Cadsoft Solutions Limited

SketchUp Pro 2013 Available Now

administrator — Tue, 21 May 2013 17:10:41 +0000

We’re pleased to announce that SketchUp Pro 2013 is now shipping. This brand new release is packed with new and improved features developed in line with customer feedback.

New in SketchUp Pro

Introducing Extension Warehouse

What if adding new extensions to SketchUp was as easy as installing an app on your smartphone? In 2013, we’ve made it dead simple to turn SketchUp into exactly what you need it to be. Need a special tool? There’s an excellent chance someone’s already built it. Now you can research, download and install extensions without ever having to leave SketchUp. Every useful extension in one place—that’s the allnew Extension Warehouse.

Video Export

Exporting highquality animations from SketchUp 2013 is easier than ever. Using the default settings yields HD videos at 720p, encoded in any of the three most popular, modern formats: H.264, AVI and WebM. Picture quality is much better, and file sizes are smaller as well.

Smarter Toolbars in Windows

It used to be that the toolbars for all of your delicious plugins would move around your screen between SketchUp sessions. We heard that drove you crazy, so we reengineered our Windows UI to make things a whole lot better. In 2013, you can even drag tool icons between toolbars. Make SketchUp look the way you want it to.

New in LayOut

Pattern Fills

Drawing a sectional view? Now you can fill shapes in LayOut with hatching and other patterns. Choose from a large library of standards—soil, steel, wood, rubber, concrete—or create your own favorites. Patterns can be rotated, scaled or used asis. You can even combine Pattern Fills with solid colors to create an endless number of variations.

Arrowheads

If you’ve ever felt that LayOut’s arrowheads were a little too beefy for your drawings, you’re in luck. We’ve introduced slimmer, sleeker alternatives that look better just about everywhere you use them. While we were at it, we tweaked things so that arrowheads align properly with their line segments—no more curved callouts with broken necks.

Curved Label Leader Lines

Creating a jauntily curved callout line for a label used to be a fivestep, twohanded operation:

Click. Click. Tool switch. Doubleclick. Clickdragwithamodifierkey.

In the latest version of LayOut, curving a label line goes like this:

Clickdrag.

Isn’t progress something?

Dashes in Dimensions

Ask the guy with the 86 foot ceiling if readable dimensions are important. It’s a little thing, but we added dashes to LayOut’s dimension labels to make them easier to read.

Copy Array

You know how SketchUp lets you easily create multiple copies of an object with your keyboard? Those are called arrays, and now LayOut lets you make them, too. Move a copy, type how many copies you want, type the letter ‘x’ and Enter. Presto! Presto! Presto! Presto! Presto! Copying is fun.

Page Numbers in the Pages panel

Another small but incredibly useful tweak: LayOut’s Pages panel now displays page numbers, which makes it easier to print and export portions of your document.

Speedier Vector Rendering

When you need to print a drawing really big, sometimes it’s helpful to vectorrender your SketchUp model views. Doing so makes lines look smooth and reduces wait times for all but the most complex models. In the latest version of LayOut, vector rendering is faster than it’s ever been.

Zoom In More

We increased LayOut’s maximum zoom capability by a factor of ten, from 1000% to 10,000%. At that magnification level, your sofa would be the size of Jupiter. Or thereabouts.

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Shaderlight v2.4 Available Now – 25% Off New Purchases

administrator — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 12:35:11 +0000

Users of Shaderlight can now render faster and more efficiently, thanks to the release of version 2.4 of the leading interactive and intuitive rendering plug-in to SketchUp.

Available to download from today, this latest update to Shaderlight delivers dramatically improved export and rendering performance to users when rendering complex components such as trees from 3D Warehouse or using Replace Me functionality. In tests, Shaderlight 2.4 has reduced memory usage up to 90%.

Shaderlight Cloud Rendering, the first and only SketchUp rendering plug-in to harness the power of cloud computing, also benefits from this latest release with vastly improved export and render times.

