Google sketchup - drag & drop arcade objects?

[dmworking247]

I'm currently downloading Sketchup to give it a try for the plans of my next project (when/if my current ones eventually get completed).

I'm wondering if Sketchup can use ready built (drag & drop) models, and whether there are any out there already of common arcade textures or objects like marquee lights, joysticks, buttons, coin doors etc that are true to scale and would save a lot of time.

If I'm completely off the mark, or I've missed this posted elsewhere... my apologies.

[Neverending Project]

Sketchup does let you save and import models. There is even a model warehouse online for people to share their own models (select File -> 3D Warehouse -> Get Models...).

There is a decent amount of pre-built arcade related stuff, but I have a feeling that will grow as more users adopt it for their own projects. If you do a search for arcade, for example, you will see some models of cabinets, components, etc. Searching for mame gives some good results also, including some models made by XyloSesame (joystick, pushbutton, coin door, spinner, trackball).

Also, check out the project announcements here on BYOAC. Artifact has shared his plans, as have other users also. It's a great (free) software package, and with a little practice you can learn to model things surprisingly quick. Good luck.

[u_rebelscum]

Yes.  A couple people here have shared their models.  Here's my models:

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/search?q=urebelscum&btnG=Search&styp=m

Not much, yet.  But for example, I used the caster wheel and leveling foot models at parts of the cab model.  At some point I want to do more, but when I'll get around to it....

[ArtsNFartsNCrafts]

Man, I would LOVE to learn Google Sketchup.


I felt like a caveman with a computer last time I tried to design anything other than a cube with Sketchup.

You pro's should design a tutorial for us knewbs.

[u_rebelscum]

Man, I would LOVE to learn Google Sketchup.


I felt like a caveman with a computer last time I tried to design anything other than a cube with Sketchup.

You pro's should design a tutorial for us knewbs.

I'm not a pro.  I just used the tutorials provided by sketchup, and then played around with it for a little bit.  It's pretty easy.

The only addition I have to what the tutorials say is, for cab designing, make groups or components or each piece of wood as you add them.  This makes it so you can move or change one piece of wood without changing the pieces next to it (that would be automatically attached if not grouped separately).  Oh and the SpaceNavigator really made things a lot quicker (I got the "Personal Edition" for half the price, which looks like it's not sold any more. )

Edit:  Opps, still sold at 3dconnexion.com for $59.

[u_rebelscum]

... whether there are any out there already of common arcade textures or objects like marquee lights, joysticks, buttons, coin doors etc that are true to scale and would save a lot of time.

In case you didn't search for sketchup in these forums, be sure to check out XyloSesame's models.