Where to Find .SKP Files

Regular SketchUp users probably already have a big archive of .skp files to draw on for projects, but sometimes you need something new and it helps if you can grab one rather than building from scratch. I did some wandering around the web and found some sources for .skp files. Some are free and some cost a bit, but the nice thing is that these sites are reliable — you can bookmark them and come back whenever you’re searching.

3DWarehouse – https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/
No surprise you’re going to find SKP files at 3DWarehouse, but it’s worth mentioning that they have a fun mix of models including architecture, people and products.

SketchUp Texture – http://www.sketchuptexture.com/p/3d-sketchup-model.html
SketchUp Texture has several collections of room and furniture models in the SKP format. I liked a lot of the stuff in the Houses and Villas collection. It also never hurts to have furniture models when you’re figuring out interiors.

TF3DM –
These guys have a little bit of everything. The quality can vary, but it’s worth checking out. I’d definitely check here for military vehicles.

SKPWizard – http://skpwizard.com/freeblocks.php
SKPWizard carries a good selection of office furniture models. They also have some vehicles, construction supplies, and electronics. I’ve visit here before starting on an office interior project.

TurboSquid – http://www.turbosquid.com/Search/3D-Models/free/skp
I’d say their free .skp offerings are mostly related to furniture or home decor, but TurboSquid also has some human and animal models, as well as, some building models. Check them out for starter models to practice on.

GrabCad – https://grabcad.com/library/software/sketchup
I’ve found some gorgeous building models here along with a variety of furniture, mechanical, and other objects. If you’re doing product or industrial design, then make sure you check here for things like gears and motors too.

David Hier – http://www.davidhier.co.uk/freemodels.html
Let’s take a moment to thank David for sharing some of his models for high-end designer furniture. He shares a lot of his stuff on TurboSquid, but make sure to check his site for goodies. His models might be good for a hotel room or lobby project where if you’re going for a contemporary look and feel.

Creative Crash – http://www.creativecrash.com/sketchup/
Creative Crash’s marketplace has a lot of goodies. The quality and prices will vary a lot and some models are a bit pricey, but you’ll find plenty of well done vehicle, electronics, exterior and environmental models to work with.

Nomeradona SketchUp, VRay Resources – http://sketchupvrayresources.blogspot.com/p/free-sketchup-scenes-and-models.html
There is not a lot here, but the few models are well done. I especially like the sofa and padded material models. Hopefully, they’ll keep adding to the site, but I’d pick up the sofa models now to have handy.

SketchUp4Architects – http://www.sketchup4architect.com/sketchup-components.htm
There is a good selection of models here with an emphasis on architectural components (rooms, doors, windows, floors, stairways, etc.). You’ll also find some people, furniture, and vehicles mixed in. This is a good resource for assets to construct rooms or other basic architectural modeling tasks.

SweetHome3D – http://www.sweethome3d.com/importModels.jsp
SweetHome3D offers several collections of models, some with hundreds of files included. In some cases, you’ll be directed away from the site, but I didn’t find anything shady — just more models. Pay attention to the licensing rules.

Modlar – http://www.modlar.com/information/3d-models/
Modlar is the place to get manufacture approved models of appliances, tools, industrial equipment and more. It’s heavy into sinks, faucets and other kitchen and bathroom models, but you also have industrial, furniture and flooring. A good site for anyone doing kitchens and bathrooms, or looking for some well done pieces to refine home models.

TruStile – http://www.trustile.com/design-planning/3d-cad-symbols/sketchup
This is vendor site so you won’t find a variety. That said, TruStile gives you models for about 40 different styles of residential doors. I suggest picking them all up and keeping them as resource for any residential housing project.

Popular Woodworking – http://www.popularwoodworking.com/sketchup-for-woodworking-models
Every model here is for something wooden. Fortunately, you can use wood almost anywhere. A decent selection of models though you’ll see a lot of tables and cabinets. Worth browsing for touches to add to a rustic cabin or home. You might also use the benches for parks or other outdoor settings.

Kolbe – http://www.kolbe-kolbe.com/architectLibrary/index.cfm?pcID=7&pID=169
Another vendor site. This one is focused on Kolbe windows. The models are well made and done to work well with any architectural models. Like with TruStile, I’d grab as many as you can now so you have the for later.

That’s it for now. I’ll keep looking and adding as I discover new sites. Leave a comment if you want to share some of your own models or let us know about some good sites.

Feature image: Asus P6T6 3d model by 3DRegenerator

3D Rendering Animation of San Francisco Mission Bay Arena

I live in San Francisco so I’m probably more psyched about this than most folks. Found the video on the Golden State Warriors YouTube channel. It’s not the most stylish, but it gives us a look at the design of the proposed arena for the Mission Bay area of San Francisco.

The video provides a tour of the arena starting with the exterior, connected parks, and streets where we can see theaters, nearby office buildings, and a great looking concourse connecting the different outdoor spaces. The interior tour ends in the arena where it looks like a Warriors game is about to start.

I won’t say this is the coolest rendering I’ve seen, but it gets the key points across: green space, mixed commercial in the area, and an arena with plenty of seating.

My only real complaints are the crappy music and the people that look like they were taken from a 90’s SIMs game.

Worth watching if you live in the Bay Area and have been following the Mission Bay developments. Also, worth a watch if you’re looking for inspiration for your own architectural rendering video.

San Francisco Venue 3D Rendering Animation

Awesome Architectural Rendering Animation by Studio Aiko

Found this on the CGBros YoutubeChannel. It’s an animation of a Hilton Project in Poland. I don’t know if it’s going to get built, but I’d stay there if it looks anything like this.