Kate Marshall, Marketing Director at ArtVPS said, “We are always looking for ways we can improve the user experience when rendering with Shaderlight. This latest release which has focussed around the way we use instancing has delivered fantastic results particularly when rendering complex SketchUp scenes.”

Shaderlight 2.4 is available for free to existing Shaderlight v2 customers, download now using the following links…

Shaderlight - Mac OS X Shaderlight - Windows

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Shaderlight & Windows 8 (Updated)

administrator — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 15:22:17 +0000

Updated – ArtVPS have released an updated version of Shaderlight to resolve this issue. You can download this latest version using the following links.

Shaderlight - Mac OS X Shaderlight - Windows

Windows 8 has just been released and ArtVPS will soon be releasing a new version of Shaderlight which fully supports it. In the meantime, the current version of Shaderlight will work with the new version of Windows, but the installation requires a couple more steps.

If you have not already done so, you will first need to download and install the Microsoft .NET 2.0 framework from here

Then when you first run the installer you will see the following message:

Click on the “More info” link and then you will see:

Choose “Run anyway” and the installation will proceed as normal.

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SketchUp Basecamp 2012 Pictures

administrator — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 10:10:58 +0000

Here’s a few images from this year’s SketchUp Basecamp.

The post SketchUp Basecamp 2012 Pictures appeared first on Cadsoft Solutions Limited.

SketchUp Basecamp 2012

administrator — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 09:51:08 +0000

Nick from our office will be attending this year’s SketchUp 3D Basecamp. Drop him a line if you’ll be attending too…

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SketchUp Advanced Landscape

administrator — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 21:46:07 +0000

Visualizing and communicating spaces in three dimensions is critical to the success of the design of architectural spaces. The interplay of light, color, space and form make exciting spaces function successfully. Traditional methods for exploring these issues are very labor intensive. Use of computer software has enabled quicker (and sometimes more accurate) study models to be generated and explored.

Successful integration of modeling software within a design-related practice hinges on how well the computer information can be used, not only inside the computer (to other software packages), but also outside the computer to communicate to clients and review agencies. The output from your SketchUp computer models may be rendered in many different ways; from straight computer printouts using Styles, to raster images for retouching with photo editing software, to vector polygon graphics reworked with illustration software, to producing accurate perspective underlays for developing hand renderings.

Landscape Design is a discipline that encompasses many workflows that result in designs ranging from human- scale site fixtures to regional masterplans. While many of these designs can be created from scratch, often AutoCAD files, surveyor data, hand renderings, and existing photography are all incorporated in the design process as well as the end result. Expressing all this information in three dimensions will greatly facilitate communication of the design to others.

To be successful in this course, you should already be able to:
• Demonstrate proficiency with a standard three-button mouse in the Windows environment.
• Demonstrate proficiency navigating within a SketchUp environment.
• Understand “Click-Release-Click” and “Click and Drag” methods when using SketchUp tools. • Be able to create linear and radial arrays within SketchUp using the Move/Copy tool.
• Have a basic understanding and ability to navigate in Google Earth.
You will need a basic 3-button scroll wheel mouse to use SketchUp efficiently.

Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:
• Create custom face-me plant material from image files.
• Reload and Replace components.
• Import and Export your SketchUp model to and from Google Earth.
• Utilize various plug-ins and ruby scripts such as “drop.rb” and “SimplifyContours.rb”.
• Model terrain utilizing functions of the “Sandbox” tools.
• Understand advanced techniques working with large files including the “Hide Rest of Model” feature when editing components.
• Import file types from other software packages including AutoCAD, ArcGIS, and Adobe Photoshop.

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SketchUp Geomodelling

administrator — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 21:34:26 +0000

The SketchUp Geomodelling Training course provides students with a comprehensive overview of the process and benefits of exploring the interoperability of SketchUp and Google Earth, and a deeper look into the Google 3D Warehouse.

