Step 4: Add blank ground layer: You’ll probably want to add a ground layer or pad to cover up the part of the air photo that your site is on, assuming that site is going to change. You can zoom in and out by turning the track wheel or using the zoom tool, two over from Orbit. Change the 3D perspective either using clicking the middle mouse button (track wheel) and moving around the screen while the wheel button is depressed or using the orbit button.

Step 3: Navigation: You’re now in 3D mode. Also note that when “grabbing” your imagery from Google Earth, make the window as large as possible to maximize the resolution of the resulting base map image. I will add more tutorial material later on how to deal with this, but for now, just try viewing and go back to normal flat mode. Note that while you can show terrain relief (which will be slight) by clicking File>Geolocation>show terrain, we recommend not using it now, as it adds a whole additional layer of complexity. Step 2: Acquire Imagery and location (click for video): This step uses an easy interface to grab the background aerial image for your site and, in the process, give your model real world location information. Download the Sketchup free version. Open Sketchup Austin Troy, College of Architecture and Planning The text following each link serves as a reference guide if you need to go back to the video. Note: To get the most out of the videos in youtube, toggle full-screen and HD using the settings in the lower right of the youtube screen.Īuthor: Dr. Description: All the steps needed to do a basic preliminary 3D site plan are included in these videos, which are linked below at the beginning of each bullet point.

Sketchup 4 schools