Beginning Google SketchUp for 3D Printing

Beginning Google SketchUp for 3D Printing

by Sandeep Singh
Released December 2010
Publisher(s): Apress
ISBN: 9781430233619

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Book description

3D-printing and personal fabrication are upon us! You've heard of incredibly sophisticated, but cheap, 3D printers that supposedly produce almost anything we tell them to. But how do you become part of that revolution?

Sandeep Singh takes you through the skills we need to learn, and the services and technologies you need to know—separating the hype from reality and explaining what 3D printing is, how it works, and why you need to be able to engage in it. You'll gain the knowledge needed to produce complex designs that can be fabricated by online 3D printing services or privately owned 3D printers.

This book first be dives into using Sketchup and its plugins to make design products. Then it demonstrates how to present and animate 3D models, and in particular how to use Google Earth and 3D Warehouse to make an optimal case for sales and marketing your 3D models. Finally, you'll take a look into the future of 3D printing, ripe with even more disruptive technologies like RepRap and widespread personal fabrication.

  • Introduces Sketchup

  • Teaches 3D Modeling

  • Builds 3D Printing Expertise

Table of contents

  1. Copyright
  2. About the Author
  3. About the Technical Reviewer
  4. Acknowledgments
  5. Introduction
    1. Background
    2. Who This Book Is For
    3. What's Covered
    4. Getting the Most Out of This Book
  6. 1. Getting Your Feet Wet
    1. 1. The Ins and Outs of Google SketchUp and Shapeways
      1. 1.1. Google SketchUp
        1. 1.1.1. Installing Google SketchUp
        2. 1.1.2. Downloading Google SketchUp
        3. 1.1.3. Installing Google SketchUp
      2. 1.2. User Interface
        1. 1.2.1. The Getting Started Toolbar
        2. 1.2.2. Large Toolset
      3. 1.3. Learning by Example
        1. 1.3.1. Modeling a Cube
        2. 1.3.2. Creating a Cylinder
        3. 1.3.3. Creating a 3D Pentagon
        4. 1.3.4. Using the Scale Tool
        5. 1.3.5. Tape Measure Tool
        6. 1.3.6. Creating an Offset
      4. 1.4. Shapeways
        1. 1.4.1. Home Page
          1. 1.4.1.1. Menu Options
          2. 1.4.1.2. Helpful Links
          3. 1.4.1.3. Finding Popular Products
        2. 1.4.2. Creating an Account
      5. 1.5. Summary
    2. 2. First 3D Printout
      1. 2.1. Getting Started
      2. 2.2. Using Shapeways Creator to Customize the Ringpoem
        1. 2.2.1. Saving and Ordering Models
        2. 2.2.2. Ordering a Copy of Your Model
      3. 2.3. Using Co-Creator to Personalize a Model
      4. 2.4. Adding a Model from the Design Gallery
      5. 2.5. Selecting the Appropriate Material
      6. 2.6. Understanding Model Pricing
      7. 2.7. Summary
  7. 2. Starting from Scratch
    1. 3. Getting Your Juices Flowing
      1. 3.1. Brainstorming Techniques
        1. 3.1.1. Mind Mapping
        2. 3.1.2. Gap Filling
        3. 3.1.3. Reverse Thinking
      2. 3.2. Taking Advantage of Pencil and Paper
      3. 3.3. Design Ideas
        1. 3.3.1. Patents
        2. 3.3.2. Google 3D Warehouse
      4. 3.4. Photographs
      5. 3.5. Games
      6. 3.6. Summary
    2. 4. 3D Model to 3D Print
      1. 4.1. Brainstorming a 3D Model
      2. 4.2. Modeling the Lighthouse
        1. 4.2.1. Dos and Don'ts
          1. 4.2.1.1. Is the Model Closed?
          2. 4.2.1.2. Are the White Surfaces Facing Outward?
          3. 4.2.1.3. Is the Model Manifold?
          4. 4.2.1.4. Does the Model Meet the Specifications for the Material?
          5. 4.2.1.5. Is the Model Structurally Stable?