This course will help participants understand fundamental principals of SketchUp as a 3D modeling software. Participants will learn how to create 3D objects quickly with basic and intermediate tools, as well as how to control model precision. Participants will learn to use image texturing to depict details of a model to reduce work and file size, as well as altering images in other applications for more efficient texture rendering. Participants will learn the process of tagging geo-referenced information to a 3D model using SketchUp. This course will also provide participants the techniques they need to review and improve their 3D model quality and complexity for better final geomodeling results.

To be successful in this course, you should already be able to:
• Define fundamental geometric terms including: polygon, parallel, perpendicular, axes, and arc.
• Define 3-dimensional drawing terms including: rendering, field of view, and point of view.
• Demonstrate mouse skills including: double-click, single-click, drag, and right-click (context-click).
You will need a basic 3-button scroll wheel mouse to use SketchUp efficiently.

Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:
• Create 2-dimensional (2D) geometry in a 3-dimensional (3D) environment
• Create and manipulate surfaces from lines, circles, polygons, arcs, etc.
• Create and manipulate surfaces in 3D
• View and navigate your model in 3D
• Understand and leverage stickiness in the model
• Maintain coplanar geometry and use/lock inferences
• Use the Push/Pull Tool, and Follow Me Tool
• Generate forms quickly and apply materials
• Create and use Groups and Components
• Understand the difference between a Group and a Component
• Edit Groups and Components
• Utilize photographs in your model
• Manipulate images/textures with Texture Tweaker
• Create materials and use the Materials Browser
• Align building to terrain data
• Upload your model to the Google 3D Warehouse
• Import site information (imagery and topography) from Google Earth
• Position and export models to Google Earth

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SketchUp Advanced Skills

administrator — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 21:19:02 +0000

SketchUp is a powerful tool for communicating 3D design concepts in professional workflows. The advanced topics course is designed for experienced SketchUp users who want to investigate advanced topic areas including working with CAD, creating curved surfaces and employing advanced presentation techniques for SketchUp models. Detailed instruction in the use of Google LayOut for print presentations is provided. SketchUp’s strength is its ability to integrate with other systems. Participants will be given a thorough review of the entire design environment.

To be successful in this course, you should already be able to:
• Define create basic geometric forms, including polygons, arcs and use more advanced features such as the FOLLOWME tool and TEXTURE TWEAKER.
• Use Groups and Components to isolate geometry, know the difference between a group and a component and understand component inferencing behavior and how to edit a component.
• Create materials and use the materials browser and libraries.
• Understand how to apply SketchUp Styles.
• Users should also have basic familiarity with use of LayOut for creating presentations.
You will need a basic 3-button scroll wheel mouse to use SketchUp efficiently.

We recommend that participants in the advanced topics course, have already completed the Essentials One and Two courses and have several weeks of modeling experiencing with SketchUp. We do not recommend that students attempt to complete the course immediately after completion of another SketchUp training class.

Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:
• Import and Export CAD
• Entourage and Share models with 3D Warehouse
• Understand and employ existing Ruby Scripts
• Create and manipulate Curved Forms
• Photomatch from multiple images and integrate a model into a site photograph
• Leverage Advanced Presentation Techniques
• Show off a model in Google Earth
• Understand photorealistic rendering options
• Make compelling presentations with Google LayOut
• Understand the uses of the Section Tool
• Efficiently organize groups, components, and layers to increase model performance

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LayOut 3

administrator — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 17:15:52 +0000

The LayOut 3 course will cover the fundamental principles of LayOut as a 2D drafting and presentation tool. You will learn the necessary basic, intermediate and advanced tools to present your 3D SketchUp models in several different 2D formats. You will also learn to navigate the LayOut 2D environment as well as how to be accurate while drafting within the environment. You will learn the process of importing several file types into a LayOut document and organizing information for presentation on standard sheet sizes set to architectural scales. The LayOut 3 course ultimately provides you with the strategies and techniques you need to effectively and efficiently present your 3D SketchUp models in digital and print formats.

