Book Image

Google SketchUp for Game Design: Beginner's Guide

Book Image

Google SketchUp for Game Design: Beginner's Guide

Overview of this book

Creating video game environments similar to the best 3D games on the market is now within the capability of hobbyists for the first time, with the free availability of game development software such as Unity 3D, and the ease with which groups of enthusiasts can get together to pool their skills for a game project. The sheer number of these independent game projects springing up means there is a constant need for game art, the physical 3D environment and objects that inhabit these game worlds. Now thanks to Google there is an easy, fun way to create professional game art, levels and props.Google SketchUp is the natural choice for beginners to game design. This book provides you with the workflow to quickly build realistic 3D environments, levels, and props to fill your game world. In simple steps you will model terrain, buildings, vehicles, and much more.Google SketchUp is the ideal entry level modeling tool for game design, allowing you to take digital photographs and turn them into 3D objects for quick, fun, game creation. SketchUp for Game Design takes you through the modeling of a game level with SketchUp and Unity 3D, complete with all game art, textures and props. You will learn how to create cars, buildings, terrain, tools and standard level props such as barrels, fencing and wooden pallets. You will set up your game level in Unity 3D to create a fully functional first person walk-around level to email to your friends or future employers.When you have completed the projects in this book, you will be comfortable creating 3D worlds, whether for games, visualization, or films.
Table of Contents (18 chapters)
Google SketchUp for Game Design
Credits
About the Author
About the Reviewers
www.PacktPub.com
Preface
Index

Time for action – obtaining Unity 3D for free


  1. Go to http://unity3d.com/unity/download/.

  2. Click on the Download Unity Now link and follow the instructions.

  3. While you're downloading you will be presented with a page with more information on it. Click on the Documentation link.

  4. Come back to this page when you have time and browse all the learning material available.

  5. When you've downloaded Unity, install and run it.

  6. Click on Register when requested to do so.

  7. Select Internet Activation (you will need to be connected to the Internet)

  8. Enter your e-mail details.

  9. Click on the Free license button.

  10. Go back to your installation and click on Finish.

  11. When you open Unity for the first time it should start importing the assets from the Bootcamp demo project.

  12. When it's all done, go to File ¦ Build & Run.

  13. Select PC and Mac Standalone (see next screenshot).

  14. Select Target Platform (Windows or Mac).

  15. Click on Build & Run and enter a filename like MyBootcamp. Note the location where the file is being saved on your computer...