This chapter’s lab will introduce you to the concepts of modeling and design
using three-dimensional objects. Starting from an aerial image of a building with spatial reference, you will design the building in 3D using Google
SketchUp, including its height, textures, and other effects, and place it into its
proper location in Google Earth. While there are many methods that can be
used for designing a building (including Google’s Photo Match and Building
Maker tools), this lab shows you how to use a variety of Google SketchUp tools
through the context of creating a structure.
Important note: Even though this lab uses a fixed example, it can be personalized by selecting another structure you’re more familiar with—such as
your home, workplace, or school—and using the same techniques described
in this lab to design that structure instead.
Like Geospatial Lab Application 7.1 there are no questions to answer—the
final product you’ll create at the end is a 3D representation of a building in
Google SketchUp as well as a version of it placed into Google Earth. The answer sheet for this chapter is a checklist of items to help you keep track of your
progress in the lab.
Objectives
The goals for this lab are:
a Obtaining imagery to use in a design environment.
a Familiarizing yourself with the use of the Google SketchUp software
package, including its operating environment and several of its tools.
a Applying textures to objects.
a Utilizing components in 3D design.
a Transforming your 3D model into the KMZ file format to be placed into
Google Earth.
Obtaining Software
a The current version of Google SketchUp (8) is available for free download
at http://sketchup.google.com/intl/en/product/gsu.html.
a The current version of Google Earth (6.0) is available for free download
at http://earth.google.com.
Important note: Software and online resources sometimes change fast.
This lab was designed with the most recently available version of the software
at the time of writing. However, if the software or Websites have significantly
14.1 Geospatial Lab Application
3D Modeling and Visualization
420
using three-dimensional objects. Starting from an aerial image of a building with spatial reference, you will design the building in 3D using Google
SketchUp, including its height, textures, and other effects, and place it into its
proper location in Google Earth. While there are many methods that can be
used for designing a building (including Google’s Photo Match and Building
Maker tools), this lab shows you how to use a variety of Google SketchUp tools
through the context of creating a structure.
Important note: Even though this lab uses a fixed example, it can be personalized by selecting another structure you’re more familiar with—such as
your home, workplace, or school—and using the same techniques described
in this lab to design that structure instead.
Like Geospatial Lab Application 7.1 there are no questions to answer—the
final product you’ll create at the end is a 3D representation of a building in
Google SketchUp as well as a version of it placed into Google Earth. The answer sheet for this chapter is a checklist of items to help you keep track of your
progress in the lab.
Objectives
The goals for this lab are:
a Obtaining imagery to use in a design environment.
a Familiarizing yourself with the use of the Google SketchUp software
package, including its operating environment and several of its tools.
a Applying textures to objects.
a Utilizing components in 3D design.
a Transforming your 3D model into the KMZ file format to be placed into
Google Earth.
Obtaining Software
a The current version of Google SketchUp (8) is available for free download
at http://sketchup.google.com/intl/en/product/gsu.html.
a The current version of Google Earth (6.0) is available for free download
at http://earth.google.com.
Important note: Software and online resources sometimes change fast.
This lab was designed with the most recently available version of the software
at the time of writing. However, if the software or Websites have significantly
14.1 Geospatial Lab Application
3D Modeling and Visualization
420