Beginning Google Sketchup for 3D Printing

329 Pages·2010·16.929 MB·English

by  Sandeep Singh

BOOKS FOR PROFESSIONALS BY PROFESSIONALS® THE EXPERT’S VOICE® IN 3D PRINTING
Companion
eBook
Available
Beginning Google SketchUp for
Beginning
3D Printing
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The age of 3D printing and personal fabrication is upon us! You’ve probably
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heard of the incredibly sophisticated but inexpensive 3D printers that can pro-
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duce almost any creation you give them. But how do you become part of that
Beginning
revolution? g
Sandeep Singh takes you through the skills you need to learn and the servic-
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es and technologies you need to know—explaining what 3D printing is, how it
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works, and what it can do for you. You’ll find yourself rapidly prototyping and
learning to produce complex designs that can be fabricated by online 3D print-
S Google SketchUp
ing services or privately owned 3D printers and in your hands in no time.
Beginning Google SketchUp for 3D Printing starts by explaining how to use k
SketchUp and its plug-ins to make your design products. You will learn how to
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present and animate 3D models, and how to use Google Earth and 3D Warehouse
to sell and market your 3D models. You'll also get a vision of the future of 3D t
printing so you can plan your future projects while mastering today's tools. c
Beginning Google SketchUp for 3D Printing is the perfect book for 3D design- h 3D Printing
ers, hobbyists, woodworkers, craftspeople, and artists interested in the following:
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• Designing in 3D using SketchUp
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• Using the online 3D printing pipeline
• Animating SketchUp 3D models
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• Becoming familiar with rapid prototyping technology o
• Navigating new 3D and personal fabrication technologies r
• Working with Google Earth and 3D Warehouse with confidence
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Welcome to the era of 3D printing and personal fabrication! D

P Join the revolution in personal fabrication with
3D modeling, Google SketchUp, and 3D printing
Companion eBook r
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Shelve in:
Graphics / General
User level:
Beginning–Intermediate

Beginning Google
SketchUp for 3D
Printing

■ ■ ■
Sandeep Singh

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Beginning Google SketchUp for 3D Printing
Copyright © 2010 by Sandeep Singh
All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information
storage or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner and the
publisher.
ISBN-13 (pbk): 978-1-4302-3361-9
ISBN-13 (electronic): 978-1-4302-3362-6
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Lead Editor: James Markham
Technical Reviewer: Michael Fredrickson
Editorial Board: Steve Anglin, Mark Beckner, Ewan Buckingham, Gary Cornell, Jonathan
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Wade, Tom Welsh
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caused directly or indirectly by the information contained in this work.
ii
To my parents, Baldev and Harjit; my wife, Khuspreet;
and my sister, Balveen, for their love and support.
iii
Contents at a Glance

■Contents ................................................................................................................ v(cid:1)
■About the Author ................................................................................................. xii(cid:1)
■About the Technical Reviewer ............................................................................ xiii(cid:1)
■Acknowledgments .............................................................................................. xiv(cid:1)
■Introduction ........................................................................................................ xv
Part 1: Getting Your Feet Wet ................................................................................... 1(cid:1)
■Chapter 1: The Ins and Outs of Google SketchUp and Shapeways ........................ 3(cid:1)
■Chapter 2: First 3D Printout ................................................................................ 27(cid:1)
Part 2: Starting from Scratch ................................................................................. 49(cid:1)
■Chapter 3: Getting Your Juices Flowing .............................................................. 51(cid:1)
■Chapter 4: 3D Model to 3D Print .......................................................................... 61(cid:1)
■Chapter 5: Tools and Techniques to Save Time ................................................... 89(cid:1)
■Chapter 6: Breaking the Barrier ........................................................................ 111(cid:1)
■Chapter 7: Modeling with Photographs ............................................................. 143(cid:1)
■Chapter 8: Working with Symmetry .................................................................. 171(cid:1)
Part 3: Presenting, Sharing, and 3D Printing Alternatives ................................... 199(cid:1)
■Chapter 9: Share with the World ....................................................................... 201(cid:1)
■Chapter 10: Animate with SketchyPhysics ....................................................... 227(cid:1)
■Chapter 11: Using LayOut .................................................................................. 251(cid:1)
■Chapter 12: Exploring 3D Printing Alternatives ................................................ 277(cid:1)
■Appendix: Get Connected .................................................................................. 293(cid:1)
■Index ................................................................................................................. 299(cid:1)
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Contents

■Contents at a Glance ............................................................................................ iv(cid:1)
■About the Author ................................................................................................. xii(cid:1)
■About the Technical Reviewer ............................................................................ xiii(cid:1)
■Acknowledgments .............................................................................................. xiv(cid:1)
■Introduction ......................................................................................................... xv

