Google Geek - Staying Organizied

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My name is Ron Hall.

I live at the Funny Farm.

Spent yesterday afternoon cleaning out the barn, getting organized. Amazing how much better that makes me feel. Same thing is true about the studying I have been doing in/with SketchUp.

When I was at the Super Modelers conference I was struck by how fast some of the guys could model. It was not just hand eye coordination, it was how they went about the process - how they were organized.  They had a better understanding of the various ways SketchUP helps you in the modeling process, and how to employ them. If I was going to take my skill set to the next level I needed to rethink my approach. Have had to cross that bridge a few times before, but have learned that it is worth the trip.

Luckily Google gave me a great tool at the conference - "SketchUp for Dummies" - great resource. Am well into it - learning about section planes (great), the nuances of components/groups, and using Outliner to get organizied.

Feels good

But just like I only "started" organizing the barn yesterday, the job is never done - you are just trying to develope good habits. Amazing how much harder it is to develop a good habit that a bad one. However, long term outcome is where it is at - so good habits have the decided edge.

Back to work. Make it a good day.

SketchUp - Continuing Education for the Google Geek

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My name is Ron Hall.

I live at the Funny Farm.

Up to my eye balls in SketchUp and really enjoying myself. Couple of fronts I am pushing forward. I am trying to write up a grant for the use of SketchUp and Google Earth to aid in historic preservation. Second is I am expanding my knowledge/experience with Sandbox tools, Ruby scripts, animations, and components. Part of this process is being aided by my Google Group of Super Modelers (thanks guys). Part is from reading "SketchUp for Dummies" (Thanks Aidan). Part is from online user forums/sites run by world wide SketchUp community.

Want to improve my work flow/cut down modeling time. Also looking for new ways to use the models in communication process. Lots of changes to SketchUp since it first came out (new edition released yesterday). Now you can use Streetview to get images for textures.

Lots of work to do. Sorry if you do not find this as interesting as I do but....

Make it a good day.

Google Geek Rides Again

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My name is Ron Hall.
I live at the Funny Farm.


Had a fun day as the Google Geek yesterday. Got my Ruby scripts going in SketchUp. Took a bit to figure out documentation from forum (also had some problems registering). Turns out major deal is to "unzip" files correctly, and place in proper "directory".

Then had an afternoon meeting with a couple individuals from History Link - an online resource on Washington State history. Demoed some of the capabilities of Google Earth and SketchUp. They are looking to do more with their content along the lines of curriculum development for local schools and universities. Something Jeff Jarvis talks about in his book. Both people were very computer/internet aware.

Discussed the possiblity of going after a federal grant - in area of historic preservation technology. Idea would be to use SketchUp/Google Earth to develop a pilot program that models a local Washington historic district. Models would be posted to 3D Warehouse with appropriate logo links. Would also do a custom piece of kml content in Google Earth Gallery for educational purposes. They could be used for a wide variety of purposes - planning. tourism, education.

Got to go. Make it a good day.

SketchUp - "Ruby" Tuesday

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My name is Ron Hall.
I live at the Funny Farm.

Started this post yesterday but got sidetracked - by SketchUp.

Am working on a model to help someone visualize the construction of an earthen home - very green, very cool. The house is modeled, now I just need to modefy the terrain it sits in by adding a driveway. In SketchUp you use a tool called "Sandbox" for doing this.

Because the driveway is on a side slope and has maximum grade requirements - it is not your ordinary task to perform with Sandbox. So I reached out to my Google Group for help. Got a numbr of suggestions right away.

Turns out there is a website - sketchucation - that has a number of ruby scripts/extensions that might help. Ruby (which is new to me)is a programming language that one can use to write scripts or plugins for  SketchUp. They have to be installed (will be another new thing for me).However, they can add tools/capabilities, expedite repetitive operations - in short, make life easier with SketchUp.

Once you find them and get them installed.

Wish me luck. Make it a good day.