Hello, i was wondering if you can import 3d models from google sketchup into Unity. Also, what is the best 3d modeler that can import into unity?
well, i dont really know that much about google sketchup, but if you really want a good modeling program, i would use a program called blender3d. The learning curve might be pretty hard at first, but it is one of the best FREE programs to use. Also, Unity encorporated blender into there base. So, it is at the moment, the easiest program to import into Unity!
link: www.blender.org
actually, i was uusing that previously for game development, but stopped using it after getting an extremely low framerate. doesnt the amount of faces on the object lower the frame rate, and if it does, then i would say that google sketchup would be the best.
If you ended up with a model that was too complicated to display at a decent framerate, that’s down to the person doing the modelling and not the modelling program.
actually, the program just isnt suitable for gamemaking, not like unity. it gets low framerate with the simplest of objects. in fact, i have gotten a framerate of 15 with just 4 animated cubes. blender shouldnt be used for making games, rather for making models to import into another program.
Right, don’t make games in Blender (with the Blender game engine). Make the models in it, and import them into Unity. I’ve been doing it for years now.
EDIT: Also, yes, more polys usually = poorer performance; but in that case try popping open a Google Sketchup model in a real modeling program like Blender and take a look. It can generate tons of polys for a simple face, and it’s especially bad when you draw a circle onto an object for extruding.
Blender or other subdivision modeling programs are the way to go for games, rather than CAD-type applications.
Agreed. The meshes that result from using Sketchup are horrendous. They need to be cleaned up in another 3d modeling application before being used in a game anyway. Plus, unless something has changed recently, I believe that the free edition of Sketchup cannot export files which means it can’t be used with Unity.
Sketchup can produce wonderfully clean geometry if you know what your doing. Sketchup hides alot of technicallity, and in that hiding you can get alot of screwy stuff. But if you know 3D well, and understand what it’s doing in the background, you can keep it as clean as any other.
To the OP. If you just want modelling. Silo is an amazing, really simple, subdiv modeler and sculpter. Theres another straight modelling app called Wings3d, which is open source and free, I’ve never tried it though.
Modo is also awesome for what it does.
If you want more functionality. Cinema4d. I say cinema4d is by far the best multi-purpose 3d app right now and is a role model for the other apps to follow.
kmz files simply are zip files that contain collada files.
Cinema4D is awesome and very fast both in creation and rendering I use the fbx format to imprt the models in unity, there si also a plug in to reduce the polygons of the objects for games
I am learning it slowly but the more I learn the more i am impressed, and then there are some real nice plug ins like that one to m ake plants and trees and organic modeling in general.
SketchUp Pro can export to Unity but it’s expensive and frankly the exporter is clunky and unreliable.
For much less you can get LightUp which enables you to light map models and export them to Unity.
There’s a free demo I think, have a go.
However while SketchUp is great for buildings it’s no use for characters or anything really bendy.
I liked Silo but you couldn’t do accurate modelling. same with Cheetah.
C4D works OK but a lot more expensive.