In 2007, author and registered landscape architect Daniel Tal published his first book, "Google SketchUp for Site Design: A Guide to Modeling Site Plans, Terrain and Architecture," which has become a key reference point for site designers using the program to create digital models. In addition to his work as an author and a project manager in the architectural and landscape design industry, he teaches SketchUp workshops across the country and online, and teaches an annual class at the University of Maryland. Daniel is currently working on a second book, “Rendering In Google SketchUp,” due to be published in 2012.
When is the new book coming out?
The next book, "Rendering In Google SketchUp," should be out in the middle or end of 2012. It's a how to book to show people how to use SketchUp for photorealistic rendering. It will review three integrated rendering programs that work in SketchUp and provide a clear process of leveraging a SketchUp model to produce photoreal images.
When and how did you start using SketchUp?
I started to use SketchUp in 2003. One of my colleagues at EDAW, the firm I was working at the time, did a demo of SketchUp version 3. Then it was owned by @Last Software in Boulder, a small startup company.
I was instantly hooked and spent the next several months constantly modeling and playing around with settings. I took the time at night and started to model a highway rest area and open space. I modeled the architecture, site plan and even landforms.
What made you gravitate towards using the program so extensively?
The first time I saw a flat surface extruded with the SketchUp PushPull tool I knew the software had potential. Up until that point, I was trying to learn to model in AutoCAD which was daunting. SketchUp was so easy and addictive, I started applying it to all my projects.
Prior to using SketchUp, how did you produce your graphics?
I did many Photoshop simulations and hand graphics. I love to draw (still do) and had the opportunity to do plan, section and perspective graphics at firms.
What advantages would you say using SketchUp holds over other graphic techniques?
I would say SketchUp has several advantages
(1) Ruby Scripts - custom tools you install for SketchUp, greatly expand what you can do. You can pick and choose which tools you want to use. They allow you to speed up workflow and create complex models.
(2) Rendering - with the current crop of computer chips and the cheap price of RAM, being able to use integrated rendering programs in SketchUp for photoreal images is amazing. I never had the desire for those types of graphics but the models are already built, and its simple and fast to generate these types of graphics.
(3) DWG - CAD Export and Import - With SketchUp Pro you can export DWG files for construction documents and other uses.
(4) Components - I can't think of any other 3D modeling that has so many for pay or free components that can be used for modeling. The number of trees, shrubs, furnishings, vehicles, people, buildings and more is staggering. And very affordable if not free. You can add a great amount of detail to your models with these components without breaking the bank. FormFonts, DynaSCAPE, Entourage Arts and 3D Warehouse really provide a large volume of useful models.
Any disadvantages?
You have to apply a good standard of layer management when working with vegetation or large models. Many new and old modeling programs do not have that problem and you can work very large models without concern. With SketchUp, large models can sometimes be problematic, in particular for new users.
SketchUp's core program needs to be updated to work faster but I know that is something the developers are always trying to improve.
What allied programs does SketchUp work well with?
AutoCAD, Revit, anything with a DWG conversion. The many integrated rendering programs like SU Podium, Twilight, Render[in], Shaderlight, Maxwell and more and studio rendering programs like Max, VUE, Thea Render, etc..
Some companies, like DynaSCAPE are directly integrating with SketchUp. Many companies are seeing the benefit of supporting SketchUp files so the list is large.
What motivated you to write the book?
It was an opportunity that presented itself when my Editor, Margaret from Wiley and Sons, approached me at the 2007 ASLA Expo in San Francisco where I was doing demos for Google. I knew it was a rare break and decided to do it.
My wife motivated me as well. I could not have done it without my wife. My spelling and grammar are terrible and sentence syntax and organization leave much to be desired. She read every word of the book and helped me re-write it. I am trying to talk her into helping me the second one now. But her help was motivation even though she could be an evil editor.
Did you invent the concept of Process Modeling, or was it already in existence?
