Raven Julia's Blog: Sketchup House

Sketchup House and Animation

The Project's Overview

For this project we had to create a house in the program Sketchup. The goal was to make it as realistic as possible using a model. Before this we had steps to make a chair, but for this we had to experiment and keep making errors to get the final project. We had to find our own textures to use then make a video to show it off.

The Project Process

First, we had to go to this website and find one that was over 500 feet and specific rooms and height. Then, we had to begin making it in Sketchup. I began with rectangles and the general shape of the building. Then I pushed them up to be 3D, and began to add the extras that came off of my base. Next was the doors and stairs, and thee roof, which had to be moved upwards in a point for the later, and changed planes to give a natural feel in both. For the final building process were the windows, which were rectangles, pulled out, then made into components so that they could be repeated and copied objects. The last design step was to find our own textures and color the home completely with seamless textures. Finally, we set up the scenes and made the animation.

What Was Learned

We learned how to better use Sketchup and to make complex shapes. We especially learned the importance of measurements and how to make the objects the correct length. Also learned and used was the push/pull tool, move tool, offset, components, measurement, and general movements. The main thing to learn in this project was how to use shapes and make them into a realistic house, with shadows, design, and how it presented itself.

Next Time: Different

What I would do different next time would be to better follow the house I chose as a reference. Especially in the roof because I could never get it down correctly, and in the end decided just to make my own. Also, the porch was never separated as I made it a component too soon and couldn't edit it after that. I would also work the make the lines more precise and the figures more connected. There were little additions I wasn't able to do this time, so next time I would spend more time on the small things.

Next Time: Same

What I would do the same next time would be the textures I used. Keeping a set amount of colors and textures, then spreading them out with alteration, was something I enjoyed doing. I would also continue to have the windows differ on various rooms, and make the doors different. Also, I would start from the ground up because that made it easier to then add on in most parts.

Experiences To Remember

I will make sure to remember the complexity of creating objects within Sketchup. The time it took and the constant errors will never leave me. I was frustrated at times, but by persevering, I was able to make my project the best I could. Like with my previous projects, one of the most important things to remember that things will not end up as planned, and that's okay, giving you an opportunity to make something even greater.

My General Response

The idea seemed so simple and straightforward, but Sketchup had proven itself not to be in the slightest. Though some of the mistakes were funny to see, they were not welcome at all. The process was draining to a degree, but I still learned something from it, and to a degree, enjoyed it. I liked having an actual, complex product come out of all my time and errors, and making the animation was the most satisfactory part to it. It was difficult, but worth it, and I would do it again.