Studio Aiko is an Israeli outfit that works across TV, movies and games. This project shows their skills.

CGI 3D Animated Short: HD "Architectural Rendering Project"- by StudioAiko

Notice the light reflecting off the of buildings and the streets. You also have to appreciate the realistic textures of the wet ground and metals like the streetlights. The interior shots of the hardwood, glass in frames, windows, and furniture all speak to an eye for detail.

Where to Find .3dm files

You can build your own .3dm files but it takes time and you may not get the best results. If you’re like us, then you’ve probably got a few spots you check for models, and you’ve also probably bought some sets over the years. But you always end up needing something you don’t have, and having to look around.

I did some snooping through my lists of sites to find ones that offered a good mix of .3dm models. Not all the sites are free or have large selections, but they are all dependable. Take the time to browse through a few of them when working on a project and you should be able to find what you need.

TF3DMhttp://tf3dm.com/3d-models/all/1/3dm
This site has a good selection of models, but they range in quality from high-end to beginner. You can find anything from full buildings to Black Hawk helicopters to a T-Rex. Prices vary a lot, and you need to be careful to check which license is available for each model.

CGTraderhttp://www.cgtrader.com/free-3d-models
A library of free 3dm models, heavy on automotive but you can find some animal, environment and product models if you look around for a bit.

GrabCadhttps://grabcad.com/library/software/rhino?per_page=20&query=3dm
Not a very large selection, but there are some nice ones here & the site has good search functionality.

AD-3D http://ad-3d.com/free-rhino-3d-nurbs-models/
This is a free collection — available for both personal and commercial use (but not reselling) — from Aleksandar Dimitrov. Mostly furniture models, but some exteriors like fields thrown in.

FlexiCadhttps://www.flexicad.com/download.php?lang=de&misc=1300
Honestly, it’s only 4 models here but its worth going to pick up the Audi TT model.

Aversishttp://www.aversis.be/3dmodels/
Not many here, but they are all decent quality. Click the links labeled “Rhino” to get the .3dm files.

Turbosquidhttp://www.turbosquid.com/
You’ve probably come across this site before. Big selection of models. You can search subject and then filter to get models compatible with Rhino. Pretty much everything here is high-quality, but you’re going to pay for it: prices range from US $5 – $500. Fortunately, you can filter by price. If you need a model for work, then this is a good place to look, but not sure its the right place for a student.

Craftsmansspacehttp://www.craftsmanspace.com/free-3d-models
If you’re looking for free geometries and pattern 3dm files, then I’d check here. Nothing to fancy is available, but you can use these models for things like fencing, icons, wall art without too many problems.

Yobi3D – https://www.yobi3d.com/
It finds 3D models on the Internet with simple keyword search. The models can be previewed in 3D right on your browser.

This list is a work in progress. If you’d like to have your model site, set or file added, then leave a comment.

Ancient Architecture: Plaosan Complex

Plaosan Complex (Candi Plaosan) is a 9th-century Buddhist temple complex covering roughly 2,000 square meters. It’s located in Indonesia. The complex contains 300+ structures and is anchored by 2 temples, Plaosan Lor & Plaosan Kidul.

Here are some images:

Plaosan complex

The defining architectural characteristics are the complex stone work and carvings. You also have to appreciate the giant statues and paving.

Here’s a look at some of the carvings and bas relief artwork:
relief at Candi Plaosan

Why Are We Looking At This?

A lot of modern architecture is driven by European ideas and also built with very commercial interests in mind (office buildings, hotels). But history is filled with structures built to celebrate gods, kings, ceremonies and cultures. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that many of these structures are still standing and admired.

Taking a look at some structures from Asia, the Middle East, South America, and elsewhere gives us a chance to wash away our preconceptions about what architecture can be. Whether you are designing homes or video game dungeons, it’s worth it to have an open mind.

Time Waits for No Man: Time Lapse Construction Videos

It’s impressive to watch things get built from the ground up and also inspirational to see just how much can be accomplished when you put your mind to it.

Here are some videos from YouTube of new buildings and homes being constructed. The videos feature some very cool construction projects ranging from dams to igloos.

Take some time to watch the videos and think about how much effort you put into your work.

NewArk Hotel construction timelapse: 15 storeys in 48 hours.

Portable home delivered as furniture, tailored as smartphone

30-Story Building Built In 15 Days (Time Lapse)

Official San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge Construction Time-Lapse

Earthbag Timelapse

Time Lapse - Construction of Gigantic Igloo

Official Cotter Dam Time Lapse

Maybe you’ve got a big project coming up. Thinking about creating your own timelapse and share it with us in the FluidRay RT forums.

Heterogeneous media and atmospheric scattering

Yet more volumetrics

Another test. The clouds are made by the same OpenVDB heterogeneous grid instanced multiple times at different scales and rotations. The air is an homogeneous medium with atmospheric scattering. The trees and grass are instances as well.


New architectural rendering

We just added a new architectural rendering to the gallery. Click on the image to view the full resolution image.


Real time architectural rendering of a modern house

Unbiased Volumetrics

We just finished implementing full unbiased volumetrics with multiple scattering in the PathTraceIntegrator.
Here is a image rendered using the metropolis sampler. Please note the halo around the lights and the god-rays coming through the plant on the left. As usual you can tweak all the properties of participating media in real-time.
Volumetrics will be available starting from release 0.9.9.

Unbiased Volumetrics in Fluidray RT