This was made in Building Maker and refined in SketchUp.
I added this model to these collections: My Building Maker Models, Models By Zoungy, Zoungy Google Earth Models, Favorite Thumbnails
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Another Venetian Building
This was made in Building Maker and refined in SketchUp.
I added this model to these collections: My Building Maker Models, Models By Zoungy, Zoungy Google Earth Models, Favorite Thumbnails
My Latest Building Maker/SketchUp Combo Model
What do you think? This model is included in my collections: House and Hotel, My Building Maker Models, Zoungy Google Earth Models, Models By Zoungy
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Refining Building Maker Models In SketchUp
A Googler pointed me to a handy "how to" page HERE. Specifically it deals with the issue of Building Maker models that, once refined in SketchUp, sink into the terrain. You can see the step that explains how to fix that as well as how to do SketchUp edits at the link.
Above is an example model. Although the version I uploaded initially from SketchUp looked OK to me and I could export a KMZ file at the correct elevation on my computer, the KMZ generated online (at the "View in Google Earth" link on the model preview page) produced a sunken model.
A short edit later... and I think it's all good.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas from SketchUp Island, and Happy Holidays as the case may be, and Happy New Year to Everyone, too. I guess next year I'll see you around the Island. (Beautiful model by HenkieTenk)
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
SittingDuck the SpeedModeler
He's the fastest modeling duck you've ever seen-- keep in mind his feet are webbed and his arms feathered-- and if you don't believe me watch the video. Belgian silos modeled from start to finish right before your eyes (time lapse; actual time 55 minutes).
Monday, December 21, 2009
Win $10000 For Your School District
Take a look at the Google Model Your Town Competition. It's one of the larger contests I've seen offered on the 3D Warehouse, and the prize includes a ten thousand dollar donation to the winning town's public school district if in America, or equivalent if the winner is in another country.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Tiger Woods House in 3D
Concept3D has gotten in on the Tiger Woods action by creating a 3D version of his home with Elin Nordegren in Sweden. Included in my collection House and Hotel
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Scroooge!
The title is Scrooge because I had to tie in the scary model with the Christmas season somehow... I just came across this one, also by Pepe (who in the last post created the beautiful SetTree3D models). This model is of the Bates Motel from Alfred Hitchcock's classic thriller, Psycho.
Pepe has created not only an amazing black and white model, but also a very cool tour including key scenes from the film. The atmosphere changes during the tour and includes night scenes and rainy weather. Awesome model.
EDIT: Since I mentioned Christmas, I feel I should also wish a (tardy) Happy Hanukkah to those who may be celebrating that holiday at this time.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
SetTree3D by Pepe
Even though these models are a couple years old, they are some of my favorites and I'd like to point them out to anyone who has not seen them (or who has not seen them in a while). These are ultra-realistic 3D winter scenes by SketchUp artist Pepe.
As you can see they are unlike any other model, and really quite beautiful.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
New Winter Header Art
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
New Extensive Model in Barranco, Lima, Peru
After 5 months I’ve made a huge model. Actually, are 7 models that cover 7 blocks... I had to take more than 800 pictures to be able to reproduce with detail all buildings included.
Auquicu goes on to explain
Once a town located south of Lima and accessed by train or tram, [Barranco] is now its bohemian district, full of old houses where there are restaurants, pubs and art galleries. Among its most prominent buildings, we find the City Park (1898), The Municipal Library (1922) and the Holy Cross Church (built by architect Humberto Guerra between 1944 and 1963).
Auquicu worked alone and completed the project because of his strong feeling for the architecture in Barranco. He explains
This is an independent project. No person or organization has supported or sponsored its creation, and is intended to call attention of institutions and authorities to preserve the monumental architecture of the district and that is in some cases very neglected and damaged.
He adds that although the models of each city block are very large and detailed, "modeling techniques were used to keep all models' sizes as small as possible, all under 1 mb, some even less than 500 kb."
Good job, Auquicu! Be sure to watch the Google Earth tour of the site (very relaxing with music included) at the top of the post. Click HERE to see the actual models.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Building Maker: It's ALIVE! It's ALIVE!
