Creating Animations from Google Sketch Up

So you've finished your fabulous 3D model. Now, you want to show off your hard work in a presentation. How can you do that effectively? How can you show your model to someone who doesn't have Google Sketch Up?

Not to fear!! There are many options to presenting your work from Google Sketch Up. Ever seen those incredibly professional looking animations of a 3D model? (like this one)


Well we can do that!

You can:
- Export Screenshots of your model into image files. You can place those image files into a Power Point presentation, Word document or any other software which allows Image files.
- Export a movie animation of your model. This is a great way to show a professional, interactive walk through of your model. You do this using the Scene and Animation options (which I will show you in class today).

To train yourself or review, please watch the following video on Scenes or click here.


For more videos or if you need help understanding how to use a specific tool search the SketchUp YouTube channel to see if one of their 96 video tutorials cover it, or turn on your "Instructor" (Window>Instructor) to get help while you work in Google SketchUp.

To see some great examples of how animating a 3D model enhances your impression and understanding of it and makes it easier for a client to see, check out the following videos of architectural animation:

1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fZsoH3idh4
2.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBkaLQ27qLk
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn0tvNdc1gM&feature=related
4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iZ5ydpuCg0&feature=related
5. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CixUCsbxVw&feature=related
6. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdmhN7YbjIw&feature=related
   

Photojournalism...far and wide, by Nathan Fried Lipski

One of my friends, Nathan Fried Lipski, is a talented photographer who has documented people and places far and wide. Recently he took a trip to the community slum of Dharavi in Mumbai, India. I thought these photos were poignant and striking. Especially interesting for my MYP 4 students who are designing innovative urban solutions for informal cities. Thank you Nathan for sharing your view with us and the world!

All photos and text below by Nathan Fried Lipski (Copyright). See more on his blog.

A girl walks along a water pipeline in Dharavi.

One of the largest issues facing the people of India is the lack of clean water.
In many areas running water is not available to the people on a regular basis and water delivery trucks provide clean water once each week.
I witnessed people illegally selling small bags of water to those who missed the delivery.

Water delivery in Baigan Wadi.

We photographed for a short while at a place called Dhobi Ghats near Mahalaxmi train station.  A dhobi is traditionally a laundryman and the ghats are the places where laundry is washed.

If you know the brands Ecko Unlimited and French Connection,
you might be surprised to find that they are being made not by machines, but by the hands of many real people who work tireless hours for little wage.

We found that riding the rails in Mumbai takes a special quickness since most trains never actually come to a complete stop. There are cars for men and cars for women. The women will not hesitate pushing you out if  accidentally hop in their car. Getting out is even more challenging than getting in and you must prepare many stops ahead and begin making a move. Its a special sort of dance that I am not sure of I could handle on a daily basis. 

A men's train during rush hour

Check out more of Nathan's work on his website or blog. You won't be disappointed!!