Sketch up help

[silvam14]

So I just for downloaded sketchup yesterday to try my hand at making some 3D fictional ballparks.

It doesn't seem to be something I can just pick up and master. I can get so far as getting the walls up, but I can't for the life of figure out a way to push a whole wall section in or out to change distances. Any tips on that?

[endgame]

I'm of no help, but have to comment that your ambition is enviable, as always.

Good for you. I'm sure the answer is forthcoming.

[justafan]

I've only played around a little with Sketch Up, so I'm no expert, but maybe the move tool would work.

Google Sketch Up tutorial moving walls, you may find something that helps.

[silvam14]

Thanks. I watched a few tutorials, but as far as ballparks go, obviously there are different sections if you will, of the outfield fences. Some at different angles, some at different heights etc. once I get a basic sketch of the walls surrounding the field, I would like to be able to manipulate the wall sections as I see fit, but with 3D there are many "faces" that need to be moved simultaneously. I guess I'll play around with it some more. I was hoping to be able to create a generic ballpark, and then fashion different parks off of that using the generic one as a template I guess.

[joefromchicago]

Originally Posted by silvam14

So I just for downloaded sketchup yesterday to try my hand at making some 3D fictional ballparks.

It doesn't seem to be something I can just pick up and master. I can get so far as getting the walls up, but I can't for the life of figure out a way to push a whole wall section in or out to change distances. Any tips on that?

Not sure what you're trying to do, but walls are easy. Probably the easiest thing to do is to make a new wall where you want it to be rather than move the old wall to the new location. If you want to move an existing wall, you can use the move tool (double click on one of the wall's faces to select the entire object).

As I mentioned in the other thread, the YouTube tutorials are invaluable. It takes a while to get all the intricacies of SketchUp, so I wouldn't expect to be building Yankee Stadium right out of the box.

[dodgerblue88]

This should be of some help

Google SketchUp Ballpark University

[goalieump413]

Originally Posted by silvam14

Thanks. I watched a few tutorials, but as far as ballparks go, obviously there are different sections if you will, of the outfield fences. Some at different angles, some at different heights etc. once I get a basic sketch of the walls surrounding the field, I would like to be able to manipulate the wall sections as I see fit, but with 3D there are many "faces" that need to be moved simultaneously. I guess I'll play around with it some more. I was hoping to be able to create a generic ballpark, and then fashion different parks off of that using the generic one as a template I guess.

Your idea to create a generic ballpark is a great start. But I do have some quick tips which can help speed up the build, and make your life a little easier.

Make sure that when you extrude a face into a 3D part, select all the lines and faces and turn it into a group (right click...). That way, you can keep that wall section separate from other sections and manipulate it independently. You can change the wall thickness, width, height and rotation so that it becomes more to your liking.

Just remember to look at the walls exterior faces and make sure they're the "outside" face, again by using right click. Sketchup doesn't always handle inside faces the same as outside faces...

It takes some getting used to, but Sketchup is a really good tool for this project. I wish you all the best.

[silvam14]

Created a baseball diamond so far trying to get used to some of the tools. I'm going to add the walls soon

[goalieump413]

Looks like you're getting the hang of it. Did you make each base a group to copy/paste?

When you start adding the walls, first, draw the perimeter of all the fair and foul territory and make that a group too. That way, when you build the 3D walls, they snap to the lines you made, but don't take away from the perimeter "map".

Also, if you want to make the curves smoother, select the circle tool, and before you place the center point, look at the lower right of the screen, it should say 24. You can click in the field, change the number to a higher number for a smoother circle, and hit enter. Then, place the circle.

[silvam14]

Originally Posted by goalieump413

Looks like you're getting the hang of it. Did you make each base a group to copy/paste?

When you start adding the walls, first, draw the perimeter of all the fair and foul territory and make that a group too. That way, when you build the 3D walls, they snap to the lines you made, but don't take away from the perimeter "map".