Piazza San Marco, Venice, Italy. Work in progress at the time of writing...
This is one of the cool new functions of the Building Maker program... as you build more, the program senses what buildings obstruct the view of others, and what vantage point offers a clear view (and texture) and then re-applies textures accordingly.
In my case I am making a model of the Piazza San Marco in Venice. A wall was incorrectly textured but as soon as I built the part of the building blocking the view, Building Maker found a better angle and fixed the texture. Cool.
Monday, November 9, 2009
I Won Something Part II
What did I win? I entered a competition to design a new building with SketchUp, to be used in game play for the Monopoly City Streets online real estate trading game. I made and submitted about a dozen buildings, and the one pictured won second prize. It's called Revolving Restaurant and it is a tower with a blimp attached.
The Hasbro artists refined the design and did an imaginative rendering as seen in the illustration (I love the shiny chrome top reflecting the sky and blimp-- this can be seen during game play). You can see the original model by me below:
My prize is the inclusion of this building in the online the Monopoly City Streets game. There you can buy and trade this building along with many others, including the two additonal winners. Thanks to Hasbro, Monopoly, SketchUp, and Google for sponsoring the contest!
Twenty Years Ago Today
Our German friend Lorenz Eisermann shares his personal experiences with, and a 3D animation of, the famous landmark of oppression known as the Berlin Wall which fell twenty years ago today. I visited the site myself in 1994-- five years after the demolition-- and no trace remained that I could see. Watch the video to understand what it was like. Lorenz writes,
"Reading your blog is both entertaining and informative. I like your personal approach to stories around SketchUp and geo-modeling. Again, I got something you may find worth reporting about.
"Today it’s been 20 years that the Berlin wall was brought down by East Germans who were fed up with the oppression and lack of development in their country. I used to live close to the wall for many years, at its western side. As a matter of fact, one wall of the building I lived in for the last six years of the Berlin Wall’s existence was the border line. Of course, I was out on the streets cheering with thousands of fellow Berliners that night the wall came down. Two days later my daughter was born and we had to call the ambulance in order to reach the nearby hospital because there was no way to get through the cheering crowds in a private car.
"Since the wall got demolished and removed almost entirely in subsequent years it is hard today for both young Berliners (like my kids) and visitors to imagine what it looked and felt like. So here is 10 minutes of the most thrilling, hyper-realistic 3D animation I ever saw. Having lived there I can assure you that everything looked and felt 100% the way it is pictured in this digital recreation:
“Walled In!” – Germany’s inner border
They also have an informative “Making of” here:
Making of “Walled in!”
Enjoy!"
Thank you, Lorenz!
"Reading your blog is both entertaining and informative. I like your personal approach to stories around SketchUp and geo-modeling. Again, I got something you may find worth reporting about.
"Today it’s been 20 years that the Berlin wall was brought down by East Germans who were fed up with the oppression and lack of development in their country. I used to live close to the wall for many years, at its western side. As a matter of fact, one wall of the building I lived in for the last six years of the Berlin Wall’s existence was the border line. Of course, I was out on the streets cheering with thousands of fellow Berliners that night the wall came down. Two days later my daughter was born and we had to call the ambulance in order to reach the nearby hospital because there was no way to get through the cheering crowds in a private car.
"Since the wall got demolished and removed almost entirely in subsequent years it is hard today for both young Berliners (like my kids) and visitors to imagine what it looked and felt like. So here is 10 minutes of the most thrilling, hyper-realistic 3D animation I ever saw. Having lived there I can assure you that everything looked and felt 100% the way it is pictured in this digital recreation:
“Walled In!” – Germany’s inner border
They also have an informative “Making of” here:
Making of “Walled in!”
Enjoy!"
Thank you, Lorenz!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Limburg Monastery Interactive History Model
The tour and multi-layered model created by Aerilius is one of th best (both beautiful and most interesting... and functional) I have ever seen on Google Earth. It runs smoothly and includes attractive history "pop up bubbles" describing the building as it existed in stages over its 700 year history. If you like buildings and history, check it out.
