Create an empty room

[darkemeralds]

I've just discovered Sketchup.

It's 3D modeling software, available on terms that ought to raise more of a red flag than it did: "Free From Google."

But I decided what the hey. This software is really pretty cool. And free. So what if Google can somehow use a plan of my house in its nefarious bid to take over the world?

It took me a few hours to get the hang of Sketchup, and then I started building.





A couple of things leap out at me from this view of my domestic world. One: it's really very small. And two: if I could just empty it all the way out in reality the way it is in that picture, I could...I don't know what. But it has a wonderful clean-slate feeling that I'm really craving.

This software is addictive! I just created a pyramid with a garage door in it. I'm sure Google can make something of that.

Comments

[str8ontilmornin.livejournal.com]

That's preety!

[emeraldsedai.livejournal.com]

So, so addictive and fun.

[roseambr.livejournal.com]

Cool! That really is your house, right down to the correct dimensions I think. It is interesting to imagine clearing everything out of a house, even the cabinets. It would be like moving out completely and then moving back in only the things you really, really want and need. Although, in a lot of ways that's what is happening with your Project Empty. Just on a smaller, more doable scale. Looks like you are having a great time imagining the possibilities though. Enjoy!

[emeraldsedai.livejournal.com]

I'm not ruling out the more extreme scenario, to be honest. Helen's a professional deconstructionist now--she tells me it would be a day's work for her and one guy from her crew to take out the dividing wall, the floors, and all the cabinets.

Heh. Of course, it would be the work of months and many thousands of dollars to get it all working again...

[silent-sensei.livejournal.com]

That's pretty cool! :)

[emeraldsedai.livejournal.com]

It really is! Huge time-sink, though. Where has my afternoon gone?

[toddalcott.livejournal.com]

omg! Thank you for telling me about this program, I've been looking for something like this for years.

[emeraldsedai.livejournal.com]

Me too!

Be warned: it's an addictive time sink with many of the same cortical stimulants as video games. But I'm awed by the features and power, and what seems to me the sheer originality of its approach to modeling. I've used AutoCAD and a slew of lesser vector-based design programs, as well as drawing software in the Illustrator category, and Sketchup is an order of magnitude more intuitive than any of them, and "artier," if you will, than most engineering-oriented programs.

It also seems to make efficient use of my computer's less-than-stellar graphics capabilities. It has a fleet, compact, Euro-Japanese feel in that regard.

Have fun!

[vampirefan.livejournal.com]

this is awesome. google is really slowly and stealthily adding more and more aps that are fantastically user friendly, imho. i do know that there are concerns about google sharing a bit too much info between aps, but i love them.

gmail, google docs, google calendar, blogger, maps and i think i'll be checking out picasa (which is like flickr) soon...

[emeraldsedai.livejournal.com]

You forgot YouTube!

I haven't even really heard of calendar and docs. Oh no. Google is becoming Microsoft! Might as well just give in and go for it, huh?

[vampirefan.livejournal.com]

google docs are awesome! that's where we kept the spreadsheet to keep track of our "can't stop the serenity" orders and our accounting.

i created the sheet, then shared it privately with my co-coordinator and she made changes whenever she needed to.

when you sign up, let me know if you you feel like experimenting with the whole sharing feature and we can play around a bit.

the calendar can also be shared similarly. you can just share the info, allow others to edit info, etc.

[emeraldsedai.livejournal.com]

It's strange--my boss has recently asked me to examine and play around with Microsoft Sharepoint, which sounds a lot like this.

I'll take a closer look when I get home from work this evening. I think I already have a Google account of some sort...

Anyway, thanks for the tip. I can imagine all sorts of uses for document sharing, and I'd love to goof around with it a bit!