Easy, fast and Affordable 3D Modeling of Real Spaces: We Get Around created a proprietary process to convert the Matterport Object File (.OBJ) to a SketchUp File (.SKP) to enable anyone – anywhere – to be a 3D modeler within the SketchUp application. | Video Courtesy of We Get Around Architect and Associate Photographer Yair Yépez
by Yair Yépez, We Get Around Architect and Associate Photographer
Yair Yépez, We Get Around Architect and Associate Photographer | Image by Dan Smigrod
Today, it's easy, fast and affordable for anyone to shoot video with a smartphone. Not that long ago, it was hard, slow and expensive; including buying a movie camera and film; film processing; and projector and screen.
Similarly, today, it's easy, fast and affordable for anyone – with or without training – to do 3D modeling as a result of mashing up innovation by Matterport, We Get Around and Sketchup.
First, some history.
Back in the summer of 2000, there was a major change in the world of 3D modeling and design. That's when the first version of one of the most popular 3D modeling software was launched.
The tool was SketchUp. Eight years later, Google acquired SketchUp.
Those early years were the boom of the 3D modeling and animation industries. Three-dimensional (3D) software such as Autodesk 3Ds Max, Autodesk Maya and NewTek LightWave became popular and mainstream in almost all industries;
- design
- construction
- architecture
- animation
- special effects
- web design
The SketchUp application became one of the most popular software tools because it could deliver 3D for everyone (free and an under $500 upgrade option).
While most of the 3D modeling, visualization and animation software in the market at the time required not only to make a big investment in license fees and equipment, they were – and still are – hard to learn and use.
With other 3D modeling tools it takes at least 200 hours of training for anyone to be considered a good 3D modeler. Not with SketchUp. After a decade of improvements and leaving the Google family, the SketchUp application is still now the most used; easy to use; and the most powerful 3D tool in the world.
We Get Around Proprietary Process
We Get Around created a proprietary process to convert the Matterport Object File (.OBJ) to a SketchUp File (.SKP) to enable anyone – anywhere – to be a 3D modeler within the SketchUp application. (Without the We Get Around proprietary process, the Matterport .OBJ can not be opened and manipulated successfully in SketchUp.)
The .OBJ file generated by the Matterport camera is one of the most valuable pieces of information that the Matterport camera generates. Within that file is the data – and the potential to achieve wonderful and productive designs that we need to create from the interior spaces that we scan.
Use Case Examples
Having Matterport scan data – the Object File (.OBJ) mesh – inside a powerful tool such as SketchUp opens the door to all kinds of potential uses and possibilities.
For example, the ability to alter and modify the scanned mesh at will in terms of shape and materials such as:
- eliminate unwanted furniture
- change walls paint colors
- change floor coverings
- measure geometry in linear dimensions (length, width and height)
- measure geometry in areas and volumes
Matterport + We Get Around proprietary process + SketchUp = potential to bring designs to the real world, or better said: bring the real world into your design!
The We Get Around FloorMe Extreme solution is an interactive, digitized 2D and 3D floor plan tool – delivered as a SketchUp File (.SKP) created from We Get Around WalkAround 3D Tours – powered by Matterport.
It's a mouth-full. So, we just call it our We Get Around FloorMe Extreme™ solution.
Deliverables
Within three business days of delivering the 3D Tour, We Get Around Delivers the scanned interior space inside a friendly and easy to use SketchUp file (example) where you can use it to make better design decisions and make more wonderful projects with your re-modeling projects.
Conclusion
The Matterport platform is changing the way we view and experience real interior spaces. Now, the same Matterport technology – powered by the We Get Around proprietary process – enables us to deliver FloorMe Extreme – the SketchUp (.SKP) file converted from the Matterport Objective File (.OBJ) to enable an easy, fast and affordable 3D modeling designing by novice and experts alike.
Getting Started
- If you are in Atlanta – We Get Around creates WalkAround 3D and VR Tours – powered by Matterport – and also can deliver our FloorMe Extreme SketchUp (.SKP) file.
- Not in Atlanta? – We Get Around can refer you to a Matterport Pro 3D Camera Photographer across the U.S., Canada and 32 other countries via our Referral Network. We can work with your Matterport Pro 3D Camera Photographer to create the SketchUp file. (We just need the .OBJ via a shared DropBox)
- If you are a Matterport Pro 3D Camera Photographer – We Get Around creates the SketchUp file from the Matterport Object File and either you or We can deliver it to the client.
In addition to 3D and VR WalkAround Tours and our We Get Around FloorMe Extreme solution we also offer 2D and 3D Floor Plans with every 3D Tour. Plus, we offer virtual staging for residential listings that do not have existing furniture. All WalkAround 2D Tours are delivered using responsive design links and embed code.
If you have questions about the We Get Around FloorMe solution, please Contact Us.
Related
- We Get Around Our FloorMe Floor Plan Service Created From the Matterport 3D Showcase Object File (.OBJ)
- We Get Around Blog Post (1 March 2015) 3D Models: Matterport Verus Floored
- Matterport User Group Forum – Threads Tags "Object File"
The Matterport Object file (.OBJ) form this WalkAround™ 3D Tour was converted by We Get Around (using our proprietary process) to create a SketchUp file (.SKP). The video at the top of this page is a demo of using this .SKP file within the SketchUp application. Elsewhere on this page is a link to a Dropbox with this .SKP file. This 3D Tour takes about 10 seconds to load. To walk around, use the arrow keys on your keyboard; check-out the dollhouse and floor plan views (lower left icons); click to fly-in and walk around | WalkAround™ 3D Tour by We Get Around Chief Photographer Dan Smigrod
