After a few warm-up sessions on such topics as using SketchUp with Photoshop, blending hand-rendered drawing with SketchUp models, and using SketchUp with digital camera images, the final session of the day yesterday was devoted to demonstrations of two third-party software products that offer specific plug-ins for SketchUp.
SimuTerra offers real-time 3D digital terrain modeling. It can import terrain data, create a terrain model, and export the final surface in only three steps. Notable among its features is the ability to use terrain model edges, not just vertices, so as to force triangulation to conform to the terrain you have selected. Once imported, additional modeling can be added. Changes are made to the model in real-time, and it is possible to view multiple 2D and 3D views at the same time.
Reality 4D from TLA Data Systems is a work in progress, according to SketchUp user Mike Lucey from Ireland, who presented the UK based program as a favor to the developers. Reality 4D takes SketchUp or other 3D models and creates interactive walkthroughs suitable for pass-along to clients or others, so they can view it game-style without any specific software product. A first release was put on the web for user evaluation, and was “slayed,” Lucey said. “I’m not being negative, I’m being realistic.” The developers pulled the distribution and prepared a second version, which was much more ready for use, Lucey said. “They really seek to work with users.” Lucey used Reality 4D on a modeling project, trying to gain local government approval for the remodeling of a “derelict cottage” of a friend in his native Ireland. The 20mb SketchUp file he created was compressed to 5mb in Reality 4D, Lucey said. “It did very nice on the cut stone” of the cottage. Neither the client nor the government agency were willing to examine the SketchUp files, but they would view the user-friendly model in Reality 4D.
Reality 4D is a joint project between
TLA Data Systems, a 20-year-old software company with rendering expertise, and
2B Landscape Consultancy Ltd., providing SketchUp expertise.