Google SketchUp is a free 3D modeling program aimed at modern-day construction projects — adding an extension to your house, for example. But that’s not all it can do.
I downloaded SketchUp and played around with it for a bit, and it’s got some surprisingly robust tools built right in — like the ability to draw a 2D shape and then stretch it in any direction to create a 3D object, as well as view your creations from any angle (useful for tactical maps).
With a bit of time invested in it, creating simple structures looks like it would be pretty straightforward, from modern buildings to sci-fi ships, medieval castles and open areas like jousting fields or combat zones.
Graphics programs aren’t my forte (to say the least), but I can see some good potential in it for GMs. Update: And based on the comments so far, there’s a lot you can do with SketchUp for your game!
If you give SketchUp a shot, or if you’ve already tried it, tell us in the comments!
Let me update that a little. I just checked out sketchup and it has improved immensely since I last played around with it. It is still time intensive, but dang it looks much more realistic than when I started.
Now I may have to go play around with it.
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…if I download that, my family might not see me for DAYS.
SketchUp is a great little program, and, of course, it’s free. The best part of SketchUp, for me at least, was looking at some of the amazing models other people have already built and made freely available. With just a little work one could assemble a pretty nice collection of 3D models for structures to use in your RPG games (if you run a modern-day campaign you need not even work for it, just browse the already available models).
I linkified the URLs in the comments so far, just to make them easier to read/visit.
And holy crap there’s a lot you can do with SketchUp! The 3D Warehouse looks quite handy, and Ilwan, your temple rocks — I love the sketchy, campaign-ready version.
Holy moley that’s going to be useful!
(Well, as soon as I own a computer at home that will run it, that is…)
Starship models with interiors, here I come!
Ho.
Lee.
CRAP.
SketchUp? Meet some Traveller deckplans. You guys are going to be bunking together for a while.
Oh, and the Keep on the Borderlands, too.
very nice, indeed. i wonder if there’s some way to get some XML import going…
No pressure, but I’d love to see some starships (interiors and exteriors) — if you knock any together, I hope you’ll link to them here!