Models like this could be used for a potential "3D historic buildings layer" on Google Earth which I mentioned in this post.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Banking In Style
Beautiful new model from Chris Dorreman of Antwerp. I included it in these 3D model collections: 1870s, My Favorite Models
Monday, October 26, 2009
WINNERS of the Pumpkin Carving Contest
Gold Medal goes to Aerilius in Germany who created the menacing "Snarling Pumpkin" who is biting another pumpkin.
Silver Medal goes to Cathy Tritschler of France whose terrible ogre pumpkin swallows the Earth on its tongue while looking scary at the same time.
Bronze Medal goes to Tobias Merk, whose Rübengeist is not a pumpkin at all, but a fodder beet. Says Tobias of his carving, "we have a very similar custom in Germany or more specifically in Bavaria where I'm from. Instead of pumpkins our children use fodder beets for making little ghosts, which should scare away evil spirits. We call these carved beets "Rübengeister"
Excellent work everybody. All three winners will appear in the header art of this blog in the week leading up to Halloween. Additionally, Igloo Studios has donated a year's subscription and a month's subscription to their School Pro website for First and Second Place winners respectively.
Thanks Mike and Alex at Igloo Studios, and thank you judges (Beryl, Jennie, Addie, Alex, Eryne, Dawn, Zack, and Mike), thank you Aidan Chopra for donating pumpkins to carve, thank you John Wilkes for providing entertaining pumpkin fiction, thanks Tasha at Google for blogging about this, and thanks to the many other people who submitted pumpkins. Did I leave anyone out?
I hope you all had some fun. Peace out.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Pumpkins Pumpkins Pumpkins
Soon they'll be judged (thank you, lovely judges) and then on October 27 the winners will be announced and appear in the header of the blog here.
In addition to this, Second Place winner will receive a one-month Pro account membership to Igloo Studios' School website, and First Place winner will receive a whole year's membership! Thanks to Igloo for that.
Good luck, pumpkins of the World!
UPDATE: The entry period has closed (one hour ago at 11:59 PM on October 24 Eastern US Time). If for some reason your pumpkin appears after that time, regardless of the upload date it won't be submitted to the judges, however it will appear in the collection with all the other pumpkins. Thanks to all participants and judges!
SECOND UPDATE: Winners will be announced tomorrow (October 27) and appear in the header. Good luck!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Preview Window: Fill 'Er Up
Model was uploaded from a wide screen (highlight to see shape)
In the above example, "Kelso Town Hall" by Alistair_M, we can see the model was uploaded from a wide screen.
SketchUp Competitions
Enter now, dammit!
Or, if carving pumpkins just isn't your thing, or if you missed the October 24 deadline for the pumpkin carving contest, there are some other SketchUp competitions coming up to suit every taste...
Check out the SketchUp blog post all about it HERE.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Halloween Header Art
Good morning, SketchUp Islanders! And spooky morning, too. Mwah-ha-ha!You may have noticed that the new autumn holiday header art has arrived as promised. I created this illustration not just to decorate the blog, but also to commemorate the contestants who have entered the Pumpkin Carving Contest. Thanks to all who have done so!
Anyone can enter before October 24. Just carve a virtual SketchUp pumpkin, upload it to the 3D Warehouse before October 24, and include the tag "sketchupislandpumpkins2009."
Our judges will rank three top pumpkins, and those pumpkins will be added into the blog's header artwork for the Halloween season, along with the names of the three winners!
NOTE: The header illustration was created with Google SketchUp and image editing software. Everything is "from scratch" and no photographs were used.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Beryl the Builder
Beryl Reid will be one of our judges this Halloween in the pumpkin carving contest. Be sure to enter a pumpkin design by October 24 so that Beryl can check out your work!
