Preface

Creating video game environments similar to the best 3D games in the market is now within the reach of hobbyists for the first time, with free availability of game development software such as Unity 3D, added to 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 that there is a constant need for game art, physical 3D environments, and the objects that inhabit these game worlds. Thanks to Google there is an easy, fun way to create professional game art, levels, and props.

Google SketchUp is a natural choice for beginners for game designing. This book provides you with the workflow to build realistic 3D environments, levels, and props to fill your game world quickly. In simple steps, you will model terrains, buildings, vehicles, and much more.

Google SketchUp is an ideal entry-level modeling tool for game design, allowing you to take digital photographs and turn them into 3D objects for quick and 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 e-mail your friends or future employers.

When you have completed the projects in this book, you will be comfortable creating 3D worlds, be it for games, visualization, or films.