This week I am looking at Google SketchUp, a free downloadable program that allows the user to create and manipulate 3D models within a three dimensional workspace. I have been fascinated by this program ever since I first heard about it. For teaching biology, it has obvious possible uses for creating virtual anatomical models. It would also be potentially very useful for creating virtual models of complex molecules such as studied in organic chemistry, biochemistry and molecular biology. In between those two scales, it could also be used for modeling cell structures and organelles.
I'm still figuring out how to master the controls. I wanted to make a simple box that I could use to illustrate how surface area to volume ratio changes with size. I found I could not rectangles in the second or third dimensions unless I started using the axes built in to teh work space. I'm not sure if that part of how the object designer works, or if there a way to flip two dimensional objects into a different plane.
Anyway, I was able to make a 3D box. Now if I can figure out how to increase all of the box dimensions equally, I could use the tape measure tool to measure and explain how a bigger boxes has proportionally more volume, relative to surface area!
UPDATE: I have realized since writing this review that I missed the entire point to what makes SketchUp versatile and cool. I will have to revisit this review once I've had some more time to look at SketchUp. Note: It is important to read directions :) .
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