Asked about herself, Beryl writes
My interests [are] Art, Photography, SketchUp, Genealogy, teaching, paper sculpture, learning new things... the usual. I just found out that I am going to be a grandmother, so that's taking front runner in the interests list right now. I am a Google Certified Teacher too, I teach Google World to my school system. I was trained by Google in Boulder this summer, now I am set forth to spread the word of all the great apps created by Google. My little "Literary Landmarks" collection of buildings is now featured on Google "Lit Trips", which I am very proud of and I live in Massachusetts.PS. She's called "Beryl the Builder" because of the number of quality 3D models she has built on Google Earth. Check them out HERE. She did a couple pumpkins, too! Last but not least, congratulations on your good news, Beryl.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Street View Trike
This is kind of hilarious and cool, too. To get into tiny, interesting spaces that the Street View Car can't get to, Google has invented the Street View Tricycle (Trike), a high-tech, picture-making vehicle manned by an athlete.
Watch the video and then follow the link to give your suggestions for where to take the Street View Trike. But do it before October 28, which is the deadline for suggestion-taking. I've already suggested Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania (USA).
Friday, October 16, 2009
Model Me Minnesota Model Mega-Complicated
So I've been sitting on a number of nice models which for one reason or another I just haven't gotten around to publishing them.
Here's a sneak peek at one that's about two years old! Click the image for larger view. this was done using the "model me" kits put out by Google.
In this case, the State Capitol of Minnesota was photographed from all angles one winter's day by some good person and then the photos were published as a Picasa web album. A marker was placed at the appropriate location and uploaded as a SketchUp file. Then I took those materials and made this model.
I ran into some issues. Edges not forming closed loops, and faces not dividing when they should. I think I need to reduce the complexity. Maybe I'll start over and import the textures and certain pieces of geometry into the new model. In the meantime I've begun other new models which will go out first.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
My First Building Maker Model
Actually it's my first American building (in Philadelphia, PA) done with Google's new Building Maker program.
I heard that if you model a tall building whose image has "projected" onto another nearby model, that Building Maker will recognize this second building and remove its projected image from the first building. At the time of writing this model has that problem. Part of a neighboring tower appears on one wall.
I'll model the tower and see what happens...
EDIT: I modeled and published that tower and so far no change on the shorter model. Maybe it takes more time?
Image of a neighboring building's roof got projected onto the model
EDIT: I modeled and published that tower and so far no change on the shorter model. Maybe it takes more time?
Modest Judge With Red Worms
Meet Jennie.
Jennie is a very cool friend of mine and a judge in this year's SketchUp Island pumpkin carving contest. Be sure to enter HERE before the deadline (October 24) for a chance to have Jennie check out your work and, if it wins, it will appear in the Halloween header artwork for this blog!
Jennie, by way of introduction, has this to say about herself
Jennie has a fine arts degree that gathers dust as she works as an executive wrangler at a VA consulting firm. She comes from a long line of pumpkin carvers, and is still plotting her design for this year. She claims to have no recent accomplishments.So modest! Jennie forgot to mention how creative she is (knits a mean scarf) and that she has a red worm composting system! Thanks Jennie and, see you around the Island...
3D History Layer
Imagine being able to travel back in time in 3D and really get a sense of what a place was like years ago. If it were ever developed, a great source of historic imagery for modelers would be the Shorpy blog which I have mentioned several times before.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
A New Spin On Your Old Models
Meet Zack Mertz, one of our pumpkin judges this Halloween in the pumpkin carving contest.
Or rather, meet Zack Mertz's pumpkin. This is Zack's "Happy Halloween" greeting from him and Concept3D to all of you (Enter the contest so Zack can see your work, but do it in the next ten days before the contest ends!)
The original graphic was much cooler than the one I posted above, because the pumpkin could spin in a 3D view like the models do on the 3D Warehouse. I couldn't figure out how to host the images and so yes, I failed. But at least you get to see one frame. If I figure it out I'll re-post with the spinning view. In the meantime, see it here at Concept3D.*
If you want to learn how to hack the 3D view code (known as the SketchUp web exporter plugin) and customize it like Zack did, watch this YouTube video.
Zack is a founder of and a 3D designer at Concept3D, based in Boulder, Colorado and Minnesota. He is an avid skier and a recent father.
