This is the first in a series of tutorials I will be writing up, detailing the fastest and easiest way to get to your goal.
Many of you out there are currently using Google Sketchup to get to grips with 3D modelling, but very few of you are aware of how easy it is to make a virtual world you can explore and walk around. Maybe you're into doing architectural visualisation but all you know how to do is make static images and movies. Wouldn't it be better if you could allow people to explore your 3D environment in real-time?

This is how to do it, and now is the time to learn. The 3D industry is expanding faster than it ever has and if you're about staying ahead of the game you need to think in terms of accessibility. To that end, the engine we're going to be using is called 'Unity 3D'. Like Adobe Flash, it will allow you to present 3D content from inside a webpage. Why make a virtual world that requires the user to download an installation file to see when you can run it from inside an internet browser?
Never make the mistake of thinking that 3D engines are only good for making games with. There's a huge industry out there covering fields like simulation, visualisation and training just to name a few. While it's true that competition in the gaming industry is what fuels the necessary advances in technology, it's just a part of the picture.
We're going to make a very small scene, this tutorial will cover just the basics.
You will need the following software...
Google Sketchup (free)
Light-up Plugin for Google Sketchup (trial)
Unity 3D for Windows or Mac (free)
I'll explain in detail what each of these is good for on the next page.
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