Rapid 3D modelling of residential structures with Sketchup

The Nested Matrix approach provides a systematic approach to your architectural modelling

Reasons to use the Nested Matrix

Get organised

Know what to create next, group, select a view, isolate a storey.

Expand your toolset

Use short-cuts, X-ray views, follow-me, guidelines, sections etc

Rapid Results

One method, irrespective of the size or complexity of the building.

Layout laid out

Synchronise with Sketchup, layers pages, line control, scale and render

MEP

Add heating, lighting, cabling, pipework in 3D. Identify conflicts

Planning

Prepare documents for planning or permit applications.

Import

Use sketches, CAD plans or other files to quickstart your 3D model.

Drawings

Add text, dimensions, colour, labels etc to your 2D drawings.

Meet the author

My name is Marc Almond and the book came about as I was designing my own self-build house using Sketchup. In the absence of a reliable roadmap for house design in Sketchup, I found that I was constantly restarting my design. It was only when I found out other self-builders had the same frustrations that I decided to write this book.

I intended to write it for the first-time self builder but, in reality, it ended up being a Sketchup book for anyone who wanted a road map to 3D modelling of residential structures.

I’m a long-time Sketchup, Blender and Unity 3D user. I graduated in structural engineering and I’m also a technical author. Currently, I’m converting the book to an online course and I’m hoping, one day, to finish my own self-build!

Start designing better and faster today

Whats in the book?

Purchase

Frequently Asked Questions

It’s a method of organising your design process when using Sketchup.

It can be anyone who wants to create a 3D model of a residential structure. Its very useful for architects, builders, surveyors, developers and students.

It doesn’t have to be the Nested Matrix as long as you have some kind of method for developing your 3D structural design. Without a method, design decisions are made randomly, leading to chaos. Decisions could be how you separate the walls from the floor, when to create the window apertures, how to isolate one part of the building. How will you keep your computer responsive when you are designing a model with thousands of faces? The Nested Matrix is an approach that allows you to maximise the efficiency of your design effort.

It’s in the process of development.

It depends on how you prefer to learn. If you work better by following written instructions and by being able to flick quickly between pages, then perhaps the book is better for you. If you prefer to be shown the methods and techniques on screen, a more visual and dynamic style of learning, then perhaps the on-line course is better for you. Many designers like to watch the online video course first and then use the book as a quick reference when they are mid-project.

The book was written and published first and the online course duplicates the structure and content of the book. Having said that, the extensive use of video in the online course has allowed some extra information to be imparted.

No, it merely suggests a way to organise the 3D elements of your architectural design.

Yes. You can download the project files using the download link provided with your purchase receipt.

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