you mean Sketchup Catherine

Sketchfab is a 3D model market (very recently bought by Epic games)

you mean Sketchup Catherine

Sketchfab is a 3D model market (very recently bought by Epic games)

Sketchfab [sorry, meant Sketchup] is great for making buildings to put on Google Earth. Pleeeezzzze do not use that for making models in D/S.

Blender is a fantastic modeler for many people, it can do a lot of things and has a lot of community support, some free plugins, some for purchase. It's free. A place to start and learn if indeed you like modeling. Modeling involves also learning how to make uv maps. So some parts of the workflow are more fun than others.

Hexagon is also free but really limited ... depends entirely what you want to do. I use Hexagon quite a bit. But not for massive morphing or major big models. If you want to raise a wall, make a floor, make a ball for K4 to hold, things like that, it fast and easy.

D/S prefers quads. No n-gons. {it will 'fix' those, sound of clearing throat}

I think of Daz Studio as a "stage" - a staging program - upon the stage one places the actors, props, etc. and renders out the images. While one can make a few simple things inside D/S using the Create a primitive options - depending upon what one is doing, better results are often had by making those in a modeler. Why is because one can make the uvmap differently, add or remove tessellation lines, etc.

Several of the major modeling programs provide a 30-day free trial. 3DCoat 2021 has one which becomes a limited working edition indefinitely until one buys the license. If one is wanting to paint the 3D models there is the full program - or there is now also a part program which has just the texturing tools, 3DCoat Textura. {and it is fantastic IMHO}.

I have noticed that many people making character morphs and skins are using ZBrush. I have seen published over on YouTube of some of the available plugins for Zbrush and wow! Does "hair" too as I recall.

Try out the different programs and see which ones work for you. Takes awhile to learn any of them, but if you can't stand the interface, move to another one.

Headwax said:

wow Stezza that bridge is amazing. I started modelling it a while ago for a phantom render and ended up downloading a file for sketchup I think.

Love your wacky modelling. Carrara is lucky to have you.

Thanks @Headwax

the harbour bridge CAR file is over 215MB in size.... all the detail I put into it .. 

I'll see if I can get it up on ShareCG 

wow Stezza that bridge is amazing. I started modelling it a while ago for a phantom render and ended up downloading a file for sketchup I think.

Love your wacky modelling. Carrara is lucky to have you.

Thanks.. Most of my models were puchased  before I retired, and had fun money, but not the time to work with render them..  none of them came with textures, and in some cases have to be edited to break them up for texturing. (usually the wheel and tire are one mesh, no proper mapping)  Some are freebies, as well, but those are few and far between.  One of the UK computer graphcs mags back in the day (now defunct) regularly had  good models on their bonus CD's, which I archived.  Getting models of newer cars can be expensive.  Some are Sketchup models, but those  can take quite a bit of re-working to get a useable model. A lot of my wheels/tires caome from the 3D Classics bundle from rendo.  I have a few "generic" interior models that I can swap into models that either have a low-poly or no interior.. Careful camera angles and different textures hide that well..

 Oddly enough, there weren't a lot of Nortons around where I  was.. I can't remember seeing or knowing anyone who ran a Norton, lots of Triumphs and BSA's..  biggest Britbike I can remember seeing was a Royal Enfield Interceptor. Biggest I had was a Royal Enfield Super Meteor.

And there don't seem to be a lot of good (ie non Sketchup) Norton models out there

On airborne, I got air in town once - Yamaha 350 Street Scramber  (YR2-C)l. heading North  uphiil on  University Ave in Montreal - late for classes, so was gunning it..  where it crosses Sherebrook St., it levels out hard.. yeah - got air through the intersection...

Robert Freise said:

Got to ride an 850 Commando back in the '70s and found out it was easy to get airborne coming off the top of a hill.

Where I was living there was a railroad track by the Sonic drive-in and the road dropped off immediately on one side, I didn't think about it and came flying down the road and yep you guessed it I was airborne before I knew it sailed about 80 or 90 feet before I came down by the bowling alley 

read the terms and conditions, you certainly can build models using it as a guide that is how the Sketchup models are made, also OpenStreetMap has numerous plugins built using their data that create blocks matching building sizes in various software including Blender and Twinmotion which I use placing matching trees as well as the roads and water bodies.

There is also a standalone that exports ob

j http://osm2world.org/

and

https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/OSM2World

modeller said:

I work since 2 years with pCon Planner and use it together with Sketchup 8 to 2017 and can confirm it works like a charm!

 Wow. It sure does work like a charm. I just tested it on a Sketchup file of a hot rod sedan that was giving me fits. Brought it into pCon Planner and exported as an OBJ. Opened fine in Blender and in DAZ. 3D Coat had issues with the OBJ but I suspect that is because 3DC prefers some thinkness to the models.

Quick render of the converted model in DAZ with Iray.

