SketchUp ... "intuitive, current and FUN!"
As well as a Professional Interior & Architectural Photographer, I am also an Interior Design student. As a student in this field, I have been introduced to the many programs and software of Computer Aided Design and modeling programs such as Trimble's SketchUp. I was eager to get to this stage after all the long hours of hand drafting and perspective drawing. I felt that as much as it was important to have the skills by hand, it is equally as important to have the skills in the digital world; to be able to manipulate designs and show prospective clients a vision so true and photo realistic that they won't believe that in fact, it is not a photograph.
Photorealistic image created using SketchUp's Plugin, Podium. © Elly Ball
Although I found the AutoCad programs extremely useful, I did not start to have fun until I worked with SketchUp. SketchUp is a 3D modeling program that is so user friendly you can learn how to draw basic design in 3D within a few hours. I loved how simple and straightforward it was. None of this "long way round everything, just to get somewhere", attitude of other modeling and CAD programs. It is intuitive, current and FUN! I can spend hours enjoying myself while working at the same time.
© Elly Ball
After seeing how brilliantly SketchUp can convey a design and/ or vision, I now plan to learn more advanced techniques and continue my journey into the new and advancing technologies of 3D modeling. Stay tuned ;)