3D modeling made easy

I recently downloaded and played around with a neat 3D modeling tool called Sketchup. @Last Software's SketchUp is a 3D modeling package intended to be used by architects and designers who need to quickly outline 3D ideas, but don't care for the difficulty of a CAD program, or the advanced features of a high-end 3D modeler. SketchUp's toolset is fairly simple, offering a Photoshop-like, two-column tool palette. SketchUp has also a very helpful grid guidance system, with multiple colors to guide you through the 3D orientation plans.

2 minute read

July 9, 2004, 9:50 PM PDT

By Ken Snyder


I recently downloaded and played around with a neat 3D modeling tool called Sketchup. @Last Software's SketchUp is a 3D modeling package intended to be used by architects and designers who need to quickly outline 3D ideas, but don't care for the difficulty of a CAD program, or the advanced features of a high-end 3D modeler.

SketchUp's toolset is fairly simple, offering a Photoshop-like, two-column tool palette. SketchUp has also a very helpful grid guidance system, with multiple colors to guide you through the 3D orientation plans. Layers can have assigned colors that enable the user to see layer assignments in the model. This feature is helpful because the user can identify model modifications in geometry easily through this interface. For example, if a surface is modified, with one of the tools such as the push/pull, tool, all the planes adjacent to the customized surfaces also change.

Planners and architects can benefit greatly from the "Urban Model"-feature by constructing basic buildings to their appropriate dimensions. Using "push/pull"-functions you can move surfaces increasing or reducing the building footprint. Slap on textures and you have a semi-realistic looking model. I downloaded the demo software and was up and running without much instruction - ended up building a decent looking replica of our old Victorian house house. With past work in the field of energy efficiency and renewable energy I was particularly excited to discover Sketchup's feature that allows visualizing the shadow created by a building or model. The time of day for shadow casting can be set, including day of the year and daytime.

Most importantly, in my mind, the new release allows the user to export directly into ArcGIS 9's visualization extension. This means planners and GIS users now have an easy to use tool to bring buildings into their 3D analyst fly-throughs.


Ken Snyder

Ken Snyder is Executive Director of PlaceMatters

View form second story inside Southdale Mall in Edina, Minnesota with escalators and model cars parked on downstairs floor.

The Mall Is Dead — Long Live the Mall

The American shopping mall may be closer to its original vision than ever.

March 21, 2024 - Governing

View of Austin, Texas skyline with river in foreground during morning golden hour.

The Paradox of American Housing

How the tension between housing as an asset and as an essential good keeps the supply inadequate and costs high.

March 26, 2024 - The Atlantic

Houston, Texas skyline.

Report: Las Vegas, Houston Top List of Least Affordable Cities

The report assesses the availability of affordable rental units for low-income households.

March 22, 2024 - Urban Edge

Aerial view of Anchorage, Alaska downtown with mountains in background at golden hour.

Anchorage Leaders Debate Zoning Reform Plan

Last year, the city produced the fewest new housing units in a decade.

March 28 - Anchorage Daily News

Young man in wheelchair crossing zebra crosswalk.

How to Protect Pedestrians With Disabilities

Public agencies don’t track traffic deaths and injuries involving disabled people, leaving a gap in data to guide safety interventions.

March 28 - Governing

Aerial view of mountain town of Steamboat Springs, Colorado in the winter with snow at dusk.

Colorado Town Fills Workforce Housing Need With ‘Dorm-Style’ Housing

Median rent in Steamboat Springs is $4,000 per month.

March 28 - CBS News

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Write for Planetizen

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.