        2. 4.2.2. Constructing the Model
          1. 4.2.2.1. Creating the Foundation
          2. 4.2.2.2. Rotating the Model for Alignment
          3. 4.2.2.3. Adding the Tapered Wall
          4. 4.2.2.4. Adding the Balcony
          5. 4.2.2.5. Adding the Lantern Room
          6. 4.2.2.6. Defining the Lantern Room Window Area
          7. 4.2.2.7. Creating the Tapered Wall Door
          8. 4.2.2.8. Creating the Tapered Wall Windows
      3. 4.3. Double-Check Before Uploading
        1. 4.3.1. Are all the White Faces Pointing Outward?
        2. 4.3.2. Is the Model Manifold?
        3. 4.3.3. Is the Model Closed?
        4. 4.3.4. Does the Model Meet Specification, and Is It Structurally Stable?
      4. 4.4. Upload for 3D Printing
      5. 4.5. Summary
    3. 5. Tools and Techniques to Save Time
      1. 5.1. Organizing Your Models
        1. 5.1.1. A Quick Look at the Outliner
          1. 5.1.1.1. What Is a Group?
          2. 5.1.1.2. What Is a Component?
          3. 5.1.1.3. What Is a Layer?
        2. 5.1.2. Using the Outliner
        3. 5.1.3. Using the Outliner with a Complex Model
        4. 5.1.4. Hiding Groups and Components from Within the Outliner
      2. 5.2. Working with Plug-ins
        1. 5.2.1. Shapes Plug-in
        2. 5.2.2. Volume Calculator Plug-in
        3. 5.2.3. Flattery Papercraft Tool
        4. 5.2.4. CADspan Plug-in
        5. 5.2.5. Understanding the STL Format
        6. 5.2.6. Converting to an STL File
      3. 5.3. Summary
    4. 6. Breaking the Barrier
      1. 6.1. Designing Curved Models
        1. 6.1.1. Creating the Pawn Template
        2. 6.1.2. Double-Checking Your Work
          1. 6.1.2.1. Is the Model Manifold?
            1. 6.1.2.1.1. Adding Multiple Section Planes
          2. 6.1.2.2. Does the Model Meet the Specifications for the Material?
        3. 6.1.3. Uploading for 3D Printing
      2. 6.2. Designing a Sundial
        1. 6.2.1. Building the Theory
        2. 6.2.2. What's Your Latitude?
        3. 6.2.3. Drawing a Sketch of Your Model
        4. 6.2.4. Modeling in SketchUp
          1. 6.2.4.1. Modeling the Base
          2. 6.2.4.2. Modeling the Handles
          3. 6.2.4.3. Placing the Dials
          4. 6.2.4.4. Designing the Gnomon
          5. 6.2.4.5. Adding Text
        5. 6.2.5. Testing Your Sundial with Shadows
        6. 6.2.6. Double-Checking
        7. 6.2.7. Uploading Your Design
      3. 6.3. Summary
    5. 7. Modeling with Photographs
      1. 7.1. Creating a Simple 3D Model with Match Photo
        1. 7.1.1. Modeling the Dining Room Table
          1. 7.1.1.1. Tracing the Table
      2. 7.2. Model a House for 3D Printing Using Match Photo
        1. 7.2.1. Importing the Photograph
        2. 7.2.2. Calibrating SketchUp's Camera
        3. 7.2.3. Tracing the House Photograph
          1. 7.2.3.1. Working with Inferences
        4. 7.2.4. Cleaning the Trace and Extruding the Surface
        5. 7.2.5. Projecting the Photo
        6. 7.2.6. Adding Detail
      3. 7.3. 3D Printing the House Model
        1. 7.3.1. Pricing the Model
        2. 7.3.2. Adding Width to the Roof
      4. 7.4. Adding Images to Curved and Interior Surfaces
        1. 7.4.1. Adding an Image to an Interior Surface
        2. 7.4.2. Adding Images to Curved Surfaces
      5. 7.5. Summary
    6. 8. Working with Symmetry
      1. 8.1. Symmetrical vs. Asymmetrical Design
      2. 8.2. Designing Bilateral and Radically Symmetric Models
        1. 8.2.1. Modeling a Bilaterally Symmetrical Object
        2. 8.2.2. Modeling a Radically Symmetric Object
      3. 8.3. Designing a 3D Model from a Blueprint
        1. 8.3.1. Importing Four Views of the BA-64B Armored Car
