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Hi everyone,

I have noticed a few questions/converting requests on these boards for Google Sketchup files into Darkbasic. I helping model some worlds for TGC Heroes and am using exclusively Google Sketchup, yet unlike the regular method of using just Convseo, the models come out as .DBO files that load and appear good and normal. That's not to say there is absolutely no problems with them, but generally speaking, the models behave just like models rendered and exported using Blender or Wings 3D.


Why should I use Google Sketchup?
Simply because it's easy to use, quick, and generally considered to be fun to use. On top of that, it has a very shallow learning curve and is excellent for buildings/game maps. However, it was not created to be used as an organic modeler, so unless you are prepared to invest tons of time learning all about the curve functions be prepared to use it as a modeler for primarily static object. However, it can be used to make cars, may seem a bit random to you, but just take a look at 3D Warehouse, some of the cars created in sketchup are incredible.


Alright, so I made a model in Sketchup, can't I just use TGC's free Convseo plugin to load it?
In the perfect world, yes you could. However, I find Convseo annoying to use plus there are some obvious problems. First of all, the way the models load is terrible. As your player/camera moves through the game, the Convseo objects seem to "slide load" meaning that your model completely disappears as you back away from it. On top of that, in my opinion, Convseo ruins the original look of the textures and Convseo by itself cannot really be used to extract a single .DBO file that you can then offer to team members/ the community/ for sale.


Ok then, so is using Sketchup with Darkbasic Pro possible effectively possible?
Yes! That's what this tutorial is about, keep reading

Right, so first you will need the following applications before you can begin.
-Darkbasic Pro
-Sketchup (note you do not actually need version 5 which Convseo supports as you can save files in version 6 as version 5 files.
-Convseo (can be acquired through the main TGC site, look in plugins or the Convseo board(
-Underdue's Model Extractorhttp://forum.thegamecreators.com/?m=forum_view&t=105941&b=31
-WinRAR (google it if you don't have it)

Ok so now, assuming you have made a model in sketchup, open it up. If you are using sketchup 6, make sure it is saved as a sketchup 5 file. In sketchup go to File>Export>Google Earth. Make sure you choose the Google Earth 4 (very important!) format. Ok, thats all the work you will need to do in sketchup, so close it.

Now, open up the Google Earth 4 file, which is a .kmz with WinRAR. You will find that WinRAR is able to extract the contents of the kmz just like any zip file. SImply unzip it to the directory of your choice.

Still following? Now open up Underdue's source code (the DBPro file) and change the necessary parameters (file location, location for .dbo file, and .dbo file name). The source code is really well commented so it should not be a problem. Then simply launch the source code and voila! You are finished! You will find the .DBO file in the directory you specified and you can view the DBO file in the model viewer that the source code includes.

But wait! When you view the model in the model viewer or load it into any other program that some areas of the texture appear grey or the texture is dull. This is NOT a problem with the file or the loading method, this is simply a lighting issue. Use the following code




That will make the object unaffected by light and make all the textures appear nice and bright. Of course, if you want shadows and light then by all means use the light commands. However, be warned that the default light applied the the .dbo model is terrible!

Now you should have a good idea of how to import sketchup files! If you want further instructions take a look at my tutorial video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYkHAy08fH4 Be warned though! The tutorial recording program refused to record sound and I had no time to do a proper voice over, therefore, use the video only as a rough guide and read the written tutorial first!

Any questions, comments, concerns, or criticism please post!

Data

*bump* 30 views and no comments?

It looks like a very nice tutorial I just don't use sketchup.

Thanks for the comment DB Programmer. although, I would urge you to give sketchup a go, part of the reason I wrote the tutorial is to attempt to have more users interested in trying sketchup.

Looks good, thanks Data. I haven't really used Sketchup that much but I guess I'll give it a try soon now that there's an import path!

I've been in the 3d modeling world for quite a while now, and i don't really see much opportunities with the google sketchup application, although it's just my opinion, and i do encourage everyone else to give it a go, although it's primarily made for beginners as it doesn't meet the requirements of an advanced user.

Good luck with it!



Fair enough, although just out of interest, which requirements does it not meet? Remember it fits the role of a static object modeler only, not organic objects.

Thanks a bunch Data! This information will definitely help me when I'm ready to export Sketchup models into DBPro.

I've been out of pocket the last few days and didn't realize you had crafted this excellent tutorial.

I haven't had time to do more than the simplest things with Sketchup as of yet and so I'm probably a month or so away from using your tutorial, but I'm bookmarking this and saving it to file as well.

Right now I am working my way through an entire Blender tutorial program issued by a Tuft's university professor and I'm only about a third of the way through that. I want to get a decent handle on basic Blender usage before moving on to Sketchup.

Again, thanks for this excellent tutorial!

data do you know if sketchup use's opengl or d3d
my computer doesn't like opengl...

sketchup does use opengl although you have the option of turning the hardware acceleration off which would probably solve your problem. On Windows: Window>Preferences>OpenGL On OS X: Sketchup>Preferences>OpenGL.