3D Construction Modeling [Paperback]

Dennis Fukai (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2004

3D Construction Modeling is a user friendly book that walks you through the construction process for a small house. It is not only practical but the only guide that shows you step-by-step how to build a construction model using SketchUp 4.0. The book and CD-ROM feature a trial version of the modeling software, video tutorials and real-world construction details in ten easy graphic lessons. This unique narrative is designed to introduce novices to key features of construction modeling as well as inform advanced users of the advantages of preconstruction visualization. 3D Construction Modeling uses an innovative, simple comic format to bring busy professionals and students up to speed and enhance productivity in a very short period of time.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A fantastic book! SketchUp users will be thrilled, what a great way to communicate 3D modeling to the construction industry! -- Mark Carvalho, SketchUp Education and Training, @Last Software, Boulder CO, October 2004

One of the first books that uses the design and construction process and 3D modeling and visualization to enhance learning. -- Clark Cory, Associate Professor, Purdue University, Department of Computer Graphics Technology, West Lafayette IN, October 2004

The comic style is simple and enjoyable to read. SketchUp is great for training, preconstruction, and testing design and construction. -- Michael LeFevre, AIA, Holder Construction Company, Atlanta, Georgia, October 2004

From the Publisher

This is a classic book that is now in its 13th printing. The book includes a trial version of the older SketchUp V4 which is a much simpler and basic program than the current version of Google SketchUp - and possibly the last good program from @Last Software. It's closely related to V5 except V4 has black and white icons and V5 has color (and new icon shapes) and the Outliner. The Google SketchUp V6 adds a bunch more stuff like Layout, performances, sketchy edges, warehouse, photo match, etc. All design features that are not necessary for construction models (if that's your interest...). As an introduction to construction modeling we recommend using the trial version of the SketchUp software included with the book until the 8 hour trial period runs out and then switching to the later version of Google SketchUp. The book, therefore, covers the basics of building a piece-based construction model (a BIM) using the tools that you find in all three versions and does not go beyond what is necessary to plan, layout, and build a virtual building.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 123 pages
• Publisher: Insitebuilders (October 2004)
• ISBN-10: 0976274108
• ISBN-13: 978-0976274100
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #175,371 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dennis is a licensed architect and construction manager with more than thirty years experience as a professional construction administrator, researcher, and construction management professor. He is a Fulbright Scholar and earned his PhD in architecture from the University of California, Berkeley.

Dennis Fukai, Architect, PhD
http://insitebuilders.com/CV
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Step-by-Step success learning SketchUp!!, February 28, 2005

By 

James G. Teachey (Winston-Salem, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 3D Construction Modeling (Paperback)

Dr. Fukai:

Thank you for writing your 3-D Construction Modeling textbook. I am new to SketchUp 4.0 and building design. I am attempting to design and build my own metal sculpture studio from scratch. I discovered SketchUp quite by accident. While reading the Winter issue of Tools & Shops by Fine Woodworking Magazine, I came across an article written by John Yurko. In the article Mr. Yurko described his experience using SketchUp to construct woodshop machinery and design the overall look and flow of his shop.

Before I read this article, I was tempted to purchase another brand of off-the-shelf architectural software. Thank goodness I did not.

Last month my wife ordered a copy of SketchUP from @Last Software to use in her first-grade classroom. I began to experiment around with the software myself, but was I rather disappointed in the training tutorials offered by the company. Their video tutorials were useful yet were designed to be more general in nature. I prefer using a "project" textbook written in step-by-step fashion as you have done. I am a metalsmith, and for several years I have dreamed of building a workshop behind our home. My goal has been to use SketchUp to visualize both framing construction and overall visual appearance of the shop before construction. Being able to work out the framing details and obtain an overall "look & feel" of the shop in advance will help me to avoid costly errors once the real construction begins.

It is impossible to express how excited I am to have found your book! It is exactly the textbook I was hoping to find and use. To my surprise I also discovered the book contained a CD-ROM containing 50 interactive video "Shorties" that take the user step-by-step though the entire building sequence. The book's casual, yet highly detailed and sequential approach is what makes it so valuable.

Dr. Fukai, thank you again for creating such a fresh and dynamic approach to learning the SketchUp program.

Sincerely yours,

Jim Teachey
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
www.village-pewter.com/newsite

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Way to Learn SketchUp, July 4, 2006

By 

Michael Lara (Berkeley, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 3D Construction Modeling (Paperback)

I am sure if you are a Google fan you now know that they offer SketchUp for free. Dr. Fukai's book assumed you had a limited amount of time (480 minutes) using the SketchUp 4.0 trial version included with his book. I can say that his book is truly one fantastic way to learn a lot about the details of modeling with SketchUp. Dr. Fukai's interactive "shorties" allows you to go over as often as needed to learn the details of this 3D software. I was having some difficulty part way through the tutorials and emailed Dr. Fukai and received detailed instructions on how to proceed. He is an excellent teacher and his book is highly recommended.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you Mr. Fukai!, February 21, 2005

By 

Spoon - See all my reviews

This review is from: 3D Construction Modeling (Paperback)

This is my first 3D program to learn, and i'm glad i found this book. Good thing about this book is that i don't have to read the book. ^^ Just play the movies and follow his steps.

Has anybody seen author's cell phone number listed on the book? It shows how much he cares about the readers.

I just started step 1 second time to follow exactly what he is teaching us in the book. Without this book i would have never guessed how to apply SketcuUp in the real world.