3D Massing Graphics Using SketchUp: Tips and Tricks

Overview

The City of Toronto's SketchUp guide for producing the 3D massing image used on a development application notice sign, published with the sign's specification sheet and Illustrator layout guide. It covers downloading the city context massing model from the open data catalogue, setting units to metres and the camera to perspective, importing and colouring the proposal in orange, loading the approved standard colour palette, measuring building height, positioning the camera, the viewpoint formulas for low-rise, mid-rise and supertall buildings, adding fog, saving a scene and exporting a JPEG.

What it covers

• Download the City of Toronto context massing model
• Using the SketchUp massing model files
• Choose perspective view for your camera
• Import your proposed building into it's context
• Highlight your application model
• How-to import the approved standard colour palette to the SketchUp library
• Sketchup colour palette for 3D massing model in context
• Confirm your building height
• Positioning the camera
• Establishing the height of your camera
• Moving the guide point to reposition the camera
• Introduction on establishing viewpoints
• Positioning the viewpoints
• Rule of thumb for establish the correct view of your proposal in context
• Adding fog
• Creating a scene
• Save the image as a jpeg file
• Import final rendering into sign master template and label