LayOut 3 provides a dynamic link between your 3D models and your 2D presentation. Participants will explore many of the popular features of LayOut by walking through a mock project and creating a 2D document optimized for print and digital presentation.

To be successful in this course, you should already be able to:
• Define fundamental geometric terms including: polygon, parallel, perpendicular, axes, and arc.
• Define 3-dimensional drawing terms including: rendering, field of view, and point of view.
• Demonstrate mouse skills including: double-click, single-click, drag, and right-click (context-click). You will need a basic 3-button scroll wheel mouse to use SketchUp efficiently.

Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:
• Create and manipulate 2D geometry in a 2D drafting environment.
• Import 3D SketchUp models into the 2D LayOut document and set to an architectural scale. • View and navigate a SketchUp model in 3D, and 2D.
• Modify a SketchUp model and update it’s dynamic link within LayOut.
• Utilize a variety of file types to create comprehensive presentations.
• Utilize strategic render settings based on the viewport style; raster, vector, or hybrid.
• Leverage scrapbooks to quickly annotate a document.
• Export a presentation as a slideshow, .pdf, and .dwg/.dxf.

The post LayOut 3 appeared first on Cadsoft Solutions Limited.

SketchUp Essentials II

administrator — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 17:13:11 +0000

Visualising spaces in three dimensions is critical to the success of the design of architectural spaces. The interplay of light, color, space and form make exciting spaces function successfully. Traditional methods for exploring these issues are very labor intensive. Use of computer software has enabled quicker (and sometimes more accurate) study models to be generated and explored.

Successful integration of modeling software within an architectural practice hinges on how well the computer information can be used, not only inside the computer (to other software packages), but also outside the computer to communicate to clients and review agencies. The output from your SketchUp computer models may be rendered in many different ways; from straight computer printouts, to raster images for retouching with photo editing software, to vector polygon graphics reworked with illustration software, to producing accurate perspective underlays for developing hand renderings.

SketchUp enables you to draw using a familiar pencil and paper paradigm in a software context. The Sketchup Essentials Two course provides students with an excellent choice for learning to use SketchUp to build up a three dimensional model from surfaces defined by the edges that are drawn. This course is intended for students with basic experience with SketchUp, and who want to create efficient 3 dimensional models using SketchUp.

To be successful in this course, you should already be able to:
• Define fundamental geometric terms including: polygon, parallel, perpendicular, axes, and arc.
• Define 3-dimensional drawing terms including: rendering, field of view, and point of view.
• Demonstrate mouse skills including: double-click, single-click, drag, and right-click (context-click).
• Demonstrate proficient use of the line (pencil), move, erase, orbit, zoom, and select tools in SketchUp. You will need a basic 3-button scroll wheel mouse to use SketchUp efficiently.

Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:
• Demonstrate stickiness in the model
• Use Groups and Components to isolate geometry
• Know the difference between a group and a component
• Create a component
• Demonstrate component behaviour and how to edit a component
• Create component nesting for efficient modelling
• Demonstrate the effect of scaling on similar components
• Understand the Component browser
• Browse for and download components for Google 3D Warehouse
• Combine components to create a model in Google Earth
• Locate a site in Google Earth
• Import the site to SketchUp
• Insert a component from a file
• Model from a Photograph
• Photomatch
• Texture Tweaker
• Understand the Materials browser
• Use the Follow-me tool
• Swap (reload) components in a model
• Work with SketchUp Styles
• Create a presentation with the LayOut tools

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Cadsoft Solutions Limited

SketchUp Pro 2013 Available Now

SketchUp Pro 2013 Education

SketchUp Pro 2013 Student

SketchUp Pro 2013 Commercial Upgrade

SketchUp Pro 2013 Commercial