        2. 8.3.2. Tracing the Top and Front Views
        3. 8.3.3. Tracing the Side and Back Views
          1. 8.3.3.1. Tracing the Side
          2. 8.3.3.2. Constructing the Back Surface
        4. 8.3.4. Filling In the Gaps
        5. 8.3.5. Modeling the Fenders
        6. 8.3.6. Adding the Final Touches
          1. 8.3.6.1. Modeling the Door
          2. 8.3.6.2. Modeling the Front Window
      4. 8.4. Creating the Whole Model
        1. 8.4.1. Adding the Wheel and Axle
      5. 8.5. Uploading the Model for 3D Printing
      6. 8.6. Summary
  8. 3. Presenting, Sharing, and 3D Printing Alternatives
    1. 9. Share with the World
      1. 9.1. Shapeways Shop
      2. 9.2. Google 3D Warehouse
        1. 9.2.1. Downloading Models from the 3D Warehouse
        2. 9.2.2. Uploading Models to the 3D Warehouse
      3. 9.3. Google Earth
        1. 9.3.1. Making Movies
        2. 9.3.2. About Layers
        3. 9.3.3. Measuring Distances
        4. 9.3.4. Placing Models in Google Earth
      4. 9.4. Thingverse: Digital Design for Physical Objects
        1. 9.4.1. Registering for an Account
        2. 9.4.2. Uploading a Model to Thingiverse
      5. 9.5. Summary
    2. 10. Animate with SketchyPhysics
      1. 10.1. Getting to Know SketchyPhysics
        1. 10.1.1. Installing SketchyPhysics
        2. 10.1.2. Setting Up the Tool Sets
          1. 10.1.2.1. SketchyPhysics
          2. 10.1.2.2. Sketchy Solids
          3. 10.1.2.3. SketchyPhysics Joints
          4. 10.1.2.4. Sketchy Replay
      2. 10.2. Learning by Example
        1. 10.2.1. SketchyPhysics UI Module
        2. 10.2.2. Animating a Fan Blade and Post
          1. 10.2.2.1. Constructing the Floor, Post, and Fan Blade
          2. 10.2.2.2. Testing the Animation with the Slider
        3. 10.2.3. Animating a Sphere
          1. 10.2.3.1. Wrong Mesh
        4. 10.2.4. Adding Game Controller Functionality: the Joystick
        5. 10.2.5. Using a Hockey Table and Puck to Simulate Gravity
        6. 10.2.6. Modeling a Shooter for Animation
        7. 10.2.7. Animating the BA-64 Armored Car
          1. 10.2.7.1. Camera Options
        8. 10.2.8. Summary
    3. 11. Using LayOut
      1. 11.1. What Is LayOut?
        1. 11.1.1. Getting Your Copy of LayOut
      2. 11.2. LayOut Basics
        1. 11.2.1. LayOut's Nine Panels
        2. 11.2.2. Selecting a Template and Importing a Logo
        3. 11.2.3. Understanding Layers
        4. 11.2.4. Importing a Model
        5. 11.2.5. Adding Text to Your Presentation
      3. 11.3. Masking
      4. 11.4. Presentation
      5. 11.5. Exporting from LayOut to an Image or PDF File
      6. 11.6. LayOut Preferences
      7. 11.7. Additional Tips
      8. 11.8. Summary
    4. 12. Exploring 3D Printing Alternatives
      1. 12.1. Ponoko
        1. 12.1.1. Preparing Your Designs for Ponoko
        2. 12.1.2. Test-Tube Holder
          1. 12.1.2.1. Laying Out the Pieces and Uploading the Design
          2. 12.1.2.2. Selecting the Cutting Material and Selling Your Design
      2. 12.2. Exploring 3D Printing Alternatives
        1. 12.2.1. Redeye
        2. 12.2.2. QuickARC
        3. 12.2.3. Xardas
        4. 12.2.4. AlphaPrototypes
      3. 12.3. Personal 3D Printers
        1. 12.3.1. V-Flash Desktop Factory
        2. 12.3.2. RepRap
        3. 12.3.3. fab@home
      4. 12.4. Summary
  9. A. Get Connected
    1. A.1. Community
      1. A.1.1. Shapeways Community
      2. A.1.2. Google SketchUp Community
    2. A.2. Additional Blogs and Sites
    3. A.3. Additional Plug-ins

Product information

  • Title: Beginning Google SketchUp for 3D Printing
  • Author(s): Sandeep Singh
  • Release date: December 2010
  • Publisher(s): Apress
  • ISBN: 9781430233619