renderings

[kevilution]

Hello, severe newb here!

I've seen alot of renderings and 3D designs of arcade cabinets and I was wondering what kind of software to use. I'm designing my own custom racing cabinet (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=74890.0) and I want to get some to-scale measurements before I start cutting. What should I use?

[JimmyU]

Google Sketchup is free.  I've used a little bit and it's pretty good.

[kevilution]

Thanks! For what I'm doing this will work great, plus you can't beat free!

[XyloSesame]

Don't forget about the Sketchup wiki.

Search Google's 3D Warehouse for "arcade" or similar keywords (mine are here), or check out some of the Sketchup threads around the forum (Artifact, for example).

No need for you to reinvent the wheel...

[Tahnok]

I personally use Anim8or for my 3D work (also free):

www.anim8or.com

And my website's front page shows one of my models:

www.tablearcades.com

[chrisindfw]

Id like to put another vote for Google Sketchup. It takes a bit to get used to but its much easier than some of the more high level 3d programs.

I used microsoft viso to make a side view. This helps get angles and such. Then transferred everything into Sketchup. I personally think it is easier to put things in sketchup if you have an idea of the dimensions first.

One thing I would suggest if you have the time is to do a mock up. When I made my first cab, I went to home depot and got some insulation panels. They are 4'x8' panels the same size you would use with wood. But this are made of foam with a coating on the outsides. Super light and only like 2 bucks a sheet.  They cut very easy with a razor blade and you can attach pieces together with normal nails and just push them in. This is a good way to see if the height is right and if the angles are good. This helped me realize that my control panel was too short for me and the tv angle would be off. Keep in mind that this is just a mockup and cant hold any weight but its better than nothing and more realistic than using cardboard.

Hope this helps.

Chris

[Tahnok]

[...]
I used microsoft viso to make a side view. This helps get angles and such. Then transferred everything into Sketchup. I personally think it is easier to put things in sketchup if you have an idea of the dimensions first.
[...]

Oh yes, I forgot to mention Microsoft Visio. I use it for a range of things while designing cabinets, including creating the side panel. Then I export the side panel shape as an image and import that into Anim8or as a texture. I then apply the texture to a simple block, which I can then trace with the path tool. Close and extrude the path and you have a near perfect side panel. I've tried importing the side panel directly as a 3D model, but it never seems to work.