* EDIT: Scroll to the bottom of the post area to see the 3D pumpkin gadget Zack made. Thanks to Aerilius for the tip on how to make it work!
And the Winner Is...
I am referring to the Monopoly City Streets building design contest. So many cool entries were made (I made thirteen myself). But who won?
October 13 at midnight, winners were to be announced. I wasn't sure if that meant midnight at the start of October 13 (which is technically the midnight that happens on that date) or the midnight at the end of that day. Either way they've both come and gone and I can't find an announcement of winners. Has anyone seen anything?
UPDATE: I won! Second Place with this model.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Autumn Greetings From Oxfordshire, UK
SketchUp Islander Wurzeller has submitted the latest pumpkin to the pumpkin carving contest today, along with a cool little history of pumpkin carving traditions in his family. I like it! He writes
We have a tradition of carving Hallowe'en pumpkins and sometimes turnips in my family. This menacing design is similar to one I have done, with variations, many times in real pumpkins...Click on the 3D Warehouse logo in the image to check out Wurzeller's pumpkin up-close. Then from there click on the link to the SketchUp Island Pumpkin Patch collection and check out the other cool Jack-O-Lantern submissions we've been getting!
SketchUp Is So Twisted
SketchUp Islander Aerilius wanted to share a cool Ruby plugin with all of you. He writes
Hi!
I wanted to share some tips about pumpkin growing:
There is a useful plugin by ruby-developer Fredo. His plugin Fredoscale allows to choose the direction of the scaling box in SketchUp. He has enhanced it with many additional features like tapering, twisting and bending. The plugin [first requires] Libfredo, and you only need to copy the files inside both zip-archives into the /Sketchup/plugins directory.
It may be useful to make pumpkins look more natural and asymmetric.Thanks, Aerilius! I'll have to try that one out. It accomplishes something that I always want to do in SketchUp but never knew how...
Saturday, October 10, 2009
SketchUp Island Adventures #7: Eloi Raiol
After a successful hunt in which three particularly vicious SketchUp Island pumpkins were rounded up and turned into pies and soup (enough to last weeks into the winter), I found myself feeling quite full and in need of a walk to shed some of those extra pounds.
I turned my nose in the direction of the forest and stepped into the cool air beneath the trees. Suddenly I heard a terrible snarl behind me and to the right. I froze and then ever-so-slowly twisted my head around to see what it was. Just as I feared: a giant, vengeful pumpkin. I took a deep breath and I ran for my life!
Dear SketchUp Island: Inaccurate and Rejected Models
Dear Ready To Blow: Let's turn off the power main for a moment and examine our options. I can think of three ways to address this problem. If your own model is rejected for the reason "better model exists" then you can choose (at the bottom of your model preview page) to follow the link to tell Google "Why We Are Wrong." Secondly, if you come across an inaccurate model on Google earth, click it. In the pop-up window, click on "Report Inaccurate Model" and tell Google what's wrong. Better yet, the third option is to contact the model owner through the model preview page and tell them what the problem is.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
SketchUp Island Adventures #6: Alex Juhola Ostler
You see, the pumpkins are tricky fellows on SketchUp Island. They slip away easily, roll under bushes and vanish. Some, when cornered, gnash their teeth and snarl. One needs stealth and focus to snare a pumpkin. And any SketchUp Islander knows that a true hunter of pumpkins must hunt by the light of the harvest moon.
It was under these circumstances, on a cold, crisp night beneath the stars and moon, in near silence, that I bumped into a fellow pumpkin hunter who was crawling through the SketchUp Island pumpkin patch on hands and knees, spear in hand. Crickets chirped and we conducted our interview in hushed tones...
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Pirate Dawn
Dawn will be one of our SketchUp pumpkin carving judges this Halloween. If you haven't submitted your pumpkin to the SketchUp Island Pumpkin Patch yet, you might want to... soon. Otherwise Pirate Dawn will come and get you! Arrr!
