Google SketchUp for Site Design: A Guide to Modeling Site Plans, Terrain and Architecture,   ISBN:9780470345252

Customer Rating: 

Google SketchUp for Site Design offers design professionals tips on how to use the SketchUp tools and functions to construct models of exterior spaces and architecture. Both architecture and computer graphics libraries will benefit from specific tips for beginners and advanced SketchUp users, offering insights on creating models that are easy to follow and optimized for computer performance. SketchUp exercises, models and discussions of how the 3D modeling application is linked with contracting and design makes for a fine survey.

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My wife is a Landscape Architect and I am a Technical Writer, which makes a unique perspective for a book like this.

Daniel Tal's explanation of Google SketchUp is very well done. I'm impressed with the way he has woven open source resources into the exercises in his book, eliminating the need for a companion CD.

The level of detail is just right for all types of readers. Those with less experience get the level of detail that they need. The more experienced readers can easily skim over certain procedures to get what they need.

The one thing that leaves me snickering, though, is the notion of buying a book like this to learn to use a FREE PRODUCT (Google SketchUp). Nevertheless, the need is there and Tal has filled it. He deserves to make a few bucks.

Customer Rating: 

I have had the opportunity to participate in some of Daniel's classes and am now finishing reading the latter part of the book related to the utilization of CAD files in SketchUp. I also own the Google SketchUp for Dummies book which is a good resource. Google Sketchup for Site Design is geared very well to the person who needs to know how to accomplish specific tasks in SketchUp related to site plans, terrain and architecture as the title suggests. The previous reviews are spot on so I will keep this short. I would recommend this book for the landscape architect, land planner, urban designer, architect or others working with sites. It is very easy to understand and follow. It is backed by Daniel's numerous hours of practical product use and those little things he has learned, he has incorporated them into the text. This book is a definite must have for those learning to work in SketchUp or as a great reference. Well written, logical and concise.

Customer Rating: 

I agree with the other reviewers here when they write that this is a great book for learning how to use SketchUp. Almost a year ago I had purchased "Google SketchUp for Dummies" but after the first chapter I lost interest and found it difficult to follow. This book provides clear directions and great illustrations. The author breaks down the information into digestable chapters that do not assume previous knowledge.

Customer Rating: 

After watching a video of a talk given by Daniel Tal at the Sketchup Basecamp (July 2008) my approach to terrain modeling changed completely for the better. Thus when i heard of the book he was about to publish i got really excited and looked forward to what else he could teach me about terrain modeling and the use of the sandbox.

I thought the book would only deal with site modeling and the sandbox but was pleasantly surprised to see it covers much more than that. No book on an application like Sketchup is so complete as to cover all its uses and features but Daniel Tal's does a hell of a good job at showing what it can do. Focusing on landscape architecture, the book covers all the basics of modeling landscapes - natural and man-made -, buildings and urban elements.

The initial chapters are useful even for Sketchup veterans but my interest picked up in chapter 12 which, along with 13 and 14, are like Daniel's video written down in much more detail. Chapter 15 (Sandbox Architecture) is a real treat, revealing one of the many different uses of Sketchup's tools that are there but one does not find by oneself. I had never thought of using the sandbox tools to drape a 2D drawing of a façade over the 3D volume of the building it corresponds to. Great stuff indeed! Even the AutoCad chapters are useful for people who use other drafting applications.

The book is full of tutorials, and when you finish each of them you really know how to do what it intended to teach you. The illustrations are really helpful in that respect too. No subject is left without illustration or tutorial; there is hardly a page without at least an image - and with very good images: they look good and one can see the many details in each one. It helps a lot that the book is printed on paper of superior quality.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn how to use Sketchup or to improve his or her knowledge of this superb program. Moreover, it is a must for anyone wishing to go beyond buildings to model terrains and landscape architecture in detail. In this respect, Daniel Tal's book is unique and well worth every cent.