Sketchup-Using Google Earth

Sometimes after completing a building, our clients still can't imagine how the buildings will be placed in its actual environment, Google SketchUp provides the google toolbar, which basically use google earth to position the building using contoured map.

We can import the the contoured map into our design and then after placing our building or object, we can export it again to google. And then we can save the image from its actual location from many views. Although it is not precise contours or landscape, but at least it will provide clearer image to our client, not to mention more practical, about how our building will be positioned.

Furthermore, we can also edit the contours of which we get by using the sandbox tools,such as add detail, Stamp and smoove.


Have a nice day!

Max-Creating Vray material using Slate Material editor

After learning how to create material scene in tutorial 08, now it’s time for us to learn how to create Vray material. The material that we’re going to disscuss consist of standard Vray Material, floor material (porcelaine or marble), wood, glass and metal (gold). These material will be used quite often both for interior or exterior 3dsmax scene.

However, to achieve realistic results, we have to adjust the material that we’re going to make with our scene. Because there are many factors that affect the result, for example : the colour that we choose, the brightness of the room, how many lights we’re going to use, etc. So using the same parameter can generate different result in different scenes.  But still, the parameter given in this tutorial, can be a good start. You have to be creative in developing those parameters.

I’m also going to introduce the use of Slate Material Editor, which is available in 3ds Max 2010 and above. If you are using 3ds max 2009 or below that, it’s not really a problem, because the principle still the same.

Have a nice day!!

Sketchup-Creating Blanket and Pillow

Creating flexible or organic object using Sketchup is a bit difficult, unless we use certain additional plug-ins. But some creative tricks, we can create those kinds of models.

For example, the tricks in this tutorial, we're going to create blanket and pillow (which in its development could be use to create a table cloth), actually only a combination between using sandbox tools and soften tool in sketchup.

In some cases,  when we make basic polygon with a lot of sharp corner, it's possible to lose some polygon faces. But it can be overcome with enough practice.

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Max-Creating Vray Scene Using Standard Camera

Using Vray doesn't mean that you have to use all of Vray tools. Standard 3ds Max Camera and Lights can also integrated well into a Vray Scene. The setting is so much easier (especially for the camera), and with proper settings, the result can be as good as using Vray camera and Lights. Of course we still have to use some rectangle Vray Light as the primary light sources. But then we can support it using Photometric light and target Direct light.

The advantage of using Photometric light is, when creating shaped light such as down light or wall light, we can see the shape of the light on the photometric light, so we can estimate the direction or the shape result when we render the scene. Also if we have a lot of lights you can see the difference between one light and the other.

One tip, try adding a disable Vray sun to the scene in this tutorial, with the same direction as the direct light. The scene will be more realistic

Have a nice day!

Sketchup-Creating Vray Material

Vray materials in this tutorial are actually simplification from various possible way of making Vray Material for sketchup. This tutorial comprises:

1. Vray material standard, which actually automatically formed from Sketchup standard material
2. Material with Bump, for textured material
3. Glossy material, to make porcelain, marble, granite and such
4. Metallic material. I make gold material in this example, but with color adjusting you can also make iron, brass, chrome, copper etc
5. Glass material, which in its development can be plastic or water material

Keep in mind, that when creating a Vray texture in sketchup, make sure from the beginning which material you want to use and the size of the mapping you’re going to place. Because sometimes, after editing the standard material in Vray Material Editor, I find it difficult to change the texture. Sometimes I even have to start from importing the texture again.


Below, I only provide the fire texture for the fireplace. Other materials I used is pretty common, you can find them easily in your own library.

Have a nice day!