Part 1: Getting Your Feet Wet ................................................................................... 1(cid:1)
■Chapter 1: The Ins and Outs of Google SketchUp and Shapeways ........................ 3(cid:1)
Google SketchUp ............................................................................................................. 3(cid:1)
Installing Google SketchUp .................................................................................................................... 4(cid:1)
Downloading Google SketchUp .............................................................................................................. 4(cid:1)
Installing Google SketchUp .................................................................................................................... 6(cid:1)
User Interface ................................................................................................................. 8(cid:1)
The Getting Started Toolbar ................................................................................................................. 10(cid:1)
Large Toolset ....................................................................................................................................... 11(cid:1)
Learning by Example ..................................................................................................... 13(cid:1)
Modeling a Cube .................................................................................................................................. 13(cid:1)
Creating a Cylinder ............................................................................................................................... 15(cid:1)
Creating a 3D Pentagon ....................................................................................................................... 16(cid:1)
Using the Scale Tool ............................................................................................................................ 17(cid:1)
Tape Measure Tool ............................................................................................................................... 17(cid:1)
Creating an Offset ................................................................................................................................ 18(cid:1)
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■ CONTENTS
Shapeways....................................................................................................................19(cid:1)
Home Page...........................................................................................................................................20(cid:1)
Creating an Account.............................................................................................................................23(cid:1)
Summary.......................................................................................................................25(cid:1)
■Chapter 2: First 3D Printout................................................................................27(cid:1)
Getting Started..............................................................................................................27(cid:1)
Using Shapeways Creator to Customize the Ringpoem................................................29(cid:1)
Saving and Ordering Models................................................................................................................35(cid:1)
Ordering a Copy of Your Model............................................................................................................36(cid:1)
Using Co-Creator to Personalize a Model.....................................................................38(cid:1)
Adding a Model from the Design Gallery.......................................................................41(cid:1)
Selecting the Appropriate Material...............................................................................44(cid:1)
Understanding Model Pricing........................................................................................46(cid:1)
Summary.......................................................................................................................48(cid:1)
Part 2: Starting from Scratch.................................................................................49(cid:1)
■Chapter 3: Getting Your Juices Flowing..............................................................51(cid:1)
Brainstorming Techniques............................................................................................51(cid:1)
Mind Mapping......................................................................................................................................51(cid:1)
Gap Filling............................................................................................................................................52(cid:1)
Reverse Thinking.................................................................................................................................53(cid:1)
Taking Advantage of Pencil and Paper.........................................................................53(cid:1)
Design Ideas.................................................................................................................55(cid:1)
Patents.................................................................................................................................................56(cid:1)
Google 3D Warehouse..........................................................................................................................58(cid:1)
Photographs..................................................................................................................58(cid:1)
Games...........................................................................................................................58(cid:1)
Summary.......................................................................................................................59(cid:1)
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■ CONTENTS
■Chapter 4: 3D Model to 3D Print..........................................................................61(cid:1)
Brainstorming a 3D Model............................................................................................61(cid:1)
Modeling the Lighthouse...............................................................................................62(cid:1)
Dos and Don’ts.....................................................................................................................................63(cid:1)
Constructing the Model........................................................................................................................65(cid:1)
Double-Check Before Uploading...................................................................................78(cid:1)
Are all the White Faces Pointing Outward?..........................................................................................78(cid:1)
Is the Model Manifold?.........................................................................................................................79(cid:1)
Is the Model Closed?............................................................................................................................81(cid:1)
Does the Model Meet Specification, and Is It Structurally Stable?......................................................81(cid:1)
Upload for 3D Printing...................................................................................................82(cid:1)
Summary.......................................................................................................................87(cid:1)
■Chapter 5: Tools and Techniques to Save Time...................................................89(cid:1)
Organizing Your Models................................................................................................89(cid:1)
A Quick Look at the Outliner................................................................................................................89(cid:1)
Using the Outliner................................................................................................................................91(cid:1)
Using the Outliner with a Complex Model............................................................................................94(cid:1)
Hiding Groups and Components from Within the Outliner...................................................................96(cid:1)
Working with Plug-ins...................................................................................................98(cid:1)
Shapes Plug-in.....................................................................................................................................98(cid:1)
Volume Calculator Plug-in..................................................................................................................100(cid:1)
Flattery Papercraft Tool......................................................................................................................101(cid:1)
CADspan Plug-in................................................................................................................................104(cid:1)
Understanding the STL Format..........................................................................................................105(cid:1)
Converting to an STL File...................................................................................................................106(cid:1)
Summary.....................................................................................................................109(cid:1)
■Chapter 6: Breaking the Barrier........................................................................111(cid:1)
Designing Curved Models...........................................................................................111(cid:1)
Creating the Pawn Template..............................................................................................................111(cid:1)
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■ CONTENTS
Double-Checking Your Work..............................................................................................................116(cid:1)
Uploading for 3D Printing...................................................................................................................118(cid:1)
Designing a Sundial....................................................................................................119(cid:1)
Building the Theory............................................................................................................................120(cid:1)
What’s Your Latitude?........................................................................................................................121(cid:1)
Drawing a Sketch of Your Model........................................................................................................122(cid:1)
Modeling in SketchUp........................................................................................................................123(cid:1)
Testing Your Sundial with Shadows..................................................................................................138(cid:1)
Double-Checking................................................................................................................................139(cid:1)
Uploading Your Design.......................................................................................................................140(cid:1)
Summary.....................................................................................................................142(cid:1)
■Chapter 7: Modeling with Photographs.............................................................143(cid:1)
Creating a Simple 3D Model with Match Photo..........................................................143(cid:1)
Modeling the Dining Room Table.......................................................................................................144(cid:1)
Model a House for 3D Printing Using Match Photo.....................................................151(cid:1)
Importing the Photograph..................................................................................................................151(cid:1)
Calibrating SketchUp’s Camera.........................................................................................................152(cid:1)
Tracing the House Photograph...........................................................................................................153(cid:1)
Cleaning the Trace and Extruding the Surface...................................................................................156(cid:1)
Projecting the Photo...........................................................................................................................158(cid:1)
Adding Detail......................................................................................................................................160(cid:1)
3D Printing the House Model......................................................................................160(cid:1)
Pricing the Model...............................................................................................................................162(cid:1)
Adding Width to the Roof...................................................................................................................164(cid:1)
Adding Images to Curved and Interior Surfaces.........................................................165(cid:1)
Adding an Image to an Interior Surface.............................................................................................165(cid:1)
Adding Images to Curved Surfaces....................................................................................................167(cid:1)
Summary.....................................................................................................................169(cid:1)
■Chapter 8: Working with Symmetry..................................................................171(cid:1)
Symmetrical vs. Asymmetrical Design.......................................................................171(cid:1)
viii