Now that your concept design is documented, save that file for reference later, and then start a new one in order to begin work on your actual game level. You will begin by drawing out your plan in 2D in SketchUp, based on your mock up. You'll use this as a basis for your 3D terrains, buildings, and scenery assets:
Open a new project in SketchUp. Select the Engineering – Meters template. Save the file as
Level_Master.skp
.Go to Camera ¦ Parallel Projection.
Select the Top view button if you're not already there. You now see a completely flat 2D working area.
Select the Rectangle tool. Click on the Origin point and draw a rectangle to the upper right-hand side. Click again.
Now type in 100,100 and hit Enter. You now have a rectangle of 100 square meters.
Right-click on the face of the rectangle and select Reverse Face.
Click on the Zoom Extents button.
This is the extent of your map square, like the square on your chess board. Double-click on...