Many thanks modeller for the tip on pCon Planner.

FSMCDesigns said:

oconnordavid16 said:

 

Ah I see, what would be the easiest way to UVmap it?  

there is no 'easy' way, just depends on the software and your learning level. blender can do it, along with hexagon (both free), pretty much any modeling app. I used ultimate unwrap 3D to do a quick box map on that sketchup model, then added some iray shaders and slapped on a logo. It's far from perfect, but it gives you an idea

google UVMapping and you should have plenty of options

 

tried to follow this guide https://all3dp.com/2/blender-uv-mapping-simply-explained/ ;

this is the result 

kenmo said:

Sorry but you did not insult me when you questioned my modeling abilities. I was just perplexed why you would ask such a question.

The demo version of Ultimate UV Unwrap does not appear to support the importing of SKP files. Here is the error I get when attempting to open a Sketchup model.

And the price of $60.00 USA is too high to test if the program would work for me. And I really do not want or need another uvmapping tool. 3D Coat works perfectly for me. Also it looks way too complicated for what is a very simple process in 3DC.

Cheers & many thanks

Kenmo

The reason I made the statement about not knowing your modeling abilities is... I didn't... that and over the years I've been here, many people have asked similar questions and I've tried my best to provide a clear answer, but eventually I see they are not familiar at all with modeling or certain terms.
Many times people who ask this question are not modelers at all... They just want to get a 3D Warehouse over to DAZ Studio and they don't want to do anything remotely complicated, basically they just want to know where the "fix everything" button is, which is fine...
But also, maybe the person really needs/wants a particular model (someone asked about fixing a semi-nice roller coaster model once, that wasn't remotely available anywhere else) and they may not be at all familiar with SketchUp and establishing what they know is good... I'm fine with explaining as much as I can, but if the person is only moderately interested in this and already knows plenty about modeling, I don't have to explain too much... 

Also your original question stated "I am thinking mostly about car models as there seems to be more car models available for Sketchup then any other file version. And why more Sketchup car models than DAZ has available."... that implies you are looking to convert some pre-existing models found somewhere... so I just assumed you were referring to converting 3D Warehouse models for use in DAZ and if that were the case, you might not be some who models... since I don't recognize everyone's avatar and am not aware of all posts every individual makes, and DAZ forum software has only the most basic information available under our User Profiles all I know about you is I think I've seen your avatar before, you've been a member since 2005, you've made 790+ posts, you are a Platinum club member and maybe you are a mammal of some sort (I'm a cephalopod, but nobody knows this because because DAZ's lousy forum software doesn't even allow us to have a decent user profile like most modern forums)...(that was directed at DAZ, not you)... 

The majority of people who've asked that sort of question require more details because they usually are only familiar with DS.

If you were familiar only with DS, me saying "welded" over and over might not make any sense... and not all modeling programs call it "welding", unless I'm mistaken, the function is called call "Join" in Blender... I chose "weld" because its common enough term (Hexagon uses that term), but again, if the person I'm talking to is not a modeler and since DAZ store models generally don't come unwelded... (or do they now? Lately stuff has been getting weird here)... So they might need that clarified which is why I said "Since I don't know how much you know about modeling and meshes, it occurred to me that I keep saying stuff about "welding vertices" and I don't think I explained that..." That's more about me using terminology someone who is not a modeler might not immediately understand without having to look up... I hate when people explain something to me strictly using unnecessary terminology or acronyms...

In the past I've had to look stuff up only to eventually figure out the person misused a term or got the acronym wrong... or they failed to mention an option is buried within a menu, nested inside two other menus... Jebuzz Christopherson, would it really have killed them to add a few more words instead of making the person go nuts looking for the thing? I don't like making people do the legwork figuring out what the heck I mean... unless I'm trying to insert a hidden meaning into something and I don't want the mods to delete it because I directly stated that (mostly the last four years)... (Mods: Please ignore that, I'd never actually do that as I'm a very good boy/cephalopod and would never do anything as deceptive as that)...(really)...

As far as what you mentioned above... "The demo version of Ultimate UV Unwrap does not appear to support the importing of SKP files. Here is the error I get when attempting to open a Sketchup model." ... The way to import a model into UU3D is by clicking "Open" ... that's profoundly stupid, but a lot of programs (Silo for one) work that way too... maybe that's why that didn't work if you tried using "import".
(The next bit of information is not directed to Kenmo, but anyone else reading this who might be curious about about how to import into UU3D). 
(Kenmo IGNORE THIS!!  DO NOT READ THIS PART!!)
You Open the model and then import it by locating it when prompted and then choosing either "all supported files" or "SketchUp 2020"... (it does all earlier SketchUp versions, I have no idea why the author chose to imply it's only 2020). 
You are then given another dialogue box with the option to weld vertices upon import... I choose that... when using UU3D to import a SKP, it's actually not necessary to triangulate the model in SketchUp, because UU3D does that automatically... since I try to model correctly using quads wherever possible, I will use UU3D's "Untriangulate" to reduce unnecessarily triangulated polygons that occurred on import. 
To export it you choose "save as" and then choose OBJ or whatever format you want to save the model as. 
(Kenmo- you can go back to reading this now)