Also, if you want to make the curves smoother, select the circle tool, and before you place the center point, look at the lower right of the screen, it should say 24. You can click in the field, change the number to a higher number for a smoother circle, and hit enter. Then, place the circle.

Thanks for the tips! Who knows? I may have a future in this line of play/work yet!

[silvam14]

Here is an update. Nothing is easy with this one. You can see I cam tinkering with stands.

trying to figure out how I can pull the stands and have it follow the contour of the wall. if that's possible

[joefromchicago]

Originally Posted by silvam14

trying to figure out how I can pull the stands and have it follow the contour of the wall. if that's possible

Create a cross-section of the stand. Select the cross-section. Select the line of the wall, then select the follow-me tool.

Google SketchUp Toolbar Series: Follow Me - YouTube

EDIT: It looks like you want to place the dugouts under the stands. I wouldn't create the dugouts before placing the stands. If you're making the stands using the follow-me tool, you'll have problems going around those dugouts. A better way would be to create the stands, then use the push-pull tool to create the dugouts under the stands.

[silvam14]

Originally Posted by joefromchicago

Create a cross-section of the stand. Select the cross-section. Select the line of the wall, then select the follow-me tool.

Google SketchUp Toolbar Series: Follow Me - YouTube

EDIT: It looks like you want to place the dugouts under the stands. I wouldn't create the dugouts before placing the stands. If you're making the stands using the follow-me tool, you'll have problems going around those dugouts. A better way would be to create the stands, then use the push-pull tool to create the dugouts under the stands.

thanks! didnt even know about the extra tools in the large toolbox. I'm such a noob!

[joefromchicago]

It's hard to beat the follow-me tool for sheer sublime awesomosity.

[ihatenames]

looking good so far!

[goalieump413]

Originally Posted by joefromchicago

It's hard to beat the follow-me tool for sheer sublime awesomosity.

Follow Me has always been a double-edged sword for me. You either have to sweep the path the first time, or it acts cantankerous. Also, Follow Me creates an averaged projection along its path, so the angled intersections between 2 planes will always be in the same orientation to one another. In some ballparks, the stands don't follow this rule, and instead have intersections or isle ways that create odd seating rows.

You can always make a seating section as a group, join it to a neighboring group, and then use the Intersect Faces tool in the right click menu to slice off what you don't want.

[joefromchicago]

Originally Posted by goalieump413

Follow Me has always been a double-edged sword for me. You either have to sweep the path the first time, or it acts cantankerous. Also, Follow Me creates an averaged projection along its path, so the angled intersections between 2 planes will always be in the same orientation to one another. In some ballparks, the stands don't follow this rule, and instead have intersections or isle ways that create odd seating rows.

You can always make a seating section as a group, join it to a neighboring group, and then use the Intersect Faces tool in the right click menu to slice off what you don't want.

As with other graphics and CAD programs, there are multiple ways of accomplishing the same basic task in SketchUp. Each way has its advantages and disadvantages. Follow-me, for instance, works great along curved (or almost-curved) lines or lines that follow regular angles. It's indispensable if you're doing mouldings along a wall, for instance. A different technique might be better if you're dealing with straight lines or unusual angles. That's why I recommended to Silvam to eliminate the dugouts before applying the follow-me tool - those angles will screw things up. Greater familiarity with the tools will lead to a greater appreciation of their strengths and weaknesses, which is why I recommend the tutorial videos.

[silvam14]

Thanks for the info. I have created the stands and like the results so far (as a beginner)

Now I am trying to only keep the the green color on the field of play. I am having a hard time trying to color in between the wall and the seats around the infield for instance.

[goalieump413]

Looks great! If you want to apply a texture to the stands, just make sure you do the reverse faces trick (darker grey will turn to white).

I love Sketchup. So many cool things you can do. Keep up the great work.

[Tyler87898]

Wow, this is probably way farther than I will ever get. I just can't get started. Seems very confusing but I think I'm going to continue to try to learn. I really like the look of it so far!