What led me to sketchup modeling?

Thought I'd finally get round to creating my first blog. Hope it's not too tedious......

Work Experience

Way Back in 1997, I was a school-kid spending 2 weeks doing work experience at Hutter Jennings & Titmarsh Architectural Consultency. I was allocated a desktop (WOW for a kid who's only home computer was a Sega Mega-Drive Console) which had 2D AutoCAD. I'm sure I could have been more useful if I'd got my head round zooming, hence my attempt at replicating a supermarket tower-sign looked about right but was badly out-of-scale.
Still, I was vital in.........bringing cups of coffee/tea from the vending machine to the blokes. Yet playing around with CAD taught me a lot.

University Years

In 2001 I started a three year Degree in (BA Hons) Product Design at Sheffield Hallam University. This was when I first encountered 3D modeling. It was Bentley Microstation, dispite the programs' glitches (especially as models created in it get more complex), was amazed at the simple renderings I could personally achieve. This was where I first learnt the basic methods of 3D modeling.

My first ever 3D model. An assignment to design Chess Pieces (in early 2002, I think)

 

 

Beyond Part-Time 2D AutoCAD Course

In 2006, 2 years after I scraped through University with Third Class Honours (ahem!), I thought it would be a good idea to invest in a Part-Time 2D AutoCAD to add to my modest qualifications. I managed to pass that course reasonably enough but couldn't afford AutoCAD for my laptop. I searched for a (hopefully legal) free version of AutoCAD, but after no success, thought I'd try an alternative suggested by Google Search. The suggestion was Sketchup.

Experimenting with Sketchup

'Skewed Box'


When I first booted up Sketchup, it brought back memories of 3D modeling at University. My first impression was, while it did not have the lighting & other rendering capabilities of Micostation, I was amazed that this free program promised the ability to create 3D models in my own home.
My first model was 'the Skewed box', a box I turned into a group then skewed it (Image above).

My next model reflected my fascination with ancient wonders, hence a simple representation of 'the Great Lighthouse' of Alexandria (Image below). Even though it was little more than a Cone atop a Cylinder atop an Oblong atop a Rombus, I must admit I had butterflies in my stomach that I had created such a huge structure in my laptop. I stopped when I discovered 3D Warehouse & found a few much better versions of the tower created by other modelers......

'The Lighthouse'

 

 

 

 

Warehouse to 3D Warehouse

While working in my 'temporary' (in the end 4 year) job as a warehouseman, I overheard a supervisor, & generally good colleague, discussing a presentation about designs for a new layout for the Warehouse. Realising I was in a position to help out he agreed to lend me paper copies of plans so I could use them to create a 3D model of the new layout. I knew it would be challenging but I was curious to see what I could produce.......
In the end I was pleasantly surprised by what I created &, after the plans fell through, he gave consent for me to upload the Warehouse to 3D Warehouse.....

Why Damo?

It's my nickname so, because (at the time) I didn't take myself seriously enough to even put my real name to my 3DW account, I guessed my nickname (Pronounced 'Day-mow') would do & be spelt 'Damo'. I have thought about changing it as I became more competent & prolific in my hobby but I've become accustomed to it. Also, I still try not to take myself too seriously, dispite this self-aggrandizing blog, lol!