SketchUp Jack-o-Lantern

Happy almost Halloween! I was just completing the write-up of one of my SketchUp projects of the month, which involves using the Intersect Faces tool to cut a window into a rocket.

You can apply this technique to almost anything. So if I want to make a jack-o-lantern, I can download a pumpkin from the 3D Warehouse (there are many), and create some prismatic objects to represent the eyes, nose, and mouth. It's easier to create these objects in blank space then move them into place. And everything should be exploded first, if needed.


Select everything, right-click on any selected face, and choose Intersect Faces / With Model. This gives you the intersection edges you need to make the cutouts. Then you can trim away all the extra edges and faces. (My cutouts go all the way through, which you might not do with a hand-held knife on a real pumpkin!)



There are already some great Halloween pumpkin models in the 3D Warehouse. These are awesome:




Now, I'd really like to see someone model this one:




Anyone can design anything in 3D! http://www.3dvinci.net/

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What's Coming in Our October Projects?

The projects going out next week come as a result of teacher requests and feedback. So I hope everyone can find something useful in this batch! If you haven't yet subscribed, you can sign up here.


Google Earth Tours

This project shows how to create an annotated, guided tour around some landmarks of Washington, DC, using buildings that are already in Google Earth. No programming is necessary; all you need is the free version of Google Earth.



Rocket Windows

One of last month's projects showed how to create a rocket. This time you'll learn how to add windows to the front and back, using a cylinder and the Intersect Faces tool.




Torus, and Other Round Things

I get asked all the time how to create objects like a torus, cone, or sphere. These are easy, once you get to know the Follow Me tool. In addition to creating a torus (aka, doughnut), you'll see how to create other shapes using a Follow Me path.




There's no reason not to sign up - it's just $36 for the year (3 projects each month for 12 months). You'll never be stuck for ideas again!

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Anyone can design anything in 3D! http://www.3dvinci.net/

Join our FREE Email Mailing List!