Did you know that an axonometric image shows the components of an object slightly separated by distance, or suspended in surrounding space in the case of a three-dimensional exploded diagram? Also, as architects, when we use an exploded axonometric image is to show exactly how everything in a building is located and what type of important elements does it have on the inside.
We found this very very easy way on how to make an exploded axonometric image using SketchUp only. And as a bonus, we also decided to animate this same image using After Effects. Watch the video tutorial here.
Download the video animation, photoshop and Sketchup file here: https://gum.co/zDVfr
Open your model in SketchUp
Make sure that the entire model is separated into groups by layers and elements, so we can manually displace the elements that are parts of our buildings.
In our model, everything is placed in groups and different layers, like roofs, windows, walls, stairs, etc.
We are going to separate these elements from the original model. We will move each element according to the X, Y, or Z axis of the model.
So the roof structure and material we locked it in the Z axis, and then elevated it from the rest of the model. Using the arrow keys on your keyboard, SketchUp will automatically notice and will lock it so it can only be moved to the direction you are moving.
Don’t forget to notice if your parallel projection option is on when moving these elements, it will give it a more technical aspect to the drawing.
After you’ve done the same steps for every element in the model. It is time to render it, before doing that, we are going to create a plane beneath the whole model to have some background shadows.
We also added a rectangle light on top of our model, we went to the light options to the V-ray tab. Then in the V-Ray asset editor, clicking on the light bulb to edit the light settings. Then lower the importance of the sunlight, typing in 0.2 or 0.5.
Finally, we will adjust our normal render settings, set the aspect ratio we want in our image, and set it to a high resolution.
Animation in After Effects
In our SketchUp file, we turned off all the layers we didn’t want to leave only the ones that interest us, next we rendered each one separately. Make sure it has the same point of view and same lightning.
Then import all of the images to a Photoshop file, they should all be in the same size and position automatically, then save it.
Create a new composition in After Effects, then import the photoshop file, double click so you can see the separate layers.
We start animating the position of each layer, we start with the roof. Choose the 4-second mark, then hit P on the keyboard for position and click on the timeframe, next drag time mark to the 0-second mark, and drag the position of the roof. Do this with each element.
Select the keyframes of each element, press F9, to have more flow in the movement. Render your animation and it is ready to use!
Watch the video tutorial below!