Dawn is a costume/set designer for the music business in Los Angeles and a self-described "Halloweenie Lover," also working in the travel industry. She's a pirate. AND she's doing something great this October to help those suffering from HIV and AIDS through AIDS Walk Los Angeles. Dawn says
Pat Acton Matchstick Models
Modeler Pat Acton of Gladbrook, Iowa (USA) creates amazing buildings, ships, and even portrait busts out of matchsticks.
Maybe this will give SketchUp artists some inspiration.
In the illustration (seen HERE on his wife's website originally) we see Pat with his model of the United States Capitol. This model was made with nearly half a million matchsticks!
Pat is a career counselor and does matchstick modeling as a "passionate hobby." See more models at his website, www.matchstickmarvels.com, and also at his wife's website HERE.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Rain Stomper
Addie is a painter and children's author/illustrator living and working in Portland, Oregon, whose picture book The Rain Stomper (illustrated by Eric Velasquez) was just awarded the Oregon Spirit Book Award.
Congratulations, Addie!
To enter the pumpkin carving contest and have Addie check out your work, enter the site HERE.
Pennsylvania Railroad Station II
Somebody made a different Pennsylvania Station for the Monopoly contest. Check it out. I also made one last week.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Donna's Arboretum
My thirteenth submission to the Monopoly City Streets design contest. It's called "Donna's Arboretum" and it's named for my friend Donna who owns Samuel's Florist in Burbank, California.
This model is a good example of when to use components. The building was built 1/4 of the way and then repeated. The trees repeat and so do the rocks (there is only one rock turned and resized to look like many) and the flowers (only one kind, dyed different colors) repeat as well.
The pine trees are made from a single ring of branches that repeats vertically and is shrunk each time. Each ring is made of one unit that repeats in a circle.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
SketchUp Island Adventures
The short interviews will be written in the style of pulp novels and/or 1930's radio broadcasts or something like that. It will still be a fun venue to get to know people in the 3D modeling world in an unusual way... with a different title.
Keep your eyes open for two new SketchUp Island Adventures coming soon!
Pumpkin Making With Aidan
What's cool is that there are many unique approaches to creating a pumpkin shape, really. I just figured out one way on my own. Below is a demonstration of another way that Googler Aidan Chopra makes pumpkins, using complex curves.
Read on!
Friday, October 2, 2009
Dear SketchUp Island: Make Unique Texture
Dear SketchUp Island: If the purpose of "Make Unique Texture" is to cut off the excess of a texture and reduce it to the essentials, then why does the file size actually sometimes increase when this is done?" --Questioning
Good question, Questioning. I'm going to try something new. Maybe some smart person out there can post an answer in the comments to this post.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
SketchUp School
When I got started in SketchUp I really had NO idea how to do it. I was not a "computer person." Luckily there was a great, free resource called The SketchUp Show (starring Mike T. and Alex Oliver) that I began watching on iTunes. It turns what might seem like a formidable subject for a beginner into something very approachable.
I'm revisiting The SketchUp Show this week to learn more about Dynamic Components, which are objects you can design to interact with (example, a door that swings open when you click on it). I feel like I'm starting at the beginning again but I'm not too worried this time :)
Why is Mike dressed like a Power Ranger? See SketchUp Show episode #37 for the answer to this and other fashion tips from Mike.
My Twelfth Monopoly Creation, Like, For Real
I call it "Coconut Milk Tower." Originally it was "Dairy Tower" because it is shaped like a carton of milk. But then I thought I would rename it "Soy Milk Tower" for the vegans. But then... I recalled that a certain vegan close to me prefers coconut milk. Hence, it became Coconut Milk Tower.
So there you have it. It's all true, too. This model is found in these collections: My Monopoly Buildings, Models By Zoungy
Awesome SketchUp Jack-O-Lantern Wallpaper
Go visit the pumpkin carving contest site* to get this really awesome high-resolution Jack-O-Lantern wallpaper for your computer! It's in the section marked "goodies."
The full size image is 1200 X 1600 pixels and looks great on my 1344 X 1792 monitor. (Click thumbnail for preview size only).
While you're at it, register for the pumpkin carving contest (see the site* for details). The winners will be featured in the new header artwork of this blog!
