Building in Four Dimensions! - Google SketchUp Workshop: Modeling, Visualizing, and Illustrating - page 111

Once these scenes have been generated, you can manage them in SketchUp's
Scenes palette. Some examples are as follows:
• Thescenescanbeexportedinanydesiredileformat(JPEG,PNG,PDF,
etc.). From the Menu Bar, choose File > Export > 2D Graphic.
• YoucanuseanyscenesgeneratedbyxDVirtualBuilderaskeyframesinan
animation.
• AnimationscanbeexportedbychoosingFile>Export>Animation.
Example 2: xD Virtual Builder Classic
When using xD Virtual Builder Classic, the same basic workflow is followed,
although you have many more options at your disposal. Thanks to the
dynamic linking to existing project management data, managing 4D types
is much more powerful. Furthermore, the visualization capabilities are
enhanced, something which allows a more accurate comparison between the
current and projected situations.
The creation of the base model is identical to that in the preceding project.
However, the creation and management of xD Objects is rather different. In the
Light version, all the data are processed within SketchUp itself. In the Classic
version, these data are processed outside SketchUp, and the quantities are
handled by a relational database, a more complex level of organization, but at
the same time one that offers many more possibilities. Below, we will give you
an idea of these possibilities, but without going into too much technical detail.
The order in which you carry out the actions is not really crucial. In most cases,
we will first input the project management data so that we can then pass
them on to the xD Objects and then add the SketchUp entities. However, you
could just as well do it the other way around.
Stage 1: Starting an xD Virtual Builder Classic Project
Objective : To set up an xD project.
Data : Model to be created using supplied project database. Of course,
the model can also be started by using other external files such as
AutoCAD DWGs.
Tool : xD Virtual Builder Classic.
Thanks to xD Virtual Builder Classic's well-thought-out interface, the database
can be constructed in five key stages. The project can then begin. The organi-
zation at this stage is transparent for the user; there are no complex database
manipulations to be carried out.
Stage 2: Linking to a Project Management Application
(MS Project or Similar)
Objective : To link with data from MS Project.
Data : Basic MS Project file.
Tools : xD Virtual Builder Classic and MS Project.