SketchUp!

Hello Internet Audience. Today I thought I would share about our use of Google's fabulous 3-D modeling software SketchUp. (like ketchup...) Being the tech-nerds that we are, this sort of software is right up our alley. August and I actually measured the house entirely during the inspection. Most of the SketchUp model was done before closing.. Since then I have used it to try out my various remodelling ideas.

The best thing about SketchUp is that its free. To make a model of your home, all you need to do is take measurements of all major wall/window/door dimensions. Little stuff like cabinets can be added later. Everything starts out as white, but you can "paint" with a variety of built-in surfaces, brick, tile, wood.. One useful tip is that you can easily change the color of any surface.. ex. I changed the brick surface that comes with Sketchup to resemble the more pinkish tone of our fire place. You can also use your own pictures of your own tile or whatever to make it even more accurate. Some other tips:

• Save frequently... does lock up on occasion.
• If you have a split level home, consider making each level in a different file. August insisted that the entire house be all in one file, and now its a real headache to view the lower levels of the home.
• You can import drawing files from a cad program. This is WAY easier than doing the wall layout in SketchUp directly. Once you import, you have to trace over the walls with the SketchUp pencil, but that part's easy...
• You can import other people's models into your own from Google's Online Warehouse. Some of them are really good.. see the range and microwave below...

Here's a shot of our whole-house model.. sans roof...

Here's a view of the inside of the house. Not the way it currently looks of course.. A couple of renovation ideas we are working on are how to economically update the hopelessly 70s kitchen, and how to make our weakling fireplace have more of a presence.

And finally, to demonstrate one last SketchUp feature: a tour of the house starting at the basement up to the kitchen. *WARNING: may make you a little nauseous..* I'm not the best at steering the camera...