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Sketchup console

Started by nebula1253, May 31, 2016, 02:30 pm

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nebula1253

Okay, so I recently downloaded Sketchup Make, and I thought to myself, "Hey, wouldn't it be cool to make a virtual console in this software?"
So all I've done so far is make the basic outline of the console.
virtual console.PNG
It resembles the Hartnell/Troughton console, doesn't it? But the controls are going to be my own design.

LMC97

May 31, 2016, 03:52 pm #1 Last Edit: May 31, 2016, 03:53 pm by LMC97
Quote from: nebula1253 on May 31, 2016, 02:30 pm
It resembles the Hartnell/Troughton console, doesn't it?

Indeed. It is well made, well done. I look forward to see what you will add to this virtual build. Good luck.
I also noticed that the red axis is showing in your image. If you want to hide it, go to File> Export> 2D Graphic and this feature will hide everything expect your model.  ;)
LMC
Next stop, EVERYWHERE

nebula1253

Jun 01, 2016, 06:35 am #2 Last Edit: Jun 01, 2016, 06:35 am by nebula1253
I did some more work on the console today. I added textures and colours, finished the time rotor (modelled after the T. Baker/early Davison one, because all the others are too complicated for me) and started on the coordinate panel. I also scaled down the console a bit, because it was far too large when compared to the reference model.
virtualconsole.jpg

expendable

Nice work so far. Please remember to give us a close-up look of your controls!

nebula1253

As expendable requested, here is a close-up image of the panel I've started on.
virtualconsole2.jpg

nebula1253

So I put some more detail on that panel...
virtualconsole3.jpg
...and I made a room for the console.
virtualconsole4.jpg

LMC97

Jun 04, 2016, 02:11 pm #6 Last Edit: Jun 04, 2016, 02:12 pm by LMC97
It looks really good. Have you already came up with some plans for the other panels? It is also nice that you have a console room. Do have an idea for what it will look like or are just focusing on the console for now? Well, it looks great and I look forward to see what else you add to this in future.

LMC
Next stop, EVERYWHERE

nebula1253

I'm thinking about restarting this project entirely... There are a lot of structural flaws in the console design...being the inexperienced Sketchup user I was when I started this project... What do I do? Do I go ahead with what I've got? Or do I start over?

LMC97

Jun 16, 2016, 07:04 pm #8 Last Edit: Jun 16, 2016, 07:07 pm by LMC97
I must admit, that is a tough decision. I would suggest see what else you can do with this project. If you really think it's not going anywhere pr that there are too many structural flaws to fix then you may want restart. You could add elements from this current project to the new design if you do decide to start another Also, don't worry about being inexperienced with Sketchup as I'm sure you'll learn many more skills. By looking at the work you've produced so far, they show that you have already learned a lot of skills.

Well, I wish you luck with you decision.

LMC
Next stop, EVERYWHERE

expendable

Jun 17, 2016, 03:15 am #9 Last Edit: Jun 17, 2016, 05:15 am by expendable
For my recent Tardis shell project, I basically created seven complete versions of it. That's the nice thing about sketchup, you can always do it over if you have the time.

What I've done in the past is when I've got it to a certain step, say I've completed the plinth, I'll save the sketchup file as console_1, then rename it as console_2 to do the next part. If I mess up the second bit, I can always open up console_1, save it again as console_2 and overwrite the existing file, then continue from there instead of starting completely over.

It also means when I'm done, in my project folder I'll have console_1.skp, console_2.skp, console_3.skp, and so on - all the steps it took to get there.

You may also want to make every completed section of your build a component, so if you have to delete one, it won't affect the others.
Creating a Basic Component
SketchUp Tutorial - 3 - Groups and Components (video)

I will take the measure tool to draw reference lines to outline the corners of the panel I'm working on, measure up 3 feet, then redraw my panel there. I can then work on it isolated from the rest of the console. I can rotate it flat, work on it that way, then rotate it back to the original marks when I'm done adding the controls and displays. Select everything on the panel and make the whole thing a component, then delete the blank panel on the console below and move this one into place.

Something else that's nice is you can import a sketchup file as a component - so I'd suggest building your room separately, then import your console (and anything else) into it. And as components, you can move them around without interacting with the rest of the build.

nebula1253

Aug 19, 2016, 09:06 am #10 Last Edit: Aug 19, 2016, 06:08 pm by nebula1253
I'VE RESTARTED THIS PROJECT!!!
:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

The new console is a mix of the Brachacki console and the TV movie console, with Brachacki controls (or controls that look like those, anyway. I'm not going to replicate the controls with exacting detail.)
xhj.jpg
I've started on Panel 1, based on Tony Farrell's excellent diagrams.

Also, I'm not doing the Fast Return switch, as I'm not skilled enough to pull it off.

nebula1253

Made some more progress on panel 1.
gfn.jpg

nebula1253

I've finished Panel 1 now. :)
9.jpg


JUSTIFICATION FOR ALL THE CHANGES:
1) There wasn't enough panel space for all the toggle switches and piano key sliders.
2) I don't like the grilles on the original console, so I decided to make them screens instead.

galacticprobe

Aug 22, 2016, 03:49 am #13 Last Edit: Aug 22, 2016, 04:04 am by galacticprobe
Great start, nebula! If you wanted to add a few more controls to this panel, this might be a way of doing it:

9a.jpg
Narrow the housings of the Primary Levers a little (I used the right-hand lever as my reference since it was almost head-on, and it made sure the housing was still wider than the knob), and you can move them and the switch between them closer together without crowding them. Move all three of those controls lower and to the left on the panel. Then move the slider switches and toggle levers over and down to match them. Once you've done that, you could squeeze another slider switch in, and possible three more toggle levers in as well.

Since this will leave some empty space above them, you could keep the indicator lamps the same size, but move them lower on the panel, and a little further apart. Now you've got room to enlarge your two screens for better viewing of the readouts.

Your control panel will still have the same layout, but the controls will have more room around them without the panel looking like it's got empty space on it, and you'll get more toggle levers and larger screens. It's just an idea that hit me while I was looking at the panel, and thinking about you mentioning that you didn't have enough room for more of the toggles. (Possible?)

Dino.
"What's wrong with being childish?! I like being childish." -3rd Doctor, "Terror of the Autons"

nebula1253

Quote from: galacticprobe on Aug 22, 2016, 03:49 am
Great start, nebula!

Thank you so much, galacticprobe! :D
Quote from: galacticprobe on Aug 22, 2016, 03:49 am
If you wanted to add a few more controls to this panel, this might be a way of doing it:

9a.jpg

...(Possible?)

Dino.

Hmm, I'll have to see... Thanks for the suggestion!