"Happy Pumpkin" was designed using Google SketchUp and is the official mascot of the 2009 SketchUp Island Pumpkin Carving Contest.
*BOO-HOO! Although the site is no longer live, you can still see all the cool pumpkins that were made in the 3D model collection HERE.
The Contenders
The contenders are starting to march in to the arena for the pumpkin carving contest, and they look great!
Want to win? Be sure to enter soon, because the deadline is October 24. For details on how to enter click HERE.
The prize? Your pumpkin and name will appear in a new header illustration for this blog. The blog has had ten thousand (10,000) page views in more than 100 nations since late August, so your pumpkin will be seen by many people! But the bigger award is just doing it. It will definitely make you cool and maybe even get you a girlfriend or boyfriend. Trust me.
Please remember to follow instructions carefully in order to win. Include only solid colors (not photo textures); turn off edges and all geometry except SketchUp faces; upload your pumpkin as a "close-up" and don't forget to tag it with "sketchupislandpumpkins2009."
I prefer that you light it for October 31, 2009, 8:00 PM from the bottom right (see top right example) but this is not absolutely necessary.
One more thing. Have fun :-)
Beautiful Gas Station
Since the deadline for entry into the Monopoly City Streets game piece design contest has been extended, more submissions are coming in. Take a look at this one by BerylDrue, one of my favorites.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
New Pumpkin Mascot
Enter the 2009 SketchUp Island Pumpkin Carving Contest.* Your winning entry will appear in the new header artwork of this blog, in a rendered style similar to "Happy Pumpkin" but even cooler yet.
The contest website includes tutorials on how to make a pumpkin and carve it, and cool stuff like stickers and note cards for FREE! You can't beat that.
And if you're bored... see if you can find Happy Pumpkin on this blog before Halloween. He's hidden deep, deep in the blog somewhere. Once somebody finds him, I'll move him again.
*Sorry! The contest site is closed. But, the wonderful pumpkin model collection can still be seen HERE.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
First Pumpkin Carving Contest Entry
SketchUp Islander MILO Minderbinder takes the prize for "First To Enter" in the SketchUp Island Pumpkin Carving Contest.
Check out his awesome creation below, and then enter the contest yourself!
Check out his awesome creation below, and then enter the contest yourself!
SketchUp Island Pumpkin Carving Contest Is LIVE!
Carving a SketchUp pumpkin is as easy as 1-2-3. But what's more fun is making one and then carving it.
And then winning a contest!
Just follow this link to the new, official 2009 SketchUp Island Pumpkin Carving Contest website. You'll learn how to make your own SketchUp pumpkin* (for intermediate and advanced users), how to make your own carving tools, and how to create and upload an awesome pumpkin for the contest (or, just for fun).
Start now because Halloween is almost here! (deadline for contest entry is October 24, 2009). I hope to see the pumpkins rolling in soon!
* Beginners don't need to make their own pumpkin. Visit the contest site to learn where to download pre-made pumpkins you can carve.
New SketchUp Help Forum
This replaces the old Google SketchUp Help Group which will become locked in early October 2009.
How To Make a 3D SketchUp Pumpkin
EDIT (October 2010): The virtual pumpkin carving contest was a lot of fun last year but as you can see, the site and various links associated with it are no longer live. Never fear! HERE is a link to the "Pumpkin Patch" 3D model collection and HERE is a link to "Pumpkin Making with Aidan [Chopra]" and HERE is the link to another tutorial. You can see the various winners and other entries and study the many creative approaches to pumpkin construction and carving that modelers invented! Have fun! Original post:
I just uploaded my first-ever YouTube video, which teaches intermediate SketchUp users how to make a 3D pumpkin for the upcoming Halloween holiday season.
And, more importantly, for the upcoming 2009 SketchUp Island Pumpkin Carving Contest!
Contest announcements are coming soon. In the meantime check out the video and make your own 3D pumpkins! You might even get a sneak peek at the contest website (and a head start) : )
EDIT: Contest website is LIVE. Check it out here and enter to WIN! (Beginners, you don't have to make your own pumpkin. Check the web site to learn how to download pre-made pumpkins you can carve).
