Introduction

In the IMVU Developer community, one of the most requested new features is some way for beginning artists to make 3D objects for the IMVU catalog. The problem has been that the combination of the cost of most high end 3D applications, and their very steep learning curve, have kept most aspiring 3D developers away… until now!

It has been our goal to find an inexpensive software package that would be easy enough for beginning designers to intuitively start creating 3D models. This we wanted to accomplish while allowing these designers to become familiar with the process used by our more advanced developers to create products IMVU avatars can interact with. 3D applications like 3D Studio Max and Maya are very powerful tools, but take a daunting commitment of time to master. We needed to find an application that was fun to use, easy to learn, and acted as a “leg up” introduction to building 3D models for IMVU.

In 1999 a small software company based in Boulder Colorado introduced a program called SketchUp. Initially created for use by architects as a way to quickly “sketch” their ideas in 3D, the tool has become a favorite of designers all over the world to help pre-visualize everything from theatrical sets to machine parts. The company describes its internal vision for its software best on their website:

We envisioned a software program: * That would allow design professionals to draw the way they want by emulating the feel and freedom of working with pen and paper in a simple and elegant interface. * That would be fun to use and easy to learn. * That would be used by designers to play with their designs in a way that is not possible with traditional design software.

The SketchUp team has created a wonderful tool that allows anyone to start building 3D models quickly and easily, and has gained a lot of attention of late when it was purchased by Google. Although there is a Pro version of their software available ($495.), Google is now offering a FREE version of the SketchUp software, which is available on their website.

Important Note:  The SketchUp to IMVU Exporter allows IMVU developers to convert .KMZ files generated by the Pro Version of SketchUp (to export models into Google Earth). It is also possible to generate .KMZ files within the free version of SketchUp. The license agreement for the free version of Google SketchUp states: “The Software is made available to you for your personal, non-commercial use only.'". We believe that Google SketchUp is a fun and revolutionary 3D editing tool, and the perfect introduction to building 3D models. We also encourage IMVU developers to purchase the Pro version of SketchUp after they have had a chance to play with the free version.

Although the Free version of SketchUp is lacking many of the high end tools available in the Pro version, it does contain just enough to allow simple models to be built, textured, and exported into the IMVU Previewer, and finally into our catalog. This Beta version of the “SketchUp to IMVU Exporter” limits you to only creating Furniture items for the catalog, both static (lamps, tables, etc.) and avatar seats (chairs, sofas, etc.), we hope to offer the ability to create entire Scene models in future versions. (Unfortunately avatar clothing and assets will still need to be built in the more advanced 3D applications). Still, we hope that this Beta package will allow you to get your feet wet in the world of 3D modeling and whet your appetite for more complex projects in your future.

This tutorial is both an introduction to SketchUp as well as an explanation of some of the ins and outs of the IMVU asset creation process. So, go download Google SketchUp and let’s start building!

Getting to Know SketchUp

At this point you should have downloaded the free version of Google SketchUp and started to play around with it. I highly encourage you to check out their extensive video tutorial introduction to both the Free and Pro versions of SketchUp. Each library is filled with very helpful introductions to the tools and their use.

Google SketchUp Video Tutorials
SketchUp Video Tutorials

SketchUp is revolutionary in the way in which it allows you to build 3D shapes. Basically, if you can draw it, then it can become a 3D model. You start by drawing a plan view of your design, then begin pushing and pulling (extruding) the shapes to create your model.

Once you start building your model, SketchUp lets you evolve, modify, and delete throughout the entire process. You can constantly massage your design until it is just right. Unlike nearly every traditional 3D application, which demands that you have a clear idea of what you are planning to build, SketchUp lets your design evolve as you experiment with the shapes and tools.

Don’t be fooled by the simplicity of my example models, your model can be as complex as you like. As you continue to use SketchUp you will find ways to produce just about anything.

One thing to keep in mind is that since SketchUp was originally designed for draftsman, it does a good job of hiding a lot of geometry that would otherwise be visible in another 3D application. This makes the application easy to use, but SketchUp does have a dirty little secret. It tends to automatically hide its connections between vertices (the points where lines converge, or in this case don’t) in very “creative” ways.

A “floating vert” is anywhere a line dead-ends and does not (visibly) connect directly to another line. Whenever possible you want to avoid this happening. If left unconnected, strange and undesirable things tend to happen once your model is exported into IMVU’s Previewer.

Although it might feel like you are adding unnecessary complexity to your model, we recommend that you manually link your floating verts. This will help the Previewer better understand what your model surface is doing, and insure there are fewer surprises once you get it into IMVU.

	Once connected, the verts tell the IMVU Previewer what the surface of your model is actually doing.

Adding Textures in SketchUp

Adding textures to the surface of your model couldn’t be easier, there is however one drawback. The Beta version of the “SketchUp to IMVU Exporter” does not currently recognize texture coordinates. This means that although you can choose which textures will appear on which surface, you do not currently have control over how that texture is “mapped” to that surface. Although SketchUp does give you control over texture placement, that information is not exported with the model. This means that you will have less control over the appearance of the texture on you model.

This example shows the same geometry used to create both tables. The image on the top has been textured in 3D Studio Max, the table on the bottom in SketchUp. It is best to think of texturing in SketchUp as a Paint Bucket tool. This technique is perfect for things like tiled upholstery patterns or wood grain, but less successful with precision mapping needs. We are working on this and promise the next version of the SketchUp to IMVU Exporter will allow texture coordinates to export.

Next: Getting Started with Sketchup