error, actually has a name in the mathematical sense--Linear Interpolation. 

Some of the YouTube videos explaining the function of Linear Interpolation resemble the layout I've been using.  An attempt has been made to label the variables according to the x, y graphs shown in the videos.

Helical thread design in SketchUp 3D drawings require coordinates to be entered into the Measurements Box for accurate shaping, angles, and dimensions. These values would either be taken from a reference table of thread specifications or mathematically derived. Today's discussion and illustrations explain how this process can be bypassed through the use of a simple template(s).

Since my system does not require values, all that is needed is to have the correct proportions when laying out the thread profile in relation to the diameter of the bolt thread.  See images below.  When finished, the bolt can be scaled to a 1" diameter, provided all proportions for that size bolt have been maintained, without affecting the 60 degrees flank angle (2 x 30) or thread depth.

The key to accuracy for creating a thread profile is the use of the Protractor Tool that is rotated 30 degrees at the top and bottom corners of the Thread Crest.

• Then the Thread Depth is established using the Inference feature by moving the Pencil Tool horizontally without drawing a line to the left from the tiny root marking(s) on the face of the thread profile until  the pencil comes in contact with the broken protractor lines representing the flank(s).  Today's Thread Profile is drawn for a 5-helix thread requiring an upper and lower root segment.  (Another option is to use a 4-helix design/profile requiring only 1 root segment at the bottom, doubled in size.)

• After each intersection point is identified, lines are extended/angled upwards and downwards from the left--root areas--on the bottom and top of the crest's nose following the protractor tool broken lines (each at a 30 degrees slope).  A vertical line is drawn at the thread depth for clarity as shown below.

I have also included the SketchUp model, Linear Interpolation for Viewer that shows the graphic layout from  all angles.  There is no thread creation today--you can look at previous posts to see where the graphics/template(s) areas temporarily reside in the bolt models (Hint, they're near the bottom of the bolt threads).

Lastly, not being a math whiz, I cannot verify the accuracy of my observations.  You'd first need to measure x and y values with a high degree of accuracy and apply them to an equation that solves for X where x is a pair of coordinates on the "corner" where x(2) meets y(2) on the minor diameter.

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Comments:

Thread Deformation and scaling occurs at the end of the thread drawing process.  Before that occurs,  Thread Profile design as well as Helix  construction, scaling, duplication and alignment are preliminary steps that must be completed error free. That value depends on the accuracy of the Thread Profile's Thread Depth for the 1" diameter bolt.

ThoughtsOfThomasNotNostradamus

October 8, 2025 Draw Your Dream Home -- LInes, Rectangles, Inset and Push/Pull

Yes, this is all you need to use in SketchUp and with Gemini AI you can create your personal palace.  Here's How:

Instruction for Gemini:   (lengthy description)

"Attached are six drawings of a southwestern style home.  Please create a detailed photo realistic drawing of the back view of the home only as shown in the Stucco House 004 drawing.  I will edit my instructions for the other angles later.

Here are some of the specific details to include:  Stucco exterior painted with a light “Baked Potato” Brown. Garage doors can be a matching color.  The front entrance doors have brass door pulls both positioned below center of the 8 ft. tall doors to the inside of each door  The  doors are varnished, light grained wood with some of the grain showing. Above the front entrance doors is a lightly tinted window.  All other windows are also lightly tinted.

There is a concrete driveway and a sidewalk on one side leading to the back of the home.  In the back yard is an in-ground swimming pool located in a surrounding concrete patio.  The back of the home has an overhanging patio that is part of the main structure and two pairs of sliding glass doors that are also tinted.

The home should have a desert landscape with a few desert shrubs.  Lawn furniture, an outdoor grill, and other accessories can also be added in the back yard.  A matching cinder block privacy fence can be added to the back yard only if it does not block the view of the home and yard.  The Sun is shining."

SketchUp Drawings for today's project:

Here is the SketchUp model of the proposed home.  It is simple line modeling that can be done by a person new to SketchUp:   Stucco House for Viewer (will open in your browser, uneditable).  Six scenes have also been identified  in the viewer model.

Below are the six images that were uploaded to Gemini.  Three of the six scenes originally uploaded to Gemini rendered properly. Gemini confused my instructions until the specific image was identified to be generated.  In this instance, Stucco House drawings 001, 004, and 005 were completed exactly as specified.

Gemini had difficulty translating the instructions for images 002 and 003 -- 006 I did not try.  The instructions above, shown in italics, were edited to correspond with the name of the drawing to be used.  That is, Stucco House 001, 002,  003,  004, and 005 and related scene descriptions.

Even after trying several versions of directions, Gemini incorrectly juxtaposed elements for scenes 002 and 003 (shown below).  Without initially uploading all six views at once, I surmised that Gemini would not create a logical transition from one view to the next.  When an image did not generate the way I wanted, I rephrased the italicized portion (see instructions above) until I got accurate results.

Below are the before and after images that turned out very good and also two that didn't.  For example, the swimming pool was placed in the front yard facing the street and front entrance.  Another generated image had part of the front windows in line with the back of the house.

Lastly, you will notice I've also added a few nature scenes, holiday decorations, and preparations for golf, going shopping, or a day at the office.

ThoughtsOfThomasNotNostradamus

October 7, 2025 Welcome to SketchUp Projects V -- Newest Projects awaiting Inspiration

SketchUp Projects IV had exceeded its capacity and  it was time for an update.  So here we are, ten months later, ready  to begin filling SketchUp Projects V  with all sorts of projects yet to be imagined . . . .

ThoughtsOfThomasNotNostradamus