I just uploaded my first-ever YouTube video, which teaches intermediate SketchUp users how to make a 3D pumpkin for the upcoming Halloween holiday season.
And, more importantly, for the upcoming 2009 SketchUp Island Pumpkin Carving Contest!
Contest announcements are coming soon. In the meantime check out the video and make your own 3D pumpkins! You might even get a sneak peek at the contest website (and a head start) : )
EDIT: Contest website is LIVE. Check it out here and enter to WIN! (Beginners, you don't have to make your own pumpkin. Check the web site to learn how to download pre-made pumpkins you can carve).
Monday, September 28, 2009
SketchUp Island Blogged On Infrastructurist!
Check out this very cool blog post by Infrastructurist.
Jebediah Reed, editor at www.infrastructurist.com, responded to a comment I had made on his blog about the old New York Penn Station.
He kindly invited me to share my Penn Station SketchUp model on Infrastructurist, and he also blogged about the Monopoly City Streets game (for which the model was created in a design contest) and SketchUp Island.
Check out the post here. Thanks, Jebediah and Infrastructurist.
Monopoly Design Contest Extended
See the blog announcement here. Time to make some models!!!
Penn Station Animation
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Wizarding World of Harry Potter 3D Fly-Through
Still wondering if there will be a 3D Harry Potter theme park on Google Earth like Disney's parks are in 3D. Here's another 3D fly-through of the Harry Potter park, although pretty short... seems they are keen on the idea of 3D models, anyway.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Monopoly Ice Cream Parlor
My eleventh entry into the contest... I added to these 3D model collections: My Monopoly Buildings, Models By Zoungy
Tough Times Amusement Park
My tenth submission to Monopoly City Streets game piece design contest. I included it in the 3D model collections: Models By Zoungy, My Monopoly Buildings
Revolving Restaurant and Blimp Mooring Post
My ninth submission to Monopoly City Streets game piece design contest. It's a revolving restaurant and blimp mooring post. I included it in the 3D model collections: Models By Zoungy, My Monopoly Buildings
Monopoly Concert Bandshell
My eight submission to the Monopoly City Streets Design Contest... a little more humble than the train station, but its just a fun model. I included it in the 3D model collections: Models By Zoungy, My Monopoly Buildings
Friday, September 25, 2009
Disneyland Resort Paris In 3D
The entire thing is in high-detail, colorful, 3D goodness with animated, musical, pop-up windows that can help you plan a trip or learn more about the park.
Link to the original SketchUp blog post:
Disneyland Paris in Google Earth
According to the post, 85,000 photos were used to re-create the park in virtual 3D form! That is mind blowing.
What looks good? The Sleeping Beauty castle is especially well done (of course). See the illustration. Also Alice's Curious Labyrinth, Swiss Family Robinson Tree, and well, basically everything. Does anyone know if they plan to do the rest of their parks? (Florida was done in 2008).
If you haven't seen it, I suggest downloading Google Earth and having a look around. Maybe you'll be inspired to plan your next vacation there!
Real Harry Potter 3D Animated Map
I would love to see Harry Potter in 3D on Google Earth, but in the meantime I found this very cool video.
It is a sepia-toned 3D map of the park (in the style of the Marauder's Map from the stories). The map is animated and gives you a tour of the park, with atmospheric music and conceptual art of the details.
Charlotte's House
My seventh submission for Monopoly City Streets design contest... a house based on the look and feel of the children's story "Goodnight Moon" by Margaret Wise Brown, with illustrations by Clement Hurd.
I included this model in the following 3D model collections: My Monopoly Buildings, Models By Zoungy
Thursday, September 24, 2009
My Monopoly Masterpiece
Life seems so futile now that I've created my SketchUp masterwork and published it. *Sigh.*
This is my SIXTH entry into the Monopoly City Streets design contest. Check it out below, and be sure to rate the model if you like it! I included it in the 3D model collections: Models By Zoungy, My Monopoly Buildings
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