Anyway, like I mentioned previously, I wasn't randomly questioning your modeling skills, I just wanted to clarify the terminology I was using and I now know you are a very capable model maker and will forever associate your avatar with your modeling skills, and hopefully will not forget that and will make it a point to never mention UU3D or anything like it to you again... maybe I'll get a tattoo or something... like the "left" and "right" tattoos on my feet... which the tattoo guy inverted because he didn't get the concept of my "right" is his "left"... 

That was me making a joke... but I will remember your avatar and if I ever comment on a question you ask, I'll keep my reply simple and professional (for a cephalopod like me) and assume you already have more knowledge about modeling than me... (I'm a cephalopod after all).

Also... don't change your avatar because I know I will definitely forget your user name because as a cephalopod, I'm strictly a visually learner, and if you do change your avatar, I'll just do this all over again.

Cheers.

kenmo said:

Sorry but you did not insult me when you questioned my modeling abilities. I was just perplexed why you would ask such a question.

The demo version of Ultimate UV Unwrap does not appear to support the importing of SKP files. Here is the error I get when attempting to open a Sketchup model.

And the price of $60.00 USA is too high to test if the program would work for me. And I really do not want or need another uvmapping tool. 3D Coat works perfectly for me. Also it looks way too complicated for what is a very simple process in 3DC.

Cheers & many thanks

Kenmo

Looks like I need to look at 3dcoat again. UUW3D has a TON of plugins for many formats, with .SKP being one of them, even one for Daz Studio. I have the full version, so they may only work with that version and not the demo.

Here is a list of them all https://www.unwrap3d.com/u3d/formats.aspx

Sorry but you did not insult me when you questioned my modeling abilities. I was just perplexed why you would ask such a question.

The demo version of Ultimate UV Unwrap does not appear to support the importing of SKP files. Here is the error I get when attempting to open a Sketchup model.

And the price of $60.00 USA is too high to test if the program would work for me. And I really do not want or need another uvmapping tool. 3D Coat works perfectly for me. Also it looks way too complicated for what is a very simple process in 3DC.

Cheers & many thanks

Kenmo

Khai-J-Bach said:

FSMCDesigns said:

Sketchup models are pretty inefficient and will usually need work, it's due to how the modeler works and the workflow. Users with previous modeling skills will do better creating in sketchup, but in general you will need to do modifications for best results in other apps like DS.

as with ALL modeling apps, you model like garbage, you get, garbage exported. thats the key word. Exported.

 

most of the models in the warehouse were never made for Export. so of course you'll get issues.

 

I model in Sketchup, and export with no issues. but you know why? I model for export

please. everyone take into account... the warehouse was never meant for a source of export models!

you said:   please. everyone take into account... the warehouse was never meant for a source of export models!

I think yes, you're right, the warehouse was never meant to export models and modify them for a game etc. but as background models for a movie or pictures, some Warehouse models are pretty useful sometimes or in the case of pconPlanner you could use the models to equip your flat, because pConPlanner is primarily meant for interior design and architectural needs as far as I know.

FSMCDesigns said:

Sketchup models are pretty inefficient and will usually need work, it's due to how the modeler works and the workflow. Users with previous modeling skills will do better creating in sketchup, but in general you will need to do modifications for best results in other apps like DS.

as with ALL modeling apps, you model like garbage, you get, garbage exported. thats the key word. Exported.

most of the models in the warehouse were never made for Export. so of course you'll get issues.

I model in Sketchup, and export with no issues. but you know why? I model for export

please. everyone take into account... the warehouse was never meant for a source of export models!

FSMCDesigns said:

Nice, thanks for that

2 more very quick renders directly imported from Sketchup or Warehouse as skp file (nothing special) in order that you get a feeling for the render engine, it's not comparable with iray and only for illustration purposes

FSMCDesigns said:

modeller said:

I work since 2 years with pCon Planner and use it together with Sketchup 8 to 2017 and can confirm it works like a charm!

Cool, before I install it, how does it render?

Attached is an imported lightspot from Sketchup as an example

modeller said:

I work since 2 years with pCon Planner and use it together with Sketchup 8 to 2017 and can confirm it works like a charm!

Cool, before I install it, how does it render?

I work since 2 years with pCon Planner and use it together with Sketchup 8 to 2017 and can confirm it works like a charm!

FSMCDesigns said:

A fellow forum user pointed me to this free software that can import and export sketchup models https://pcon-planner.com/en/ ; looks like it has some other cool options also

Thats pretty interesting, I've never heard of this one before. I'll keep that in mind.