Process modeling has been around for a long time in terms of 3D modeling. The process I describe in the book are methods that are applicable to many if not all other 3D modeling programs that deal with architecture and landscape architecture. The same is true of the new book as well. The process is just being fit for SketchUp.
What's the best way for landscape architects unfamiliar with the program to get started with it?
Watch tutorials on YouTube showing basic tools, purchase Google SketchUp For Dummies and use it as a reference manual. Most important, find a project you want to model in 3D, take the time and learn to model the plan. Make mistakes, struggle with the tools, use the reference manual to see how tools work and join online SketchUp communities like SketchUcation and ask questions.
SketchUp can be easily self taught if the person is motivated and takes the time to learn. Its far easier to tackle than other 3D modeling and even 2D Cad programs.
Don't take a class and not apply what is taught or wait for the right project to come along. You have to take responsibility for your own training and work it.
What are some of the most common difficulties people encounter when they're first learning the software?
For some people, SketchUp looks so easy (or they were told it was easy) that they get frustrated when first using it. For new users, learning to navigate in 3D space can be a huge stumbling block. I have a navigation tutorial on my YouTube site that is worth reviewing as it helps in understanding how to move around.
For others, they learn the basics but get stuck trying to build more complex models which requires practice and perseverance. In that case, they should reach out to the large and very friendly SketchUp community (SketchUcation for example) and ask questions.
Understanding components and the concepts of component instances is difficult for many people and even hard to teach but is a must concept to understand. Using components is the key to SketchUp ( and layers) and learning how and why they work is paramount.
What are some of the essential add-ons (ruby scripts, etc.) that landscape professionals need to use the program effectively?
Selection Toys (at search Selection Toys n SketchUcation) is a MUST Ruby regardless of what you are using SketchUp for. It allows you to select objects, edges, components and more in ways that make it almost impossible to not have it loaded.
There are a bunch more but here are some with most being free:
Tools on Surface (Surface operations), Fredo Scale, Joint PushPull, Drop, any tool by Chris Fulmer ( a landscape architect who writes custom tools), Component Spray, The Vali Architecture Instant Road, Instant Grade and Instant Roof, Artisan, weld, copy along path, Extrude Edges By Rail, Profile Builder.
Key Frame Animation allows you to move objects, people and more with ease - its amazing and revolutionary for SketchUp.
Once your model has been constructed, what types of finishing touches do you recommend for designers to use on their work?
The more detail you add the better. Learn to get fast at adding detail.
Learn to play around with hiding edges and adjusting shadows and camera focus for the best effect.
Learn to batch export scenes so you can quickly generate as many images and assess which are useful.
Learn to RENDER in SketchUp using an integrated rendering program. If you know how to use SketchUp for even basic uses, you can render.
Be selective of the type of components you use, in particular vegetation. I see many great models with poor trees and shrubs that detract from the content.
Is there a maximum size (e.g. a certain number of acres) that you would recommend for site models?
If you know how to manage a model with layers - making sure that everything is on a layer, you can model almost any size site plan. I have done detailed planning models that encompass several square miles.
Layers are key to using SketchUp and many people ignore the step or don't apply enough rigor to layers. It's by far the most important thing you can do, especially for landscape and planning models which encompass large areas or have a great deal of vegetation.
Your book came out in 2009; have there been any developments since then that readers/users should be aware of?
Many recent readers tell me the book is still useful and relevant. I would say there are many new custom tools that help with terrain and complex object modeling. The Extrude Edges By Rail Ruby Script is amazing. The Artisan Ruby Script allows you to sculpt organic forms and work with terrain. The Vali Architecture Ruby Scripts are worth checking out.
An underrated set of Ruby Scripts are the 1001Bit Tools which is a tool bar with about 30 Ruby Scripts that allow you to extend and trim lines, create quick roofs and more.
So yes, there is plenty that developed for SketchUp since 2009. The sheer number of tools that can be installed and used is mind boggling. I recommend that everyone goes to SketchUcation and at least see what the power users are doing. You can learn a ton and everyone is super helpful.
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