Virtual Sundials and Google SketchUp

[Phil Walker]

Google has acquired the 3d modelling program, SketchUp, and it is now available free, to download at http://sketchup.google.com/download.html   I have recently started to use Sketchup myself and I think you other diallists might like to try it out.   SketchUp is a general modelling program and easy to use, by comparison with many CAD and modelling programs, but with particular advantages for diallists:   you can use SketchUp to delineate the dialplates or you can import 2d plane dial designs, such as Shadows produces, into Sketchup 3d models you can add features from around your dial  like buildings, landscape etc, you specify the latitude and longitude of the model's location, the day and time, the orientation of the dial, and the shadows of the gnomon are displayed automatically you can produce jpeg images (see attachments), avi movies and send model files to anyone who has SketchUp    I'm sure that there are other programs which are better, on rendering etc. but  not for free?   Best wishes, Phil Walker Newport, Shropshire, UK 52deg. 46min. N  2deg.  22min. W   "SOL NOS   ALIOS VMBRA"   Virtual SundiaVirtualV

<<attachment: cordt-sundial-0800.jpg>>

---------------------------------------------------
https://lists.uni-koeln.de/mailman/listinfo/sundial